Inner Work With MaryAnn Walker: Stop People Pleasing and Start Honoring You!

Explore the deep-seated fear of abandonment that drives people pleasers to ignore their own needs. Discover how past experiences can mold our perceptions of love and connection. The discussion highlights how fear leads to self-abandoning behaviors, like overgiving and staying in toxic relationships. Understand the damaging cycle of seeking approval while feeling increasingly disconnected. Uncover the illusion of connection that these patterns create, leaving individuals feeling more alone than ever.

Send us a textDo you ever feel like you’re working so hard, but somehow still not making progress? What if the thing that's holding you back smaller than you think?Self-sabotage is sneaky. It can show up in tiny, everyday choices that keep you stuck, frustrated, and wondering why your efforts aren’t paying off. In this episode of Inner Work with MaryAnn Walker, I share a real-life lesson that turned into a powerful reminder: sometimes it’s not about making massive changes—it’s about one small tweak that can make all the difference.Whether you’re a recovering people pleaser, an empath, or a highly sensitive person, you may notice self-sabotage showing up in your relationships, your goals, and even in the way you talk to yourself. The good news? Once you learn how to stop self-sabotaging, you’ll see how one small mindset shift and tiny daily habits can create big and lasting results.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeCommon self-sabotage patterns and how to recognize them.Why people pleasers often minimize their accomplishments (and how to stop).How avoiding conflict in relationships can actually create more conflict.Practical mindset shifts to break the cycle of self-sabotage.Why making tiny changes every day can lead to massive transformation.Challenge for the WeekAsk yourself: What’s one small tweak I could make today that would have the biggest impact on my life? Maybe it’s speaking up sooner, accepting help instead of refusing it, or finally celebrating your own accomplishments.Work With MeIf you’re ready to stop sabotaging your goals and start creating the results you really want, I’d love to help. As a life coach for empaths, highly sensitive people, and recovering people pleasers, I specialize in spotting the small shifts that can lead to big breakthroughs. Book your free clarity call today: https://calendly.com/maryannwalkerlife/freeconsultDon’t Forget to SubscribeBe sure to follow Inner Work with MaryAnn Walker so you never miss an episode. And if you found this helpful, please leave a review—it helps more helpers, healers, and people pleasers discover tools to stop getting in their own way and live with more confidence, clarity, and ease.Want to connect on other platforms?  I've got you!Contact me: https://maryannwalker.life/contact-meFollow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryannwalker.life/Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryannwalker.lifeFollow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maryannwalker.lifeFollow on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@maryannwalkerlife

Send us a textTrauma Bonds: Why They’re So Hard to Spot, Why They Feel Addictive, and How to Break Free for GoodIf you’ve ever wondered “Am I in a trauma bond?” or found yourself walking on eggshells, feeling extreme emotions in a relationship, and clinging to the hope things will go back to how they “used to be,” this episode is for you. We’ll explore how people pleasing as a trauma response can deepen trauma bonding and keep you trapped in toxic relationship patterns.You’ll learn the difference between a toxic relationship vs trauma bond, and how trauma bonds often develop through love bombing, devaluing, discard, and sporadic reinforcement. We’ll also talk about the role of anxious attachment, why leaving can feel impossible, and exactly how to break free of a trauma bond so you can reclaim your peace and self-worth.What You’ll Learn in This Episode💛 What a trauma bond really is and how it’s formed💛 The “slot machine effect” and why sporadic reinforcement keeps you hooked💛 How trauma bonds amplify people pleasing and self-abandonment💛 The repeating cycle of love bombing, devaluing, and discard💛 Common signs you may be trauma bonded (and how to tell)💛 Why walking on eggshells becomes the norm in trauma-bonded relationships💛 How anxious attachment fuels the cycle💛 The truth about healthy love versus conditional, inconsistent attentionChallenge for the WeekPay attention to your relationship patterns. Do the highs feel intoxicating while the lows drag on endlessly? Are you ignoring your own needs to keep someone else happy? Notice if your emotions swing from extreme highs to crushing lows. Write down your observations without judgment—awareness is the first step to change.Work With MeIf you’re ready to stop asking “Am I trauma bonded?” and start breaking free from the cycle, I’d love to support you. In coaching, we’ll work together to untangle the patterns keeping you stuck and help you create relationships that feel safe, balanced, and mutually fulfilling. Click here to book your free clarity call: https://calendly.com/maryannwalkerlife/freeconsultDon’t Forget to SubscribeIf you found this episode helpful, make sure you’re subscribed so you never miss an episode. Every week we explore the topics that matter most to recovering people pleasers, highly sensitive people, and anyone ready to heal from toxic relationship dynamics.Connect with me!Book Your FREE Clarity Call: https://calendly.com/maryannwalkerlife/freeconsultContact me: https://maryannwalker.life/contact-meFollow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryannwalker.life/Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryannwalker.lifeFollow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maryannwalker.life

