Some people look like they have life under control. But sometimes, that “discipline” hides a different story & the things that look impressive on the surface may actually point to someone being more wound up. Here are ten disciplined habits that suggest insecurity according to our readers. Have you noticed any of these habits in anyone you know?
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Overplanning every day
You know the type of person. They’ll have a calendar filled with tiny 15-minute windows, down to the bathroom breaks & free time, as well as schedules for meals. Sure, it looks organized. But it seems like you’ll freak out when something doesn’t fit exactly into the plan. The need to micromanage the day is more an attempt to control anxiety than to be disciplined.
Tracking every metric
It’s easy to think you’re on top of things with all those health apps. However, obsessing over water intake & steps could be a sign that things aren’t as relaxed as they seem. A single missed step count is a crisis. In all honesty, being so obsessed with tracking every little thing could hide a fear of not being enough.
Constantly working on self-improvement
These sorts of people are constantly moving from one self-improvement task to another. They’re reading a book one minute, then taking an online course, and finally starting a new habit. But here’s the catch. There’s always something new, as this keeps them busy, so they don’t have to deal with any underlying feelings.
Treating nutrition like a precision project
Every meal is calculated to perfection, and not packing it in Tupperware with exact measurements means that it doesn’t count. You’re always checking the grams of this & that. Of course, being healthy is great. Yet this could also be a sign of insecurity that you’re unable to relax around food. Why else would you feel the need to control it this much?
Saying “no” to downtime
Every spare minute gets filled. A few hours free? Not possible because you’re catching up on emails & reading a book for self-improvement, maybe dealing with that side project. Rest is reserved for people who earn it. As such, taking a break feels wrong, so you fill every inch of time to make sure you don’t feel guilty for doing nothing.
Always making goals
It doesn’t matter whether you have a daily step count or a reading challenge, you have it all tracked. You’re a strong believer in setting clear goals & tracking them like a hawk. To most people, that sounds impressive. However, the truth is that you only do this so that you have proof you’re always on top of things. How else will you know you’re doing enough?
Keeping a “perfect” workspace
Unfortunately, some people can’t start working until everything around them is perfectly organized. That includes wiping down & arranging their desk just so, while also making sure their files are neatly stacked & color-coded. But this discipline is fake. It’s just a way to make sure you can’t be judged by any mess, and to push the image that you have it all together.
Over-documenting your progress
You log every task you complete. There’s a spreadsheet or an app where you track how long it took to cook dinner & when you exercised, as well as how much water you drank. Sure, this seems like a good habit for staying on top of things. But you’re really trying to get validation from your own data because you need proof you’re measuring up. Even if it’s just on paper.
Collecting excessive feedback
As soon as you finish a task or send a project, you start the feedback loop. You can’t move forward until everyone gives their stamp of approval & you might tell yourself that this is you being disciplined. However, you’re actually just refusing to trust your judgment. You lean on others to confirm that you’re on the right track & get reassurance that you’re doing well enough.
Sticking to a rigid budget
Tracking every single dollar, down to the last cent, sounds good. You know exactly what you’re spending on everything. But it makes the smallest splurge feel like a failure, and rather than you trying to be responsible with your finances, it comes across like you’re trying to prove you have it all under control.
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