Self-sabotage can be a great hindrance to your recovery success without you realizing it. Are you getting in the way of achieving your goals in eating disorder recovery?
In the latest episode of Fear Less, an audio series on The Recovery Warriors Show podcast channel, hosts Jessica Flint and Andrea Wells delve into the topic of self-sabotage and explore the common inner barriers and blocks to success.
Understanding Self-Sabotage
Self-sabotage is a familiar concept for many who are on the road to recovery.
It’s that frustrating feeling when things are finally starting to improve, and suddenly, you find yourself reverting to old destructive patterns.
Andrea shares her own experience with self-sabotage, feeling like she was trapped in a binge-restrict cycle and struggling to stay committed to her recovery.
I had to have those setbacks in order to learn things and make more progress in the long run.
Andrea Wells
It might be something that you can easily relate to – the frustration of taking two steps forward and one step back.
Seeking Familiarity
One reason for self-sabotage in recovery is the allure of familiarity.
The eating disorder becomes your comfort zone, and recovery feels like uncharted territory.
It’s natural to crave safety and the known, even if it means returning to destructive behaviors.
Familiarity feels safe, but it’s not where true thriving happens.
Jessica Flint
Andrea insightfully highlights that the eating disorder feels so familiar, while recovery feels new.
This familiarity can be tempting, especially when you’re tired and looking for instant relief.
The Inner Thermostat
To further explore self-sabotage, Jessica introduces the concept of the inner thermostat.
Like the temperature setting in a house, your inner thermostat determines your comfort level in various aspects of life, such as love, success, and creativity.
It is often set during your childhood and dictates how much you allow yourself to enjoy these areas.
When you exceed your comfort zone, when things get too hot, you tend to sabotage yourself and bring the temperature back down to a familiar, albeit less fulfilling, level.
Expanding the Comfort Zone
The key to overcoming self-sabotage is expanding your comfort zone and acclimating to higher temperatures.
Just as you increase your tolerance for distress, you can widen your window of what you can handle.
It’s a gradual process that takes time and patience.
You need to let yourself acclimate to the discomfort of growth and allow new levels of success, love, and creativity to become your new normal.
Conclusion
In conclusion, self-sabotage in recovery can be a frustrating obstacle.
It’s important to recognize that the journey to recovery is often filled with challenges like self-sabotage.
The good news is that by understanding the inner barriers and blocks you face, you can begin to dismantle them and pave the way for a healthier, happier life.
Take a listen to the full episode to hear insights and experiences to inspire your own journey toward recovery.
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