For most of my life, I believed that the path to success and fulfillment was paved by pleasing others. It started with my parents. I wanted to make them proud, to show them that their sacrifices and dreams for me were not in vain. I internalized their values and expectations, striving to become the version of myself they wanted to see. Success, I thought, would come if I could just make them happy.
Read MoreFalling in love only to realize months or even years later that the person you thought you were in love with isn’t who they seemed to be is more common than we might think. This experience, often described as being “blinded by love,” is frequently a sign of a deeper, more complicated issue: a trauma bond.
Read MoreWe often hear the saying: "You can’t have a healthy relationship until you love yourself." While there’s truth in that statement, it doesn’t quite go deep enough. What it really points to is the complex work of healing past trauma and breaking free from the ego protection cycle—a subconscious loop that keeps us stuck in patterns, drawing us into relationships that reflect our unhealed wounds.
Read MorePeople-pleasing can feel like a noble trait—putting others first, being agreeable, and avoiding conflict. Yet, deep down, it’s exhausting. It often leaves you feeling unheard, unseen, and unfulfilled. If you’ve been in a cycle of making sure everyone else is happy, but still find yourself dissatisfied, it’s time to ask a powerful question: Am I living for others, or am I living for myself?
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