How to stop being a people pleaser in 2026

What if 2026 is the year you stop explaining yourself?

In this episode of Half Past Chai, we talk about people pleasing... what it actually looks like, where it comes from, and why so many of us feel pressure to keep everyone else comfortable, even when it costs us our own peace.

We open up about our personal struggles with people pleasing, the fear of being disliked, and habits like over-explaining, avoiding confrontation, and saying yes when we really mean no. We also share small but powerful mindset shifts and boundary-setting practices we’re working on as we head into 2026.

This episode is a reminder that you can be kind without self-sacrificing, that disappointment is a normal part of relationships, and that you don’t have to abandon yourself to be a good person.

💛 Question for you: What do you want to change this year?

Follow and DM Nathan for more info about autonomy: https://www.instagram.com/nathan.autonomy

🎙 Submit your stories or questions: https://www.halfpastchai.com/

📲 Follow us: https://bio.site/halfpastchai

🏃 Donate to Suketu’s NYC Marathon fundraiser for Team For Kids: https://fundraisers.nyrr.org/suketu-patel

New episodes every Monday at 7am.

So settle in, get cozy, and grab your chai. ☕️💛

Time codes

0:00 - WELCOME TO HALF PAST CHAI

4:02 - How to stop caring about what others think

9:46 - Stop over explaining your decisions

14:54 - SPONSOR

15:31 - Be comfortable with disappointing others

19:19 - Kindness is a choice not an obligation 

26:56 - 2 things you can do in 2026 to take control.