Have you ever found yourself at happy hour knowing you should be home cooking since you are on your last dollar before you get paid, but whisper "treat yo' self" anyway?
How about knowing damn well you have to be up early the next day for work or an important engagement, but you stay up all night doing God knows what, and are scrambling the next morning to get where you have to go?
You want a Russell Wilson, but you just can't seem to stop texting Mr. Right Now who views you proposing to see a movie coming out next month as "moving too fast"?
Well, I have some news for you. You are self-sabotaging.
Self-sabotage are self-defeating behaviors that result in us interfering with our goals. Whether it's about work or a relationship, we convince ourselves that we are somehow undeserving of the very thing that we may have or want, and create instances where we can lose those things. It can stem from Impostor Syndrome, fear of failure, or a lack of faith in our own capabilities or sense of self-worth.
If you have a tendency to self-sabotage, what you might fail to realize is that you are blocking your own blessings and preventing yourself from reaching your full potential. However, just as you are blocking yourself, you can push yourself to create a life you love. At the end of the day, the only thing that is stopping you is you. Here are 5 ways to stop sabotaging your own happiness and take back control of your life.
1. Stop Running
Ask yourself: What am I afraid of? Often times, because of our fears and uncertainties, we find ourselves clinging to the very things that will hold us back in the long run. But you could identify exactly what is scaring you, or what emotion you are running from, by making a shift you will be able to overcome that obstacle.
Sometimes we are afraid to let go of Mr. Unavailable, Mr. Abusive, or plain old Mr. Not The One because we are afraid Mr. Right will not show up. Okay, what if he doesn't right away? Is your life that unbearable without a relationship? Face those fears of abandonment or dying alone head on in therapy instead of acting them out in toxic relationships.
Featured image by Shutterstock
- The Top 7 Signs of Self-Sabotaging Behaviors By Dr. Robert Anthony ›
- 11 Subtle Ways You Commit Self-Sabotage Without Knowing It ›
- Self-Sabotaging Behavior ›
- 5 Self-Sabotaging Behaviors You Should Avoid - SUCCESS ›
- Self-Sabotage - Stress Management Training from MindTools.com ›
- 5 Ways to Stop Sabotaging Yourself | Psychology Today ›
- 6 Reasons Why We Self-Sabotage - Scientific American ›
- Self-Sabotage | Psychology Today ›
- Self-Sabotaging in Work or Relationships? Why? | HuffPost ›
- Why Do We Self-Sabotage? | Psychology Today ›
New Jersey native creating a life that she loves while living in gratitude. She loves using beauty, and fashion to create a balanced lifestyle while prioritizing wellness. A devoted fur mom, and a full-time lover of laughter. She is out for revenge against the darkness by being light, taking her own advice, traveling the world, and letting you know that you are so lit! Connect with her via IG @iamzaniah and please visit Zaniahsworld.com
Exclusive: Melanie Fiona On Making High-Vibrational Music & Saying Yes To Partnership
Melanie Fiona is back! After taking a little more than a decade-long hiatus, she has officially made her return to music and blessed us with two singles, “Say Yes” and “I Choose You.” While both singles are very different from each other, they both reflect who she is today and the type of music she wants to make. In our conversation, the mom of two expressed what she learned during her time away.
“It's interesting, even when I said it is like coming back, I don't ever feel like I really left because I was always still performing. I've still been public. It's not like I went into being this recluse person or version of myself, but the thing that I really learned in this process is that I think things take time,” Melanie says in a xoNecole exclusive.
“I think often we're so caught up in it, being on the timing of demand or popularity, or, like, striking while the iron is hot and the thing that I've learned is that everything is on God's time. That's it. Every time I thought I would have been ready, or, like, things were taking too long, I had to reship some things, personally, professionally, in my life. I also gave myself permission to make a living, not just make a living, but make a life for myself.”
