Trying to Be the Perfect Bridesmaid Is Destroying Me

Ring, ring! It’s 1-800-Bridesmaid. Author and pro bridesmaid Jen Glantz brings her hit newsletter to life in this judgment-free zone for all your burning real wedding, love, and friendship drama questions—plus expert advice to help sort it all out. In this episode, Jen is joined by therapist and anxiety expert Debbie Missud, founder of the Manhattan Psychotherapy Collective, to dig into what happens when being “the easy bridesmaid” starts quietly wrecking your mental health. Together, they unpack why weddings can trigger anxiety for the first time, how people-pleasing becomes self-abandonment, and how to set boundaries without losing your friendships. Plus, they help a caller who’s hiding panic attacks behind her “perfect bridesmaid” performance—while secretly falling apart. Episode Highlights: • Why wedding planning often activates old family dynamics and hidden trauma • How to spot the difference between stress and anxiety (and what to do about each) • People-pleasing as self-abandonment—and how to stop • Scripts for saying no (without feeling like a bad friend) • Why prioritizing yourself actually makes you a better bridesmaid and friend If you’ve ever been the go-to reliable one at the expense of your own mental health, this one’s a must-listen.