Because they’ve been through the fire—betrayal, rejection, heartbreak—and learned the hard way that without standards, they’re vulnerable to being taken for granted. These women know that without setting and holding firm to their standards, they risk losing themselves. They’ve fought to become who they are and now protect that fiercely.

Steps to Establishing Your Own Standards:

1. Know Your Worth or Be Taken for Granted
   • Why: If you don’t define your value, others will do it for you—and they’ll always underestimate you.
   • How: Reflect on your past. What have you tolerated that made you feel disrespected? Make a list of what you will never accept again—that becomes your standard. Know your value and hold it up high.
2. Set Boundaries Without Apology
   • Why: Boundaries are your shield. They protect your peace, your heart, and your standards.
   • How: Identify what is non-negotiable in your life. Communicate these boundaries clearly, without explaining or apologizing. Those who respect you will honor your boundaries. Anyone who doesn’t, doesn’t belong in your life.
3. Demand Respect—Don’t Ask for It
   • Why: Allowing disrespect once gives people permission to keep crossing the line. Strong women command respect by how they live and what they tolerate.
   • How: Start with yourself. The way you treat yourself teaches others how to treat you. Walk in self-respect, and people will follow your lead without you needing to say a word.
4. Be Ready to Walk Away
   • Why: Standards are meaningless unless you’re willing to enforce them. Strong women walk away from anything that doesn’t align with their values, no matter how hard it may be.
   • How: Practice the power of walking away. Staying in situations that don’t serve you only weakens your position. Walking away shows that you respect yourself too much to stay where you’re not valued.
5. Stay Unapologetic
   • Why: People will test your standards, challenge them, and try to make you feel “difficult.” Strong women never apologize for holding their ground.
   • How: Stop explaining yourself to people who don’t understand your standards. You owe no one an explanation for valuing yourself. Hold firm, even when others push back.

Conclusion:

Standards aren’t about having an attitude—they’re about protecting your worth and standing firm in your value. Strong women set standards because they’ve been through too much to settle for anything less. If you don’t set your standards, the world will dictate what you’re worth—and it’ll always be less than you deserve. This is about taking control, knowing your value, and refusing to compromise. Your strength isn’t in attitude—it’s in your unwavering standards. Get them in place, or the world will walk all over you. With love and faith, Galina 💜