myeasytherapy

Glossary

Self-abandonment

Self-abandonment is the habit of overriding your own needs, feelings, limits and preferences, usually to preserve someone else's comfort or approval, until checking in with yourself stops occurring to you at all. It is people-pleasing's deeper layer: not just saying yes outwardly, but silencing the inner no.

In plain language

It rarely feels dramatic; it feels like being easy-going. The cost shows up later as resentment, numbness, or the unsettling question "I don't actually know what I want any more." The repair starts embarrassingly small: noticing you have a preference, and saying it out loud.

What it can look like

  • "I'm easy either way", said reflexively, even when you are not.
  • Knowing everyone's needs in the room except your own.
  • Feeling like a stranger to your own preferences.

Go deeper

Why do I feel guilty saying no?Do you struggle with boundaries?Boundaries aren’t walls. They’re how you stay connected to others without losing yourself. This quiz helps you see the pattern in yours.

Related terms

People-pleasingFight, flight, freeze, fawnEmotional regulation

My Easy Therapy helps you practise this daily, join My Easy Therapy.

Real women. Real change.

From women inside My Easy Therapy

see original
This was absolutely incredible! I cried during the calm/safe place exercise. I finally realized I’ve been feeling unsafe with tumult at work. The EMDR work really helped me calm down and left me able to get sh*t done today!
Safe place / EMDR breakthrough
see original
I got good feedback but the best is that I managed to stay calm on stage and I feel proud of myself.
Stage confidence
see original
Dr Michaela, I am so thankful for you! This membership is helping me tremendously. It’s incredible how it feels like all of the material is tailor made for me. You have helped me find inner strength and self compassion.
Made for me
see original
The success journey videos are like having a friend cheer me on while giving sound advice. It makes me feel like I’m not alone and that’s so important to me.
Not alone
see original
Somatic practices in my lunch break are changing my level of anxiety at work - such a win.
Anxiety at work
see original
I graduated with my Masters degree last weekend! This program changed me so much for the better!
Masters graduation
see original
This is the best membership and community I have been a part of, and I have been in several. The value of this membership for the price is unbelievable!
Best membership
see original
I definitely feel it’s helped me care better for myself physically & emotionally. I’ve been able to learn factual information & then experience peace & processing through movement.
Care better for myself
see original
I can really feel a difference. Especially in my shoulders and jaw. The tension has just melted away. Already looking forward to the next one!
Tension melted away
see original
I had a phenomenal week! I’ve done so much work to start regulating myself... I carried myself like a queen through all of it! This week was an experience of “levelling up” from doing the work!
Levelling up
see original
Thank you so much for creating this membership, it is really resonating with me so far & is helping me on my journey of healing & emotional well-being.
Resonating

Individual experiences: real reflections, not typical results.

Before you go

You are not broken.

You’re overloaded, over-responsible and under-supported. Build emotional skills that match the size of your life.

Join My Easy Therapy →