Everyone Wants To Be Liked And Accepted – Except for Tim
Everyone Wants To Be Liked And Accepted – Except for Tim
Come on you people-pleasers – you know who you are! Are you tired of being the “go to” person? Are you always dodging confrontation, conflict or constantly worrying about what others might think of you?
Are you afraid of the “what if” scenarios you have cast yourself in? Is so, then yeah, this is a common thread that runs through the core of folks like us.
I think we can all relate to this topic. Well, at least most of us with the exception of Tim. I will get to Tim shortly and why he is the outlier.
Most of my life, I’ve been a people pleaser. I’ve constantly bent over backward for the people in my life and even for the occasional stranger.
It took me many years to realize I didn’t have to live that way. This is a tough topic to write about because we stand naked in our vulnerabilities which then forces us to examine our true selves.
As far back as I can remember, it was ingrained in my behavior to always be “the good girl”. That meant, never red-flagging myself and always going above and beyond expectations.
Even in grammar school, I tried to always play it on the down-low to avoid beatings from those wretched nuns – unfortunately, that didn’t work out too well for me.
To digress, I even dedicated a few hours on my weekends off to run an errand for that miserable canonical crew in hopes of being accepted and loved. This was what I believe to be the inception of my people-pleasing woes.
Always desiring to be liked and accepted comes with at a great cost. It’s a heavy beast to bear. I became the “go to” person for most everything. This still rings true today, but since I have become Tim, the load is much lighter.
OK, let’s get to Tim. I recently saw this cartoon, and it resonated to my core.
I have a copy of it on my desktop as a daily reminder. I like Tim. Tim is always someone I wished I were and strive daily to achieve.
Now, that doesn’t mean I don’t care about stuff – I most certainly do! I have simply decided to step away from that nagging, tugging, and pulling desire to always have to be liked and accepted. And that my friends – is truly liberating!
Once folks see that you are a people pleaser, they often take advantage of you. Not all, but most – that has been my personal experience. “They” say, people-pleasers yearn for outside validation. I believe this to be the core of this behavior.
Validation – that one word is key to understanding the whole concept of people-pleasing. Gaining the approval and acceptance of others is the payoff. There is an ongoing dread of being disliked and cut from your peers whether its friends, family or co-workers and yes, even strangers.
I’ve also encountered in my escapades of people-pleasing the blood-sucking vampires out there who will continue to drain you of all of your spiritual energy.
The more you give, the more they take. As we are all aware, there are givers, and there are takers. When the takers happen upon a people-pleaser all hell breaks loose. And more we continue to please, the weaker you are perceived.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I am still a pleaser in many ways but with one huge exception.
I now practice relationship reciprocity. Although we would like to believe in purely altruistic acts and while I’m sure they exist – I believe on some level whether consciously or unconsciously there is a component of reciprocity to be gotten.
Your marriage, your friendships, your job – all based on the premise of reciprocity. Any healthy relationship must have this component. There has to be a natural give and take flow to it.
The good news is it’s never too late to change our succorant behavior. Change is often scary, but it’s the only way out. If you continue to cast the role of people-pleaser it can often lead to depression and the burden of constantly feeling overwhelmed.
I’d also like to mention, please, by all means, continue to pay it forward with acts of love and kindness.
Being a people-pleaser has little to do with spreading some goodwill and fairy dust around.
What I’ve done to change.
Be Like Tim: Yes, you can wake up one day and decide to be like Tim. You just don’t have to give a ….well…you know. Not everyone is going to like you.
Not everyone is going to accept you into their posse. Those are the hard facts. Deal with it! Once you do, you too can be just like Tim!
Learn How To Say No! And here lies the magic. It’s not easy to say no – not to your kids, your spouse, or your friends. There are times when you have to step back and think before answering.
Next time you feel the urge to please, step back for a moment and think. What are motives for saying yes? What’s to be gained? Or lost? How much time are you investing and why?
Now, please note, I don’t mean for the simple acts of kindness you do daily, or for your duties or responsibilities, but rather for those times when you feel that angst in the pit of your stomach tugging at your inner core telling you to say NO and you ignore it!
Feel and Express Empathy: You can still say no and let others know you are very empathetic to their request.
I believe it’s always best to them know that while you can understand and relate to their need, you are not able to accommodate their request for a reason.
It’s always best to provide a blanket statement as to why you must say no and stand firm on your decision. Never say things like, “I’ll think about it”, or “possibly later if some time frees up”. This will set you up for some wiggle room and they will worm their way in – trust me.
So, next time you get the urge to go above and beyond, kick yourself metaphorically in the pants and stop to think. Ask yourself the crucial questions and invest in your relationship in a healthy and fulfilling way. It’s made me much happier and allowed me to be on the receiving end of life as well.
And, of course, I have to mention that I’m not a shrink, a doctor, or a member of Mensa. I’m in my own way, trying to pay it forward too!
And as always, thanks so much for visiting my site and if you like this post Everyone Wants To Be Liked And Accepted – Except for Tim please subscribe via email below and never miss a post again!
