Self-Sabotage
It’s an eclipse of one’s true identity
Quick Note: As I was writing this I started thinking how preachy it might sound, but ultimately it’s really a message to me and whomever else might be listening. I’d been thinking of self-sabotage a lot the last week in many areas of my life..and came to a few realisations about why I do some things in the way that I do.. i.e operating out of fear rather than confidence etc and thus not attracting many good things because I don’t feel good enough. I think, for some, this is an unfortunate common thread in today’s society and greatly ties in with our true identities versus our perceived shortcomings which lead us to think of ourselves falsely.
So, a couple of weeks ago someone looked me in the eyes and said “YOU DESERVE EVERYTHING!” which was hard to hear, but powerful. And thus this little free verse below was born. A few mixed metaphors abound in the piece, but Whatcha Gonna Do?
I also couldn’t help thinking about ‘The Sunscreen Song’ from the 90s after reading through this a few times while editing. Obviously not at all of that calibre, but I use to love that iconic song/monologue, so I’ve included it below for those that remember it, or may need a mood boost. If you have never heard it before - stay for the vocals halfway through & towards the end. Enjoy!
“Self-Sabotage”
Glum, dumb & wholly insignificant!
Why do you feel so unworthy!?
Who made you feel this way?
But really, does it matter in the slightest now?
Why allow others to mould your identity?
Let those voices blow away in the breeze..
They are not your’s to hear any longer,
Just - work towards your goals,
Slowly if you must,
Remember the allegory of ‘The Tortoise and the Hare’.
Stop comparing yourself to others,
Such things are futile!
You deserve everything you have ever dreamed of:
Companionship, love, kids, a good group of friends,
Finances and - to be cared for & appreciated,
Maybe those little quirks you don’t like about yourself
Are what the best people like about you the most!
So, dial-down that switch of “I’m not good enough” -
You are!
If you feel low, time will pick you back up &
before you know it,
Hold you in its arms and tell you of its own woes,
Time doesn’t have it easy either ————
Stuck around for all time,
But at least they’re there for the good times!
If anything, lean on them,
Time will understand your trajectory!
Savour those beautiful times time allows,
Remember these fondly to pick you back up
Whenever you are feeling small.
*
Don’t let your inner saboteur take the reins,
Steering you… nowhere!
It’s your ship now,
Steer the course where you want it to go,
Make some sharp turns if you must, but
Have faith in your traits,
There’s no one exactly like you,
You are unique,
Trust in your abilities &
Watch your skills grow,
Perhaps, you might find yourself where you least expect..
*
Thank you for reading. If you liked it, please consider hitting the heart or subscribing for more to encourage my future poems, short stories and film reviews. Many thanks.
“Everybodys Free to Wear Sunscreen”:
(Unfortunately the resolution is poor, yet still good to listen to).
About the Creator
Grz Colm
Film and TV reviews, 🎞 as well as short stories and free verse poems.
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Doing it for the troops
The others dropped like flies around me. We fought and struggled to get to this point. I'm the only one left now. The objective is right there. A mere two hundred feet away. The last of my team got a bullet to the head right next to me, but I couldn't do anything. I was able to locate and neutralise the sniper as he shot my friend, so his death was at least not in vain.
By Mohammed Darasi7 days ago in Fiction
Comments (53)
Lovely insights which I am sure are well received, and so they deserve to be! Food for thought: the story goes that when the Buddha sought enlightenment, he walked away from a kingdom. He had a wife, concubines, a gaggle of children, every conceivable lxury, and was destined through birth to rule. In other words, he abandoned all those things which many spend their whole life working hard but failing to accrue. What does that mean? I don't have the answer, and since Buddha is now a legend and not a person I can talk to directly, I won't be able to verify any answer I might come up with, but I've been speculating a lot on this, and your meaningful poem brought it back to the fore of my mind. Thank you!
Wowsers Grz! Thought-provoking reflections! I'd never seen or heard that song before. Seems like my era. Prolly had my eyes glued to a book. Such a good one though. The type of advice I really could've used back then, but grateful to have it and you now 😊
This is so emotional. I resonated with your words and the song in every way. I love how this has been written.
Self sabotaging is as dangerous as fantasy,the antidote is stop day dreaming
“Self sabotage” has been on my mind too, but more in regards to how it’s said that people who are jealous of you will do it unknowingly; Ruining their connection with you in failed attempts to slight you or compete with you.
Goodness I felt like someone one was pointing at me as I read this, lol. I'm so glad you shared your thoughts as I think we all wrestle with this. I know I do.
Listening to others instead of ourselves is an insidious thing. We all crave approval, but we can't allow the naysayers to guide us. Reach for the heights. Great message in this. Congratulations on TS.
Yep - self-sabotage is a very common, yet unique, part of the human experience - everyone needs to hear these words!
This is amazing, Grz! So nice to come back to Vocal after a few days and see this beautiful piece. Glad it got Top Story. Incredibly relatable and so truthfully spoken. Thank you and well done, again! Btw...had a look at some of your comments, will get to them asap, not ignoring you honestly :)
A poem that hits it right on the nail about how we self-sabotage, with some encouraging words to change that mindset! Well written, and most relatable. "Don’t let your inner saboteur take the reins, Steering you… nowhere! It’s your ship now" I love that!
I can relate .
Well, I have never had better advice. Here is wishing you take your own advice, I know such things are easy to say, to hear, yet in practice, not so easy to practice. I have many of these myself. It is great to read this in the early morning, wonderful start to the day, Congrats.
. Thumbs up for your effort! Keep the outstanding work—congrats!
Great counsel in both poem & video.
I love this. I can feel these words. Your writing is powerful, Grz.
I've replied to your comment below but I forgot to congratulate you so I'm back again but too lazy to scroll all the way down so I'm just gonna say it here. Congratulations on your Top Story!
Congratulations on top story!🎉🎉🎉 Many important things in your story and in the video😊💕
I love this! Really needed to hear it, now just need to think it. Congrats on top story!
Never heard the sunscreen song before, so thank you for sharing!
Back to say congrats on top story!
Grz I am sad to admit how relatable this and but also love the way you turned it around and made it motivational, uplighting and heartfelt! I needed this today, thank you!! Also congrats on Top Story!! 💚
Congrats on the top story! You are the captain of your ship - so steer away and enjoy the journey.
It’s your ship now That says it all, this a great line Congratulations
Congrats on top story, friend! Also forgot to mention how much I love the sunscreen song. I remember it from around the time I graduated high school!
They ya go.congrats on the ts.