The Day I Stopped Smiling Through It
For years, James smiled through dinner parties, agreed when he wanted to say no, and performed the role of the “perfect partner.” On the outside, he looked easygoing. On the inside, he was unraveling.
This is the hidden cost of masking: it protects from rejection, but it also blocks intimacy. In this week’s story, Blaze shares the turning point when James whispered the truth—“I’ve been pretending because I was afraid you’d leave if you saw the real me”—and how that moment of honesty began to transform his marriage.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
Maybe you’ve been the agreeable one, too. Always smiling, always saying yes. This episode is a reminder: your truth belongs in your relationships.
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**This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment.
Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, is licensed in California. Listening does not create a therapeutic relationship or imply individualized advice.
Any tools or techniques shared are for general education only and do not guarantee results. Participation in educational offerings does not establish a client-therapist relationship.
All client examples are fictional and used solely for illustrative purposes.
If you’re in crisis or experiencing a mental health emergency, call 988 or contact local emergency services.**