If you really want to feel happy and content with life, say goodbye to these habits

There’s a huge gulf between living a life that’s just ‘okay’ and one that’s truly happy and content.

The difference? Your habits.

It’s often our everyday habits that chain us to discontentment, all while we’re unaware of their toll on our well-being.

But here’s the good news: Just as bad habits can lead us astray, developing good ones can guide us towards authentic happiness.

In this article, I’ll be sharing the habits you need to wave goodbye to if you really want a life of genuine contentment.

It’s your choice to make because, to live a happier life, it’s not just about doing more—it’s about letting go of what’s holding you back:

1) Comparing yourself with others

There’s a saying that “comparison is the thief of joy,” and it couldn’t be more true.

In our modern world, we’re constantly bombarded with images of other people’s seemingly perfect lives on social media.

This often leads us to compare our own lives to theirs, creating feelings of inadequacy and discontentment.

But remember, what we see on social media is often a curated, highlight reel of someone’s life—not the full picture.

Comparison can be a destructive habit that serves only to make us unhappy.

It’s like trying to measure our worth based on someone else’s standards—and that’s just not fair to you.

Focus on your own growth and achievements—everyone has their own pace in life, so why not embrace yours?

2) Neglecting self-care

I’m sure we’ve all been guilty of this at some point—I know I have!

A few years back, I was so focused on my career and trying to meet everyone else’s needs that I completely neglected my own.

I was constantly on the go, grabbing fast food on the run, skimping on sleep, and never finding time for exercise or relaxation.

Back then, I thought I was being productive bu—in reality—my energy levels were plummeting, my stress levels were through the roof, and my overall happiness was seriously dwindling.

Then one day, it hit me: If I didn’t start taking care of myself, who would?

I decided to make some changes by carving out time each day for exercise and healthy meals; I also made sure to get a good night’s sleep and take short breaks during the day to clear my mind.

The impact was immediate and profound as I felt more energetic, less stressed, and much happier.

And you know what? My productivity actually increased because I was taking better care of myself.

Take care of yourself first, and you’ll be in a much better position to help others and enjoy life.

3) Holding onto grudges

Nursing a grudge can be like carrying a heavy backpack—it weighs you down, saps your energy, and keeps you from moving forward in life.

However, did you know that holding onto anger and resentment can also impact your physical health?

Research has shown that harboring grudges increases the risk of heart disease and negatively affects our immune system.

Essentially, when we carry around bitterness and resentment, we’re not just making ourselves miserable emotionally—we’re also potentially causing harm to our physical well-being.

For the sake of both your emotional and physical health, it’s time to let go of grudges.

Once you release that weight off your shoulders, you’ll find yourself feeling lighter, happier, and more content with life.

4) Letting ego dominate your actions

In Buddhism, the ego is considered a major obstacle to achieving true happiness—it’s the part of us that craves recognition, desires control, and fears change.

But living at the mercy of our ego can lead to a lot of unnecessary suffering.

It keeps us stuck in a cycle of wanting more and never being satisfied with what we have.

Halfway through writing my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I realized just how transformative letting go of ego can be.

In it, I delve deeper into understanding the ego from a Buddhist perspective and share practical strategies for learning to live with less ego and more heart.

By letting go of your need for control and approval, you open yourself up to a deeper sense of contentment and inner peace.

5) Living in the past or future

There was a time in my life when I was too caught up in regretting past mistakes and worrying about the future.

It was as if I was living everywhere but in the present.

I would replay past events over and over in my head, wondering what I could have done differently.

Meanwhile, I would fret about what’s yet to come, creating scenarios and problems that didn’t even exist.

It took me a while to realize that this habit was robbing me of my happiness.

I was so focused on what had been and what could be that I was missing out on what is—the present moment.

Learning to live in the moment has been a game-changer for me.

It’s not only made me more aware and appreciative of the little things in life, but it’s also significantly reduced my stress levels.

Practice mindfulness, appreciate the now, and watch your life change for the better.

6) Striving for perfection

This may sound counter-intuitive, but striving for perfection isn’t the pathway to happiness.

In fact, it’s often a surefire way to dissatisfaction and frustration.

The truth is, perfection is an illusion—an unattainable standard that sets us up for endless cycles of stress and self-criticism.

Chasing after perfection can keep us from appreciating our achievements and progress, because no matter what we do, it never seems good enough.

Instead of aiming for perfection, aim for progress.

Celebrate your small wins and incremental improvements, and learn to embrace your flaws and accept that mistakes are a part of the growth process.

Life isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being real, being you, and embracing the journey with all its ups and downs.

When you let go of the need for perfection, you open the door to true happiness and contentment.

7) Overthinking

Overthinking can be a tough habit to break—like a hamster wheel in our minds, constantly spinning with thoughts, worries, and hypothetical scenarios.

But here’s the thing: Overthinking doesn’t solve problems, it creates them by amplifying stress, breeds anxiety, and prevents us from taking action.

When we’re caught in the grip of overthinking, we’re not living in the moment.

Instead, we’re lost in a maze of our own thoughts, often missing out on the beauty of life unfolding around us.

Breaking free from this habit involves learning to control our thoughts instead of letting them control us.

Mindfulness techniques, meditation, or even simple breathing exercises can help us to calm the mind and bring our focus back to the present.

8) Not valuing your own worth

This is perhaps the most detrimental habit of all: Not recognizing and valuing your own worth.

Your feelings, your thoughts, your dreams—they all matter because you matter.

The sooner you can internalize this and start treating yourself with the respect and love you deserve, the happier and more content you’ll be.

Don’t let anyone or anything make you feel less than and don’t settle for less than you deserve in any area of your life.

Know your worth, stand up for it, and don’t be afraid to walk away from situations or people who don’t respect it.

Final thoughts: It’s all about choice

The journey towards happiness and contentment isn’t always easy.

It requires effort, patience, and most importantly, the courage to make conscious choices.

Every day, we’re faced with countless choices, some seemingly insignificant, others life-altering, but it’s important to remember that even the smallest choice can ripple out into significant changes.

Halfway through writing my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I realized just how transformative making the right choices can be.

In it, I delve deeper into the power of conscious choices and share practical strategies for making the right ones in your life.

Happiness isn’t a destination—it’s a journey.

By letting go of these habits and making conscious choices for your well-being, you’re setting yourself up for a life filled with more joy, contentment, and peace than you ever thought possible.

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Lachlan Brown

I’m Lachlan Brown, the founder, and editor of Hack Spirit. I love writing practical articles that help others live a mindful and better life. I have a graduate degree in Psychology and I’ve spent the last 15 years reading and studying all I can about human psychology and practical ways to hack our mindsets. Check out my latest book on the Hidden Secrets of Buddhism and How it Saved My Life. If you want to get in touch with me, hit me up on Facebook or Twitter.

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