Normal but Not

#13 Uncomfortable with Straightforward People?

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"Is It Normal to Feel Uncomfortable Around Straightforward People?"

Hi, I’m Krystal, a trauma-informed coach and recovering people-pleaser, here to help you reclaim your power, find your voice, and set boundaries without guilt. Welcome to Normal but Not, the podcast where we unpack behaviors that feel “normal” but aren’t always helpful.

In this episode, we’re tackling a big question: Is it normal to feel uncomfortable around straightforward people? If you’ve ever felt uneasy when someone clearly states their needs or effortlessly sets boundaries, you’re not alone. This reaction is incredibly common among people-pleasers, but it doesn’t have to define you.

  1. Why Straightforward People Feel Triggering:

    • Insights from psychologists like Dr. Harriet Lerner and Dr. Gabor Maté on how childhood experiences shape people-pleasing behaviors.
    • How enmeshed or authoritarian family dynamics can make assertiveness feel risky or rebellious.

    • The Root of the Discomfort:

      • How early patterns of suppressing your needs to maintain harmony can clash with witnessing others prioritize themselves.
      • Personal anecdotes about growing up in a “don’t rock the boat” household and how that shaped my own struggles with honesty and directness.

      • How This Impacts Adulthood:

        • Subtle ways discomfort with straightforwardness shows up in your relationships, career, and self-talk.
        • Why we admire confident people but also feel triggered by them.

        • Actionable Steps to Embrace Confidence:

          • Tips for identifying your triggers and reframing how you perceive assertive individuals.
          • How to practice small, confidence-building acts of directness in your daily life.
          • Affirmations to combat the fear of being seen as “difficult” when stating your needs.
            • Join My January 25 Workshop: Trauma to Triumph: Setting Boundaries That Transform is designed to help you set boundaries without guilt and reclaim your confidence.
            • Take My Quiz: What Kind of People-Pleaser Are You? Discover more about your unique patterns and how to break free.
              • Instagram: @completecoachingwithkrystal for daily tips and inspiration.
              • Resources and Workshop Sign-Up: Complete Coaching with Krystal.


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                Normal but NotBy Krystal Centinello