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How to Stop Being a People Pleaser and Start Living Your Best Life

Sharleez Safi
4 min readMar 5, 2024

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Break free from this behavior and be more authentic and happy

Image by kues1 from Freepik

Do you often find yourself saying yes to things you don’t want to do, just to avoid disappointing or upsetting others?

Do you feel guilty or anxious when you express your own opinions or needs, fearing that you might offend or lose someone’s approval?

Do you struggle to set boundaries and prioritize your own well-being, because you are too concerned about pleasing everyone else?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be a people pleaser.

People pleasing is a common behavior pattern that involves putting other people’s happiness and expectations above your own. People pleasers tend to be very nice, helpful, and agreeable, but at the cost of neglecting their own feelings, values, and goals. They often have low self-esteem and a strong need for validation and acceptance from others.

People pleasing can have negative consequences for your mental and physical health, such as:

  • Stress and burnout: Trying to please everyone can be exhausting and overwhelming, especially when you have to juggle multiple demands and responsibilities. You might end up feeling resentful, frustrated, and drained, and have no time…

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Sharleez Safi
Sharleez Safi

Written by Sharleez Safi

I’m Sharleez Safi, a writer who loves beauty, learning, and creativity. I share tips and stories on how to live a beautiful, creative, and fulfilling life.

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