Learning to Stop Shrinking Yourself to Make Others Comfortable

Transcript

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Welcome back to Loots to Restoration, Faith, Family, and Healing with Marie. In the last episode, we talked about guilt and how many people struggle emotionally when they finally begin choosing themselves. But today we're going deeper into something that many people do without even realizing it. Because sometimes, in order to feel accepted, we slowly begin shrinking ourselves. Some people spend so much time trying not to make others uncomfortable that they stop fully being themselves. Psalms 139 verse 14 says, I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Many people learn early to become smaller versions of themselves, quieter, less expensive, less emotional, less honest. Not because they truly want to, but because somewhere along the way they learned that being fully themselves did not always feel safe. So they adjust, they minimize themselves, they silence part of who they are, trying to avoid rejection, trying to avoid judgment, trying to avoid conflict. Sometimes shrinking yourself becomes automatic. You stop speaking up, you stop expressing what you truly feel, you stop taking up space emotionally, and after a while, you begin disconnecting from yourself, not because you are weak, but because adaptation became survival. And the difficult part is many people don't realize how much of themselves they've hidden until healing begins. It can look like holding back your thoughts, pretending things don't bother you, downplaying your emotions, or constantly trying to appear easygoing while internally carrying emotional heaviness. Sometimes it even looks like apologizing for simply existing fully as yourself. And over time, that creates emotional exhaustion because pretending requires constant energy. But healing teaches you something important. You do not have to become smaller to deserve connection, you do not have to silence yourself to deserve peace, and you do not have to hide parts of who you are to make others comfortable. The right people will not require you to abandon yourself. God did not create you to live hidden emotionally, He created you intentionally, with purpose, with value, with identity. And sometimes healing begins when you stop asking. How can I make myself easier for others and start asking? How can I become more aligned with who God created me to be? You are allowed to take up space, you are allowed to have emotions, you are allowed to have boundaries, you are allowed to have a voice, and you do not have to shrink yourself to deserve love, respect, or peace. Ask yourself, where in my life have I been making myself smaller for others? And then ask, what would it look like to fully show up as myself instead? Healing sometimes means learning that you were never meant to disappear inside other people's comfort. And as you continue this journey, remember you do not have to shrink yourself to be worthy. Let us close with a prayer. Heavenly Father, help us to stop hiding parts of ourselves out of fear, pressure, or rejection. Teach us to walk confidently in who you created us to be, without shame, fear, or self-abandonment. Guide us towards healing, confidence, and emotional freedom. In Jesus' name, amen. As we continue this season, this is part of a deeper reflection in the journey. Take what you need from it and let it meet you where you are. Thank you for joining me on Roots to Restoration, Faith, Family, and Healing with Marie. Be blessed and continue growing in faith, healing, and restoration one season at a time.