At times, individuals might make sacrifices to please others in hopes of  being liked and accepted. However, being a “people pleaser” might come with crossed boundaries and one might feel constant pressure to accept things they don’t agree with. Setting boundaries is important and not doing so might cost us our energy, time and mental capacity. It might seem like you’re closing yourself off to people but it can do just the opposite. It can allow you to better understand and communicate your sense of self. Setting boundaries is important in order not have others step over your personal boundaries.

This art piece by Paula Scotter portrays the act of putting someone else’s need before your own and how that might lead to unhappiness. Scotter explains “ This represents dysfunction patterns in relationships. Often carried from early childhood experience. It is the expectation that if you put someone else’s needs before your own somehow this will make yourself happy. If you allow yourself to be badly treated and have little boundaries then wonder why you feel so hurt and alone. It’s letting your feelings build up and up until one day you realize and run away. Away from the relationship, the pain and ill treatment. The pattern repeats until you say no more and move forward into self awareness, self love and healing. (Therapy was my route for this). Victim no more.”

Image Credits:
Feature Image: Ashley Bats, On Unsplash, Creative Commons
Body Image: Paula Scotter, The Guardian, Public Domain