Sunny Side Up: Is that reminding, nagging, or your anxiety talking?

When we explain what matters and listen in return, compromise becomes easier. The relationship feels less like people fighting for room, and more like building a shared life. — 123rf

If I conducted a poll of readers to ask how many people enjoy being told what to do, I’d wager the percentage would be close to single figures.

Most of us prefer to feel we have some say in our actions. Psychological research often describes this as autonomy: the ability to choose rather than feel pushed. When that sense of choice is reduced, motivation tends to drop. We might still do the thing, but it feels more like coercion.