15 Biggest Vulnerabilities Other People Exploit
Family, friends, partners, your colleagues, your boss; it can be hard to believe that any of these people would exploit your vulnerabilities, but they do. Sometimes it's intentional and they want to gain something from you; sometimes it's unintentional and they're only thinking about themselves. But their actions leave you open and unprotected, and the best way to combat this is to be aware of the people, of your vulnerabilities, and of the situations this can lead to. And that's exactly what we're tackling today, so let's dive into it, shall we?
Starting off at number one: when you always cover the bill, literally and metaphorically. Resource plus kindness equals setting an expectation. Expectation minus appreciation equals resentment. Sometimes you cover the bill once or twice because you know that you earn more money than your friends, and you're more than happy to do this. But then it becomes a habit; they stop pulling out their wallets altogether.
Sometimes you're the only one always making plans to see each other. You're the one who remembers birthdays, takes on extra work, or you let go of things because you want to keep the peace. You're the one who takes the fall, and there's no acknowledgment or appreciation. They no longer pay attention when the bill comes; they happily hand over more work to you. They override your voice and opinion because they know you'll sit back.
We see this with anyone who has something that others don't and are willing to share it—those with more time, more resources, greater work ethic, and support than others. It's great to share, absolutely, but appreciation and acknowledgment are so important.
Number two: you're too easygoing and flexible. We often speak about the importance of being flexible and resilient, right? You have to change and adapt as problems come your way, but sometimes people create problems knowing that you'll bend for them, and then they'll know they can take advantage of that flexibility. When you're constantly putting yourself aside to accommodate other people, it means you struggle to maintain healthy boundaries.
They infringe on your time, resources, and personal space. If you're always available or willing to change plans, others might start undervaluing your time. When you prioritize their needs over your own, this self-neglect can lead to burnout and resentment. The things that seem small can compound and explode when the wrong people realize that you're willing to put your own needs aside just to keep things light and easy.
Number three: your capacity for stress and getting overwhelmed. During stressful times when we feel overwhelmed, our defenses are especially low. We become more susceptible to manipulation and poor decision-making, which can manifest in different ways: unequal distribution of responsibilities, emotional manipulation, financial strain, and the erosion of your personal boundaries.
You're more likely to open up to the wrong people and look for comfort from anyone who offers it. This emotional vulnerability can be a golden opportunity for manipulators who know just how to push your buttons. Our judgment gets clouded and we might miss the red flags or warning signs that we would normally pick up on in a heartbeat. You want to fix everything right now and will go the extra mile to work on things with people you wouldn't even pay attention to usually. So when you're going through a difficult time, stick close to the people you know and trust.
Number four: defaulting to believing that everyone is equally good. Look, we've been taught that everyone deserves a level of trust and respect no matter who they are and how well you know them, but from there, trust builds or erodes based on what they do and how they act. Good genuine people start everyone off with a high level of trust and respect; it takes a lot for them to see when someone doesn't deserve that.
We're all shaped by our experiences and our upbringings. Some have learned to be kind and considerate, while others have picked up habits of manipulation or selfishness along the way. When we assume everyone's operating on the same moral wavelength as us, we miss those red flags that could save us a world of trouble. You have to be realistically optimistic—hope for the best in people, but also be aware that not everyone operates with the same moral compass.
Number five: not protecting yourself. Now, we protect our personal safety by locking our doors, right? By sharing our location and plans with people that we trust, and getting to know someone before inviting them in. But we're not as vigilant about our emotional, financial, and even digital security. When you're not actively protecting yourself, you are leaving your front door wide open, my friend. You're basically inviting trouble in, and it's especially dangerous in our hyper-connected world.
Emotionally, this could mean you're more susceptible to manipulation or gaslighting. Financially, you're exposing yourself to scams or identity theft, and both are open to more exploitation when you neglect your digital security, and that's where things can get really dicey.
In today's online world, the internet is like a double-edged sword in a lot of ways. It's amazing for connecting us—for work, for entertainment—but it's also a playground for those looking for a quick entry into your safe place. Every time you log into a public Wi-Fi network, you're at your local coffee shop or checking your bank account while traveling, you're exposing your personal data to people you don't even know.
You have to lock your door, Axel! And this is where services like NordVPN come into play. Think of a VPN, or a virtual private network, as your own personal bodyguard for the Internet. It's like having an invisible shield around your online activities at all times. When you use NordVPN, it encrypts your Internet connection, making it much harder for hackers, identity thieves, or even your internet service provider to snoop on what you're doing online.
