Do It for You: How to Stop People-Pleasing and Find Peace by Vanessa Ooms is a practical and insightful guide for anyone who struggles with excessive approval-seeking behaviors. She offers a versatile study of the underlying factors and consequences of people-pleasing, along with effective techniques for prevention, based on her experience as a former people-pleaser. She employs these encounters to provide guidance to prevent the onset of burnout.
The phenomenon of people-pleasing is characterized by individuals who prioritize the needs and desires of others over their own. The inclination to please others is a natural human tendency that is driven by the pursuit of social recognition and affirmation. It is important to maintain a healthy balance between prioritizing one’s own well-being and pleasing others.
The author underscores the negative ramifications of positioning the satisfaction of others, which can result in relinquishing independence to external influences. While this may promote a more amicable society, it can have detrimental effects on one’s boundaries and welfare. Persistently placing others before oneself can lead to fatigue and a lack of autonomy.
The book offers a plethora of examples and exercises aimed at aiding the readers in comprehending their actions and their influence on a person’s overall health. The text provides directions on effectively managing adverse thoughts and emotions. The pragmatic approaches to addressing people-pleasing behavior are commendable.
Self-reflection and awareness are emphasized throughout the well-structured chapters, each focusing on a distinct aspect of behavior. The chapters are filled with tips and strategies, encouraging the audience to implement their suggestions. The author advocates for readers to examine their own habits and recognize the root causes of gratifying others.
Vanessa Ooms skillfully blends anecdotes with sensible advice, covering a wide range of topics, and making the instructions relatable and actionable. Her writing approach is clear and engaging from the start, making it accessible to a broad audience. This book is highly recommended for individuals embarking on a personal growth journey as it will serve to be a poignant resource to cultivate a healthier and more fulfilling life.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Bella Terra Books 