The People Who Leave You & The Addiction That Keeps You Stuck

One of the hardest truths to accept is this: People will leave the version of you that no longer serves them.

When you start growing, changing, and setting new standards, some people will distance themselves. Not because you did something wrong, but because you no longer fit the role they needed you to play in their lives.

And if you’re not careful, the fear of losing people will keep you trapped in a cycle of approval addiction—the most dangerous addiction of all.

The Most Dangerous Addiction: Approval Addiction

Dr. Myles Munroe once said:

“The greatest tragedy in life is not death, but a life without purpose.”

But what keeps most people from purpose? It’s the addiction to pleasing others, living for their approval, and shaping your decisions based on who will accept you.

Approval addiction is dangerous because it:✔ Keeps you stuck in relationships, jobs, and lifestyles that no longer align with your growth.✔ Prevents you from setting boundaries because you're afraid of disappointing people.✔ Makes you feel like you're failing when others disapprove of your choices.

Psychologist Harriet Braiker puts it this way:

“Approval-seeking is a form of dependency. You have surrendered control of your life to the opinions and desires of others.”

But here’s the truth: You will never reach your full potential if your decisions are driven by the need for validation.

Why People Leave the Old Version of You

When you start breaking old habits, appetites, and decisions, the people who benefitted from your old version will feel uncomfortable.

✔ If you used to be the “yes” person, but now set boundaries—they will say you’ve changed.✔ If you used to live recklessly, but now seek discipline—they will say you’re boring.✔ If you used to live for their approval, but now walk in confidence—they will say you’re selfish.

But remember this:

People don’t leave you—they leave the version of you that no longer serves them.

And that’s okay.

Because if you want to grow, you can’t be afraid of letting go of people who only loved the old version of you.

Breaking Free: Transform Your Life by Changing Habits

Your habits, appetites, and decisions shape your life. When you change them, everything changes.

💡 Shift Your Habits: Start prioritizing what fuels your growth instead of what drains you.

💡 Master Your Appetites: Stop feeding cravings that keep you in cycles of dependency (including the craving for approval).

💡 Make New Decisions: Choose purpose over popularity. Choose discipline over comfort. Choose growth over familiarity.

As John Maxwell says:

“Small disciplines repeated with consistency every day lead to great achievements gained slowly over time.”

Final Thought: Who Are You Living For?

At the end of the day, whose approval matters? If you continue living for others’ validation, you will never live your life—only the life they expect of you.

But when you break free from approval addiction and commit to new habits, new appetites, and better decisions—you step into the life you were created for.

And yes, some people will leave. But the right people—the ones aligned with your growth—will stay.

So the real question is: Are you ready to let go of the version of you that no longer serves your future?

#Habitsappetitesdecisions