People-pleasing is a survival strategy — one your body learned to keep you safe, connected, and loved. And breaking it requires more than just "saying no." It requires working with your nervous system to make boundaries feel safe.

You're successful. You're capable. From the outside, your life looks together. But inside? Your body is a mess. You can't relax. You can't sleep. Your mind races with to-do lists even when you're exhausted. Rest feels impossible, and when you do stop, anxiety floods in. This isn't a personality flaw. This is nervous system dysregulation — and it's incredibly common in high achievers.

If you were the "smart one," the "responsible one," the child who always had it together — congratulations. You learned early that your worth was tied to your performance. And now, as an adult, you can't stop burning out. Welcome to the gifted child trap.