Let’s be honest, after years of having horrible habits and constantly sabotaging everything in my life, breaking those patterns has not been easy. Honestly, it’s like learning a new language. Retraining the brain isn’t as easy as it seems, but it’s totally doable.
Since I’ve been out of work on FMLA (click here to read previous post), I’ve been using this extra time to focus on building healthy habits to stop self sabotage and keep up with my routines. The real test, though, will be next week when I return to work.
Daily Habits That Keep Me Grounded
One of the most powerful habits to stop self sabotage has been writing my to-do list every morning. It helps me remember what I need to do and keeps me accountable. I’ve been using Notion to stay organized, but honestly, you can use anything, even a simple notebook works.
To be completely honest, I don’t always finish every task. Most days, I forget to check my list until the evening, and then I find myself I’m rushing to complete everything just to get that little dopamine hit of checking things off. But here’s the difference: I no longer beat myself up for it. I don’t spiral into guilt or shame. I simply acknowledge it and try again the next day.
Breaking years of bad habits doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, consistency, and determination to keep showing up, even when you don’t feel like it. I also try not to overwhelm myself with too many tasks. I have to be realistic about what I can actually accomplish each day.
If you’re trying to build habits to stop self sabotage, start small. Replace one bad habit at a time. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither are we. As long as you commit to doing one thing each day and actually do it, that’s what matters. You’re retraining and rewriting your brain — and the more you practice, the easier it becomes.
Journaling: My Mirror for Self-Reflection
Another essential habit to stop self sabotage has been journaling. Each day, I write about how I feel and how my emotions affect my ability to stick to my routines. Let’s be real, some days, you’re going to feel like crap and not want to do anything. And that’s okay.
What matters is honesty. Show up even when you don’t want to. Doing something small, like making your bed, is a signal to yourself that you mean business and that you’re no longer abandoning yourself.
Even if you need a “lazy day,” write it down and embrace it guilt-free. Just don’t stay in that funk longer than you need to.
Moving My Body for My Future Self
Another one of my favorite habits to stop self sabotage is moving my body daily. I’ll be honest, I don’t have the best relationship with my body right now, but I’m working on changing that every day.
I decided to make walking on the treadmill for 25 minutes my non-negotiable. I usually watch Netflix or YouTube while I walk. And before I shower, I do 10 jumping jacks, 10 pushups, and 10 crunches; no excuses.
This simple routine has helped me rebuild my connection with my body. I owe it to my future self, and that’s who I show up for every day, HER.
Believing That Change Is Possible
Writing about my progress here every week keeps me accountable and grounded. Sharing my struggles, my wins, and everything in between pushes me to keep going.
When I first launched my blog, my intention was simple: to inspire anyone reading to believe that change is possible.
The most important part of growth is believing you can change. Becoming your future self starts with one decision — choosing not to be the same person you were yesterday, a month ago, or a year ago.
If you’re not changing, you’re not growing. And if you’re not growing, you’re slowly dimming your light. I truly believe we all have a beautiful, powerful version of ourselves waiting to emerge — it already lives within us. We just have to step into it.
