Wrong behaviorsand negative attitudes that torment you
Have you ever felt like you are your own obstacle to progress? Many of us unknowingly harm ourselves with certain behaviors and attitudes. This article will explore several of these behaviors and show how they can act as inner enemies, preventing us from achieving our goals andhappiness.
Getting upset over any criticism
We all face criticism, but how we react matters. If you take criticisms too personally, it indicates a lack of self-confidence. Instead of viewing criticism as an opportunity for growth, you might see it as a flaw in yourself. This behavior can lead to disappointment in your achievements. It’s better to see critiques as opportunities for improvement, not as attacks on your character, and don’t let them upset you.
Apologizing for everything
Apologizing frequently, even when you’re not at fault, is a sign of toxic behavior towards yourself. You may think it’s polite, but it actually shows you don’t value your worth. This behavior, often stemming from fear of rejection or a lack of confidence, graduallylowers your self-esteemand reinforces feelings of powerlessness.
Comparing yourself to anyone
Constantly comparing yourself to others is one of the most damaging behaviors that cangreatly impact your mental health.This habit not only destroys self-confidence but also prevents you from ever feeling satisfied or at peace. In fact, this behavior of always measuring yourself against others leads to feelings of helplessness,depressionand decreases your motivation. Instead of focusing on others, it’s better to focus on personal growth and achieving your own goals.
Not cutting ties with toxic people around you
One sign of self-harm is maintaining relationships with those who mistreat you and are toxic. There may be people in your life who don’t respect you or behave inappropriately. However, for various reasons, you continue to hold on to these relationships. This behavior signals a lack of self-value and an ignoring of your personal worth and gradually diminishes your self-esteem, strengthening feelings of powerlessness and worthlessness within you.
Oversleeping to escape reality
Rest assured that sleeping as a way to escape life’s problems can be a sign of self-harm. This behavior usually occurs when someone cannot face their problems and, instead of confronting them, resorts to sleep, which indicates depression or mental fatigue, and will ultimately take you further away from real life. In fact, excessive sleeping as a temporary solution does not solve problems and only leads to isolation and missed opportunities in life, which you will regret in the not-so-distant future.
Not starting something due to fear of failure
Procrastination and even not starting tasks due to fear of failure is a toxic behavior that can hinder progress and achieving goals. When you avoid facing fears and delay tasks, you send a message to your brain that you are incapable of accomplishing them. The more you escape tasks, the more fear will build within you, and your self-confidence will diminish. The best way to tackle this fear is to start gradually and accept failure as part of the growth journey.
Constantly revisiting past mistakes and ruminating
This behavior severely undermines your self-confidence and keeps you from living in the present. In other words, rumination means constantly revisiting bitter memories and mistakes and being unable to move on from them. This behavior puts you in a cycle of guilt and regret and reduces your energy for focusing on new opportunities. Instead, it’s better to learn from your mistakes and accept them as part of the growth and learning process.
Addiction to your phone and constant checking
Constantly checking your phone for messages that haven’t come in shows an excessive dependency on others’ approval and attention. This behavior can stem from feelings of loneliness, anxiety, or a need for acceptance. When you repeatedly check your phone and don’t receive a message, feelings of disappointment and frustration can arise, making you feel that others don’t care about you. In the long term, this habit can lead to mental fatigue,social anxietyand decreased focus on daily activities.
Neglecting and overlooking personal interests
Ignoring personal needs and sacrificing yourself for others is one of the signs of self-harm. If you always put your needs aside for the wants of others, this can gradually lead to mental and physical exhaustion, making you feel that life is under other people’s control. This behavior causes you to ignore your own needs and to stay away from the joys of life. To counter this behavior, you need to learn to acknowledge your personal needs and respect them.
Not disagreeing with others
Always agreeing with the opinions of others, even when you have a different view, is a sign of fear of rejection. Perhaps because you want to be validated and accepted by others, you abstain from expressing your own opinions. This behavior can lead to losing your identity and inner dissatisfaction. Lacking the confidence to express your views can make you feel worthless and keep you from achieving the place you deserve.