Why Do We Keep Repeating the Same Patterns? | Kati Morton

Why do we keep making the same choices, even when we know they're making us unhappy? In this episode of Passion Struck, licensed therapist, bestselling author, and mental health educator Kati Morton joins John R. Miles to explore why the habits keeping us stuck often began as survival strategies. Drawing from her new book, Why Do I Keep Doing This?, Kati explains how childhood experiences shape the invisible "blueprints" that influence our relationships, careers, self-worth, and everyday decisions. Together, they unpack why perfectionism, overworking, burnout, people-pleasing, and fear-based behaviors persist long after they've stopped serving us. They also explore the growing epidemic of burnout, the psychology of anti-mattering, how fawning erodes authentic relationships, and why lasting transformation begins with small, intentional choices instead of dramatic life overhauls. If you've ever wondered why you keep repeating the same patterns, this conversation offers a compassionate, science-backed roadmap for understanding yourself—and finally breaking free. In This Episode 0:00 – Why We Keep Repeating the Same Patterns 5:32 – The Hidden Fear Driving Perfectionism and Overworking 10:56 – Burnout, Dysthymia, and Why So Many High Achievers Feel Stuck 15:58 – The Psychology of Anti-Mattering and Our Need to Belong 21:00 – How Childhood Blueprints Shape Adult Relationships 26:06 – Why Small Decisions Change Your Life More Than Big Ones 31:10 – The Real Meaning of Letting Go 36:11 – The Hidden Trauma Behind People Pleasing 41:05 – The Cost of Self-Abandonment 46:17 – What It Really Means to Live a Passion-Struck Life The Passion Struck Podcast is HERE!! 💥 https://passionstruck.com/passion-str... Listen, follow, and rate wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts OR watch here on YouTube. New episodes drop every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday! --- --► Subscribe to the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast.... --► Subscribe to Passion Struck Clips:    / @passionstruckclips   *Join The Ignited Life Community at: https://www.theignitedlife.net/ Trac ID: 1256612 Monetization ID: CZSPWP70BFU5OJVR Want to watch more in-depth interviews with some of the world’s most insightful people? Find full episodes here:    / johnrmiles  . Connect with John R. Miles: Learn more about John: https://johnrmiles.com/ Visit the Passion Struck Podcast: https://passionstruck.com/passion-str... Visit the John R. Miles BLOG: https://johnrmiles.com/blog/ Follow John on TWITTER:   / john_rmiles   Follow John on INSTAGRAM:   / john_r_miles   Like John on FACEBOOK:   / johnrmiles.c0m   #MentalHealth #Psychology #PersonalGrowth #SelfAwareness #passionstruck #johnrmiles #intentionalliving