People-pleasing
What to Say to Your Family to Communicate Boundaries Around the Holidays
In healthy families, there are no expectations around the holidays. Family traditions and celebrations are fun and flexible. So, discussions about where and how to have family gatherings are simple and enjoyable. However, in other families, holidays can be full of pressure. The discomfort often starts long before an event, in the planning stages. There’s…
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An Illinois Therapist Shares 3 Ways Therapy Helps You Stop People-Pleasing
Most of my clients know the right things to do to support their mental health but struggle to do them. For example, my clients know that boundaries and self-respect are essential to stop people-pleasing, yet they still have difficulty saying no to others. As a result, they feel shame. However, this divide between knowing what…
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What to Do On Mother’s Day and Father’s Day When You Don’t Have a Good Relationship With Your Parents: Part 2
In the last blog, I introduce some of my clients’ emotions around Mother’s and Father’s Day. Acknowledging these feelings is essential for mental health. Not avoiding these feelings also starts the healing process from a painful childhood. The following are four extra things that may be helpful on these days. Consider Your Boundaries with Your…
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Navigating Mother’s Day and Father’s Day When You Don’t Have A Good Relationship With Your Parents: Part 1
As a therapist, I understand Mother’s Day and Father’s Day can be challenging. Most of my clients do not have close relationships with their parents, even though they wish otherwise. Below are some of the most common feelings my clients experience around Mother’s and Father’s Day. It’s essential to acknowledge the pain that may arise…
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Why Can I Not Stop People-Pleasing?
Those who struggle to stop people-pleasing often go through life feeling stressed with a neverending task list. They are waiting until things let up so they can take a break. But things don’t let up, and this waiting often leads to burnout and depression. When my clients first attempt to change their people-pleasing behavior, they…
Read MoreHow to Stop Being A People Pleaser
Some people-pleasing behavior is understandable. For example, using people-pleasing behavior with an unreasonable manager or boss can make sense if it means lessening your work stress or keeping your job. Not All People Pleasing Is Bad This form of people-pleasing behavior will be occasional and specific to a setting or person. Additionally, people-pleasing can prove…
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