Are you a people pleaser?

United States
March 1, 2007 3:41pm CST
How does this affect you? Do you find yourself resentful for doing things that you don't want to do, but you don't want anyone to dislike you or be mad at you?
1 response
@Artsimba (1334)
• United States
1 Mar 07
I think I probably was a people pleaser but only in hindsight did I realize I would always do for others because I wanted to be liked by everyone and had low self-esteem. It took a number of years but gradually I've come to the realization that I like to do things for people to see their smiling faces of thankfulness. If I can't do something for someone for whatever reason I now tell them no, I'm sorry I can't do that, and I find I don't need to come up with a reason or excuse, if I can't I just say I can't. This attitude took a long time for me to develop but it helped that I listened to other people about people-pleasing who shared their experience and I'm getting better at it every day. Thanks for asking.
• United States
2 Mar 07
Congratulations for being able to say "no" and not feel the need to explain it to people! I find that a lot of women have trouble with that. I grew up with a mother who's middle name was "no", so I learned early, LOL.