I'm 29F and I've always been a bit of a people pleaser. My college roommate cites it as one of my defining qualities. I'm usually very good at standing up for myself to strangers or people I don't have a lot of respect for, but if I care about keeping someone in my life I bend over backwards to make sure there's never any problems and they always feel happy and good around me. I was a doormat in my first two relationships, and then I was single for a long time. I'm a shy, fairly career oriented woman in STEM.
About a year and a half ago my dad (who wants grandbabies yesterday) had me read "Marry Him: The Case For Settling for Mr. Good Enough" by Lori Gottlieb and it was the worst book I could have possibly read. This woman's voice has infested my inner monologue and I'm no longer seeing things the way I did before.
I started dating again last year and I've had a few issues, but instead of thinking about them with my own brain, I hear Dr. Gottlieb in my mind reminding me that if things aren't going well, I can't think that I might have a better chance with someone else. It's a fallacy, she says, to think that you can do better, because as you get older you're less and less likely to meet someone better than you've dated before, so it becomes more and more important to settle. Before I read this book, I would have told you easily that I'm fine being single forever if it means choosing between that and being in a bad relationship.
I've been seeing someone for almost a year and I've noticed that I have constantly, constantly put my needs and desires aside, usually without even being asked, and now I'm very unhappy. Please suggest me a book that can give me someone else's voice to kill off Dr. Gottlieb's. Sorry Dr. Gottlieb.
by dianthus-magenta
5 Comments
go to a real human therapist. relational healing doesn’t happen from psychoeducation esp. pop psychology books, it happens from building and practicing human connection in a controlled setting with the guidance of a trained service provider.
Maybe start with Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brene Brown as a palate cleanser! You need to be able to show up for yourself both in life and in relationships!
If the person you are dating genuinely appreciates your people pleasing nature what’s the actual problem?
I used to fish and hunt a great deal, then I met my wife with a pretty intense job and made the choice to stop those things because they took so much time, so now I only occasionally do either when she’s traveling. This is a small example. She’ll often say I could do either as much as I want……and frankly I’d rather be with her, pleasing her.
Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawab
Who Deserves Your Love by KC Davis
The Assertiveness Workbook by Randy J. Peterson
True to You: A Therapist’s Guide to Stop Pleasing Others and Start Being Yourself by Dr. Kathleen Smith
Self-Esteem by Matthew McKay
Conversations on Love by Natasha Lunn
All About Love by bell hooks
Securely Attached by Eli Harwood
Attached by Amir Levine
No More Assholes – Chantal Heide