How to Deal with Fear and Anxiety in Relationships (The Walking on Eggshells Feeling )

Navigating fear and anxiety in relationships—often described as the "walking on eggshells" feeling—can be emotionally exhausting. This sensation arises when you’re constantly on edge, trying to manage someone else’s reactions while suppressing your own feelings and needs. But the truth is, you have choices. You don’t have to stay trapped in this cycle.

The first step is to understand where this fear and anxiety stem from. Are you afraid of conflict? Rejection? Or is it tied to a deeper sense of unworthiness or unresolved wounds from the past? Once you’ve identified the root cause, you can begin to decide how you want to move forward.

Here are your choices:

1. Accept them as they are. Sometimes, the person you're dealing with may not change, and it’s up to you to decide if you can find peace in accepting them for who they are without losing yourself in the process.

2. Get out of the middle ground and lean into a hard conversation. This means addressing the tension directly and honestly, even if it feels uncomfortable. Speak your truth, set boundaries, and clarify your needs. Hard conversations are often the gateway to deeper connection or necessary clarity.

3. Invite them to a new level of relationship. If the relationship has potential but is stuck in a dysfunctional pattern, you can propose a new way of engaging—a level of honesty, vulnerability, and mutual respect that elevates the connection. This requires both parties to be willing to grow.

4. Continue people-pleasing.* This choice keeps the peace temporarily, but it often comes at the cost of your own emotional health. Over time, it can lead to resentment, burnout, and a deeper disconnect from yourself and the relationship.

The key is to recognize that fear and anxiety are signals—not permanent states. They are asking you to take action, make a choice, and step into your power. Whether you choose acceptance, honest communication, or inviting change, remember that the ultimate goal is to honor yourself and create relationships where you feel safe, respected, and seen. Want to go deeper with me? Here are the two options.

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