Can't Make a Decison? Here's how People Pleasing is Holding You Back

Close your eyes for a moment and travel back with me to a time when I was the undisputed champion of people-pleasing. I was the "yes man" of my own life, and my motto? "Sure, I'll do it. Whatever you need." But as the years rolled by, I realized that the more I bent backward to accommodate others, the more I contorted myself into an unrecognizable shape.

One evening, after another exhausting day of saying "yes" when I meant "no," I found myself alone in a dimly lit room. As I gazed at my reflection in the mirror, a stranger stared back at me. The smile was strained, the eyes dulled with exhaustion, and my sense of self was buried beneath layers of other people's expectations.

It struck me that I had become a doormat, a welcome mat for everyone but myself. This realization wasn't an epiphany; it was more like an earthquake that shook me to my core.

In that moment, I understood that the constant need to please others had robbed me of my own identity, dreams, and desires. The negative impact of being a doormat became painfully clear, and it was time to reclaim my life.

So, dear readers, if you've ever felt like your desires are an afterthought, your dreams are on an indefinite pause, and your voice is buried beneath layers of obligation, you're not alone.

This journey is for you. Let's chat about the impact of people-pleasing, explore its insidious effects, and, most importantly, discover the path to liberate ourselves from this self-imposed captivity. It's time to rewrite the script of our lives, reclaim our narrative, and put our own well-being on center stage.

The People-Pleasing Paradox

Picture this: you're standing at a metaphorical crossroads of life, with a million paths to choose from. However, if you're a seasoned people-pleaser, your GPS is hopelessly stuck on "please everyone but yourself." It's like trying to navigate a forest with a broken compass – you'll end up lost and bewildered, wondering why you're miles away from your true destination.

The people-pleasing paradox is a term that encapsulates the contradictory nature of people-pleasing behavior. It refers to the notion that while people-pleasers aim to make others happy and gain approval, they often end up sacrificing their own well-being, happiness, and authenticity in the process. In other words, they prioritize the happiness of others while neglecting their own, which can lead to a series of negative consequences.

The paradox lies in the fact that people-pleasers believe that by accommodating others, they'll achieve harmony and earn love and approval. However, they frequently find themselves in situations where they're overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and struggling to maintain a false image of constant agreeability. In the quest to keep others content, they lose sight of their own desires, boundaries, and true selves, which ultimately results in inner turmoil, dissatisfaction, and a lack of authenticity.

In essence, the people-pleasing paradox reveals that the very behavior intended to create harmony and positive relationships often leads to a discord within oneself and, ironically, can harm those relationships by preventing genuine connection based on authenticity. Breaking free from this paradox involves understanding the importance of self-love, setting healthy boundaries, and learning to prioritize one's own well-being alongside the well-being of others.

The Illusion of Harmony

One of the sneakiest traps of people-pleasing is the illusion of harmony. You think you're keeping everyone happy, but in reality, you're juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle on a tightrope. The truth is, trying to please everyone often leads to a chaotic circus of emotions, and guess who ends up as the clown?

The illusion of harmony is precisely that – an illusion. It's a facade you maintain to keep up the appearance of tranquility. You're afraid to reveal your true feelings, concerns, or desires because you fear upsetting the balance, the status quo. It's like constantly pretending that you're fine when you're not, or that you're in agreement when you're not.

The truth is, this facade is exhausting. You're constantly juggling, trying to please everyone and keep the peace. But inside, your emotions are a chaotic storm. You're stressed, anxious, and often overwhelmed. The illusion of harmony perpetuates a cycle of emotional turmoil, where you're never truly at ease because you're not being authentic with yourself or others.

This constant charade can lead to frustration, burnout, and a sense of being trapped in a never-ending performance. It prevents you from having genuine, open, and honest relationships with others. After all, how can you connect with someone when you're not showing your true self?

So, it's essential to recognize that the illusion of harmony isn't real harmony at all. True harmony comes from being authentic, from setting boundaries, and from expressing your thoughts and feelings genuinely. Breaking free from this trap involves acknowledging that it's okay not to be the constant peacemaker, that it's okay to express your true self, even if it means disrupting the illusion of harmony. In the long run, authentic relationships and personal well-being are more valuable than the temporary facade of harmony.

The Fear of Disappointing Others

The fear of disappointing others can be a relentless and paralyzing force in the lives of people-pleasers. It's like a shadow that follows you, lurking around every corner, waiting for an opportunity to creep in and dictate your choices. It's that anxious pit in your stomach that arises whenever you consider doing something for yourself instead of catering to someone else's wishes.

