Fawn Response vs. Kindness: Healing the People-Pleaser Pattern Through Nervous-System Boundaries

Have you ever said “I’m fine” when you weren’t?

Or smiled through tension just to keep the peace?

In this episode of Journeys With My Body, Heidi explores the truth behind the fawn response, the hidden people-pleasing reflex that shows up when your nervous system equates honesty with danger.

You’ll learn:

What’s really happening in your body during the fawn response

The difference between genuine kindness and nervous-system appeasement

How to recognize the early signs of “survival yeses” before burnout sets in

A simple micro-boundary practice that helps you pause before reflexively agreeing

A gentle 48-hour “de-fawn” experiment to retrain your body for safety in truth

This isn’t about becoming unkind; it’s about creating nervous-system boundaries that protect your peace without hardening your heart.

If you’ve ever wondered why saying “no” feels unsafe — or why being “nice” leaves you so tired, this conversation will change how you understand yourself.

Explore The Body’s Yes & No or join the free Journeys With My Body community for more body-based tools that teach your nervous system how to feel safe with truth and rest.