Pressure:

"Expectation = evaluation.

The moment you sense an expectation, your body reads the situation as “I’m being assessed.” Even if it isn't stated explicitly.

Evaluation threatens autonomy.

The system doesn't react to the content, but to the loss of freedom: I’m supposed to feel / decide / act a certain way.

Threat → tension.

Muscles tighten, breathing gets shallow, thinking narrows. That’s not psychology fluff — that’s basic stress physiology."

"Am I responding freely right now — or trying to meet a standard?

If I answered honestly, would it create trouble?"

"Caring about someone does not mean automatically aligning with their expectations. Confusing those two burns people out."

"If tension drops the moment expectations are clarified or removed → this is about pressure."