introvert self-sabotage

There are a lot of ways that introverts might sabotage our own happiness. Why would we do this?

Well, at the root of the problem is a lack of self-love. When we don’t love ourselves, we start to treat ourselves as the enemy. 

What do you do, or want to do to your enemy? 

Most likely, you want to take something from them, or prevent them from getting what they want. 

For example, if you have a colleague who steals your ideas and takes credit, you’ll probably want to even the score in some way. I wouldn’t call this revenge exactly.

You just want to hold the dude back a little by, say, avoiding helping him. 

In other words, you want to sabotage your enemy’s success and happiness. 

When you see yourself as the enemy, you can be especially ruthless without even realizing it.

After all, self-sabotage is usually sneaky. Here are some examples you might identify with:

6 Ways You Might Be Sabotaging Yourself

  • Procrastinating until you lose your chance
  • Not going for what you want, because you think someone else deserves it more
  • Eating, sleeping, or drinking too much because you’ve given up on yourself
  • Pushing good people away, even though you’re lonely
  • Doing a half-ass job, because you’re afraid to realize your full potential
  • Shrinking so another person can shine

And the list goes on. 

I’m no stranger to self-sabotage. One big way I used to hold myself back was by taking myself out of the race before it even started. 

If there was a boy I liked, I assumed another (usually more extroverted) girl was a better match for him. 

If there was a chance to go for a job I really wanted, I’d hold back and procrastinate until I missed my chance.

Luckily, there are ways to prevent self-sabotage and take a more self-loving and happy path.

For one, simply being aware of self-sabotage will make a HUGE difference. 

Ask yourself… 

Why did I do that? 

What’s the hidden fear? 

What other choices do I have?

You always have a CHOICE. And when you CHOOSE self-love, there will be a cascade effect in your life. You’ll start making better choices in all areas.

In the next article, I’m going to share a practical mindset shift that works like magic to raise your self-love levels.

It works especially well if you’re an introvert like me who tends to overthink things up the wazoo and gets overwhelmed easily.

Read the other articles in the self-love series:

  1. The Sneakiest Introvert Self-Love Killer
  2. How to Love Yourself If You Don’t Feel Good Enough

Talk soon, love.

Xo,

Michaela Chung