I think it’s fair to say that many of us aspire to have a happier, more fulfilling life. We envision a future where we are content and satisfied, surrounded by love and positivity.
However, sometimes, the biggest obstacle standing in our way isn’t the lack of opportunity or resources but our toxic habits. These habits can subtly seep into our daily lives, slowly corroding our mental peace and happiness.
Today, we get into seven such habits that you need to ditch if you truly want to lead a happier life.
Change starts with awareness. Let’s get into ’em.
1) Focusing on the negative
Do you often find yourself focusing more on the negative aspects of your life rather than the positive?
If your answer is ‘yes’, then you might be a victim of ‘Negativity Bias‘. This is a psychological phenomenon where individuals give more weightage to bad experiences than good ones.
It’s like wearing a pair of dark glasses that only highlight the negative, making the world seem gloomy and harsh.
Negativity bias can be a massive happiness-sucker. It breeds discontent and dissatisfaction, making life seem like an endless series of disappointments.
But here’s the bright side: once you recognize this bias, you can work on shifting your focus toward appreciating the positive aspects of life.
Try practicing gratitude daily, focus on your achievements no matter how small they might seem, and deliberately seek out positivity in your day-to-day life. You’ll be amazed at how much lighter and happier you’ll start to feel when you ditch this toxic habit.
2) Extreme perfectionism
Have you ever spent hours working on a project, only to feel dissatisfied because it wasn’t “perfect”?
I remember once spending an entire weekend redoing a presentation, nitpicking every little detail. In the end, I was so exhausted and stressed that I couldn’t even enjoy the eventual success of the presentation.
It might seem like an admirable thing, but when taken to the far, it is not. As put by the folks at Psychology Today , “What makes extreme perfectionism so toxic is that while those in its grip desire success, they are most focused on avoiding failure, resulting in a negative orientation.”
Perfection doesn’t exist. What does exist is progress and growth.
Let’s shift our focus from being perfect to doing our best and continuously improving. Making mistakes is a part of life and it’s through these mistakes that we learn and grow.
Trust me, ditching the habit of perfectionism can alleviate unnecessary stress and live a happier, more content life.
3) Living in the past or future
As renowned mindfulness expert Eckhart Tolle once said, “The power for creating a better future is contained in the present moment: You create a good future by creating a good present.”
How often do you find yourself replaying past mistakes or worrying about future uncertainties?
This habit not only robs you of your present happiness but also prevents you from fully experiencing and appreciating the here and now.
Mindfulness, or the practice of being fully present and engaged in the current moment, can be a powerful antidote to this habit.
By practicing mindfulness, we can learn to let go of past regrets and future anxieties, and start focusing on the present moment. This might mean savoring your morning cup of coffee, really listening when someone is talking to you, or simply taking a moment to appreciate the beauty around you.
4) Constant comparisons
So let’s say you’re scrolling through your social media feed and you see a friend’s post about their latest vacation, their new car, or their child’s achievement. Suddenly, your own life seems less impressive, your achievements insignificant. Sound familiar?
Welcome to the toxic habit of constant comparisons. In this age of social media, it’s all too easy to compare our lives with others’, leading to feelings of inadequacy and discontentment.
But here’s the reality check: what we see on social media is often a highlight reel – the best parts of someone’s life, carefully selected and polished for presentation. It doesn’t reflect their struggles, their low days, or their ordinary moments.
Instead of comparing your life with others, focus on your journey.
Experts in their field widely advise this. Dr. Jordan Peterson, a clinical psychologist, dedicated an entire chapter to it in his bestselling book 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos.
Celebrate your unique achievements, however small they might seem. Practice self-compassion and remember that everyone has their own pace in life. When you stop measuring your life against someone else’s, you open up a space for genuine happiness and contentment to thrive.
5) Lack of physical activity
Are you spending most of your time sitting at a desk or lounging on the couch?
Study after study has shown that physical activity is not only crucial for maintaining our physical health, but it also plays a vital role in our mental wellbeing. Regular exercise releases endorphins, the body’s natural mood boosters, which can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep, and enhance overall mood.
You don’t necessarily have to hit the gym; even simple activities like walking, dancing, or gardening can make a significant difference. The goal is to get moving and make physical activity a routine part of your life.
6) Ignoring self-care
A few years back, I found myself constantly drained, both physically and emotionally.
My days were packed with work, errands, and responsibilities. One day, after collapsing onto my bed, utterly exhausted, I realized something: I had been so engrossed in taking care of everything else that I had completely neglected myself.
This is a common toxic habit many of us fall into – ignoring self-care. We are so caught up in our busy lives that we forget to pause and take care of our own needs.
Self-care isn’t just about bubble baths and spa days; it’s about taking time to replenish and rejuvenate ourselves.
It can be as simple as reading a book, enjoying a quiet cup of tea, going for a walk, or even just ensuring you get enough sleep. It’s about setting boundaries and saying ‘no’ when you need to. By making self-care a priority, you’re not only showing respect for yourself but also replenishing your resources so you can continue to care for others.
Trust me, when you start taking care of yourself, you’ll be surprised at how much happier you feel.
7) Overconsumption of News and Social Media
Picture this: You wake up, reach for your smartphone, and start scrolling through your news feed or social media. Before you know it, an hour passes by, and you’re left feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or just plain unhappy.
This is the toxic habit of overconsumption of news and social media.
In this digital age, we’re constantly bombarded with information – some of which is negative or distressing. Spending too much time consuming this information can lead to increased stress and anxiety, which can sabotage our happiness.
Now, this doesn’t mean you should entirely disconnect from the world. But it does indicate that you need to set healthy boundaries for your news and social media consumption.
Designate specific times for checking news or social media and stick to those times. Consider unfollowing or muting accounts that spread negativity or cause you stress.
The bottom line
Happiness isn’t just about the big moments; it’s about making conscious choices every day to ditch toxic habits and nurture positive ones.
No one is perfect, and change doesn’t happen overnight but by identifying and working on these habits, little by little, we can make significant strides towards a happier life.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Have you struggled with any of these toxic habits? Or perhaps you’ve successfully managed to ditch a few?
Share your experiences and insights in the comments below. Your story might just be the encouragement someone else needs to start their own journey towards happiness.
What would Marcus Aurelius say?
Unsure what to do next in your career? Struggling to move on from a failed relationship? Searching for more meaning in life?
Marcus Aurelius can tell you how to face your challenges in a more Stoic way.
Simply ask your question, and Marcus Aurelius will answer.
