Deep Dive into the Dynamics of People-Pleasing: Comprehensive Insights and Boundary-Setting Techniques

February 9, 2024
Mariana Salthu, Psychoanalyst, Life Coach in London, United Kingdom

Individuals with a people-pleasing disposition are often characterized by their relentless pursuit of peace and their aversion to conflict, which frequently comes at a personal cost. These individuals are typically highly empathetic and have a tendency to prioritize the needs of others over their own, a trait that sometimes leads to being taken advantage of. Furthermore, their deep-seated need for acceptance and approval exposes them to vulnerability, especially with certain personality types. Despite being cognizant of this self-defeating behavior, altering it is a significant challenge due to a multitude of factors.

Primarily, the impulse to appease others is rooted in a conscientious and selfless attitude. However, when pushed to the extreme, this behavior becomes self-destructive. This inclination towards relational self-sacrifice is often underpinned by subconscious mechanisms, many of which are established through early attachment relationships with parents.

In cases where parents are self-absorbed, their attention to their children’s emotions is often conditional, based on how closely these emotions align with their own. When a child’s feelings deviate from those of the parent, the typical parental reactions range from dismissive to punitive. This dynamic teaches the child either to distrust their feelings or to suppress them in favor of the parents, inadvertently setting a precedent for future relationships.

In addition to this, experiences of rejection from emotionally detached parents can further contribute to a people-pleasing disposition. These parents often use acceptance and approval as leverage, maintaining a dominant position in the parent-child dynamic. Their unpredictable and critical nature keeps the child in a constant state of seeking approval. Furthermore, such parents often fluctuate between idealizing and devaluing the child, rarely expressing genuine and deep affection for who the child truly is. The child, often treated as either an extension of the parent’s desires or as an unworthy entity, rarely experiences a sense of normalcy in these interactions. This cyclical pursuit of not disappointing people and achieving an elusive state of ‘perfection’ often extends into adulthood.

Another aspect that contributes to the development of a people-pleasing personality is the tendency of some parents to adopt a victim role in their relationship with the child. In situations where a parent is unable to manage their emotions effectively, they might resort to a victim stance to manipulate scenarios and induce guilt. For instance, a child may return home to find a parent in distress, blaming the child indirectly for a situation, thereby instilling a profound sense of guilt and responsibility in the child. This instilled fear of causing upset often transitions into adulthood and permeates other relationships, where the individual constantly endeavors to avoid causing any displeasure.

For people-pleasers, recognizing their inherent worth is a crucial step in the journey toward psychological well-being. An essential part of this personal development involves learning how to establish healthy boundaries, a task that may not naturally align with their accommodating disposition. Nonetheless, understanding the importance of self-care and assertiveness is key to their emotional and mental health.

Here are five practical tips to aid people-pleasers in setting effective boundaries:

Acknowledging the Right to Prioritize Personal Needs: It is essential for individuals to give themselves permission to put their needs first. This might seem counterintuitive to someone who is deeply empathetic and accustomed to tuning into the emotions of others, but it is fundamental to maintaining good mental health. Cultivating healthy boundaries often empowers individuals to care for themselves before extending themselves for others.

Simplifying Boundary Communications: When establishing a boundary, it is advisable to avoid elaborate explanations. A concise approach can prevent the other party from using your reasons as an opportunity to impose their own viewpoints. For example, rather than giving a detailed account of why you cannot fulfill a request, a simple and straightforward explanation is more effective.

Maintaining a Warm and Considerate Tone: It’s important to maintain warm intonations and inflections in your voice while communicating boundaries. This ensures the message is delivered in a caring and kind manner, even if the content may not be what the other party wishes to hear. Adapting the interaction to suit the people-pleaser’s inherent empathetic style makes the process more comfortable and authentic. Employing humor can also be a useful strategy in these situations.

Timeliness in Establishing Boundaries: Avoid delaying the establishment of boundaries, as procrastination can lead to increased resentment and anger. Addressing boundary issues early on helps in maintaining composure and handling the situation more effectively.

Planning and Rehearsing Responses: It is beneficial to plan and practice your responses in advance. Engaging in role-play with a trusted individual can help in easing the stress associated with asserting oneself. For people-pleasers, articulating ‘no’ or setting

Lorena Salthu

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References

Maté, G. . How to stop people pleasing and set authentic boundaries while staying kind? In Reclaiming Authenticity: Conversations with Dr. Gabor Maté. Science and Nonduality (SAND). Retrieved from https://scienceandnonduality.com/videos/how-to-stop-people-pleasing-and-set-authentic-boundaries-while-staying-kind/.

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