to avoid even though you would like to stop this behavior What do you gain each time you avoid the situations you listed in your Some people report feeling a sense of lightness like they dodged a bullet played hooky or got out of something truly awful Do you celebrate the reprieve as if you won a prize or accomplished really Consider if avoidance is reinforced because it means you never have to fully put yourself out there and risk rejection disapproval or failure How else might your avoidance be Go Deeper What is Avoidance Gaining Avoidance is a fix that causes more and more anxiety in the long term Try this writing exercise to inspire motivation and focus on consistent relief versus quick fixes that never last and have negative consequences Write down two lists in your 1 All the benefits of avoidance Be very honest with yourself no one else is reading this list Write down why you avoid and the positive feelings that come when you do Try to emotionally connect with the example the relief of pressure or the power of managing to get out of something 2 All the benefits of NOT avoiding How would