Giving Someone Space

It’s not always your duty to help someone. Sometimes, the best thing for that person will be for them to figure it out on their own. That’s not always the case, sometimes it may be an obligation to go out of our way to help someone, but I wouldn’t say it’s our duty at all times. However, giving someone space also shows that you respect them. People need their own space as much as we need to interact with one another - both are important for our own sanity. And if you show someone respect, then they’ll see that they can have self-respect too.

Two-year-olds are known to be a bit more apt to “push the envelope”, and I think that’s because they’re learning just how much space (or respect) they deserve. (The same goes for most teenagers.) But notice with regards to the two-year-old that you don’t need to do the walking for them. He/she figures it out on their own. Yes, they watch you as an example, and you’re always beside in case they stumble, but it’s still up to them.

So, when you feel the urge to constantly be helping someone, that can be a problem for two reasons. First, it might become draining to you, and therefore become less of an act of kindness. Second, it may become disheartening to the other person. Giving someone space goes a long way, but, of course, staying close to help is always a good idea.