Using NordVPN isn't just about keeping the bad guys out; now it's also about giving you freedom and peace of mind. Want to access your home country's streaming services while you're traveling abroad? Well, they can help you with that. Worried about using public Wi-Fi at airports or hotels? The service allows you to browse knowing your data is encrypted. If you've been with us for a while, then you know how closely we work with Nord, so we've got a great extra offer for you. With every purchase of the 2-year NordVPN plan, you'll get four bonus months on top and up to a 20 GBs data voucher!
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All right, let's dive right back into the video, shall we? Number six: financial insecurity. Now, financial insecurity is like walking on a tightrope without a safety net. When you're constantly worried about making ends meet, it can leave you vulnerable in ways you might not even realize. When you're stressed about money, your focus narrows. You're so busy trying to keep your head above water, you might miss the warning signs of someone trying to take advantage of you.
That too-good-to-be-true investment opportunity? Well, when you're desperate, it suddenly looks a whole lot more appealing. Or maybe you're more likely to take on that sketchy side gig because, hey, money is money, right? It's not just about falling for scams, though. Financial insecurity makes you hesitant to stand up for yourself in all sorts of situations. Maybe you're putting up with a toxic work environment because you can't afford to lose your job, or you're staying in a relationship that's not good for you because you're worried about making it on your own financially.
It's like your financial situation becomes this invisible chain holding you back from making decisions that are actually in your best interest. And let's not forget about the emotional toll—constantly worrying about money is exhausting. It can leave you feeling drained, anxious, and vulnerable. In this state, you might be more likely to seek comfort or support from the wrong people. Someone who seems to have it all together financially might look like a savior, even if their intentions aren't exactly pure.
Number seven: low financial literacy. You know, con artists use jargon and promise high returns to lure you into bogus schemes. If you don't know basic investment principles, it can be hard to tell an opportunity from a scam, and so your hard-earned money goes into ventures that are designed to fail from the start. If you don't understand how credit cards, loan terms, and interest rates work or what terms like APR mean, you could end up agreeing to terms and conditions that dig you into a deep hole.
Your lack of knowledge can lead to debt piling up, and people and companies prey on this lack of knowledge to keep you indebted to them, forcing you to pay them for the rest of your life.
Number eight: your need for approval. When you crave validation from others, it can cloud your judgment and make you more likely to overlook red flags or compromise your values to gain acceptance. This vulnerability can manifest in various areas of your life, from personal relationships to professional settings. Your desire for approval might lead you to tolerate behaviors or demands that you wouldn't normally accept.
Manipulative people can sense this need and exploit it, pushing you to do things that you're uncomfortable with or taking advantage of your generosity. At work, your need for approval can also be a double-edged sword. While it's natural to want to be liked and respected by your colleagues and your superiors, this desire can make you more prone to exploitation. You might find yourself agreeing to take on extra work, staying late, or accepting tasks outside of your job description—all in the hopes of gaining favor.
Number nine: creating the safety net. Now, creating a safety net for other people comes from a place of genuine care and generosity, right? But often, what actually ends up happening is that you become the safety net, and the more people that you support, the less support you have available for yourself. When you do it once and you're good at it, those people start reaching out and leaning on you without realizing how much they're leaning and not supporting.
They come to rely on you for financial support, emotional labor, or problem-solving, and over time this dynamic can drain your resources and energy, leaving you feeling taken for granted. A friend might frequently borrow money without making any effort to repay it, knowing that, hey, you'll always be there to bail them out. While helping occasionally is a part of a healthy relationship, consistently being the safety net without receiving anything in return can be exhausting and just totally unsustainable.
Number ten: being afraid of confrontation. When you shy away from conflict, you often end up compromising your own needs and desires to avoid uncomfortable situations, and this fear can manifest in various aspects of your life, from personal relationships to professional environments, making it easier for others to take advantage of your reluctance to stand up for yourself.
Your fear of confrontation can create a dynamic where others feel they can push your boundaries without consequence. You find yourself agreeing to things that you're uncomfortable with just to keep the peace. Colleagues or supervisors could exploit your reluctance to challenge unfair situations or workloads. You could be overcharged for a service or sold a product that isn't advertised because you don't want to argue with the seller. It's a moment to be assertive and learn to stand up for yourself—that is how you create more balanced and respectful relationships where people are less likely to exploit you.
