You know that little voice in your head—the one that constantly criticizes you, pushes you to be perfect, or convinces you to avoid difficult conversations? That’s your inner saboteur, and it might be running your life more than you think.

We all have mental habits that keep us stuck. They show up as self-doubt, overthinking, people-pleasing, or perfectionism—convincing us that if we just work harder, do more, or stay quiet, we’ll finally feel enough. But that’s a trap. These patterns aren’t protecting us; they’re keeping us small.

The good news? Once you recognize these saboteurs, you can start loosening their grip. Let’s dive into four of the most common ones: