--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sometimes, the things we do to protect…" description: "\"“Sometimes, the things we do to protect ourselves turn on us and hurt us. They become self-destructive. Many codependents are barely surviving, and mos..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/656/melody-beattie-1895_hurt-u_sometimes-the-things-we-do-to-protect-ou_833499.png" --- # Sometimes, the things we do to protect ourselves turn on… ![“Sometimes, the things we do to protect ourselves turn on us and hurt us. They become self-destructive. Many codependents are barely surviving, and most aren’t getting their needs met. As counselor Scott Egleston says, codependency is a way of getting needs met that doesn’t get needs met. We’ve…” quote by Melody Beattie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/656/melody-beattie-1895_hurt-u_sometimes-the-things-we-do-to-protect-ou_833499.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/656/melody-beattie-1895_hurt-u_sometimes-the-things-we-do-to-protect-ou_833499.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/656/melody-beattie-1895_hurt-u_sometimes-the-things-we-do-to-protect-ou_833499.png) > ““Sometimes, the things we do to protect ourselves turn on us and hurt us. They become self-destructive. Many codependents are barely surviving, and most aren’t getting their needs met. As counselor Scott Egleston says, codependency is a way of getting needs met that doesn’t get needs met. We’ve been doing the wrong things for the right reasons.”” [Melody Beattie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-beattie/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑protective behaviors can become self‑destructive when they don’t truly meet needs. **In simple terms:** Protective habits may harm. Key Takeaway Identify and replace harmful coping. Themes codependency self‑care boundaries needs psychology Mood empathetic insightful Type self‑help psychology When to use this quote - therapy sessions - personal reflection - relationship counseling - support groups Key Concepts Self‑awareness healthy relationships need fulfillment Questions to Reflect On - What needs are you trying to meet with self‑defeating habits? - How can you seek healthier ways to fulfill those needs? A Different Perspective Changing patterns is difficult without support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [We can't control what other people say or think about us. Our Thought's and Word's belongs to only us. 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But most of all,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-beattie/remember-to-be-kind-remember-to-be-loving-remember-to-feel-all-your/) [Melody Beattie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-beattie/) > [“Frequently, when I suggest to people that they detach from a person or problem, they recoil in horror. “Oh, no!” they say. “I could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-beattie/frequently-when-i-suggest-to-people-that-they-detach-from-a-person-or/) [Melody Beattie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-beattie/) > [...the plan will happen in spite of us, not because of us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-beattie/the-plan-will-happen-in-spite-of-us-not-because-of-us/) [Melody Beattie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-beattie/) > [Goals give us direction. They put a powerful force into play on a universal, conscious, and subconscious level. 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It may help u to express ur feelings tht u…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sushant-mehra/self-harm-is-not-the-anwere-all-u-have-to-do-is-love-urself-it-may/) Sushant Mehra > [“When we forgive, we free ourselves from the bitter ties that bind us to the one who hurt us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-pelzer/when-we-forgive-we-free-ourselves-from-the-bitter-ties-that-bind-us/) [Dave Pelzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-pelzer/) Browse all 488 Hurt U quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Sometimes, the things we do to protect ourselves turn on us and hurt us. They become self-destructive. Many codependents are barely surviving, and most aren’t getting their needs met. As counselor Scott Egleston says, codependency is a way of getting needs met that doesn’t get needs met. 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