How are you getting in your own way? It’s a tough question, but it’s worth asking if you’re feeling overwhelmed or stuck.

We often don’t realize that we’re the ones creating the obstacles that keep us from thriving. 

It’s easy to blame external circumstances—it feels more comfortable. But if you’re really honest with yourself, some of those barriers come from within.

Are you holding on to perfectionism? Trying to do everything perfectly can leave you paralyzed, stuck in "tweaking" mode, never really moving forward. 

Or maybe you’re avoiding change and clinging to what feels safe—even when it’s not serving you. Familiarity can feel comforting, but it can also hold you back.

Another way you might sabotage yourself is by not asking for help. Many of us tell ourselves a lot of reasons why we have to do everything ourselves. But this often prevents important things from getting done, by keeping us tethered to less important tasks that feel easy, at the expense of what we really need to be doing.

In relationships, avoiding vulnerability just reinforces isolation and unmet expectations. Hoping your partner will read your mind? That’s a romantic fantasy that leads to disappointment and resentment. Meanwhile, your relationships may be suffering.

Is there something at work or at home you’ve been avoiding? Where have you become the bottleneck, the one holding things up?

The good news is, you can get out of your own way. Start small. Challenge those limiting beliefs, especially when you catch yourself saying, “That’s how we’ve always done it.”

Ask yourself why you’re afraid to seek help or make a change. 

Pro tip: Ask others how they think you hold yourself back—they’ll often see what you can’t.

Recognizing your role in any problem isn’t about blame; it’s about empowerment and taking responsibility. Once you see it, you can change it—and that’s where real growth begins.

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