The Anxious Creative

People Pleasing Is Manipulation: How to Stop Controlling and Start Connecting


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Welcome to this week’s episode, where we tackle a hard truth: people pleasing isn’t about kindness—it’s about control. If you’ve ever found yourself abandoning your needs to keep others happy, this conversation is for you.

Here’s what we’re covering today:

  • The surprising connection between people pleasing and control
  • Why people pleasing often leads to resentment and burnout
  • How to recognize self-abandonment in the moment
  • Compassionate communication strategies for setting boundaries
  • How saying "yes" to yourself changes everything

💡 Key Takeaways:

  • People pleasing is born from a fear of unpredictability and rejection.
  • Setting boundaries isn’t about saying “no” to others—it’s about saying “yes” to yourself.
  • Honoring yourself doesn’t mean you stop caring for others; it means you stop dishonoring yourself in the process.

If you've caught yourself thinking: "I wish everything wasn't so overwhelming," grab instant access to my free workshop: www.dawnbradley.com/freeclass. You'll learn a simple system to ditch the stress, work less, and make more—all while taking exceptional care of your clients.

📚 Resources Mentioned:

My program, Rock Your Business, teaches compassionate communication and boundary-setting to help you thrive in business and life. Learn more here.

Timestamps for Key Topics:
[00:00] Introduction to People Pleasing
[01:09] Understanding the Roots of People Pleasing
[04:19] The Impact of People Pleasing on Self-Identity
[06:32] Recognizing and Addressing People Pleasing Behaviors
[10:08] Setting Boundaries and Honoring Yourself
[15:18] Shifting from Approval to Authenticity
[21:41] Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

Follow me: Instagram: www.instagram.com/dawnbradley

Youtube: www.youtube.com/dawnbradley  

For more info on RYB, Retreats etc -: www.dawnbradley.com

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The Anxious CreativeBy Dawn Bradley

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