Time alone doesn't heal emotional wounds; intention and effort are key. The discussion encourages listeners to recognize when rest becomes avoidance and offers insights into true healing for highly sensitive people. Breakups and transitions can serve as powerful growth catalysts. Discover how to differentiate between coping and genuine healing, along with a self-inquiry practice to guide your progress. It's time to take charge of your healing journey!

Send us a textAre you a highly sensitive person who’s constantly giving but feeling invisible in your relationships? Do you ever catch yourself wondering, “Do they know I’m here?” or feeling like “They are walking all over me”? Maybe you’ve been feeling used or taken advantage of, and deep down you’re thinking, “I just want to be seen and loved.”In this episode, I open up about my own journey as a helper, healer, and recovering people pleaser, including the powerful images that came into my mind’s eye during Reiki sessions with client that revealed just how it can feel to over-giving at your own expense. I’ll share 2 impactful stories from my time as a Reiki practitioner—moments when unhealed codependency and energetic imbalances were manifesting through two powerful images... a doormat and a cloak of invisibility. Through metaphors like doormat vs. welcome mat energy and the cloak of invisibility, we’ll explore how patterns of over-giving can leave you exhausted, resentful, and wondering if you’ll ever feel truly valued. You’ll also learn practical, heart-centered tools for reclaiming your energy, setting boundaries without guilt, and stepping into relationships where you can be authentically seen and loved for who you are.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:💛 The difference between doormat energy and welcome mat energy🌀 How codependency keeps you stuck in over-giving cycles🌱 The role of the solar plexus and heart chakra in emotional boundaries🧠 What your resentment is trying to tell you🧍‍♀️ The emotional cost of wearing a cloak of invisibility✨ How to shift from seeking love through usefulness to receiving love through authenticity🔮 How Reiki and chakra healing can help process emotional patternsThis episode is especially for you if:You’re a recovering people pleaser or codependent personalityYou often feel taken for granted or invisible in relationshipsYou give your time, energy, and love freely—but rarely feel nourished in returnYou’re tired of feeling invisible and want to step into your worthYou’re interested in the intersection of spirituality, energy work, and emotional healingReady to Be Seen?If you’re tired of feeling invisible and drained from always being the “go-to” person for everyone else, this is your sign to step out of the doormat role, take off the cloak of invisibility, and feel safe being seen. You don’t have to prove your worth through over-giving.Ready to make lasting change? 🔗 Book your free clarity call today to explore where your energy might be leaking and how you can shift toward empowered, authentic connection.Free Clarity Call: https://calendly.com/maryannwalkerlife/freeconsultContact me: https://maryannwalker.life/contact-meFollow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryannwalker.life/Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryannwalker.lifeFollow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maryannwalker.life

