I usually don’t recognize when my coping mechanism is impeding my growth process…until I’ve repeated it enough times to start to notice that there’s a pattern and that an unfavorable outcome is soon to follow. It’s really the DREAD that gets me. When I notice that I’m dreading something that I “could be” looking forward to, I can peel back the layers and realize that I’ve been utilizing some coping (ie. defense) mechanism that’s no longer serving me. Only then, can I take a step back and plan a new course of action.
Well-said!
I usually don’t recognize when my coping mechanism is impeding my growth process…until I’ve repeated it enough times to start to notice that there’s a pattern and that an unfavorable outcome is soon to follow. It’s really the DREAD that gets me. When I notice that I’m dreading something that I “could be” looking forward to, I can peel back the layers and realize that I’ve been utilizing some coping (ie. defense) mechanism that’s no longer serving me. Only then, can I take a step back and plan a new course of action.