Silly girl

I struggle with being (I hate this phrase) a people-pleaser. I remember blogging about it a while back, but I'll be honest, I'm too tired to look up my old post. Anyway, I've noticed that in trying so hard to please this person or that person, I inevitably disappoint someone else. Pleasing everyone is just stinkin' impossible. For example, when I try to do everything that students invite me to do as a youth ministry volunteer, my husband and kid suffer. In the words of Elphaba from the musical, "Wicked": I'm limited. (Side note: I love that musical, and I don't care how dweeby that makes me. Aaron likes it too. Don't tell him that I was the one who ratted him out.) Yep, I'm limited. I only have so much time and energy (of course, right? But I have to remind myself of this). Why do I try to do everything that people want me to do, and even things that I imagine people might want me to do? I'll tell you: it's because I'm terrified of people being upset with me. I will run myself into the ground to avoid the feeling of letting someone down. How terribly unrealistic! I recently backed out of a weekly ministry commitment, because I realized how hard it was on my husband, my kiddo, and my own sanity. It felt weird to do that, and I probably did disappoint some people. I feel good about my decision though. I'm going to have more energy to give to my marriage, my kid, and even to the people I had to stop serving. Sweet.
Does anyone else have a difficult time with this?