When you think of standards, usually the first thing that comes to mind is the dating game. Don't be needy, wait for them to contact you, never offer to pay, etc. These are what some might consider "high standards." While I agree that some of the so-called dating "rules" are outdated, I think our world has lost touch of what it means to have standards for yourself. Not in the world of dating, but in everyday life.

Let go of relationships that no longer serve you.

If you find yourself having to pretend like you are someone else in the presence of another, that is probably your red flag. Healthy relationships feel right. They flow and you can't necessarily explain why; they just do. It's rare to find people who just get you. And that's even more of a reason you should appreciate the people that do.

"If you try to be something you're not—you'll end up being nothing."

Don't lose that standard for yourself: you deserve people who make you feel like you are okay. You deserve people that build you up. You deserve people who push you forward.

Replace I'm sorry.

It's easy to throw around the word sorry when in reality you did nothing to be sorry for. A Tumblr user's attempt at giving up this phrase inspired me:

When we replace negativity with positivity, we reap the benefits. Why sell your self short with the word "sorry"? Hold yourself to the standards you deserve and replace "sorry" with "thank you."

Treat others the way you would like to be treated.

One of the most common tricks in the book. The more I think about and apply this to my everyday life, the more I see its power. Being late is a habit of mine. If I say I'm ten minutes away, odds are I haven't even left. When I find myself getting impatient with someone who is late for me, I have to stop and remember all the times I have been late for a friend who just laughed it off. We all need a listening ear, a forgiving friend and a moment of understanding from time to time. If you seek these things, give them to others.

"Remember, you teach people how to treat you."

While some may say you must have high standards in the dating game, I think it's more important to have high standards in your everyday life. I struggle with this, and I know that many people do. So, to that person with high standards, keep holding your head high. And to those who might not be there yet, it's just within your reach.