 From a young age, society teaches us to prioritize the needs of others and put our own desires on the back burner. Self-abandonment can have dire consequences for our well-being. Neglecting our own emotions, opinions, and values can lead to a sense of emptiness and disconnection from our true selves. Never find yourself saying yes to requests, taking on more responsibilities than you can handle, or putting your own goals and desires on the back burner to accommodate others. This is people-pleasing. Individuals who tend to prioritize the satisfaction of others over their own well-being should explore ways of assisting others without causing harm to themselves. You can do this by setting boundaries and respectfully declining tasks that don't align with your comfort level. Without a solid foundation of self-care, you can't truly be there for others in a sustainable way. Is it right for you to hold so much tension at work because you're not being your true self? Is your partner's acceptance conditional on you behaving in a certain way? Are your friends expecting you to change to fit in? Remember Psych2Goers, value yourself for who you are, not who others think you should be.