Who am I to Self-Sabotage myself?

The behaviours and actions we engage in that undermine our own goals, well-being and success...Self Sabotage!

While it may seem counterintuitive, self-sabotage often arises from underlying factors. We are all loaded with a myriad of encounters daily that we store consciously and subconsciously that contribute.

Here are a few possible reasons why people engage in self-sabotaging behaviours and if this is you, spend a moment to reflect on why this might be:

1. Fear of failure: The fear of failure can be powerful. People tend to engage in behaviours that prevent them from trying their best or taking risks because they are afraid of falling short, being disappointed or even disappointing others.

2. Low self-esteem: Individuals with low self-esteem may subconsciously believe that they don't deserve success or happiness. They engage in behaviours that undermine their own progress or sabotage relationships because of their deep down feeling of unworthiness.

3. Fear of success: Just as some people fear failure, others fear success. Success can bring about change, new responsibilities and higher expectations, which can be intimidating and scary. Individuals may self-sabotage to avoid stepping outside their comfort zone or facing the unknown.

4. Perfectionism: Perfectionists often set impossibly high standards for themselves, making it difficult to meet their own expectations. When faced with the possibility of failure or falling short, they may engage in self-sabotaging behaviours to avoid the disappointment of not meeting their own lofty standards.

5. Unconscious beliefs and patterns: Sometimes, self-sabotage can be driven by deep-seated beliefs and patterns developed in childhood or past experiences. These beliefs may include feelings of unworthiness, guilt etc. Without awareness and work to address these underlying beliefs, self-sabotaging patterns will persist.

6. Emotional regulation: Some people engage in self-sabotaging behaviours as a way to cope with difficult emotions or to gain a sense of control. Some may turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms like excessive alcohol consumption or overeating to temporarily alleviate emotional distress but detrimental in the long run.

It's important to remember that self-sabotage is not a conscious or deliberate choice. Rather, it often arises from complex psychological processes and underlying emotional issues. Recognising and understanding the reasons behind self-sabotage is the first step toward making positive changes and seeking support to address it.

By increasing self-awareness and addressing these root causes, you can develop strategies to overcome self-sabotage and move towards healthier patterns of behaviour and beliefs.