The Mask I Didn’t Realise I Was Wearing (and why “boundaries” still makes me flinch)
I’ve been thinking a lot about the people‑pleasing mask during this 5‑Day work — not the obvious one, but the invisible one that shaped half my decisions without me even noticing. For me, people‑pleasing wasn’t about being kind. It was about staying safe.Avoiding conflict.Avoiding disappointing anyone.Avoiding that RSD sting that hits even when someone might be unhappy with you. And now that we’re digging into this stuff, I’m realising how much it’s impacted my life — the over‑committing, the apologising, the saying yes when my whole body meant no. It’s wild how automatic it becomes. One thing I’m noticing: the usual language around “boundaries” just makes me cringe, It feels harsh, like fences and ultimatums. I’m trying to find gentler wording that actually fits how I want to show up — more about clarity than conflict. Something like:“I can do this, but not right now.”“That doesn’t work for me.”“I need a bit more space around that.” No drama. No barbed wire. Just honesty. Curious how others here are experiencing this.If you’ve been a lifelong people‑pleaser, what have you noticed about how it’s shaped your life — and what language feels kinder and more doable as you start unlearning it? Would love to hear your take — this is one of those topics where everyone’s insight helps someone else feel less alone.