Have you found yourself caught in the trap of codependency?

If you base your feelings about yourself on how someone else feels about or responds to you, you’re in the codependency trap.

Because that’s exactly how it works.

We’re taught these dysfunctional patterns early on in life. We’re not taught how to Love ourselves.

Which breeds more of the culturally conditioned codependency we all experience.

The best way to get unstuck from the trap of codependency is to build a solid self-Love practice. Learn how to get started with the 4 Self-Love Essentials here.

 

Where does the trap of codependency come from? 

Essentially, we’re trained from a young age to seek acceptance, approval, and validation from others. 

We’re taught to try and make other people happy. As though that’s anything actually in our control.

Emotionally sensitive people experience the trap of codependency at an alarming rate. 

If you’ve ever considered yourself empathic or highly empathetic, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

The negative moods, attitudes, and behaviors of others can quickly ruin your mental and emotional wellbeing.

It puts you into a tailspin. It’s easy to get sucked into the pain, drama, and issues of others.

Even if you’re only wanting to be helpful.

Yet ultimately this is also something we’re born with. It’s our ego at play.

As Eckart Tolle writes in A New Earth: Awakening Your Life’s Purpose,

The ego’s sense of self-worth is in most cases bound up with the worth you have in the eyes of others. You need others to give you a sense of self and you live in a culture that to a large extent equates self-worth with how much and what you have, if you cannot look through this collective delusion, you will be condemned to chasing after things for the rest of your life in the vain hope of finding your worth and completion of your sense of self there.

 

Codependency through over-giving & people-pleasing

Over-giving, over-serving and other people-pleasing patterns are fruits of the trap of codependency.

So is going out of your way to try and earn the Love and respect of other people just to feel good about yourself again.

Where do these patterns come from?

Many of us were taught, from a young age, that we need to be nice.

Yet this concept of “nice” wasn’t exactly clearly defined in a healthy way.

Ultimately it’s a subtle method of fostering the build-up to the trap of codependency.

Ready to break free from People-Pleasing and codependency to stand in your power? This powerful online course will show you the way right now.

 

So is being “Nice” a bad thing?

Nice is a combination of being courteous, polite, and gentle with others. At least that’s what we’re told.

And it can seem like a good thing when done in a healthy way. Yet this isn’t the context of how or why we’re told be “be nice.”

We’re told to be nice to not make waves, or make people feel bad.

Niceness is often instructed to us to try and fix something that’s (seemingly) wrong with someone else. Such as their bad attitude or mood. Or negative behavior.

As if our “niceness” is a balm for the internal strife going on in someone else’s mind and heart.

Yet “nice” is a surface-level sweetness. It’s like an artificial sweetener. Sure it tastes like something good, but it can have very damaging long-term side effects.

 

Think of “nice” as the same thing as saccharin 

The intention that many people have regarding “niceness” is more in line with a desire to practice kindness.

To foster a more loving presence in the place where people need it most.

An angry or agitated person doesn’t need more hostile vibes to feel better.

What they really need is Love.

Often one of the best ways to express the kind of Love needed is through Kindness.

They need to be heard and understood.

So that peace can be achieved, even in a minor way. To bring some alleviation to their suffering.

People-pleasing “niceness” won’t make that happen.

Both people suffer in the process.

The trap of codependency keeps the emotionally sensitive person constantly trying to make things better for the other.

Often at their own expense.

Are you tired of being the nice guy/girl who always finishes last? Gain the tools to step into your power here.

 

 

All of this when true Kindness is the real key

Yet we’re not taught or illustrated what true kindness looks like.

Kindness seems lofty or uncertain. So instead we’re told to be nice. 

And in this place of “niceness” the people-pleasing patterns of codependency escalate and take over our wellbeing.

Mental health becomes a casualty.

And so does healthy relationships.

Nice doesn’t build a foundation around fostering and spreading Love.

It’s a bandaid. And it serves little good for either person in any situation or capacity.

Especially regarding our own mental health and wellbeing.

The reason for this is niceness gets us stuck in trying to fix someone else.

And it perpetuates a negative belief that our own wellbeing is subject to the feelings, beliefs, and attitudes of others.

Instead of us being good stewards of our own wellbeing and consciousness.

 

We’re trying to over-give out of our own cup

The belief that giving to others comes from what you have inside your own heart treats your heart like a commodity.

It creates and fosters patterns of transactional relationships.

This pattern keeps you stuck in the trap of codependency.

This is how the unconscious thoughts and patterns of codependency work: If I give to you, then you will give to me. Then we’ll be even. And if I give to you and you don’t return to me in kind (interesting use of wording), then I must do more to seek your giving to me so that I can earn what it is that I want.

 

Break free from the codependent trap

So where does trying to “be nice” to someone who is sad or angry mesh with seeking validation and acceptance?

Consider it as interwoven spikes of the same trap. 

When we base our decisions, actions, and feelings around those of other people, well-intentioned or not, we’re giving away our power.

And we’re sacrificing our wellbeing to the whims of someone else.

It’s dysfunctional at best. Breeding toxicity in large quantities. 

Mental health is an easy casualty.

So is emotional wellbeing. And any sense of personal wholeness.

