Why You Keep Pushing People Away and How to Stop Doing It
Have you ever wondered, “Why do I keep pushing people away?” If so, you’re not alone. It’s something I’ve struggled with before. Pushing others away, whether it’s in romantic relationships, friendships, or even family dynamics is something all of us might face at some time or another.
In this article, we’ll explore the root causes of this behavior and provide practical advice on how to stop pushing people away to create healthier relationships.
The Psychology Behind Pushing People Away
Figuring out why you push people away begins by looking at what’s happening in your mind.
There are a few reasons for this behavior, including attachment styles, fear of vulnerability, and self-sabotage.
Attachment Styles and Their Impact on Relationships
Your attachment style, influenced by your early life experiences, plays an important role in shaping how you form connections with others.
There are three primary types of attachment styles that you might relate to:
Secure attachment: If you have a secure attachment style, you likely feel confident and trusting in your relationships. For example, you are comfortable sharing your thoughts and feelings with your partners, and you trust that they will be supportive and understanding.
Anxious attachment: If you have an anxious attachment style, you might often worry about your relationships and fear being abandoned. For instance, you may constantly seek reassurance from your partners or become overly clingy because you fear they might leave you.
Avoidant attachment: If you have an avoidant attachment style, you probably maintain emotional distance from others to avoid getting hurt. As an example, you might avoid discussing your feelings or future plans with your partners, keeping your intimate relationships superficial to protect yourself from potential emotional pain.
If you exhibit an insecure attachment style, either anxious or avoidant, you are more likely to push people away, using this behavior as a defense mechanism to safeguard yourself from potential harm.
Fear of Vulnerability
Facing vulnerability is a crucial part of building strong relationships, but you might be scared of getting close to others because of things that happened in the past, such as trauma or feeling rejected.
Being afraid of intimacy can make you push people away so that you don’t have to deal with the pain or the sense of losing control that you might associate with being vulnerable.
Self-Sabotage and Self-Protection
At times, you may feel uncomfortable and might push people away due to a deep-rooted belief that you’re not worthy of love or fulfilling relationships.
This low self-esteem can cause you to unconsciously sabotage your relationships, pushing people away before they have a chance to hurt you.
Recognizing the Signs of Pushing People Away
If you want to stop pushing people away, it’s important to recognize the signs of when it’s happening. Being social is the ultimate form way to practice self-care. Here are some common indicators that you might be pushing others away:
Emotional distance and withdrawal
Excessive criticism and blame
Reluctance to engage in deep conversations
Avoidance of intimacy and commitment
If you identify with any of these behaviors, it’s time to start addressing the issue.
How to Stop Pushing People Away
Overcoming the tendency to push people away needs self-awareness and a dedicated effort to change your behavior. Here are some in-depth steps to help you tackle this issue:
Become Self-Aware and Acknowledge the Issue
The first step in addressing the problem is recognizing that pushing people away is an issue in your life.
It’s essential to be honest with yourself and take responsibility for your actions. To increase self-awareness, engage in self-reflection by journaling, meditating, or discussing your feelings with a trusted friend or therapist.
Acknowledge that your behavior affects your relationships, and commit to making positive changes for your own well-being and the well-being of those around you.
Identify Triggers and Patterns
To understand why you push people away, it’s crucial to identify the triggers and patterns that lead to this behavior.
Start by reflecting on your past and current relationships. What situations or emotions cause you to push others away? Are there specific types of relationships or life events that seem to exacerbate the issue?
By identifying these patterns, you can better anticipate and manage the stressful situations that cause you to push people away.
Develop Healthy Communication Skills
Effective communication is one of the most important things you can practice for maintaining a healthy relationship. Learn to express your feelings and needs openly, have a direct conversation, and be honest in your interactions with others.
Practice active listening, which involves giving your full attention to the speaker, and responding with empathy and understanding.
Additionally, learn to use “I” statements to express your feelings without blaming or accusing others. For example, instead of saying, “You never listen to me,” try saying, “I feel unheard when you don’t pay attention to what I’m saying.”
Cultivate Emotional Intelligence and Empathy
Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage your emotions and those of others.
By cultivating emotional intelligence, you can better navigate interpersonal relationships and build deeper connections.
Practice empathy by putting yourself in others’ shoes and considering their feelings and perspectives. This understanding can help you become more compassionate and less likely to push people away when they need you the most.
Seek Professional Help When Necessary
If your mental health issues, such as anxiety or low self-esteem, contribute to your tendency to push people away, consider seeking help from a mental health professional.
A therapist, counselor, or psychologist can help you explore the underlying causes of your behavior and develop strategies to manage these issues.
Mental health professionals can also guide you in developing coping mechanisms and teach you techniques to improve your self-esteem, self-worth, and communication skills.
Nurturing and Strengthening Relationships
Once you’ve taken steps to stop pushing people away, it’s crucial to concentrate on nurturing and strengthening your relationships. Here are some tips for building healthier connections:
Establish boundaries and respect others’ needs:
Develop a clear understanding of your limits and communicate them to your loved ones.
Respecting each other’s boundaries is vital for maintaining a balanced relationship.
Prioritize quality time and emotional connection:
Dedicate time to spend with your friends and partners, engaging in activities that promote bonding and emotional intimacy.
Shared experiences can help deepen your connections and create lasting memories.
Learn to give and receive support:
Be present for your loved ones when they need you, and allow them to support you in return.
This mutual support is a cornerstone of healthy relationships, as it fosters trust and a sense of security.
Embrace vulnerability and practice forgiveness:
Allow yourself to be vulnerable in your relationships, and learn to forgive both yourself and others for past mistakes.
Being open and accepting of each other’s imperfections can create stronger, more compassionate connections.
By focusing on these aspects, you can work towards building and maintaining healthier, more fulfilling relationships in your life.
The Takeaway
The journey to stop pushing people away may not happen overnight, but with self-awareness, dedication, and a willingness to change, you can transform your relationships and create deeper, more meaningful connections.
Remember that you are a person deserving of love, and by addressing the root causes of your behavior, you can move toward healthier, more fulfilling relationships in every area of your life.
So, the next time you find yourself asking, “Why do I keep pushing people away?” take a step back and reflect on your own experiences, fears, and attachment styles.
With time and effort, you can break free from this self-destructive cycle and build the loving, supportive relationships you deserve.
