"每当我陷入自我毁灭的时刻，我已经学会了猛踩刹车。"

Figuring out how to stop yourself when you're about to spiral down a destructive path is one of the hardest but most valuable skills you can learn. It’s like giving yourself a chance to step back and assess the situation before things get out of hand. When you sense you’re on the brink of making a choice that could harm you, you put on the brakes—hard—and give yourself a moment to reconsider. This self-awareness and control can save you from a lot of regret and pain.

Think about why someone might come to this realization. Maybe it’s after a series of bad choices that led to unfortunate outcomes—like losing a job, damaging relationships, or even harming your health. When you keep hitting rock bottom, you start to see the patterns that lead you there. Learning to recognize the signs of those self-destructive moments and stopping them in their tracks can turn your life around.

Take Maria, for example, a young professional who struggled with stress-related drinking. Every time work got too overwhelming, she’d find herself at the bottom of a bottle of wine. This was her way of coping, but it was also tearing her life apart. One terrible hangover too many, she decided enough was enough. The next time she felt the urge to drink away her stress, she slammed on the brakes. She forced herself to take a walk instead. Over time, she got better at recognizing the early signs of her stress and finding healthier outlets, like running or painting. That one change saved her career and her health.

So, how can you apply this wisdom? First, you need to become hyper-aware of your triggers. Whenever you start noticing the signs—maybe it's a knot in your stomach, a racing mind, or an urge to isolate yourself—pause. Take a deep breath, literally. Give yourself a moment to think. Ask yourself why you’re feeling this way and what you’re about to do. Is it going to help or hurt you in the long run?

It’s like being a driver who senses danger on the road ahead and knows when to hit the brakes to avoid a crash. You need to become that attentive driver in your own life. Another good tip is to have a list of alternative actions ready. If you know that you tend to shop impulsively when you’re sad, have a go-to list of distractions—call a friend, go for a jog, or dive into a good book.

Now, imagine you’re at a party. You’re having fun, but you notice you’re on your third drink and starting to feel that familiar haze. You know from past experience that if you keep going, you’ll end up doing something you’ll regret. Maybe you’ll say something hurtful or make a fool of yourself. This is your moment. You slam on those mental brakes. You switch to water or step outside for some fresh air. You’re still part of the fun, but you’re in control.

You’re not just avoiding a hangover—you’re taking charge of your choices and steering your life in the direction you want it to go. Remember, nobody’s perfect, and we all slip up. But the more you practice this, the easier it becomes to recognize those destructive patterns and stop them before they start. It’s all about giving yourself the power to choose a better path.