Test: What stops you taking your needs seriously?

It can be hard to ever feel OK about prioritising yourself if your focus in life is keeping everyone happy. Even when you have a clear sense of what you want or need at any point, do you find yourself keeping your thoughts to yourself just in case someone else could disapprove?

When the prospect of disappointing someone or having them think less of you feels deeply uncomfortable, inconveniencing yourself will always seem like the easier and smarter option. Naturally empathic and emotionally intelligent types can be sensitive to others’ reactions, and can read a room in an instant. But being too tuned into what others’ think can be just as undermining to relationships as being completely self-absorbed.

When you’re constantly compromising, your authentic self gets lost. People who truly care about you want you to be happy and fulfilled, not silently resentful. Deep down you know that trying to second guess how people will react is an impossible, never-ending and exhausting task. If you’ve never put yourself first, you may well cause ripples in your relationships when you start to set boundaries, say no and prioritise your own plans.

Be prepared for bumps in the road and some relationships falling by the wayside – but have faith that the best will evolve, grow and flourish.

Your next steps
1. Suggest, don’t ask – think about what you want to eat, watch or do before asking someone else.
2. Instead of approval, seek support. Share your dreams and ask loved ones to help you make them happen.