It can feel vulnerable and even scary to dream, to hope, to imagine, to believe in something different and better than our current circumstances, especially when those circumstances feel “safe” or the socially acceptable path to be taking.

Defined as a stress response that causes us to seek safety by complying with the wishes of others, Fawning is often rooted in childhood (like all of the responses are) when our nervous system tried to deal with conflict or gain security in relationships by being agreeable and suppressing our true feelings.

When we are in a Freeze response, it is a signal from the nervous system that it does not feel safe. You may not actually be in any real harm but it does not know the difference. This is a sign that something is off, the nervous system is dysregulated and wants (and needs) to be balanced.

There might be something about the situation that is causing us to not feel safe and as a protective mechanism the nervous system says "run!" "Get away from this danger!" "avoid at all costs!"