Have you ever felt trapped by the expectations of others - like saying no simply isn’t an option? That feeling of not having a choice is at the heart of people-pleasing. This blog explores where this belief come from, and how can you start to break free from it

Do you find yourself constantly seeking reassurance from others? Worrying about how you’ll be perceived.? Approval-seeking is especially common among adults with ADHD.

If you’ve ever thought about therapy but stopped yourself from taking the step, you’re not alone.

So many people hold back, stuck in a loop of doubts, fears, and misconceptions. If you’ve ever wondered, "Is therapy really for me?" or "What if I’m not ‘bad enough’ for therapy?" or “What if the therapist thinks I’m weird?” this blog is for you.

Let’s explore some of the reasons people hesitate and how they might actually be keeping you from living the life you truly want.

If you’ve ever found yourself juggling other people’s needs while your own sit untouched on the sidelines, you might already know you’re a people-pleaser.

But what if those habits are so subtle that even you don’t see them?

There’s overt people-pleasing, the kind we can all spot, and then there’s covert people-pleasing, which is harder to pin down but just as exhausting. Knowing the difference is a game-changer for anyone ready to break free from putting others first all the time.

Many of us try really hard to keep others happy, but the reasons behind this can be different for each person. Two common reasons are social anxiety and low self-worth, and while they might look the same from the outside, what drives them is quite different.

Christmas often feels like a marathon of obligations. Between trying to meet everyone’s expectations and making sure no one feels left out, the joy you hoped to experience can easily get buried under stress and pressure. In this post, I’ll explore how people-pleasing shows up at Christmas, why we fall into these patterns, and what steps you can take to break free from the cycle.

Whether it’s agreeing to yet another work task, making time for that friend who only ever calls when they need something, or taking on family commitments that leave you feeling resentful and depleted, it’s exhausting. For those who have spent a lifetime putting others first, the idea of explicitly setting boundaries can make you feel sick with anxiety and like your body’s going into battle.

So, what does setting boundaries really mean? And why is it so hard, especially when you’ve been conditioned to people-please, avoid conflict, or seek approval at all costs?

If you’re feeling lost and feel like you don’t know who you are, here are 5 tips to discovering the real you and how therapy can help along the way.