
People-pleasing is a pattern where someone prioritises making others happy, often at the expense of their own needs. Self-worth can become tied to keeping others satisfied, which is a problem because it’s impossible to please everyone.
With billions of people in the world, there will always be conflicting expectations, and even when someone does manage to please others, they might never be sure if it was enough.
Wanting others to be happy is natural, but it becomes unhealthy when someone constantly sacrifices themself to make it happen. Signs of chronic people-pleasing include exhaustion, feeling like nothing is ever enough, resentment, and struggling to feel worthy without external validation.
People pleasing can harm personal and professional relationships by pulling focus away from real connections and toward those who might not even appreciate the effort.
To step away from people-pleasing, it helps to pause before saying yes, acknowledge personal needs, and remember that self-worth doesn’t have to be earned. Getting support, practicing simple assertiveness, and finding a balance between kindness and self-care can make a big difference.
Subscribe here to be notified when this course is released.