How can i break the cycle of self-sabotage and start doing what makes me happy?

[Sofia_J]

I’ve realized I’m constantly putting off things that would genuinely make me happier, like reaching out to old friends or starting a hobby I’ve always wanted to try. I tell myself I’ll do it when I’m less busy or when I feel more confident, but that time never comes. Does anyone else get stuck in this cycle of self-sabotage where you delay your own joy?

[Gregory63]

Yeah, me too. I tell myself I’ll reach out when I’m not swamped, and then the week fills up again and I’m stuck scrolling. It feels like a loop.

[Savannah_H]

I actually tried a tiny move: I bought a cheap sketchbook and drew for five minutes each morning for a week. Some days I skipped, but on the days I stuck with it I felt a small lift, then the momentum vanished again.

[Harper.L]

I’ve started naming it self-sabotage in my head, but it still sneaks back in as tiredness or perfectionism. It’s not glamorous.

[NathanCM]

Sometimes I drift to other tasks like cleaning or organizing and I notice I feel calmer after a bit, which makes me wonder if the happiness thing is more about tiny steps than big leaps. It’s not a clean answer.