Imagine yourself as a child on the playground during recess. You just want to have fun, laugh, and play with your friends. But there's that schoolyard bully, looming in the background, ready to make your life miserable. This is the fear of disappointing others. It's akin to that bully who, in this scenario, represents the expectations and judgments of those around you.

The fear of disappointing others can make you feel as though you're walking on eggshells, constantly striving to meet other people's expectations, and terrified of letting them down. You might go to great lengths to ensure that everyone is happy, even if it means sacrificing your own happiness, time, and desires. It's as if you're trapped in a never-ending performance where the audience expects you to play a role that's not authentic to your true self.

But here's the kicker, the profound revelation: By living your life solely to avoid disappointing others, you are, in reality, unintentionally disappointing the most important person in the world – yourself. It's like striving to be the hero in someone else's story while neglecting to be the protagonist in your own. The price of pleasing others is your own happiness, personal growth, and self-fulfillment.

In the process of avoiding disappointment in others, you become a stranger to yourself. You lose touch with your own dreams, desires, and boundaries. Your own happiness takes a backseat to the desires of others, and you may find yourself in situations, relationships, or careers that don't align with your true self.

The Big Decision Dilemma

Life is filled with significant decisions, the kind that can keep you up at night, questioning your choices and worrying about the future. For people-pleasers, these decisions present a unique challenge. The dilemma begins when you're faced with a critical choice, be it related to your career, your relationships, or your personal goals. As a people-pleaser, your instinct is to consider the expectations and desires of those around you, often before thinking about your own needs and desires.

Picture yourself at a crossroads, like Britney! On one path, there are the expectations and opinions of your parents, friends, or society, leading you toward a secure job that they deem respectable. On the other path, there's your own passion, your true calling, something that ignites a fire within you. The dilemma arises when you feel the weight of these external expectations and fear of disappointing others pulling you in one direction, while your inner voice, your authentic self, is urging you to choose the other.

The consequences of the Big Decision Dilemma are far-reaching. By prioritizing the expectations and desires of others over your own, you might find yourself stuck in a job you dislike, a relationship that doesn't fulfill you, or a life that feels out of alignment with your true self. The emotional toll of these decisions can lead to regret, frustration, and a deep sense of dissatisfaction. It's not just about the decision itself; it's about the underlying conflict between the external pressures and your internal desires that can persist long after the choice is made.

To break free from this dilemma, it's essential to reconnect with your own aspirations and values. It's about realizing that the most fulfilling path is one that aligns with your true self, even if it means disappointing the expectations of others. It involves setting boundaries, making decisions that are authentic to your desires, and accepting that prioritizing your own well-being is not selfish but necessary for a fulfilling and meaningful life. It's time to free yourself from the shackles of the Big Decision Dilemma and embrace the empowering path of self-discovery and authenticity.

Breaking Free with Self-Love

The path to breaking free from the self-imposed constraints of people-pleasing and the doormat mentality is paved with self-love. This chapter is the turning point in our journey, where we explore the transformative power of self-love and its role in dismantling the people-pleasing mindset.

Self-love is like a beacon of light in the fog of people-pleasing. It's about recognizing your intrinsic worth, your uniqueness, and embracing yourself with all your flaws and imperfections. For people-pleasers, this is often the missing puzzle piece. You've spent so much time trying to earn love, approval, and validation from others that you've neglected the most crucial relationship in your life – the one you have with yourself.

Breaking free with self-love means acknowledging that your well-being, happiness, and authenticity matter. It's about learning to value your own needs and desires just as much as you value those of others. Self-love is the antithesis of self-neglect, and it's the catalyst for setting healthy boundaries, cultivating resilience, and choosing to honor your own authenticity.

The journey of self-love involves self-compassion, where you offer yourself the same kindness and understanding that you extend to others. It's about quieting the inner critic and replacing it with self-affirmation. As you embark on this path, you'll learn to say "no" when it's in your best interest, to prioritize your own well-being without guilt, and to make choices aligned with your true self. Self-love empowers you to break free from the trap of people-pleasing, rediscover your voice, and make decisions based on what's truly important to you. In essence, it's about reclaiming your life, embracing your authenticity, and living with a newfound sense of purpose and fulfillment. Lean HOW to do this Download My Free Guide

Are you ready to break free from the chains of people-pleasing and make decisions that truly reflect who you are and what you want? Then, it's time to arm yourself with knowledge. Download my free guide, "A Millennials Guide to TAKE ACTION" and and get my top three tips to help you stop people pleasing and TAKE ACTION!

Remember, the most crucial decision you'll ever make is choosing to be the hero of your own story. It's time to put yourself first, so you can create a life that's authentically yours.

You got this. IT IS TIME TO BE EPIC!!

xo, Angela