Why You Keep Pleasing Others

People pleasing is an emotional survival strategy.

You learned:

“If I keep everyone happy, I stay safe.”

### Signs:

• You avoid saying no

• You feel responsible for others’ feelings

• You over-explain

• You get drained easily

### Why it happens:

Your nervous system equates conflict with danger.

### Gentle steps:

• Say “I need time to think” instead of yes

• Notice the guilt — don’t obey it

• Start with tiny boundaries

• Respect your needs as much as theirs

Pleasing others is not kindness when it destroys you.