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Why You May Sabotage Yourself When Things Are Going Well
How unhealed trauma plays a key role in self-defeating behavior.
We have probably all heard of the term ‘self-sabotage’. And, many of us have likely engaged in self-defeating behavior at one time or another in our lives. For example, just as things seemed to be taking off in your life and were going well, you may have thrown a wrench in the works and picked a fight with someone you love, or made an impulsive decision to quit your job. Then, you may have sat back and felt victimized because the person you loved started distancing themselves, or the promotion you were up for is now going to your coworker. On one hand, this kind of self-sabotaging behavior places you at a disadvantage and can victimize you; yet, on the other hand, this kind of behavior is what can make you the villain in your own life.
When it comes to self-sabotaging behavior, most people are not out there consciously trying to hurt themselves. Instead, there is often a pattern that resonates within a self-defeating cycle. This cycle usually begins when you experience something good happening in your life such as being up for a promotion, prepping for your college graduation, or finally experiencing a relationship with a romantic partner that shows healthy and emotionally mature investment. The two common themes…
