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I almost let this slide… then I realised the cost.
We’re currently dealing with a rental car situation that, while annoying, has turned into a beautiful reminder of what self-respect looks like in real life.
We rented a car, and out of nowhere, charges for traffic fines started appearing.
No screenshots.
No reference numbers.
No receipts.
Just taking money directly out of our account and showing us the fine afterwards.
Like so many of us, I was raised on the mantra:
“Don’t make a fuss. Don’t be difficult. Solve problems. Don’t be a problem.”
- Saying yes to things that don’t feel right
- Not speaking up when something is unfair
- Staying quiet to “keep things smooth”
And for the love of Brad Pitt it’s not because we’re weak. It’s because we’re taught that being agreeable is “good.”
But life is full of challenges, so you can either sit back and be nice, OR show up when you are.
And I had had enough.
So instead of paying and moving on, I chose something different.
I went back and asked for:
- Official receipts
- Violation references
- Transaction IDs
- Proof of the actual offence
Real documentation.
Not because I’m angry (well, maybe a little).
But because respecting myself means requiring clarity where clarity is owed.
And let me tell you, that was uncomfortable.
My heart rate went up. I worried about being perceived as “pushy.”
I felt that old urge to just let it go.
Because in this situation:
- We deserve transparency.
- We deserve information.
- We deserve professionalism.
- We deserve to ask questions without being made to feel like we’re causing trouble.
We are allowed to have boundaries without darn well apologising for having them.
So yep indeedy, sometimes self-respect looks powerful and bold.
But often more often than not, it looks like sending a firm email on a Wednesday afternoon that says:
“No, I need this clarified before I proceed.”
It looked administrative. It looked boring. It looked like “not a big deal.”
And yet, these are the moments that shape our identity.
Because every time you choose yourself in the small things…
You make it easier to choose yourself in the big things.
So if you’re reading this and there is something you’ve been:
- tolerating
- avoiding
- saying yes even though it feels off…
Ask yourself:
“If I respected myself fully here, what would I do?”
Then do that.
Not perfectly. Not loudly. Just honestly.
Because self-respect isn’t “nice to have.”
It’s the foundation of every step forward.
With love and Louboutins,
(and organised paperwork),
DrK xoxo
P.S. We ended up going to the “Center for Happiness” at the Roads & Transport Authority in Dubai and by golly they were so incredibly helpful! (We’re finding that all government centers here are like that - super organised and willing to do anything to help!).
We ended up filing a complaint and low-and-behold, found that there were charges on the car when we weren’t even driving it! So… stay tuned next week for the outcome.
⭐️ p.s. Relatable? My upcoming book The Self-Respect Playbook for Overthinkers, Overdoers and Overgivers is almost here. I’m so so proud of this book!
Make sure to hop on the waitlist, not only will I send you a free preview chapter, you’ll also go in the running to win a signed copy.
