自讨苦吃 invite suffering
Explanation
自己给自己找麻烦，吃苦头。
to bring trouble on oneself; to invite suffering; to make one's own life difficult
Origin Story
从前，有个年轻人，个性非常倔强，凡事都喜欢自己做主。有一天，他听说远方有座山，山上盛产一种珍贵的药材，可以治百病。年轻人不顾家人反对，独自一人前往。路途十分艰辛，他经历了风吹日晒，饥寒交迫，还遭遇了野兽的袭击。好不容易到达山顶，却发现药材早已被采摘一空，年轻人空欢喜一场，精疲力尽地返回家中。这次经历让他深刻明白，有些事情，盲目蛮干只会自讨苦吃。
Once upon a time, there was a young man with a very stubborn personality who liked to do everything his own way. One day, he heard of a distant mountain where a precious medicinal herb grew that could cure all diseases. Despite his family's objections, the young man set off alone. The journey was very arduous; he experienced wind and sun, hunger and cold, and was even attacked by wild animals. When he finally reached the top of the mountain, he found that the medicinal herb had already been picked clean. The young man returned home exhausted and disappointed. This experience taught him that blindly rushing into things only leads to trouble.
Usage
用于形容一个人自己给自己找麻烦，结果反而吃亏。
Used to describe someone who brings trouble on themselves and ends up suffering.
Examples
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他总是自讨苦吃，结果弄得自己很狼狈。
tā zǒngshì zì tǎo kǔ chī, jiéguǒ nòng de zìjǐ hěn lángbèi.
He always brings trouble upon himself, ending up in a mess.
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别再自讨苦吃，听我的劝告吧。
bié zài zì tǎo kǔ chī, tīng wǒ de quàngào ba.
Don't bring trouble on yourself anymore, just listen to my advice.
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他为了追求所谓的完美，反而自讨苦吃。
tā wèile zhuīqiú suǒwèi de wánměi, fǎn'ér zì tǎo kǔ chī
In his pursuit of so-called perfection, he brings trouble upon himself instead.