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<p>Self-sabotage, as it’s ofte...

Self-sabotage, as it’s often termed, isn’t always obvious. It manifests in covert and unconscious ways that deliberately hinder our own success and wellbeing by undermining our personal goals and values.

It’s the idea thatΒ we say yes even when we want to say noΒ and feel the need to agree with others even when we don’t. It can also look like following the crowd, not praising yourself for your achievements or overindulging in things you know aren’t good for you.

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Why do we self-sabotage?

Why do we self-sabotage?

According to Rochelle Knowles, founder ofΒ Mindful Eyes coaching, it all boils down to fear.

β€œThere is a part of our brain, the β€˜critter brain’, also known as the brain stem, which doesn’t like change, which prompts our compulsion to slip into destructive patterns and essentially self-sabotage,” she tellsΒ Stylist.

β€œWhen it senses change, the critter brain has the limbic system load up feelings of fear and worry, so the cortex (or β€˜human brain’) has to come up with a logical reason to justify those emotions.”

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<p>In many instances, we self-...

In many instances, we self-sabotage because we desire acceptance. We don’t actually want to go out, but we do because our friend needs a wing-woman and she doesn’t want to go alone. We put ourselves forward for extra responsibilities at work because we know that our boss wants us to.

β€œOur critter brain just wants to keep us safe,” Knowles continues, β€œso if we’re socially anxious, we’re likely to do something that makes us feel accepted again. ”

So what can these behaviours look like?

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You fail to set boundaries

You fail to set boundaries

Whether it’s constantly staying late to please your manager or always letting yourself beΒ trauma-dumped on, these may seem like positive actions that prove your value as a colleague or friend but people-pleasing behaviour can actually end up contributing to self-sabotage.

β€œAs humans, we want to be accepted and be part of the pack,” Knowles explains. β€œIf you want a job promotion that your friend also wants, your need to be liked and accepted may sabotage you so that you don’t go for it and push her forward for it instead.”

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You procrastinate extensively

You procrastinate extensively

We’re all guilty of putting off important tasks from time to time, butΒ procrastinationΒ can also be a way of not taking responsibility for your actions and avoiding rejection.Β 

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You regularly experience imposter syndrome

You regularly experience imposter syndrome

When an individual is self-sabotaging, their internal narrative is overwhelmingly one of β€œI can’t do this,” or β€œI don’t deserve that.” Believing you’re not good enough – for your partner, in your job or any other realm of your life – reinforces the feelings of worthlessness or incompetence that can, if left unchecked, lead towards a sense of self-hatred.

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You’re always expecting the worst

You’re always expecting the worst

There’s a big difference between being realistic about your chances of something happening and constantly catastrophising that nothing is going to go your way.

Not only does it reinforce negative behaviours that eat away at your potential for success, feeling like a β€œfailure” or β€œdisappointment” allows guilt and frustration to spiral.

Those who self-sabotage are likely to use things like β€œI’ll probably fail anyway” as an excuse not to try and therefore avoid any potential rejection or embarrassment.Β 

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You’re overly critical of yourself and your work

You’re overly critical of yourself and your work

Those who are in the throes of self-sabotage are often actively looking for and picking out not just their own faults, but the faults of others.

Whether it’s gnawing self-doubt or a praise complex linked to your childhood conditioning, the idea of putting yourself down before someone else is able to is both a protective instinct and a survival reflex.

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How to overcome self-sabotage

How to overcome self-sabotage

Knowles believes that every self-sabotaging behaviour has a positive intention. β€œBut it’s about taking a moment to think: β€˜Is this the right action for me?’ β€˜Is what I’m doing self-supporting?’” she explains.

She suggests using prompts such as β€œWhat do I really want for myself?” and β€œWhat did I do that I didn’t actually want to do?” to help begin to unpick the coping mechanisms we’ve learned but are perhaps no longer serving us.

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Once you have a better understanding of what patterns of thinking cause those emotions, you can begin to challenge them with positive self-talk,Β affirmationsΒ and self-supporting behaviours.

β€œRemember that you’re the one in control, and you’re the one that’s got to be ultimately accountable,” Knowles reminds us.

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