Understanding Self-Sabotage and How to Overcome It

Welcome back to another episode of Unlock Your Blocks with Elyssa Smith! Today, we're diving deep into the world of self-sabotage—what it is, how it manifests in our lives, and most importantly, how to break free from its grip.

In This Episode:

• What is self-sabotage? A breakdown of how procrastination, perfectionism, people-pleasing, imposter syndrome, and negative self-talk are all forms of self-sabotage.

• How self-sabotage is rooted in survival mode—your nervous system reacts to stress as if you're being chased by a wild animal, making rational thinking and higher-level decision-making difficult.

• The biological response to stress: why your brain shuts down digestion, immunity, and logical thinking in favor of survival instincts.

• The impact of chronic stress and how modern-day triggers keep us in a perpetual state of fight, flight, freeze, or fawn.

• How self-sabotaging behaviors act as protective mechanisms developed in childhood to keep us "safe."

• The key to overcoming self-sabotage: recognizing these behaviors as signals that your brain feels unsafe and responding with self-compassion instead of self-criticism.

• Real-life client examples of how self-sabotage shows up and practical steps to shift out of survival mode.

• The importance of working within your window of tolerance to make lasting change without triggering more stress.

Key Takeaways:

1. Self-sabotage is a survival response. Your brain is trying to protect you from perceived threats, even if those threats are just work deadlines or social media expectations.

2. Noticing your coping mechanisms is the first step to change. Whether it's doom-scrolling, staying up too late, or avoiding important tasks, awareness is key.

3. Self-compassion is the antidote. When you catch yourself engaging in self-sabotaging behaviors, pause and acknowledge that your brain is feeling unsafe.

4. Change happens within your window of tolerance. Trying to force big changes can trigger more resistance—gentle, incremental shifts are more sustainable.

Resources & Next Steps:

• Take Elyssa’s Self-Sabotage Quiz to identify your biggest blocks: elyssasmith.com/quiz

• Join the Next Level Membership for expert guidance and community support: elyssasmith.com/membership

📌 Follow Elyssa for More:

www.elyssasmith.com/focus

https://www.instagram.com/elyssacsmith/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/thestresslesslounge

Thank you for tuning in! If you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review—it helps more women unlock their blocks and step into their power. See you next time!