People Pleasing

Why I Do This?

Why do I do this? I mean, teach an on-line course and coach people to end people-pleasing? Why am I a therapist? It starts in an ayahuasca ceremony. After a bout of “cleansing” ( a polite way of saying puking as this medicine is a purgative.) I saw in span of a few minutes how … Read more

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Self-Expression vs. Self-Justification

There’s a big difference between proving who you are—and simply being who you are. Think about it for a second. How often do we find ourselves justifying, explaining, or trying to prove that we’re somebody—worthy, good enough, lovable? That’s the ego talking, the part of us that feels like it has to hustle for our … Read more

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We Are Not Born People Pleasers

We’re not born people-pleasers. We’re born for relationship, to enter into a dance of intimacy with the world. In other words, for love. Somewhere along the line, we discover it’s not on offer. Or it’s hit and miss. The “miss” is what breaks our heart. Like, really, breaks our heart. Our little brains and nervous … Read more

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Being Treated Well Is a Non-Negotiable

When we’re not treated well when we’re young, it tends to keep happening in adulthood. Sometimes, it’s hard to even notice because some part of us thinks it’s normal. Early neglect leads to self-neglect. But it’s important to end the habit of accepting bad treatment from others. Phone calls not returned, friends chronically showing up late … Read more

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