What Does Fawning Mean? [Are You Guilty Of This?]

What does “fawning” mean? Fawning is one of the four types of responses (fight, flight, freeze, fawn) caused by trauma, notably childhood trauma. This can include physical, emotional, verbal, and sexual abuse. These learned responses often carry over into adulthood, influencing relational interactions.

A “fawn” response can result from a desire to avoid conflict by putting other people’s needs above your own.

Here’s what it can look like if you’re afflicted with this way of operating in the world:

1 – Codependency in a relationship

2 – Feeling like you don’t know who you are

3 – Reluctancy to share your opinions and beliefs

4 – Getting taken advantage of

5 – Instead of resolving conflict, you acquiesce to appease your partner

6 – Always trying to fit in so other people will accept you

7 – Not honoring your own feelings or even being able to identify what you’re feeling

8 – You often feel shame, guilt, and anger towards yourself

9 – Always pleasing other people at the expense of your own needs

10 – Having a hard time saying “no”

11 – A lack of boundaries

Sounds like a recipe for relationship disaster, doesn’t it? And would be right about that.

The remedy to not fawning over another person, especially a toxic one, is to get to know YOU.

What do YOU like? How do YOU feel? What do YOU believe?

Don’t kowtow to another person’s feelings and beliefs at the expense of honoring your own. Do the deep inner work of truly getting to know yourself.

You can’t have an authentic, nurturing relationship without falling in love with yourself first.

Which of the points above do you need to work on? Hit reply and let me know in the comments:)

P.S. Please join my Facebook group The Toxic Relief Room for more relational tips.