One of the pitfalls of people-pleasing is that none of the people, over the long term, are pleased, least of all, you. We lose a part of ourselves each time.
Short-term thinking invites us to say yes in a way that reduces short-term discomfort, but this only accelerates our journey to an untenable destination.
The alternative is, of course, getting clear with ourselves (and then others) about the rules of engagement, even and especially when that means having an uncomfortable conversation up front.
“Boundaries are the distance at which I can love you and me simultaneously.”
—Prentis Hemphill
