Overcoming People-Pleasing

In-Person and Virtual Therapy in Shorewood, WI

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Calm the noise and reconnect with who you are

Are you constantly putting others' needs before your own? Do you find yourself saying "yes" even when you really want to say "no"? People-pleasing is a pattern of behavior where you prioritize the needs and desires of others over your own, often at the expense of your emotional well-being. It is often driven by a fear of rejection, a need for external validation and approval, or the desire to keep the peace. People-pleasing can leave you feeling drained, anxious, and unsure of your own needs and boundaries. Therapy can help you break free from these patterns and start living a life that feels more authentic and fulfilling.

  • Saying "Yes" When You Want to Say "No": Agreeing to things you don’t want to do because you fear disappointing others or causing conflict.

  • Constantly Seeking Approval: Feeling like you need others' validation to feel worthy or accepted.

  • Difficulty Setting Boundaries: Struggling to say no or communicate your own needs, leading to feeling overwhelmed or taken advantage of.

  • Fear of Conflict: Avoiding confrontation at all costs, even if it means suppressing your own feelings or desires.

  • Overthinking: Worrying about how others perceive you or whether you’ve said or done something wrong.

  • Neglecting Your Own Needs: Prioritizing others’ well-being over your own, leading to burnout and emotional exhaustion.

Common Signs of a People-Pleaser:

Together, we will work to:

  • People-pleasing often stems from deep-seated beliefs or experiences in childhood. We’ll explore these underlying factors to help you understand why you’ve developed these patterns.

  • Who are you when you aren’t caretaking, fixing, or pleasing? Together, we’ll reconnect you with your authentic self, separate from others’ expectations. By strengthening your self-esteem, you’ll learn to value and prioritize your own needs and desires.

  • We’ll work on using your voice so you can communicate your thoughts, feelings, and needs with confidence and without the fear of rejection

  • We’ll work on developing the confidence to set boundaries with others and learn how to say "no" without guilt. Boundaries are key to protecting your emotional well-being.

  • We’ll work on reducing the anxiety and need for validation by learning to challenge your thoughts and look for the evidence, so you can feel more grounded in your own sense of self.

  • These are ingrained beliefs and automatic behaviors, it’s important to give ourselves grace and self-compassion through this process of unlearning.

Break Free From The Cycle of People-Pleasing

You deserve to live a life where your needs matter, where you feel empowered to say no, and where you can show up as your true, authentic self.

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