When you think about the ways anxiety holds you back from achieving your goals, what comes to mind?

Maybe it’s constant self-doubt, comparing yourself to others, or worrying about what people think. Or perhaps it’s that tight knot in your stomach or that sense of dread in your heart?

Well… this article isn’t about any of those things. In this post we’re going to dig deeper and explore some patterns and behaviours that you’d never guess are driven by anxiety. These are the subtle ways anxiety sneaks into your life, holding you back, even though they might seem like positive or healthy habits.

So… Without further ado, let’s dive into the sneaky ways anxiety holds you back from achieving your goals.

1. Perfectionism: One of the Most Overlooked Ways Anxiety Holds You Back

Let’s be honest—perfectionism is often seen as something to be proud of. It’s the kind of trait that gets a lot of recognition, whether at work, at home, or among friends. There’s something undeniably satisfying about doing things perfectly, right?

But what if I told you that this trait can have a lot more to do with anxiety than you might think?

The Link Between Perfectionism, Low Self-Esteem and Anxiety

Perhaps you can relate —there’s a certain pride that comes with doing things perfectly. Perfectionism often earns recognition and admiration. Being told you’re a perfectionist can feel like a compliment.

But here’s the thing – While perfectionism is often something to be proud of, it can also be a sign of something deeper—a fear-driven need for approval.

Let me explain – when it comes to perfectionism, the way being acknowledged and validated for doing things perfectly, is inherently tied into our self-esteem and self-worth.

Basically it goes something like this – if I do things perfectly, I’ll be acknowledged and validated. If I am acknowledged and validated, then it means I am good enough, and if I’m good enough then it means I am worthy and I can feel good about myself.

Does this make make sense?

Now, you might be thinking, *I don’t consciously think like that!*

And you’re right—this isn’t happening in your logical mind.

Beyond the Logical Mind: The Subconscious Beliefs at Play

Let me share Janet’s story with you.

Janet, a client of mine, had been working hard to launch her new business. She planned everything meticulously, down to the smallest details. But every time she got close to launching, she’d suddenly get inspired to make improvements, leading her to postpone the launch—again and again.

This cycle repeated itself until she felt completely stuck and defeated.

What’s interesting about Janet’s story is that she didn’t consciously feel anxious about the launch. On the surface, she was excited and inspired, but when we dug deeper, we found that her constant need to improve was rooted in subconscious anxiety. In other words – there were parts of her that felt she wasn’t good enough and feared failure.

As a result, her subconscious mind was trying to protect her by delaying the launch. Once we addressed these beliefs through hypnotherapy, Janet finally launched her business within days.

Addressing the beliefs behind her subconscious anxiety through hypnotherapy, was a total game changer, and Janet finally launched her business within days.

2. Becoming “Obsessed” with New Hobbies and Interests

You know that rush of excitement when you discover something new you love doing? Whether it’s hiking, yoga, or a new craft, you can’t wait to dive in, talk about it, and share it with others. Soon, every spare moment is dedicated to this newfound passion.

And while this may seem harmless, here’s the sneaky part — this obsession can also be a way anxiety holds you back. In other words – when you have goals that require time and commitment, this excitement can easily lead you off track.

How Anxiety Uses “Good” Distractions

Here’s the thing – The subconscious mind’s primary job is to keep us safe. And in order to do that, it will go to great lengths, even using seemingly positive distractions, to keep us from perceived dangers.

As a hypnotherapist, I often hear clients say they don’t have enough time to work on their goals.

However, when we explore how they’re spending their spare time, we often find that a lot of it is dedicated to hobbies or activities they’re passionate about. But when we dig deeper, it becomes clear that these activities are sometimes a way to avoid the anxiety associated with pursuing their goals.

Simply put -their subconscious is trying to avoid the risk of failure, embarrassment, or judgement. And so, the mind distracts them with something that feels safe.

In essence, the obsession with a new hobby or activity, is one of the sneaky ways anxiety holds you back from pursuing your goals.

3. Self-Care Routines: Good For You Self-Sabotage

Last but not least, let’s talk about self-care routines. Now, don’t get me wrong—self-care is incredibly important. But sometimes, the way we approach it can be another sneaky way anxiety holds us back.

I can speak from experience here. For a long time, I would start my mornings with a lengthy self-care routine, including meditation, breathwork, and Qi Gong. I convinced myself that this was essential for my success.

But here’s the thing—by the time I finished, the motivation and inspiration I had first thing in the morning had faded. I wouldn’t get around to working on my goals.

When I finally tuned into my subconscious mind, I realised that my long routine was actually a form of self-sabotage driven by anxiety. The truth was that there were parts of me that didn’t feel capable enough of achieving my goals, and my subconscious was trying to protect me from potential failure.

The Truth About How Anxiety Holds You Back

So, to sum it up, anxiety isn’t always obvious. It doesn’t always show up as fear or worry. Sometimes, it disguises itself in ways that seem positive or harmless, like perfectionism, hobbies, or even self-care.

But here’s the thing: until you uncover and release the root causes of these subconscious beliefs, anxiety will continue to hold you back without you even realising it.

The Missing Piece: How Hypnotherapy Can Help You Overcome Anxiety and Self-Sabotage

As you can see, the ways anxiety holds you back are often subtle and not immediately obvious. Anxiety doesn’t always show up as fear or worry; sometimes, it disguises itself as perfectionism, excitement over new hobbies, or even self-care.

The good news? You don’t have to let anxiety control your life and hold you back from achieving your goals.

Hypnotherapy is a powerful tool that can help you uncover and release the subconscious beliefs driving your anxiety. By working directly with your subconscious mind, you can reprogram those beliefs, gain the confidence and motivation you need, and finally move forward toward your goals

Ready to take the next step? Click here to book a complimentary session with me to explore how hypnotherapy can help you overcome anxiety and self-sabotage.

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