These 10 habits could be sabotaging your happiness more than you think!
One of the things everyone wants in life is happiness! However, finding true happiness can be harder to achieve for some than for others. Although there is no magic happy pill (no natural one anyway) that can solve all your problems, a good place to start is by acknowledging the little sabotaging habits we don’t realize we do to ourselves.
#1. Playing It Small
Have you ever found yourself playing it small so someone else can feel bigger than you? If this is a habit you find yourself doing, then you could be selling yourself short of a lot more than you think. At times it may come across as “nice” to make someone else feel better at your own expense, but this habit can easily become an embedded way of thinking, as subconsciously you will be affirming to yourself that you value others before yourself.
You’re not doing anyone any favours by playing it small. In the end, the right people will rise with you and the wrong people will fall beneath you. Don’t be afraid to stand out and shine!
#2. Using Social Media Excessively
OK, social media has its place, and it’s changed the world in how we communicate. But it may be time to have a social media detox if you catch yourself constantly scrolling through the social feeds and getting lost in other people’s filtered lives.
Absorbing yourself in other people’s online lives can also create anxiety and insecurity, consequently affecting your happiness.
#3. Gossiping
Gossiping can be a bad habit to get into, and sometimes you won’t even know you’re doing it. I’m sure everyone on this planet has had good old gossip whether it’s about an annoying colleague or a celebrity in a magazine. But this habit could be sabotaging your happiness more than you think.
Gossiping can create negative and toxic energy and can be hurtful to the person you are gossiping about. It can also create trust issues that don’t look good on you, your reputation, and your integrity.
#4. Caring What People Think Of You
Life is far too short to care what people think of you. Own your actions like a Boss, and realize that most people are too busy thinking about their own shit let alone caring what you are doing. If you care too much about what others think of you and they are not even a significant person in your life, then perhaps it’s time to stop and think about why you do what you do.
Relevant: How to stop giving a shit of what others think of you
#5. Over Working Yourself
While taking pride in our jobs is important, these days it’s too easy to get caught up and overload ourselves with work. This can lead to stress and an unbalanced lifestyle. Don’t neglect what’s really important in your life and take time out to smell the roses. You’ll be much happier for it.
Relevant: How to know it’s time to quit the job that isn’t right for you
#6. Complaining
Let’s face it, no one likes a constant complainer as they seem a drag to be around. Even though life does bring some genuine reasons to complain, try flipping the situation around to a positive one and ask yourself what you learned from it.
Set yourself a challenge to not complain for a whole week, and find more things to be grateful for instead. You’ll be surprised at how self-aware and happier you will become.
#7. Comparing Yourself To Others
We are all at different stages in our lives, and some seem to have their shit together more than others. But focus on your own journey, as you are in competition with who you were yesterday.
Don’t get distracted by the hype and glamorous images of people flaunting their fancy houses, Lamborghinis, and hot bodies on social media. Self-approval is all that matters. Stay focused on your journey!
#8. Holding Onto The Past
Holding onto the past can only hold you back from the future. Forgive, release then let go of any bullshit that’s weighing you down, cause you got shit to conquer and you can’t do it while carrying around feelings of regret, shame, guilt, and worry. We all make mistakes, but don’t let the mistakes make you!
Relevant: How to let go of the past that’s holding you back
#9. Negative Self-Talk
The negative self-talk will have to be right up there when it comes to sabotaging your own happiness. After all, you are the one who has to live with yourself. Hence, having a healthy and loving inner dialogue with yourself is important.
Our minds are very powerful, and our thoughts about ourselves can quickly turn into limiting belief systems that will hold you back from who you truly are. Be kind to yourself, because you are awesome!
#10. Procrastination
When we procrastinate, we avoid tasks that are important to us, or that need to be done. Procrastination isn’t necessarily laziness, but more of a struggle within. This struggle is called resistance.
Fighting this resistance can be more agonizing than doing what’s needed to be done in the first place. Yet, we do it for so many reasons, whether because we are scared of failure, we’re unorganized, or we simply don’t want to do the task! Consequently, we are left feeling like we haven’t accomplished anything that forwards our game in life which can cause a feeling of dissatisfaction.
For more information on procrastination and resistance, I highly recommend the standout book called “The War Of Art” by Steven Pressfield. This book I frequently go to kicks my butt into gear, and motivates me to take massive action towards my desires!
We hope you enjoyed this article. What are the habits that you find sabotage your happiness? Comment and share your thoughts below!
Emmy is the founder and content writer at woopdedo. With a background in the performing arts, she then had a career working on cruise ships, until she decided to return to NZ where she spends most of her time storytelling and freelance writing. You can contact her on the social media links below or visit the work with us page.