Send us a textDo you have a hard time feeling ok when others around you are struggling?  Do  you find yourself constantly managing the emotions of others or abandoning your own needs in the name of “keeping the peace?” If so, you may be struggling with codependency. Today we’re going to explore what codependency actually is, how it often hides under the mask of kindness, and how to start reclaiming your emotional freedom. Many recovering people pleasers have adopted the belief that “I’m only okay if everyone else is okay.” But that belief, while rooted in self-protection, becomes exhausting and unsustainable in adulthood. It forfeits our own emotional regulation and makes our emotional wellbeing conditional upon our ability to emotionally comfort/control others.In this episode we uncover how this pattern develops, why it keeps you stuck, and how to start shifting from emotional control to emotional regulation.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy recovering people pleasers are often codependent How hyper-vigilance, self-neglect, and resentment can be signs of codependencyThe emotional cost of codependency & trying to “keep the peace”Real-life examples of codependency & emotional caretaking (and how to spot it in yourself)Simple steps to shift from people-soothing to self-soothingHow to build emotional resilience and reclaim your inner peaceChallenge for the WeekThe next time you feel the urge to fix someone else’s emotions, pause.Notice the urge without acting on it.Ask yourself: “Am I doing this because I can’t tolerate their discomfort? Or because I know it's what's best for me?”Choose to self-soothe instead of people-soothe.Breathe. Journal. Ground. Repeat. You’ve got this. 💛Work With MeReady to stop walking on eggshells and start building emotional resilience?I’m currently booking for Fall and would love to support you in breaking the cycle of people pleasing, setting guilt-free boundaries, and finally tending to your needs.👉 Apply now at https://maryannwalker.life/contact-meDon’t Forget to Subscribehttps://www.instagram.com/maryannwalker.life/If this episode helped you feel seen, grounded, or inspired, hit that follow button and leave a review. And share it with a friend who might also be stuck in emotional over-responsibility—they might need this more than you know.📞 Want More Support?If you're recognizing patterns of toxic empathy in your relationships and you're ready to make a change, I’d love to support you.✨ I'm currently offering 6-week 1:1 coaching packages where we’ll dive into your specific situation and build a more empowered, balanced way of showing up in your life and relationships.🎯 Book your free 20-minute clarity call to see if we might be a good fit: https://calendly.com/maryannwalkerlife/freeconsultFollow me on my other platforms and join the conversation! Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryannwalker.life/Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryannwalker.lifeFollow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maryannwalker.life

Send us a textWhat if what’s happening outside of you is just a reflection of what’s going on inside of you? As a coach for helpers, healers, and recovering people-pleasers, I’ve seen how self-limiting beliefs quietly shape our reality and block us from manifesting the life we truly want.In this episode, we’ll unpack the limiting beliefs that may be keeping you stuck—and I’ll guide you through a powerful (but simple) process to shift your mindset, challenge old stories, and begin creating lasting change. Whether you're wondering how to change your life completely or just how to feel better in your current season, it all starts with changing what you believe.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How your internal beliefs shape your external realityWhy self-limiting beliefs often create self-fulfilling propheciesReal-life stories that show how our beliefs keep us stuckHow to change your beliefs and rewire your mindsetA journaling practice to support manifesting a more aligned lifeWhy taking ownership of your beliefs is the first step toward how to change your life for the betterChallenge for the Week:Identify one limiting belief that’s been shaping your realityWrite it down and get honest about what it’s been creatingCreate a new, empowering belief to replace itFind 3 reasons that belief is already true in your lifeRead, breathe into, and feel that belief dailyWork With Me:If you're tired of feeling stuck and you're ready to change your life from the inside out, I’d love to support you. Book a free 20-minute clarity call, and we’ll explore what’s holding you back and how to shift the beliefs that are keeping you in patterns you didn’t choose.📞 Book Your Free Clarity Call✨ I'm currently offering 6-week 1:1 coaching packages where we’ll dive deep into the limiting beliefs shaping your life and create space for growth, clarity, and connection.🎯 Ready to reserve your 6-week package? Reach out hereDon’t Forget to Subscribe:Be sure to follow the podcast so you don’t miss next week’s episode. We’ll keep exploring emotional boundaries, mindset shifts, and how to change your life completely—especially for those who feel deeply and love big.Let’s Stay Connected:📱 Instagram: @maryannwalker.life📘 Facebook: MaryAnnWalker.Life🎵 TikTok: @maryannwalker.life

