8 things a strong woman would never do for a man

There’s a clear difference between being a strong woman and one who loses herself in the process of loving a man.

This distinction boils down to boundaries. A strong woman knows her worth and doesn’t compromise herself for the sake of a relationship. She understands that love is not about giving up her identity, but rather about growing together as equals.

On the flip side, losing oneself in a relationship is like playing a role, forgetting who you are to please another person.

Now, as Tina Fey, founder of the Love Connection blog and your go-to gal for all things love and relationships, I’m here to help you navigate through these complexities. I’ve put together a list of 8 things a strong woman would never do for a man.

Let’s dive in. 

1) Sacrifice her dreams

When it comes to balancing love and personal ambitions, things can get a bit tricky.

But here’s the thing – a strong woman knows that she can have both. She doesn’t need to choose between love and her dreams.

Why is that, you may ask? It’s simple – she believes in her worth and knows that she deserves a partner who respects and supports her ambitions, rather than asking her to give them up.

It’s not about being selfish, it’s about understanding that personal growth and fulfillment are just as important as a romantic relationship.

2) Change who she is

Now, let’s talk about authenticity. A strong woman never changes her essence for a man.

I’ve seen it happen too many times – a vibrant, confident woman starts dating someone and slowly, she starts losing herself. She starts changing, toning down her personality, all to fit into a box that she thinks will make her more ‘acceptable’ or ‘lovable’.

But ladies, here’s some wisdom from the remarkable Oscar Wilde – “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” Your uniqueness is your power. The right person will love you for who you are, not who they want you to be.

Personally, I’ve learned this the hard way. It took me years to understand that changing myself for another person was doing more harm than good. So believe me when I say this – there’s nothing more beautiful than being unapologetically you.

3) Lose her independence

Here’s another crucial point – a strong woman never relinquishes her independence for a man.

I can’t stress this enough. Independence isn’t just about financial stability; it’s about emotional autonomy, having your own circle of friends, your own hobbies, and the freedom to make decisions that are best for you.

In my book Breaking The Attachment: How To Overcome Codependency in Your Relationship, I delve deeper into how losing your independence can lead to a toxic, codependent relationship where you lose sight of who you are outside the relationship.

Remember, ladies, a balanced relationship involves two independent individuals choosing to be together, not two halves trying to complete each other. So embrace your independence – it’s one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself.

4) Always be the peacekeeper

Now, this might sound counterintuitive, but hear me out – a strong woman doesn’t always play the role of the peacekeeper in a relationship.

Sure, compromise is key in any relationship. But there’s a fine line between compromise and constantly swallowing your feelings just to avoid conflict.

Often, women are taught that they should be the peacekeepers, that they should smooth things over to maintain harmony. But a strong woman knows that it’s okay to rock the boat sometimes.

She understands that voicing her opinions or disagreements doesn’t make her difficult; it makes her honest. It’s not about picking fights; it’s about having open and healthy communication where both parties feel heard.

5) Tolerate disrespect

This is a big one, ladies – a strong woman never tolerates disrespect, no matter where it comes from.

Having been in the dating scene for quite a while, I’ve seen my fair share of disrespectful behavior. And let me tell you, it’s never worth putting up with.

A strong woman knows her value and won’t allow anyone to treat her poorly. She stands up for herself because she knows that respect is non-negotiable in any relationship.

Remember, it’s not just about how he treats you when everything is rosy. It’s about how he acts when he’s angry, upset, or under pressure. That’s the real litmus test.

6) Ignore her intuition

I’m going to get real with you here – a strong woman never ignores her gut feeling, no matter how much she wants the reality to be different.

Our intuition is a powerful tool. It’s that niggling feeling, that voice in the back of our heads that warns us when something isn’t right.

I’ve had moments in my own relationships where my gut was screaming at me that something was off. And every time I ignored it, I ended up regretting it.

A strong woman listens to her intuition. She trusts herself enough to know that if something feels off, it probably is. Even when it’s hard, even when it’s painful, she respects her instinct and acts accordingly.

7) Settle for less

This one is close to my heart – a strong woman never settles for less than she deserves.

Throughout my life, I’ve learned that settling is a slow poison. It eats away at your self-esteem, makes you question your worth, and leaves you feeling unfulfilled.

The legendary Maya Angelou once said, “Never make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option.” And ladies, nothing could be more accurate.

A strong woman knows her worth and won’t settle for anything less. She doesn’t accept half-hearted love, lukewarm commitment, or disrespectful behavior.

8) Lose herself in the relationship

This last point hits home, ladies – a strong woman never loses herself in a relationship.

Falling in love is beautiful, but it’s easy to start revolving your whole world around your partner. You start to forget who you are outside the relationship, and that is a dangerous place to be.

I’ve been there, and it took me a while to find myself again. It was a painful journey, but it taught me an invaluable lesson – that I am enough, just as I am.

A strong woman knows that she is an individual first and a partner second. She maintains her identity and continues to grow as a person, even within the relationship.

Final thoughts

And there you have it, ladies – the 8 things a strong woman would never do for a man.

Remember, it’s not about being hard, it’s about being true to yourself. And while love is beautiful, it should never come at the cost of your self-esteem and self-worth.

For more insights on maintaining your individuality and preventing codependency in relationships, do check out my book Breaking The Attachment: How To Overcome Codependency in Your Relationship.

Always remember, you are strong, you are capable, and you deserve nothing but the best. Don’t settle for less, and never lose sight of who you are. Because at the end of the day, your relationship with yourself sets the tone for every other relationship in your life.