Lisa May LeBlanc

Symptoms of codependency (or people-pleasing) sneak in while we’re busy trying to be KIND.

After all, isn’t it loving and thoughtful to help others be emotionally comfortable?

(Plot twist: yes, it is).

(Second plot twist: except when it isn’t).

Yes, it’s loving and kind to be thoughtful and considerate of others.

No, it’s NOT loving or kind to chronically silence our voice, downplay our own needs, or shrink ourselves down so that someone else will feel “comfortable.”

And yet some relationships (whether spouse, parent, family member, or friend) will regularly demand you shrink yourself in order to make them feel good.

And that’s not okay.

As in, they’re not actually asking you to be KIND to them.

They’re asking you to be CODEPENDENT.

And that’s not kind to you or them. Not in the long term, anyway.

So how can compassionate people tell the difference between kindness vs codependency?

It’s easy.

Our boundaries show us the way.

Except that most of us don’t know what our boundaries are.

But we can.

(And your true boundaries may not be what you think). ✨

❤️
Molly
Therapist-turned-boundaries-guide

PS - Want help?

If you would like to find out if you’ve been stuck in codependent patterns (and get boundaries that are loving, kind, and connective), my minicourse is here for you. And it’s free. 🥰

Get it here:
Https://boundaried.com/breakthrough 🦋

PPS - I’ve been having fun hand-drawing a little cartoon series on what codependent symptoms can look like for compassionate folks. If you’re new here, scroll through the cartoons on my page this past week and follow my page if you’d love to see more