There are two key points  (in your heart and mind garden) to serve your highest good and break the negative cycle of codependent patterns.

 

First, nice and kind are polar opposites

One is based on a people-pleasing code of trying to make others happy so that you can feel better about yourself.

The other is rooted in Love and is whole, solid, and doesn’t need anything given to it for it to thrive.

Nice has no backbone.

Being nice to others leads you to feel that others need to be nice to you in return. Or else you’ll crumble.

There’s a very good reason that “nice guys/girls finish last” rings so true. 

Kindness (or the act of being kind) is the second ingredient listed for the makeup of Love in the Bible (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).

It’s also the trait most distinguished with true servant leadership.

 

Kindness negates the trap of codependency

Kindness doesn’t need to receive kindness back in order for the person to feel good about themselves.

Or be whole, solid, and full of Love.

Notable and inspirational figures like Mother Theresa, Oprah Winfrey, Keanu Reeves, and Fred Rogers are known for many things.

Kindness is one of the leading trademarks of the impact they made on those around them, independent of their celebrity.

Why is that?

Mother Theresa was not heralded for being “nice”.

Why is Fred Rogers not known simply as the “nicest guy in the neighborhood”?

Because the quality of their character and personhood wasn’t dependent on the responses that others made to their generosity and giving.

Mother Teresa was telling herself a different story about who she was and who the people around her were. It’s what psychologists call self-image and spiritual teachers call self-concept. 

And it’s the key to transforming your life. 

Here’s some help in changing your story to change your life: a, free new book for you here just for reading this blog article. 

 

This is the hallmark of genuine kindness

Here’s a definition for Kindness that will help to reshape your understanding of why Kindness matters and niceness leads to a level of personal hell few people escape from.

Kindness is “Gentle and strong understanding, consideration and care given through appreciation, affection, and respect for boundaries for yourself and for others from a place of inner completion and solidarity.”

See how this mirrors the heart and character of the notable people mentioned a moment ago?

Can you see how “nice” can’t touch this?

And why being nice keeps you locked in the trap of codependency?

When you actively and consistently work to grow real Love from within you, there’s a solidarity that grows for you to not have to seek or earn anything from anyone else to feel whole.

This brings us to the second key point

The cup inside you which you give Love out of (call it your heart or your inner Love well) is made for just you. The contents of your heart and the Love within it is for just you.

So how do you give Love to others if your heart’s Love capacity is just for yourself?

You give from the overflow.

Let go of the “glass is half empty or half full” mentality.

Fill up your own cup. Use your connection to the infinite Source of all Love and blessings.

Fill up your own heart with Love. Self-Love is the key and the way here.

But don’t stop filling your heart with Love when you reach the top.

Keep going. Create overflow. Let your inner cup runneth over.

 

Give Love to others from the overflow 

Accordingly, channel and direct the current of the overflow to whoever you want. 

This way, you don’t need anything from anyone else in return so that you still have the Love you want and need within you. That responsibility is solely your own.

You remove the dysfunction of transactional and codependent relationships this way.

A simple and practical method to do this is using your imagination. It’s one of the best ways to practice meditation (and what I lead all my students in through private coaching and training).

 

Here’s a simple meditation you can use anytime

Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths.

Imagine a big, flowing waterfall cascading a pouring stream down into a bed of water. All around you are lush green leaves, trees, flowers and beautiful plants.

Feel the gentleness of this place. The water that flows from above is pure Love. Quenching, soothing, replenishing, rejuvenating, abundant.

And it’s all yours.

Step under the waterfall. Let this drenching Love soak you and cover you fully. 

Bask in it. Delight in it. Celebrate in it.

When you feel completely full of this abundance of Love, stay there. This is where the overflow happens.

This is the Divine expressing its unending Love and abundance for you. 

We give from an eternal and never-ending flow. It’s always available to us. We just have to choose it.

Spend ten minutes or so in this quiet meditative place. Feel the difference in your body, in your mind, in your emotions. 

Cultivate Loving relationships from within you

Kindness comes naturally from this place.

So does gentleness, trust, hope, and patience.

And all the other ingredients that make up Love.

Because you can send it out from the overflow within you. And not need anything in return.

Because your true source of Love isn’t outside of yourself. It’s within. From your connection with God and the Divine, all things are made new again.

And wholeness is simply a way of being.

 

Learn exactly how to escape the patterns of codependency

Do you want some help and clarity on breaking free from codependent/people-pleasing patterns?

Are you tired of being the “nice” person that everyone takes advantage of?

If being nice has led to heartache and heartbreak, make a shift into kindness and overflow. 

Want more help in escaping the trap of codependency to grow in confidence and self-Love? How about a more fun and entertaining way to do this hard inner work?

Join me in the growth process of bringing our personal development and spiritual journey together by changing the stories we tell ourselves and believe to be true in this transformational new book, free for you here for reading this blog article. 

 

About Me: Hi, I’m D Grant Smith, The Growth Farmer of Personal Development Through the Lens of Spirituality and Storytelling.

I help people transform by growing LOVE from within the garden of your heart-mind-spirit-body to live the story of your dreams.

Learn more and experience the powerful transformation of stories, life lessons, and join into the Growth Farming community here now.