Should I stop being nice ?

People around me often tell me I’m too nice. They say I give too much, forgive too easily, and always put others before myself. At first, I took it as a compliment—being kind felt like a superpower. But lately, I’ve started to wonder if being nice is actually holding me back. Have I been so focused on being the “good person” that I’ve forgotten to stand up for myself? It’s a question that’s been gnawing at me, and I can’t shake the feeling that maybe it’s time to stop being so nice all the time.

The truth is, being nice has cost me more than I’d like to admit. I’ve stayed in relationships far longer than I should have because I didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. I’ve said yes to things I didn’t want to do just to avoid conflict. I’ve let people take advantage of my kindness, leaving me feeling drained and unappreciated. It’s like I’ve been wearing a mask, trying to make everyone else comfortable while ignoring my own needs. And honestly? I’m tired of it.

But here’s the thing—I’m not sure if I even know how to stop being nice. It’s become such a core part of who I am that the idea of being anything else feels foreign, almost wrong. What if I become someone I don’t recognize? What if people stop liking me? These fears keep me stuck in the same cycle, smiling when I want to scream and staying silent when I want to speak up. It’s exhausting, but the thought of changing…