Why do I feel like I'm always walking on eggshells around people?

Feeling like you're always walking on eggshells around people suggests that you're constantly monitoring your behavior and words out of fear of triggering negative reactions, conflict, or rejection. This hypervigilant state often develops from past experiences with volatile, unpredictable, or critical people who made you feel like any wrong move could result in anger, punishment, or withdrawal of love. You might have grown up in an environment where family members had explosive tempers, where conflict was dangerous or overwhelming, or where you learned that keeping others happy was essential for your safety and security. This pattern can also develop from being in Interpersonal relationship with people who are emotionally unstable, highly sensitive to criticism, or who use guilt, anger, or silent treatment to control others' behavior. If you've experienced gaslighting, emotional abuse, or manipulation, you might have learned to constantly second-guess yourself and carefully manage your interactions to avoid triggering these harmful responses. Sometimes walking on eggshells comes from your own Anxiety disorder and people-pleasing tendencies that make you hypersensitive to others' moods and reactions. You might interpret neutral expressions as disapproval, assume that any sign of Psychological stress in others is your fault, or feel responsible for managing everyone else's emotions. Social Anxiety disorder can also create this feeling by making you assume that others are constantly judging you and that any misstep will result in rejection or criticism. The exhausting thing about walking on eggshells is that it prevents authentic Interpersonal relationship and genuine self-expression. When you're constantly monitoring and adjusting your behavior to avoid others' negative reactions, you can't be yourself or address your own needs. This pattern often leads to resentment, Anxiety disorder, and a loss of your authentic voice. Healthy Interpersonal relationship should feel safe for honest interpersonal relationships/improving-communication" class="internal-link">effective communication" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Communication, emotional expression, and occasional disagreement. If you consistently feel like you need to walk on eggshells around someone, it might indicate that the relationship is unhealthy or that you need to work on your own Anxiety disorder and Personal healthy boundaries. Consider whether you're in Interpersonal relationship with people who are emotionally mature and capable of handling normal human interactions, or whether you're trying to manage others' emotions in ways that aren't your responsibility.