‘You don’t like it, I don’t care’: When Priyanka Chopra spoke about not caving into the pressure of pleasing others; how it chips away at self-worth

Reflecting on the long-term value of staying authentic, even when it might be easier to conform, she added, “See, what is the choice? That you walk a path like everyone else, dressed in suits, go to work and come back and never have a legacy? Or, you swim upstream like a trout against the norm? And then whatever little you achieve is only yours. It’s not like everyone else. I’d rather have something that is my path, paved by me, something that is my legacy, my own self, my own achievement, than being one of the many of the successful people in the world.”

But why do so many people struggle with the urge to please others, especially in unfamiliar or high-pressure environments?

Gurleen Baruah, an existential analyst, tells indianexpress.com, “In new or high-pressure settings, we often look outward for cues on how to behave — what’s acceptable, what will help us fit in. It’s a survival instinct. We want to be liked, accepted, and seen as competent. But when pleasing others becomes the main goal, it can chip away at our sense of who we are. Early signs include feeling like you’re performing, not being fully yourself, or needing to keep a ‘mask’ on all the time. Over time, it can lead to irritability, burnout, or even sadness — because you’re not living in alignment with your inner self.”

“I am who I am. You like it great. You don’t like it, I don’t care,” said Priyanka Chopra (Source: Express Archive Photo)

How can someone practically begin the process of ‘staying true to who they are’ when they feel pressure to blend in

According to Baruah, start by sitting with yourself — quietly, honestly. Many people don’t know who they are because they’ve never had the space to ask: What do you care about? What makes you feel strong, alive, peaceful? What values matter most to you, regardless of where you are? 

“When you’re clear on those things, you’re less shaken by pressure. You still adapt; you don’t have to be defiant to be authentic, but the choices you make come from self-awareness, not just external approval. Confidence grows when your actions feel like your own,” notes the expert. 

Long-term effects of choosing the safer, socially accepted path over one that feels personally meaningful

Taking the safer path might bring stability, but over time, it can leave people feeling restless, disconnected, or wondering, ‘Is this all there is?’ “The cost of not listening to your deeper self shows up slowly — sometimes as regret, sometimes as burnout, or even envy of those who took risks. It’s not that one path is always better than the other — but when we ignore what truly matters to us, we often pay a quiet emotional price. A meaningful life doesn’t have to be loud — but it does have to be yours,” concludes Baruah.