Are you so used to looking after everyone else that your own needs barely make the list? If people-pleasing, caregiving, and the pressure to keep everyone happy are leaving you stretched thin, this episode is for you. 

Dr Lucy and Dr Mary talk honestly about the midlife squeeze: caring for children, parents, work, and everyone else, while trying not to abandon yourself in the process. They explore why people-pleasing can begin as a protective response, why it can become exhausting in adulthood, and how small moments of pause can help you make choices that work for you too. 

You’ll hear an effective way to think about old coping patterns, including Dr Mary’s powerful “outgrown shoes” analogy. Dr Lucy and Dr Mary also share practical scripts for navigating food pressure, setting boundaries without over-explaining, and tolerating the discomfort that can come with saying no. Listen now for a compassionate reminder that prioritising your health and needs isn’t selfish. It may be one of the most supportive things you can do for yourself and the people you care about. 

For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers: https://www.rlmedicine.com/ 

Episode, show notes & transcript
https://www.rlmedicine.com/how-to-stop-people-pleasing-and-say-no