People Pleasing

I am a people pleaser. And at this point in my life this trait, that I never really noticed before, is driving me crazy. I am in a constant struggle trying to make sure the people I care about are happy with the choices I am making. And if I am really honest with myself, there are many times that I even give more consideration to the people I’m not fond of than I do myself.

I began having the epiphany that I am a people pleaser around a month or two ago, actually it probably got to be really obvious around the holidays. There was so much going on and it felt like there was a decision to be made for every moment and often times there was conflicting options. Which stresses me out because I hate telling people no. I have this fear that my “no” will cause them to be mad or disappointed, even if it’s over something small.

It's gotten to the point that I can recognize myself changing my behavior before anything even happens because I anticipate the most negative of responses to my decisions.

That is obviously no way to live and I am on a quest to stop being a people pleaser. I am afraid that if I don’t make the change now I will never be able to make decisions for myself based off of my needs or wants. I will always be drawn to the choice that makes someone else happy with me.

What I really need to do, is be able to please God. I need to make sure my decisions are in live with His plan for my life and stop putting other people above Him. At the end of the day, that will be the only way I will truly be able to stop please people. I need God to be my first priority.

So I am making the effort. I have adjusted my prayers and am diving into books on the topic. This week I should be getting Joyce Meyer’s book, “The Approval Fix,” and I cannot wait to get started. I know that my efforts will not be in vain and God will deliver me from the trap that is “people pleasing.”

If you struggle with my need to get your approval from others, I want to encourage you to go on your own journey to freeing yourself from this struggle. No one should have to live their life walking on egg shells in an attempt to make another happy.