Why do I feel like I need to fix everyone's problems?

The compulsion to fix everyone's problems often develops from childhood experiences where you learned that your value came from being helpful, solving problems, or keeping others happy. This might have happened in families where you became the mediator, caretaker, or emotional support person for adults who should have been taking care of themselves. Over time, this role becomes so ingrained that you feel responsible for others' emotional well-being and uncomfortable when people around you are struggling. This pattern is often rooted in codependency, where your sense of worth becomes tied to others' happiness and functioning. You might feel anxious or guilty when others are upset, even if their problems have nothing to do with you. The need to fix can also stem from control issues - the belief that if you can solve everyone's problems, you can prevent chaos, conflict, or abandonment. Sometimes it comes from genuine empathy and caring, but it crosses into unhealthy territory when you feel compulsive about it or when it interferes with your own well-being. The problem with constantly trying to fix others is that it often prevents them from developing their own problem-solving skills and Psychological resilience. It can also create resentment when your efforts aren't appreciated or when people don't follow your advice. Additionally, it's emotionally exhausting to carry responsibility for everyone else's problems on top of your own. Learning to step back from this role requires recognizing that each person is ultimately responsible for their own life and choices. You can offer support and care without taking on the responsibility to fix or solve. Practice distinguishing between empathy and emotional absorption, and work on developing your own sense of worth that doesn't depend on being needed by others.