saying no
Many of us decide to cross our own boundaries to please or make others happy. This can be stemmed from many different roots such as a lack of self-esteem, or even some trauma. It can be for avoiding conflict, wanting to fit in, having a fear of rejection and disapproval, or more. When we choose to do things just for the happiness of others we are disrespecting ourselves. It can be because we look over our own values to gain external approval or validation from others. This people-pleasing can range from hiding our concerns or feelings, to saying yes to things we morally don’t accept, to tolerating abuse. It can raise many issues to continue such patterns. If we always put others' happiness before ours, we will never find true happiness for ourselves. Of course it’s important to be aware of other people’s wants and do selfless, kind stuff to those around us, but that is all to a certain point. It is purely damaging for our mental health to bend over backwards for people who wouldn’t...