“The thing about chameleoning your way through life is that it gets to where nothing is real.” -John Green
Are you an expert at adapting to the people and places around you like a chameleon? When we over-adapt, we risk losing our connection to ourselves, our values, and our boundaries. This can leave us feeling depressed and anxious.
As much as we’d like to be the most agreeable, easygoing person in the room, we simply can’t please everyone. What are some ways you notice yourself over-adapting?
Here are some ideas:
-Taking on more projects or activities than we would like to “keep up”
-Participating in language or behaviors we don’t prefer to “fit in”
-Spending too much time alone or too much time with others to satisfy norms in our social group
-Allowing our self-expression/appearance to be overly-influenced by the people around us
-Letting go of activities we’re passionate about to make time for what’s important to “the group”
When we mindfully limit over-adapting, we have more control over our mood, self-esteem, and health. We feel more authentic, more respected, and more confident.
If you tend to chameleon or over-adapt, all you need to do to re-center is consider what practices ground you back into yourself. What activities and ways of being have you let go of that are important to you? Jump back in to those things, and you’ll feel back to normal in no time.