Signs You're Self Sabotaging | The Odyssey Online
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Health and Wellness

5 Telltale signs you're self-sabotaging

If these things happen to you, you might be self-sabotaging.

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5 Telltale signs you're self-sabotaging
Magen Castronova

In This Article:

Do you ever feel like you just can't get it together, no matter how hard you try? Every time you feel close, something happens that brings you right back to where you started. You might feel like the world is out to get you, but it might just be you out to get yourself. Change is scary, and on an instinctual level, people don't like it. So, when we try to do something different, our reptilian brain might decide that its too risky, and keep us from fulfilling our potential. Alternatively, we may believe we aren't worthy of happiness and ultimately seek to sabotage ourselves. It's a tough bullet to bite, but a little self-reflection can go a long way. If the following 5 situations apply to you, it might be time to have a long talk with the person in the mirror.

1. You’re constantly late.

Judy's not having it.

https://gph.is/1Asgj9b

Are you late to class every day? Late to work? Late to the doctor, dentist, or to pay your rent? Totally not your fault though, right?

Okay, time for math. What is the likelihood that you were late to every single one of those things because of some freak traffic incident, or something otherwise completely beyond your control? The answer is a really small number. Like really, ridiculously close to 0. As in, very, very unlikely.

Yay, statistics!

Boo, having to own your shit and realize that you are the common denominator in all your lateness.

Sorry not sorry to break it to you. If you are always late, you are self-sabotaging. Whether it be your education or your health, you are holding yourself back from reaching your potential.

Here's what you can do to change your lateness habit:

1. Figure out why you're self-sabotaging. Aren't you worth the time and money it takes to get an education? Don't you want to have nice teeth? I hope your answer is yes, but if something about being your best self freaks you out, you are more likely to just keep on self-sabotaging.

2. Make a list of all the reasons you need or want to be somewhere. For example, the list for your 8 a.m. class might look something like this: I need to get a good grade in this class to help my GPA. I need this class to graduate. I need this class for my major. I need to show my professor I can do the work so she will consider me for the summer research assistant position. I want to be in class on time so I don't miss any important announcements or pop quizzes. I want to be in class on time so I can get a good seat because I missed my last eye doctor appointment and I need new prescription lenses.

3. Set some serious alarms. 5:00 a.m., 5:05 a.m. 5:07 a.m. Or have your roommate throw sneakers at your door until you get up, that works too.

4. Write down all your appointments 15 minutes earlier than they actually are. That way, if you're late, you're actually on time.

2. You're always broke.

Zero Dollars.

https://gph.is/1ZQj69J

Can't pay your bills without asking your parents for help? No money for gas or toothpaste? Did you blow all your money on clothes or something else you didn't need? Ask yourself, are you broke because you don't make enough (or any) money? (As a student this is fine too. Many students don't work.) Or, are you broke because you spent all your money on useless crap, and totally forgot you had your car payment due on the 12th? This is important. Where is your money going? If you're spending it on things you know are bad for you, or you're clothes shopping with your rent, ask yourself why. If you get your check and immediately blow all of it so you can be broke for the next two weeks, you might have some soul searching to do. What are your beliefs about money? Subconsciously, you may be setting yourself up for failure so that you can stay in your comfortable, broke bubble.

What you can do:

1. Make room for money in your life. Clean out your wallet, open a saving account, and organize your bills.

2.Practice gratitude for money. Love money, and money will love you back. Its the same with time. The more you respect time, and money, the more of both you will find yourself with.

3. Read books about wealth consciousness. Check out the authors and YouTubers Tony Robbins, and Jen Sincero.

3. Your significant other sucks.

Tell it Honeybooboo.

https://gph.is/1F9lT5v

And not in a good way. Are you dating a complete jerk that makes you feel like crap about yourself? Why?

I've found that "The Perks Of Being A Wallflower" had something right. We accept the love we think we deserve. You do not need to wait around for anyone to love you, stop cheating on you, or to fulfill the broken promises they made to you. It's not going to happen. People who make you feel like you need to prove yourself, or always give more of yourself to, are the people you need to stay away from. Abusive relationships are never okay. Whether physical, emotional, or even financial.

Please hear me. It is not your fault that they hurt you. It is not your fault that they didn't love you.

Leaving can be hard, but its ultimately for the best. I don't care if you've been together through three moves and both your names are on all the bills. If you don't feel loved and supported by your s.o., you're in the wrong relationship, and you should get out. A better one is waiting for you. Love yourself first, so that others will know how to love you. Accept only the best from your relationships, and remember that you have to put in your best too.

What you can do:

1. Dump them and keep it moving.

2. Take a break from dating, and date yourself.

3. Go to counseling! If you've suffered through an abusive relationship, you may need a supportive environment to unpack.

4. You're unhappy with your body.

Photoshop This.

https://gph.is/1PdUtBF

There's a lot that is within your control here. Things like exercising, and eating well, which help with a million things like balancing hormones, and maintaining a normal body weight. If you're reading this, I'm going to go out on the limb and say you have the means to feed yourself healthy food and do healthy amounts of exercise. Not too much, not too little. The idea is to feel good, so you can feel good about how good you feel. Healthy body, healthy mind. Love your body and treat it well, it will return the favor! Keep in mind though, that there are several multi-billion dollar industries who main aim is to convince you that you are imperfect and need their products. These industries focus so much money and time on creating images to bombard us with that will make us want something; Abs, eyebrows, a dream life in the Bahamas. The list goes on.

What you can do:

1. Talk to a Registered Dietitian about your diet if you think you need to.

2. Get moving!

3. Start loving your body this minute without changing a thing. Say nice things about it. Put nice clothes on it. Smile at yourself in the mirror.

4. Take a break from the messages about what your body should look like. Chill with the fitstagram. At the very least, start identifying that these images are trying to sell you something, and that something isn't reality.

5. You hate your job.

I should have called out.

https://gph.is/1sCRGc7

Whether your job actually sucks, or it's your attitude about your job that sucks, you need to figure out why you're staying if you're unhappy. Do you like being miserable? Do you think you deserve to be unhappy? Is it easier for you to accept mediocrity than to explore the idea that you might be happier and more successful somewhere else? I would never suggest you just quit your job without taking a hard look at the pros and cons.

What you can do:

1. Start with where you see yourself in 5 years and work backward. Is your current job going to help you get there?

2. If your job is great and your attitude stinks, get a new one. Work on some gratitude! Take that list of pros and cons, and rip off the cons. Focus on the positives and make them count for more than anything else. The roses smell better when you stop and stick your nose in their direction!

3. If you can't take another minute at your crappy job and you just know you're destined for more but can't make yourself put in your resignation, it might be because you're afraid of failure. Read: You don't believe in yourself.

Fear is not your friend. Believe that you can do anything you're willing to work for, and you can. Your job is a big part of your life, regardless of whether or not it's going to be your career. Make sure you can be happy there, so you can be happy in general!

If any of this rings true for you, just know you have the power to change it and change the outcome. There's nothing wrong with having a beautiful, happy, successful life. Don't let anyone or anything dim your shine. That includes yourself. Get out of your own damn way.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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