Send us a textWhen does empathy become toxic? When it leads to self-abandonment. Yes, empathy is beautiful—it helps us connect, support others, and hold space. But what happens when your empathy starts costing you your peace, self-worth, and well-being?Join me as we explore:What toxic empathy is and how it differs from healthy compassionHow people-pleasers and highly sensitive people (HSPs) often fall into this patternReal-life examples of toxic empathy in romantic, platonic, and family relationshipsThe shift from enabling to empowered empathyHow to set boundaries without losing your compassion🛑 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:Why understanding someone’s trauma does not justify harmful behaviorHow toxic empathy often looks like:Making excuses for othersSelf-abandonmentAvoiding boundariesWhy empathy without boundaries leads to resentment and emotional burnoutHow to begin using empathy as information, not justification🔍 Real-Life Examples Discussed:The Neglectful Partner – Understanding someone’s trauma doesn't mean tolerating emotional unavailability.The Flaky Friend – Compassion for someone’s anxiety shouldn’t leave you doing all the work in the friendship.The Critical Parent – Empathizing with your parent’s pain doesn’t mean accepting their constant criticism.✨ This Week’s Reflection Invitation:Ask yourself:Where has my empathy crossed into enabling?What behavior have I been tolerating in the name of understanding?Am I sacrificing my needs while waiting for someone else to change?Then take one small step:Set a boundary.Stop chasing.Initiate a long-overdue conversation.Let self-compassion lead the way. 💛📞 Want More Support?If you're recognizing patterns of toxic empathy in your relationships and you're ready to make a change, I’d love to support you.✨ I'm currently offering 6-week 1:1 coaching packages where we’ll dive into your specific situation and build a more empowered, balanced way of showing up in your life and relationships.🎯 Book your free 20-minute clarity call to see if we might be a good fit: https://calendly.com/maryannwalkerlife/freeconsultReady to reserve your 6 week package? Let me know here: https://maryannwalker.life/contact-meFollow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryannwalker.life/Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryannwalker.lifeFollow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maryannwalker.life

Discover how to reframe your 'restart' as a continuation of growth, whether in wellness routines, dating, or career shifts. The speaker tackles the inner critic and highlights the wisdom gained from past experiences. Learn why embracing discomfort is crucial for progress and get practical tips for overcoming self-doubt. By recognizing what you've learned and the strengths you carry forward, you can rewrite your narrative from starting over to starting from experience. Embrace your journey with compassion!

Send us a textIf you've ever wondered, “Am I being too harsh?” or “Will people still love me if I stop people-pleasing?”—this episode is for you. Today, we're talking about the fear that setting boundaries means you're suddenly a terrible person. (Spoiler alert: you're not.) Whether you've swung from self-sacrificing to "spicy:" or you’re just learning how to say "no" without guilt, we’re unpacking why this discomfort is actually a sign of growth, not failure.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy helpers and people-pleasers often fear becoming "the bad guy"The real reason boundary setting can feel so uncomfortable at firstHow burnout can lead to sharper tones and what to do about itWhy overcorrecting is normal (and not permanent!)How to self-assess your boundaries without shameExamples of clear, respectful boundary statementsWhy disruption is part of healing—and how to ride the waveChallenge for the WeekPractice one boundary this week—even if it’s wobbly. Then take 5 minutes to self-assess. Ask yourself:What went well?What could I improve next time?Did I lead with clarity or frustration?How was my tone?Did I communicate through clarity or emotional confusion?No shame. Just curiosity and growth.Work With MeTired of feeling burned out and invisible? Ready to start being someone for yourself? Let’s build those boundaries—without burning bridges. I currently have a few one-on-one coaching spots available this month. You can schedule a free 20-minute consultation call here to see if we’re a good fit. I’d love to support you in reclaiming your time, your peace, and your power.Don’t Forget to SubscribeIf this episode resonated, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. And if you're loving the podcast, I’d be so grateful if you’d leave a review—it helps others like you find this space of healing and growth.Links Mentioned in This EpisodeJoin the Waitlist for the Empath Course: Be the first to know when registration opens. Space is limited to 15–20 participants.Book Your Free Coaching Consultation Call: 20 minutes, no pressure—just connection, clarity, and support.Follow Me on Instagram for more tools, reminders, and inspiration.Follow Me on FacebookFollow Me on TikTokFollow Me on Youtube