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How to Stop Being a People-Pleaser and Start Living for Yourself
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A few years ago, I was the king of people-pleasing. I said “yes” to everything. I overcommitted. I bent over backward to make others happy. And guess what? I was miserable.
I was so busy trying to be everything to everyone that I forgot to take care of myself. My mental health tanked. My relationships suffered. And my dreams? They were collecting dust on a shelf somewhere.
Then, something clicked. I realized I couldn’t keep living this way. I had to stop being a people-pleaser and start living for myself.
Here’s how I did it — and how you can too.
Why People-Pleasing Is a Trap.
People-pleasing is like a drug. It gives you a temporary high: a sense of approval, validation, and belonging. But the crash? It’s brutal. When you’re a people-pleaser, you:
Lose your identity: You become so focused on others that you forget who you are.
Burn out: Saying “yes” to everything leaves you exhausted and resentful.
Attract toxic people: People-pleasers are magnets for users and manipulators.
The truth is, you can’t pour from an empty cup. If you don’t take care of yourself first, you’ll have nothing left to give.
How to Break Free from People-Pleasing.
- Learn to Say No: Saying “no”…