Oh those nuns! Some of them were so abusive and angry. I like this line of yours – “It’s always best to provide a blanket statement as to why you must say no and stand firm on your decision.” I do stand firm on my decision, but yes, sometimes I leave wiggle room so remembering to give the reason why is the hard part.
what a great post! I so wanna be Tim. And I think I am more Timlike as I get older. Had to avoid one of those bloodsuckers today.
Thanks for the inspiration, my friend!
As you already know, I’m definitely guilty of being a people pleaser. I do tend to notice little inconsistencies right away in others around me (much like you do.) I do my best to “fix” those situations as I can.
However, you’re right there are times when it’s better to say no to others. Not because you necessarily want to, but because it is far better that you do it.
I love how you put this. It was a heart touching piece.
I am sure I have met Tim before with his cool attitude and sayings, when I find him again I will send you a copy so you will know his creator. Loved your post. Have a great weekend.
This is such an important lesson to learn, and so liberating. There has to be a balance between taking others’ opinions into consideration and being true to your own beliefs. But once you figure it out, life becomes so much easier and pleasurable. Happy Friday, Carolann. Great post! Tweeting!
We’ve all been in this position, and some of us learn and some do not. This is such a good topic because I find myself giving too much at times, even though I’m not really a PP.
I admit to be a people pleaser, but as I age I’m working on it. As we all are. Thanks, Tim!!
Ah, relationship reciprocity! You’ve taught me a new term that I will certainly incorporate into my lexicon because I truly believe in it.
HA! Tim is awesome! Pretty good.
This is a great post. I love the photo–and yes, I, too feel like I am like Tim. I think having my daughter put my own priorities in place and helped me to be more like Tim.
Hi Estelle! Thank you very much. Yes, I can understand how having a child will do that. Unfortunately, it didn’t for me. I woke later then I’d hoped, but better late then never :) Tim has the right idea for sure! lol Thanks much for commenting. ox
lol yeah he is the bomb! Thanks much for stopping by :) have a great weekend…and your pics are amazing!
Hi Helene! Why thank you! Yes, it makes total sense right? Your comment means a lot thanks much for taking the time to leave one! Have a great weekend!
Hi Cathy, lol yes I thanked Tim too! I think I’m right there with you working on it daily. Thanks much for stopping by and have a great weekend!
Hi agree Carol. It’s a lesson we must learn daily it seems. Tim has it right for sure! :)
Tim is my hero! I have been a recovering good girl for about 3 years now. I never want to stop being someone that is kind, compassionate and reliable, but I have learned to say no especially to those who are not for me.
Good for you!!
Those nuns were something else.
Hi Kelly, thanks much for the lovely comment. You are so right..there has to be a balance somewhere, but at times so hard to find. I went almost my whole life being the people pleaser and to no avail. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks much for stopping by! xo
Hi Doreen, Tim is the best! He has nailed it lol. Yes, those nuns were awful for sure lol. Lessons I continue to learn though…I just adore Time lol. Thanks much for stopping by! Have a great weekend.
I think a balanced person has a little bit of the people pleaser and Tim in them, and our entire life’s journey is to figure out when to be who when!
For better or worse, I don’t think I’ve ever really been a people pleaser and, as I get older, I definitely get more and more like Tim!
lol Lois agreed. That’s why I adore Tim! Have a great weekend!
Hi Andi, I agree totally. To find the perfect balance is key! Tim has the right idea though lol. Have a great weekend!
Oh wow that would be great! I wanted to give him credit but to no avail. Thanks much for keeping an eye out and stopping by!
Thanks much Crystal! And yes, it’s a battle for sure. We can both totally relate to this one. I knew you would appreciate it! xo
Thanks much Angela! I think Tim has the right idea for sure. I love that cartoon. Makes me chuckle every time I see it. Oh geez…good thing you avoided them. They are the worst! They will suck you dry of all of your spiritual energy for sure! Keep dodging those bullets! Have a wonderful weekend!
Yes Sue exactly! It’s a daily battle but one that can be achieved with a little perseverance! Glad you enjoyed the post my friend.
I am trying!! I really, really am trying to not be such a people pleaser…but the habits I have are so ingrained. I do like Tim though
I find that when I was younger I was very much a people pleaser. But as you get older and more confident, we do become this Tim character! Love that cartoon of Tim being taken away by the red balloons, classic.
Hi Charlotte, Glad you enjoyed the post. That Tim is hysterical for sure. I think that’s true – with age we realise we don’t need to people please as much. It’s a great lesson for us all! Thanks much for stopping by!
Hi Donna! I hear you trust me! It’s so hard to break old habits and when it comes to people pleasing the hardest yet. I think we all need to have a little bit of Tim in all of us!
I think that Tim comes out in all of us as we get older, well at least sooner or later. Thanks for sharing.
lol agreed! I like Tim…he got things right!
I have actually come across Tim a couple of times lately. It’s a great concept and we can all learn something from Tim. Perhaps there should be a more kid friendly photo of Tim being taken away by balloons.
Hi Heather, I do agree, but I think the artist wanted to make a strong point and wow he surely did. lol. Thanks much for stopping by and have a great week!