When People Pleasing Stops Working People pleasing often develops because it works. It helps relationships feel smoother. It reduces conflict. It increases approval. For many people, it becomes the strategy that gets them through difficult environments. That is why it is important not to blame yourself for developing it. At some point, it served a […]
Author: Jankrish Medina
People Pleasing and the Search for Safety
People Pleasing and the Search for Safety People pleasing is often seen as a bad habit or a personality flaw. But when you look at it more closely, it begins to make sense. For many people, people pleasing is not simply about wanting to make others happy. It develops as a way of staying connected, […]
How Anxious and Avoidant Partners Both Seek Safety
How Anxious and Avoidant Partners Both Seek Safety Many people feel confused when their partner responds to stress in a completely different way. One person reaches out and wants closeness. The other pulls away and wants space. It is easy to think this means one person cares more than the other, but often both people […]
When You Feel Like You’re Holding the Relationship Together
When You Feel Like You’re Holding the Relationship Together Many people who lean anxious in relationships carry a quiet fear. They feel that if they stopped putting in all the work, the relationship wouldn’t stand. This is not a dramatic thought. It comes from years of experience and from the feeling of being the one […]
Step 2: Understanding the Purpose of My Coping Mechanisms
At some point in my life, hiding meant survival. Avoiding connection, shutting down emotions, and withdrawing into isolation weren’t just habits—they were ways my mind and body kept me safe. But now, they are no longer serving me. Why This Step Matters Understanding my coping mechanisms was a crucial part of my healing journey. Before […]
Depression: My Healing Journey – Step 1: Awareness and Acknowledgment, Part 2
Why Naming It Matters My struggle with how to move forward was always partly to do with not acknowledging this label. After all, I’m a Christian. Christians don’t get depressed, right? But how could I give something to God that I had not even named or acknowledged? You cant give away what you dont have […]
Depression: My Healing Journey – Step 1: Awareness and Acknowledgment, Part 1
“Without the free play of emotions, there would be no thrill of discovery, no entertainment over humorous situations, no excitement at seeing a beloved person. Human beings would operate purely at a ‘cerebral’ level, devoid of the feeling tones that make their lives vibrant rather than mechanical.” “… in one respect, the depressed person is […]
Why Do I Keep Overthinking Everything?
Have you ever had a conversation with someone and then, hours later, found yourself replaying the whole thing in your head? Maybe you keep asking yourself, “Did I say the wrong thing?” or “What if they think I’m weird?” or even “Why did I laugh like that?” If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Overthinking […]
When Relationships Become Unhealthy: My Journey Through a Toxic Friendship
Toxic relationships can be hard to understand, especially when you’re in one. I know this because I’ve been there. At the time, I didn’t recognize the unhealthy patterns at play—I just knew I felt anxious and stuck in cycles of hurt and repair. One of the most significant relationships in my life was a friendship […]
What Are Breathing Techniques?
Breathing—something we all do without even thinking. But how many times have you heard someone say, “Just breathe,” when you’re panicking or stressed? From calming nerves to managing pain, breathing is often offered as a simple yet powerful tool. I remember hearing that breathing is the fastest way to tell your brain, “You’re safe.” But […]