I’ve often caught myself trying to avoid the hard stuff—who hasn’t, right?
There’s something about facing a problem head-on that feels overwhelming, so we distract ourselves.
We convince ourselves that if we just ignore it long enough, it’ll magically disappear. But let’s be real: it never does.
The truth is, there are some sneaky little habits that might be making you avoid the things that really need your attention. Spoiler: I’ve been guilty of all of them.
1) You’re the master of procrastination
Procrastination is a common tool we use when we want to avoid dealing with a problem. We’ve all been there, haven’t we?
It’s that moment when you have an important task to handle, but suddenly, everything else becomes fascinating.
Maybe it’s your messy desk that needs cleaning, or a YouTube video that you’ve been meaning to watch.
Anything but the issue at hand.
Procrastination is more than just delaying tasks.
It’s a subconscious way of running away from problems that seem too big or overwhelming to face.
But procrastinating doesn’t make the problem vanish. It just delays the inevitable.
If you find yourself pushing off tasks repeatedly, it might be time to ask yourself why.
Is it a task you dislike, or are you avoiding a deeper issue?
2) You’re always looking for distractions
I remember when I was dealing with a particularly challenging project at work.
It was a task that I knew would require all my focus and effort.
But instead of facing it head-on, I found myself constantly looking for distractions.
I’d catch myself spending hours scrolling through social media or binge-watching Netflix shows.
Every time I thought about the task, I would convince myself that a ‘short break’ wouldn’t hurt.
But let me tell you, these so-called ‘short breaks’ turned into hours, and before I knew it, the deadline was looming over me.
That’s when I realized that these distractions were not just breaks. They were my escape routes.
Instead of dealing with the problem at hand, I was running away from it, burying it under layers of unnecessary distractions.
3) You’re constantly changing goals
Did you know that the human brain is wired to seek new experiences?
It’s part of our evolutionary survival instinct.
But sometimes, this natural tendency can take an unhealthy turn.
If you find yourself frequently jumping from one goal to another, it might not be because of your thirst for novelty.
It could be a sign that you’re using new pursuits to avoid dealing with unresolved issues.
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a new project or a new dream.
But when the initial thrill fades and the reality of hard work sets in, do you stick with it or do you move on to the next shiny thing?
Consistently abandoning goals midway is often an unconscious way of avoiding problems.
Instead of facing the challenges attached to the goal, you might be choosing to run away.
Real growth happens when we face difficulties head-on, not when we hop from one dream to another.
4) You avoid difficult conversations
Let’s talk about conversations – specifically, the difficult ones.
You know, the kind that involve confronting others or being confronted about something.
If you find yourself doing everything you can to avoid these types of discussions, it might be a sign that you’re running from your problems.
Sure, these conversations can be uncomfortable, awkward, and sometimes even painful.
But they are also necessary for growth and resolution.
Avoiding them only prolongs the issue and creates more tension.
It’s like sweeping dirt under the rug – the mess is still there, it’s just hidden.
So, if you’re someone who’s constantly dodging difficult conversations, it might be time to stop running and face the problem. It’s not easy, but it’s definitely worth it.
5) You’re always saying “I’m fine”
You know that phrase, “I’m fine,” right?
It’s something we often say when we’re anything but.
According to psychologists, it’s a way to avoid dealing with our true feelings.
When someone asks how you’re doing, and your automatic response is “I’m fine,” even though you’re struggling inside, it might be a sign you’re running from your problems.
It’s understandable. We all want to appear strong and composed.
But by constantly insisting you’re okay when you’re not, you’re not only misleading others but also yourself.
It’s okay not to be okay. It’s okay to admit that you’re struggling and need help.
And it’s definitely okay to confront your problems and deal with them.
You don’t have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders alone. It’s our vulnerabilities that make us human.
6) You feel a constant need to be busy
Once, I went through a phase where I felt the need to be constantly busy.
I filled every minute of my day with tasks, errands, and activities.
There was no room for downtime because downtime meant time to think, and thinking brought me face-to-face with issues I didn’t want to deal with.
It’s a common misconception that being busy equals being productive.
But sometimes, being overly busy is just a way to avoid facing our problems.
Just because you’re constantly on the move doesn’t mean you’re moving forward.
Sometimes, it’s just running in circles to escape dealing with what’s truly important.
If you’re filling your schedule to the brim to avoid dealing with certain issues, it might be time to pause, breathe, and confront what you’ve been avoiding.
7) You’re frequently changing relationships
If you find yourself constantly jumping from one relationship to another, it might be worth asking why.
Is it because you’re seeking the thrill of a new romance, or are you avoiding dealing with issues in your current relationship?
Walking away from a relationship where there’s no love or respect is one thing.
But if you’re leaving because of problems that could potentially be resolved with effort and communication, it might be a sign you’re running away.
Every relationship has its ups and downs, and running away from problems won’t make them disappear.
It’ll just carry them forward to your next relationship.
8) You’re not facing your feelings
At the end of the day, the most significant sign you’re running from your problems is when you’re not facing your feelings.
Emotions are the rawest, most authentic part of our human experience.
They’re our internal compass, guiding us towards what needs our attention.
Ignoring your feelings, burying them deep inside, or numbing them with distractions doesn’t make them disappear.
It just postpones the inevitable confrontation with them.
Feelings aren’t meant to be feared or avoided.
They’re meant to be felt, acknowledged, and understood. That’s how we grow and learn.
So, if you’re not facing your feelings, you might be running from your problems.
It’s never too late to stop running and start dealing with them. Trust me, you’ll be stronger for it.
Final thoughts
The truth is, we all dodge problems in different ways, whether it’s through distractions or denying how we feel.
It’s scary to face things that make us uncomfortable, but here’s the thing: when we don’t, those issues only grow.
As Carl Jung once said, “What you resist, persists.” And I can’t tell you how many times that quote has rung true in my own life.
But here’s the kicker—courage doesn’t mean having no fear. It means moving forward despite it.
So, if you’ve been running, it’s never too late to stop. Take a deep breath, turn around, and face it. Because in the end, the only way out is through.