Number eleven: having low self-esteem. Now, having low self-esteem affects how you see yourself and interact with others. When you don't value yourself, it's easy for others to sense this and take advantage of your insecurities. You end up undervaluing your skills and contributions at work. They pay you less, give you an excessive workload, or treat you poorly.
Your lack of confidence stops you from negotiating for better conditions or speaking up when something is unfair. You could even get handed projects and tasks way beyond your job description, and at the end of the day, this status affects your professional growth and could even lead to burnout. Constantly trying to prove your worth is exhausting; you have to know it and act like you know it.
Number twelve: believing that you're sensitive, dramatic, or weak. Now, we often make jokes about being sensitive or dramatic, right? But hearing it from someone when you're in the heat of the moment during an argument? Well, that can completely derail your point—even if it's valid. It's like an immediate bullseye or target aimed at you, and you take a step back because society views those qualities in such a negative way.
When you internalize these labels, you also start doubting your own feelings and perceptions, making it easier for others to manipulate or dismiss you. It's a mindset that can affect different aspects of your life, from personal relationships to professional environments, where people can take advantage of your self-doubt. It can lead you to express your feelings and tolerate behaviors that are hurtful or unfair. You might hesitate to express your emotions or concerns, fearing that you'll be dismissed or labeled as overreacting.
Number thirteen: not knowing what kind of treatment is fair or not knowing yourself. When you don't know yourself, when you don't know what kind of treatment is fair and how people should treat you, well, you don't know if they're behaving badly, and you don't know if your standards or expectations are too high and if their behavior is acceptable. Everyone is different; we all have a range of experiences and needs, and there's no rulebook on how someone should behave in specific situations.
Listening to other people's opinions can be incredibly confusing; they might accept things that you would never tolerate or put their wall up against situations that roll right off your back. You have to know yourself. You have to know what you're willing to take, what you can handle, and what you'll do when someone pushes those boundaries just a little bit too far.
Number fourteen: your mistakes. You know the phrase, "Everyone makes mistakes"? Well, there's a way to move past mistakes in a respectful, valuable way, and then there is a way to become so caught up in those mistakes that people end up exploiting you. If you're embarrassed or ashamed of your mistakes, well, it's easier for people to guilt you into believing that you're wrong in the present.
They can use it to shift blame or control the situation. If you make a mistake at work and it's always brought up, it can undermine your confidence and put you on a hamster wheel of always trying to prove your worth and skills. Your mistakes can be exploited by others to maintain control or superiority. Friends or acquaintances might bring up your past missteps in conversations to embarrass you or diminish your achievements, and it can lead to a dynamic where you feel constantly on the defensive—unable to fully enjoy social interactions or assert your true self. Over time, this can further erode your self-esteem and make you more susceptible to further manipulation.
Number fifteen: your past. Now, your past, especially when it includes regrets or unresolved issues, can give people the leverage they want to manipulate or control you. If someone knows how to wield it, they can bring it up during conflicts to get the upper hand. They can remind you of your past to make you feel guilty or ashamed, and that totally exploits your trust. You feel like you're constantly having to make up for something that you can't change, and you walk on eggshells, wondering when it's going to come back up again.
Some people bring it up to embarrass you or to diminish your accomplishments. You end up having to defend yourself around every corner. How can you build healthy, equal relationships when the shadow of your past is hanging over you?
And hey, that's the end of this list. But you stuck with us until the very end, so of course, you're getting a bonus. And today's bonus is surprisingly, your success. Now, when you achieve success—whether it's in your career, your personal life, or even social goals—it can attract people who see your accomplishments as opportunities for their own gain.
At work, people might ride on your coattails and rake up credit for things that you did. Aligning themselves with your achievements can boost their own standing and career. In your relationships, your success can attract people who are more interested in what you can give them rather than in a genuine mutual connection. In social contexts, people gravitate toward you for not who you are, but for what they can gain from using your name and accomplishments.
They become a part of the circles that can bolster their own reputations, and all of this leads to superficial relationships where you're valued more for your achievements and what they can bring to other people rather than your own personal qualities. And that's not a good place to be, because that's where you're left feeling used and unappreciated.
Now, Alex, walking that line between knowing when someone is genuine and knowing when you're being paranoid is a hard one, right? It's normal to go back and forth and be easily persuaded or to change your mind about someone quickly. It's seldom going to be a straight answer, but that's where knowing yourself comes in. What are you willing to accept, and what will you do when someone crosses that boundary?
Tell us in the comments; we always love hearing your input. Let us know the lines that people have crossed with you, and tell us what you did to make sure they never cross that line again. We'll be right there with you in the comments.