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Please yourself

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Why you can trust SCMP
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You do everything to make others happy - but what about yourself?

You've finished the project your teacher had asked you to help with and for which you had to set aside extra time. The science experiment is done - your friend asked really nicely that you take care of this for the both of you saying you're really more gifted at this than she is. And you sold all the tickets for the school play - the class really relies on you.

It's just that you didn't get to watch that documentary on whales - a subject that fascinates you.

Three out of four isn't bad. Or is it? If you are always last on your own priority list, maybe it is bad.

Naturally, it is admirable to put others' needs before your own, but it becomes a problem if you do it all the time - at your own cost. If your energy reserves are so depleted that you don't have time for yourself, you are writing yourself off - and it has an impact on your self-image: You are less important than others.

Typical people-pleasing characteristics

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