Self-Sabotage Isn’t What You Think: Why It Happens and How to Change It

Why do we procrastinate, overthink, avoid, or hold back just when things matter most? Your social media feed at 2 am calls this self-sabotage, but is it?In this episode of the Scenic Route, we unpack fresh psychology research that flips the story of self-sabotage on its head. You’ll discover three hidden patterns that shape how we repeat harmful choices:Sensitives: quick learners who adapt after mistakesUnawares: people who miss the cause-and-effect until it’s explainedCompulsives: those who know better but can’t break the cycleYou’ll hear why common advice like “just use willpower” or “learn from your mistakes” fails so many of us, and what actually works instead.Because here’s the twist: you’re not broken, lazy, or your own worst enemy. What looks like sabotage is often safety in disguise. And once you see that, everything changes.Paper mentioned:Zeng, L., Park, H. R. P., McNally, G. P., Jean-Richard-dit-Bressel, P., et al. (2025). Causal inference and cognitive-behavioral integration deficits drive stable variation in human punishment sensitivity. Communications Psychology, 3, Article 103.Send me a DMSupport the show_____________________________________________________________________🔮 Daily Affirmation Cards The free Scenic Route Affirmation Card Deck is your online invitation to trust your inner voice again. What does your card say? 👉 Pull your daily affirmation🐨 Crave something Soft?Sign up for Soft — one gentle email each month to help you ground before everything speeds up again, complete with the meme de jour and a roundup of my favourite things.⭐ LOVE THE SHOW?If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating and review. It helps other midlife women find their way to the Scenic Route podcast.