A lot of us think that by expecting the worst, we can protect ourselves from feeling hurt and disappointed. We think that if something bad happens, we will be prepared for it, and if something good happens it will exceed our expectations. It seems like a win-win scenario. What we don’t realize however is that in our attempt to prevent ourselves from experiencing something bad, we are simultaneously preventing ourselves from experiencing anything good. Because we have already decided that nothing good is going to happen, we put in less effort and give up more easily. Our negative attitude becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy in which we create the very outcome we feared would become a reality. In the moment, it’s easy to think that the bad things have happened because we’re inadequate or incapable. And by allowing those negative perceptions to become our truth, we perpetuate the self-sabotaging cycle.  In order to find freedom, we have to recognize that the problem isn’t who we are, but our outlook. It’s our defeatist attitude that causes our defeat—not our authentic selves. The truth is that life isn’t perfect. Bad things happen all the time, to everyone. Not because we’re bad people, but because life is strewn with obstacles and hardship. We may not be able to avoid certain struggles and unfavorable outcomes, but the one thing we always have control over is our attitude.  We can choose to assume the worst and admit defeat. Or we can choose to recognize our struggle as an opportunity for learning and growth. We can choose to fixate on all of the bad things that have happened to us and allow them to discount the positives in our life, or we can choose to focus on all of the good things and use them as a reminder that more good can come our way. We can choose to give up when things get difficult, or we can choose to do our best and continue to pick ourselves back up, no matter how many times we fall. Our bad experiences may be uncomfortable and painful, but they are not without purpose. Instead of trying to avoid hurt and disappointment, choose to redefine them. Remind yourself that without the bad times, you wouldn’t be able to truly appreciate and cherish the good ones. Without struggling, there would be no growth or self-discovery. Without being wounded, you would never recognize your capacity to endure, overcome, and survive.  So have faith in yourself and your abilities. Don’t allow your fear of being hurt to prevent you from experiencing happiness. Trust that as long as you try your best and don’t give up, you can make it through anything.

A lot of us think that by expecting the worst, we can protect ourselves from feeling hurt and disappointed.

We think that if something bad happens, we will be prepared for it, and if something good happens it will exceed our expectations.

It seems like a win-win scenario.

What we don’t realize however is that in our attempt to prevent ourselves from experiencing something bad, we are simultaneously preventing ourselves from experiencing anything good.

Because we have already decided that nothing good is going to happen, we put in less effort and give up more easily.

Our negative attitude becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy in which we create the very outcome we feared would become a reality.

In the moment, it’s easy to think that the bad things have happened because we’re inadequate or incapable. And by allowing those negative perceptions to become our truth, we perpetuate the self-sabotaging cycle. 

In order to find freedom, we have to recognize that the problem isn’t who we are, but our outlook.

It’s our defeatist attitude that causes our defeat—not our authentic selves.

The truth is that life isn’t perfect.

Bad things happen all the time, to everyone.

Not because we’re bad people, but because life is strewn with obstacles and hardship.

We may not be able to avoid certain struggles and unfavorable outcomes, but the one thing we always have control over is our attitude. 

We can choose to assume the worst and admit defeat.

Or we can choose to recognize our struggle as an opportunity for learning and growth.

We can choose to fixate on all of the bad things that have happened to us and allow them to discount the positives in our life, or we can choose to focus on all of the good things and use them as a reminder that more good can come our way.

We can choose to give up when things get difficult, or we can choose to do our best and continue to pick ourselves back up, no matter how many times we fall.

Our bad experiences may be uncomfortable and painful, but they are not without purpose.

Instead of trying to avoid hurt and disappointment, choose to redefine them.

Remind yourself that without the bad times, you wouldn’t be able to truly appreciate and cherish the good ones.

Without struggling, there would be no growth or self-discovery.

Without being wounded, you would never recognize your capacity to endure, overcome, and survive. 

So have faith in yourself and your abilities.

Don’t allow your fear of being hurt to prevent you from experiencing happiness.

Trust that as long as you try your best and don’t give up, you can make it through anything.

1 September 1353
self-sabotageself-fulfilling prophecyoptimismpositive thoughtslife

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My name is Daniell, and I am the creator of the Internal Acceptance Movement (I. A.M.)

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    The Internal Acceptance Movement is an online space that advocates self-acceptance, healthy body image, recovery from self-destructive behaviors and addictions, and the acceptance of all people, regardless of what they look like, who they identify as, what they have been through, and where they come from. I. A.M. is a space that offers support to those battling their inner demons and strength to continue fighting when all hope seems to be gone.

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