Holidays are often supposed to feel relaxing and enjoyable, but for many people they can also bring up stress, anxiety, guilt, and emotional pressure, especially when travelling with friends, partners, or family.
A lot of people find themselves constantly monitoring everyone else’s mood, trying to keep the peace, avoiding conflict, or feeling responsible for whether other people are enjoying themselves. Over time, this can leave people emotionally exhausted and disconnected from their own needs and enjoyment.
For many LGBTQ+ people, these patterns can be linked to earlier experiences of people pleasing, rejection, hypervigilance, or learning to prioritise other people’s comfort and emotions in order to feel safe or accepted.
In this video, I explore emotional responsibility, boundaries, people pleasing, and the pressure many people feel to keep everyone else happy. I also talk about why protecting your own peace and enjoyment doesn’t make you selfish. If you often feel emotionally responsible for other people or struggle to relax without monitoring everyone around you, I’d really encourage you to watch the video.
If any of this resonates with you and you’d like support exploring it further, I offer LGBTQ+ affirming therapy both online and in person from my practice in Manchester city centre. You’re welcome to get in touch to arrange a free 15 minute introductory call.