Making a life for herself included getting married to Grammy-nominated songwriter Jared Cotter, starting a family, and embracing new landscapes, such as podcasting as a co-host of The Mama’s Den podcast. She also began doing more spiritual work and self-care practices like meditation, sound healing, Reiki, acupuncture, and boundary setting, which allowed her to get in touch with her inner voice.
“I wasn't putting out music, and I wasn't experiencing a number one record, but I was being a number one mom,” she says.
“I was experiencing things that were allowing me to heal and get in touch with myself so that I could make new music from a space of joy and freedom, and excitement again because I definitely feel like I did lose some excitement because of just politics and industry and what it can do to your mental health and even your physical health. So giving myself the space to really just say, ‘Hey, it's okay. Everything's right on time.’”
The joy and excitement are felt in one of two new singles, “I Choose You,” which is more of a lovers rock vibe, a tribute to Melanie’s Caribbean roots. While the Grammy award-winner is known for ballads like “It Kills Me” and “Fool For You,” she is becoming more intentional about the music she makes, calling it high-vibrational music. She says her music is a “reflection of my life,” as it captures every facet, from hanging out with friends to riding around in her car.
“Say Yes” has the classic R&B vibe Melanie is known for. However, both songs are inspired by her relationship. Melanie and Jared got married in December 2020, and the Toronto-bred artist dished on their relationship. Fun fact: he is featured in the “Say Yes” music video.
“When we first started dating, I had come into that relationship post a lot of self-work. I had gotten out of a long-term relationship, I had a year and a half to date and be by myself and do a lot of work on myself alone. And when we met, I remember feeling like this has to be my person because I feel it,” she says.
“And so when we went into that relationship, and we started dating, I was very clear. I was like, I know what I want. I'm very clear on what I need, and I'm not going to withhold my truth about myself in this process because of pride or fear of rejection. I know you love me, but I'm coming with my heart in my hand to let you know that if we're gonna get there, we have to put fear aside and say yes. So that was kind of like my open letter to him, which is why the video is us having a conversation.”
Melanie also shares that saying yes to her partner has empowered her in many ways, including motherhood and showing up for herself. Her new EP, also titled Say Yes, will be available at the top of 2025.
Check out the full interview below.
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Feature image by Franco Zulueta
Serena Williams Hits Back At Skin-Bleaching Accusations: 'I’m A Dark, Black Woman, And I Love Who I Am'
Serena Williams is clapping back at skin-bleaching accusations. During a makeup tutorial for her beauty brand, Wyn Beauty, the tennis legend took the opportunity to address the "haters."
“And then I put just that neutral color, that is actually my skin color, and no, for you haters out there, I do not bleach my skin,” she said. “There is a thing called sunlight, and in that sunlight, you get different colors.”
The rumors started after the mom of two posted a video of herself and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, at their daughter's school play. In the video, she appeared to look a few shades lighter. During her response, she revealed that she was volunteering at the play and wore stage makeup.
“Yes, I’m calling you out on this because it is ridiculous that everyone’s like, ‘Oh, she bleached her skin,’" she said. "I’m a dark, Black woman, and I love who I am, and I love how I look and that's just not my thing.”
The 23-time Grand Slam champion also said that she doesn't judge anyone who bleaches their skin as she "stays in my lane."
Serena has always had style on and off the court, and even collaborated with Nike with her own collection Serena Williams Design Crew. However, the tennis champ has now pivoted into beauty.
Wyn Beauty was launched in April 2024 with at 10-piece collection of lip, eye, and complexion products. The brand was inspired by Serena's time on the court and the packaging is reminiscent of a tennis ball due to its chartreuse color.
“Throughout my career, I was always searching for makeup that looked good after hours on the court, mixing products myself and creating my own formulas while traveling the world,” she said in a statement. As she continues to make a name for herself in the beauty industry, I'm sure we will see a lot more looks from the tennis star.
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Feature image by Marc Piasecki/WireImage