Don't Lose Yourself Trying To Please Others
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Don't Lose Yourself Trying To Please Others

Sometimes people in this world won't like you and that's alright.

3951
Don't Lose Yourself Trying To Please Others
Megan Supernaw

I'm the exact definition of a people-pleaser. It has always been a part of who I am, almost like it was engineered in me. It’s not exactly a bad thing, but it’s also not the best trait either. Here is what I mean by this.

You are person A. You are this happy, loving human who wants to give the world everything. Then there is person B. Person B isn’t a fan of something you choose, so you bend a little, morph into what person B will like. Now enters person C, someone who is a little upset about the way something is happening. You adapt again and take the attributes of person C until they’re satisfied.

"That's alright though," you tell yourself. Because their pleasure brings you contentment. This continues through the alphabet of people you will meet and have in your life, like a never-ending cycle.

Now you’re alone in your thoughts. You stare at your reflection in the mirror, but who is staring back? You have become a concoction of all these letters. Can you see that maybe only a small part of you left is person A? You have given so much of yourself for the satisfaction of others that you began to lose who you were in the process.

It’s never wrong to help the people you care about and to simply meet their needs sometimes, but you should never change who you are to please them. They should never ask you to either. Take this next sentence and absorb it.

It alright to say "no."

Say "no" to the things that you don’t like. Say "no" to the people who ask way too much of you without reason. Say "no" to the people who want you to change unreasonable amounts just to please themselves.

But there is a flipside.

Say "yes" to the people and activities you enjoy. Say "yes" to what drives your happiness in this world. Say "yes" to yourself.

There will always be people who will judge, push, and bully you. There will always be someone who doesn’t like your attitude or even the way you dress. That’s on them though. You cannot control the way people perceive you without losing yourself in the process.

Don’t lose yourself in the idea that others will like this shell of who you aren’t.

Wear whatever your style is, tell those awful jokes that people roll their eyes at but secretly love, and dance like it’s raining after a drought.

Do what makes your heart beat fast and what makes your smile grow.

You only get one chance at this life. Don’t spend it satisfying the needs of others. You have infinite opportunities to do what makes you radiant in a world of dreary times. And I promise, the people that matter to you will stick around and love you the most when you are true to yourself.

As Dr. Seuss wisely expressed, “Be who you are and say what you feel. Those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind”.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

57868
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37282
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958973
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

192153
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments