I’ve learned that first impressions matter—a lot. Sometimes, people decide whether they like us within seconds, and certain habits can push them away before we even realize it.

The tricky part? We don’t always notice when we’re doing things that make others dislike us. It’s not about being fake or trying to please everyone, but small behaviors can have a big impact on how people see us.

The good news is that once we recognize these habits, we can change them. Here are seven things to watch out for if you want to make a better impression and avoid pushing people away.

1) making everything about you

We all like to talk about ourselves—it’s natural. But if every conversation somehow circles back to you, people will start tuning out fast.

Think about it. Have you ever been excited to share something, only for the other person to immediately one-up you with their own story? It’s frustrating, right?

If you constantly dominate conversations or shift the focus back to yourself, people will feel unheard and unimportant. And that’s a quick way to make them dislike being around you.

A simple fix? Listen more than you speak. Ask questions, show genuine interest, and let others have their moment too.

2) interrupting people

I used to think I was just being enthusiastic in conversations—jumping in with my thoughts, finishing people’s sentences, or cutting in when I had something to add. But then a friend called me out on it.

She told me, “You don’t even let me finish my thoughts before you start talking.” That stung. I hadn’t realized how often I was interrupting, but once she pointed it out, I started noticing it everywhere.

The truth is, interrupting makes people feel like their words don’t matter. Even if you’re excited or trying to relate, cutting someone off can come across as dismissive or impatient.

I had to make a conscious effort to slow down and actually listen. And once I did, I noticed people opened up more because they felt heard.

3) complaining all the time

Negativity is contagious. Studies have shown that simply being around someone who complains frequently can make you feel more negative yourself. That’s why people tend to distance themselves from constant complainers—it drains their energy.

Of course, everyone vents now and then, and that’s totally normal. But if every conversation turns into a rant about what’s wrong with your life, your job, or the world, people will start avoiding you.

Instead of focusing on problems all the time, try shifting to solutions or positive moments. A little optimism goes a long way in making people enjoy being around you.

4) being overly critical

Nobody likes feeling judged, but some people make a habit of pointing out every little flaw—in others, in situations, even in themselves. While you might think you’re just being honest or helpful, constant criticism can make people feel like they’re never good enough.

Over time, this creates distance. People don’t want to be around someone who always finds something wrong with them or what they do. Even well-meaning advice can come across as nitpicking if it’s not balanced with encouragement.

Before offering criticism, ask yourself: Is it necessary? Is it constructive? And most importantly, is it wanted? Sometimes, the best way to build better relationships is to let the small things go.

5) never admitting when you’re wrong

It’s not easy to admit when you’ve made a mistake. There’s this instinct to defend yourself, to explain why you did what you did, or to shift the blame onto something else. But the more you refuse to take responsibility, the more people start to lose respect for you.

No one expects perfection. In fact, people appreciate honesty and accountability far more than stubbornness. Owning up to a mistake doesn’t make you weak—it actually makes you more trustworthy.

A simple “You’re right, I messed up” or “I see where I went wrong” can completely change how people see you. It turns conflict into connection and shows that you value the relationship more than your ego.

6) always trying to one-up people

Have you ever shared an achievement or a struggle, only for someone to immediately respond with, “Oh, that’s nothing—listen to what happened to me”? It’s frustrating, right? It makes you feel like your experiences don’t matter.

People do this without even realizing it. Maybe they think they’re being relatable or adding to the conversation, but constantly one-upping others makes interactions feel like a competition rather than a connection.

Not every story needs a bigger or better response. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is just acknowledge what someone shared—celebrate their win or empathize with their struggle—without turning the spotlight back on yourself.

7) being unreliable

People need to know they can count on you. If you constantly cancel plans, miss deadlines, or make promises you don’t keep, trust starts to erode.

Everyone gets busy, and sometimes things come up—but when it becomes a pattern, people stop relying on you. And once that happens, they also stop investing in the relationship.

Showing up when you say you will, following through on commitments, and being someone others can depend on is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to earn respect and maintain strong connections.

bottom line: relationships are built on how you make people feel

At the core of every relationship—whether personal or professional—is a simple truth: people remember how you make them feel.

Psychologist and author Maya Angelou famously said, *“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”* And research backs this up. Studies in social psychology suggest that emotions play a significant role in shaping our memories and perceptions of others.

If certain habits consistently leave people feeling unheard, unimportant, or drained, they’ll naturally start to pull away. But the good news is that small shifts—listening more, being reliable, showing appreciation—can completely change how you’re perceived.

The way we interact with others shapes our connections, our opportunities, and even our happiness. And when we become more aware of how our habits affect those around us, we gain the power to build stronger, more positive relationships.