My goodness, turning over a new leaf is hard work! I now can see a reason why I have made so many bad choices ruled by bad taste. Bad is easy, sticking to your guns, that is hard work. Everything that is worth it is hard, and sometimes life is just hard. Coming to terms with that instead of fighting it might make it a little less exhausting, and in a way a little easier. You just need to learn to channel your energy towards rolling with the punches.
Don't settle for the easy and the bad. Save yourself the hangover of regret, the realization that you have been stupid once again and it wasn't any different than before. Sure not giving into to what you want feels like it really sucks, but staying true to what you want has gotta feel better in the end. By taking a step back, and asking yourself what you really want out of something, you may see that the situation is  not really offering you that. Even though you feel strongly like this is something you want. I deserve better than just settling. Saying no to situations like that is showing that I am better and want better. If I keep that in mind I think "better" just might find me. Baby steps in a the right direction is better than standing still.