Reclaim Your Power: Ditch People-Pleasing, Embrace Your Authentic Self (and Self-Worth)

Welcome, beautiful souls, to a space where we delve into the heart of authentic living. If you've tuned into the "Empowered Authenticity Podcast: Overcoming People Pleasing and Self Doubt", you know we're passionate about breaking free from limiting patterns and embracing our true selves. 

In this podcast episode, we tackled the intertwined struggles of people-pleasing and self-doubt, and today, we're expanding on those powerful insights. We believe in the power of "Affirm. Empower. Awaken," and this blog will guide you on your journey to do just that.

Have you ever felt like you're constantly walking a tightrope, trying to meet everyone else's expectations? Does that inner critic whisper that you're "not enough"? If so, you're not alone. Let's unpack these challenges and discover how to live a life that is more aligned with our desires and passions.

Balancing Act: People pleasers often tip the scale towards prioritizing others' needs over their own.

Understanding People-Pleasing and Self-Doubt:

People-pleasing isn't just about being kind; it's about consistently prioritizing others' needs over your own. It's saying "yes" when you mean "no," sacrificing your values to keep the peace. It is when we overcommit and silence our needs, leading to burnout and a disconnection from our authentic self.  

It's driven by a fear of disappointing others, facing judgment, or rocking the boat and this constant striving for external validation can manifest in physical symptoms and emotional unease.  

Then there's self-doubt, that persistent inner critic that whispers you're not good enough. It fuels the people-pleasing cycle because we seek external validation to compensate for our lack of self-trust. 

The Impact of These Patterns:

When we let these patterns run the show, we lose touch with our true selves. We become disconnected from our purpose and passions. Societal expectations often amplify this struggle, conditioning us to believe our worth is tied to how much we do for others.

We're often taught to be selfless, to prioritize others, to be 'nice' at all costs. This is a harmful narrative.

Breaking Free: Practical Tools and Techniques:

People-pleasing and self-doubt are learned behaviors, often rooted in childhood experiences. As detailed in the podcast, these behaviors can stem from modeling caretaker behavior, fearing conflict, being praised for certain actions, and seeking validation for safety.  

But here's the empowering truth: what is learned can be unlearned. We have the power to rewrite these old scripts. Here are some practical tools and techniques to help you break free:

• Self-Awareness: Notice when these habits pop up. Ask yourself, "Is this serving me?"

  
  

• Setting Boundaries: This is a radical act of self-love. Say "no" to things that drain you.  

  
  

• Cultivating Self-Compassion: Offer yourself kindness and remember that mistakes are part of being human. Dr. Kristen Neff's work is a fantastic resource.

  
  

• Building a Supportive Community: Surround yourself with people who lift you up. Brené Brown's insights on vulnerability and Sebastian Junger's "Tribe" offer valuable perspectives. Our Social Media platforms offer a safe, non-judgmental space for you to learn and grow, and to be your true self without judgement.

  
  

• Affirmations: Change your inner dialogue, change your reality. "You are worthy! You are enough! You are capable!" You can read more about Affirmation here.

  
  

• Meditation: Practice daily meditation to quiet the inner critic and connect with your inner wisdom.  Watch this space for more information on meditation and how it has helped me on my journey to empowerment.

  
  

• Manifestation: Focus on your desires and visualize yourself living a fulfilling life.

A symbol of confinement, the empty cage reflects the emotional entrapment of constantly seeking approval and battling self-doubt.

If you're feeling trapped in the cycle of people-pleasing and self-doubt, know that you can break free. Start by recognizing these patterns, setting boundaries, practicing self-compassion, and building a supportive community. Remember, you are worthy of living an authentic, empowered life.

"Affirm. Empower. Awaken." Let these words guide you on your journey to reclaiming your power and embracing your true self.

Further Resources:

• Healthline: How to Tell if People-Pleasing is a Trauma Response

• Dr. Kristen Neff's: Self Compassion Practices

• Brené Brown's TED Talk: Vulnerability

• The Empowerment Revolution Podcast: Overcoming People Pleasing and Self Doubt