People Pleasing

Image of 6 children. 5 are wearing a mask and one is not. Vintage photo. People pleasing. Childhood trauma. Setting boundaries. Toxic relationships.

Many of the clients I work with share a common trait: they are chronic people-pleasers who prioritize everyone else's happiness over their own. While this comes from a place of kindness, it often leads to a debilitating cycle of procrastination, guilt, and overwhelm.

Woman sitting forward with her hands and head on table. Orange long sleeve shirt. POC with dark curly hair. Procrastination and Guilt. Cycle of Self Judgment. People-pleasers.

This pattern usually isn't "laziness." Instead, it is often a survival mechanism rooted in past trauma. Whether you grew up with a parent struggling with addiction or anger issues, or survived a toxic relationship where your boundaries weren't respected, your brain learned that keeping others happy was the only way to stay safe.

Do you find yourself constantly saying "yes" to others but "no" to yourself? I specialize in helping individuals break free from the cycle of self-judgment and overwhelm that often follows a lifetime of putting others first.

Common signs of this cycle include:

  • Putting others' needs first at the expense of your own mental health.

  • Procrastinating on personal goals due to "perfectionist" anxiety.

  • A persistent loop of self-judgment and shame.

Many of my clients have experienced impactful childhood trauma, such as living with a parent dealing with anger problems or substance abuse. Others have navigated relationships with people who ignored their personal boundaries.

In our work together, we will:

  1. Identify the root causes of your people-pleasing tendencies.

  2. Break the cycle of guilt-driven procrastination.

  3. Develop the tools to set firm boundaries and reclaim your happiness.

Zoomed in shot of person's face showing only right eye. Has on makeup and particularly sequin and glitter on their face. Toxic relationships. People pleasing. People pleasers. Cycle of self judgement. Self esteem. Self doubt.

Let’s Work Together

Website author Dani Eaton sitting with Appalachian mountains in background. Non POC. Purple hair. Brown dress with white flowers.