Essentially, self-sabotage is any behavior or thought pattern that holds us back from being the best version of ourselves.
Self-sabotage is a fascinating topic, isn’t it? We all do it from time to time, even if we don’t realize it. In fact, I’m self-sabotaging right now by procrastinating on writing this article. But fear not, pal, for I am here to provide you with a brief to self-sabotage, with some examples that will have you nodding your head in recognition and chuckling at the absurdity of it all.
Procrastination
You know the drill: you have a deadline approaching, but instead of buckling down and getting to work, you find yourself scrolling mindlessly through social media, watching trending videos on TikTok and YouTube, following the celebrity couple on Instagram, looking for trending hashtags on Twitter and suddenly remembering that you really need to hand over an assignment. Before you know it, it’s the night before the deadline and you’re frantically trying to finish the project, cursing your past self for not starting sooner.
Negative self-talk
This one is a real doozy, because it can be so insidious and hard to recognize. You might find yourself thinking things like “I’m not smart enough to do this,” “I always mess things up,” or “I don’t deserve to be successful.” These thoughts can become self-fulfilling prophecies, leading you to make mistakes or give up before you even start.
Self-medication
This can take many forms, from drowning your sorrows in a pint of ice cream to numbing your emotions with drugs or alcohol. While it might feel good in the moment, these behaviors can quickly spiral out of control and have serious consequences for your health and well-being.
“Fear of success” trope
This might sound counterintuitive, but many of us are actually afraid of achieving our goals and fulfilling our potential. We might worry about how success will change our relationships or our sense of self, or we might be afraid of the added pressure that comes with success. Whatever the reason, this fear can hold us back and keep us from reaching our full potential.
So there you have it, folks: a brief guide to self-sabotage. Now if you’ll excuse me, I really should get back to work on this article…or maybe I’ll just check Twitter one more time.