Are You Fracking Yourself? The Power of Mindful Photography to Break Self-Sabotage
Frankie the Doodle and I, Red Hill and Mushroom Rock, Carbondale, Colorado
Recognizing the Cycle of Self-Sabotage
Do you feel like you're stuck in a pattern of depression and anxiety that just keeps cycling back? You're not alone, and it's no coincidence that you're reading this right now. Psalm 139 reminds us, "All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." God has a plan for you, and part of that plan is breaking free from the destructive habits that keep you trapped.
Today, we're diving into the hard truth of self-sabotage—the brutal ways we hold ourselves back and frack our own potential. This isn’t about gentle self-correction. It’s about facing the relentless internal voice that tears us down and learning how to turn from it. Mindfulness, especially mindful photography, is one of the best ways to intervene and redirect our thoughts toward inner peace.
How We Sabotage Ourselves
Recently, I had a coaching session that rocked me. Listening back to the recording, I could hear myself grasping for quick fixes, desperately hoping for someone to solve my problems. Instead, my coach kept pointing out the same pattern: "Joe, you're doing it again. You're shitting on yourself. You're stuck in the loop of proving how broken you are." That was hard to hear, but it was exactly what I needed.
This kind of self-talk is brutal. We say things to ourselves that we’d never tolerate from another person. Imagine if someone spoke to your child or loved one the way you speak to yourself. You’d shut it down immediately. Yet, we allow these thoughts to run rampant in our own minds, holding us hostage to negativity and fear.
The Hidden Cost of Self-Sabotage
Self-sabotage isn’t just about negative self-talk. It’s about the behaviors we unconsciously engage in that reinforce our struggles. Have you ever:
Procrastinated on something important, then beaten yourself up for it?
Talked yourself out of an opportunity because you felt unworthy?
Repeated the same unhealthy patterns in relationships or work?
Set high expectations for yourself and then felt crushed when you couldn’t meet them?
Allowed fear of failure to keep you from trying something new?
These are all forms of self-sabotage, and they keep us trapped in cycles of frustration and regret. The mind seeks familiarity, even if that familiarity is painful. The good news? We can break these patterns through intentional awareness and action.
Understanding the Roots of Self-Sabotage
Windswept Juniper, Red Hill, Carbondale, Colorado
Where does self-sabotage come from? Often, it’s rooted in deep-seated beliefs formed early in life. Perhaps you grew up in an environment where you felt you had to prove your worth. Maybe past failures made you believe you’d never succeed. Or perhaps you fear success because it comes with higher expectations and responsibilities.
Another reason for self-sabotage is that negative thoughts can feel safer than hope. If we expect the worst, we won’t be disappointed, right? But in reality, this mindset robs us of opportunities for growth, healing, and joy.
Breaking the Cycle: Mindful Smartphone Photography
The good news? We can disrupt these patterns through mindfulness. And one of the most powerful ways to practice mindfulness is through smartphone photography.
When you catch yourself spiraling into negativity, you can use a simple three-step process to intervene:
1. Focus
Take a deep breath and notice where you are. Place your hand on your heart and take three deep belly breaths. This small action brings you back into your body and the present moment. Identify what triggered your self-sabotaging thoughts and name it. Awareness is the first step toward change.
2. Capture
Use your smartphone camera as a tool to redirect your mind. Find something around you that symbolizes hope, resilience, or beauty. Take a photograph of it. This act shifts your focus from internal chaos to external presence. The process of seeking a meaningful image helps interrupt negative thought loops and grounds you in the present.
3. Shine Your Light on Someone
After grounding yourself and capturing a mindful moment, send a message, photo, or note of encouragement to someone else. Lifting others shifts our energy from self-destruction to love and connection. It reminds us that we are part of something greater, and our struggles don’t define us.
The Inner Critic is Not You
One of the biggest revelations we must embrace is that the inner critic is not us. It’s a voice—one that’s been shaped by past experiences, fears, and even spiritual attacks—but it does not define who we are.
Scripture tells us that Satan is the author of lies, and self-sabotaging thoughts are some of his most powerful tools. Just like we can reject false accusations from others, we can also reject these internal lies. But it takes awareness and intentionality.
The Caleb Test: Speaking to Yourself with Love
A powerful exercise to shift your inner dialogue is what I call The Caleb Test. My son, Caleb, is 27, and I love him deeply. If he called me struggling with self-doubt and failure, would I tear him down? Would I shame him? Absolutely not. I’d lift him up, remind him of his worth, and help him find clarity.
Now, apply that same compassion to yourself. Would you speak to yourself the way you’d speak to your child or best friend? If not, it’s time to change the narrative.
A Tactical Way to Reset
Next time you catch yourself spiraling, try this:
Hand on your heart, three belly breaths. This interrupts the pattern and brings you back to the present.
Observe your self-talk. What lies are you believing? Would you say them to someone you love?
Replace the lie with truth. Father, you love me. I love myself. I have what it takes to overcome.
This isn’t a one-time fix—it’s a practice. But each time you choose self-compassion over self-sabotage, you reclaim a little more of your power.
You Have What It Takes
At the end of my coaching session, my coach told me something profound: "Joe, you’re loyal to your suffering." That hit hard. Many of us are. We cling to our pain because it's familiar. But it doesn’t have to define us.
God’s love is transformative. He enlightens the eyes of our hearts and calls us to step into the hope and power He has for us. You are not alone in this journey. You have what it takes to break the cycle.
So, take a deep breath. Grab your smartphone. Step outside. Focus. Capture. Shine your light.
And remember: Father, you love me. I love myself. I have what it takes to overcome.
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