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From Approval Junkie to Inner Peace Warrior: How I Ditched the Need to Please Everyone
Remember that friend who constantly cracked jokes, even when they bombed? Or the one who always volunteered for everything, even if it drained them? That used to be me. I craved approval like a plant craves sunlight, contorting myself to fit every mold, desperately seeking that universal "like." But oh, the exhaustion! The constant anxiety! It was like running a never-ending marathon on a hamster wheel fueled by other people’s opinions.
My wake-up call was brutal, yet oddly beautiful. A friendship I poured my heart into imploded, leaving me feeling used and discarded. The pain was searing, but it forced me to confront a harsh truth: my need for everyone’s love was choking the life out of me.
The journey to break free wasn’t easy. It started with baby steps. Saying "no" without guilt tremors. Setting boundaries, even with loved ones. Prioritizing my own needs, even if it meant missing out sometimes. Each "no" felt like a betrayal, but the relief that followed was intoxicating.
Instead of people-pleasing, I started people-appreciating. The genuine connections I fostered were far more nourishing than the shallow, approval-based ones. I discovered the joy of being authentically me, quirks and all. The more I embraced my true self, the more the "right"…
