If you can’t recall the last time you genuinely felt happy about life, say goodbye to these 8 behaviors

Happiness. It’s this elusive concept that we all chase after, isn’t it?

However, lately, it feels like it’s become a stranger. You can’t remember the last time you felt truly happy, and that’s a bit of a problem.

You’ve tried different tricks, read self-help books, but something still doesn’t feel right.

It’s not always a big, dramatic revelation – sometimes, it’s just this nagging feeling that you’re stuck in a rut and can’t seem to find your way out.

Even when your mind tries to convince you otherwise, your heart knows something needs to change.

This article is here to show you how letting go of these 8 behaviors might just be the key to rediscovering your happiness.

But brace yourself, because changing habits is never easy.

1) You’re constantly chasing perfection

Perfection. It’s an alluring concept, isn’t it?

We all want everything to be just right, from our work to our personal lives.

However, if you’re constantly striving for perfection, you might find that true happiness continually eludes you.

This is because perfection is unattainable and the pursuit of it can lead to feelings of inadequacy and constant dissatisfaction.

If you’re always looking for the perfect situation, the perfect relationship, or the perfect job, chances are you’ll miss out on the beauty of the imperfections that make life truly unique and enjoyable.

In essence, if happiness has become a stranger to you, it may be time to break up with your constant pursuit of perfection. It’s a hard habit to kick, but once you do, you might just find that elusive happiness you’ve been yearning for.

2) You’re comparing yourself to others

Another behavior that can steal your joy is the habit of comparing yourself to others.

I remember a time when I would constantly look at my friends’ lives and wonder why mine wasn’t as ‘successful’ or ‘exciting’. Every social media post seemed like a reminder of what I didn’t have.

This comparison trap is a dangerous one. It’s like running on a hamster wheel – you keep going but never really get anywhere.

What I’ve learned is that everyone’s journey is different. We all have our own pace, our own highs and lows, and our own unique experiences.

Once I stopped comparing myself to others and started appreciating my own journey, I noticed a significant shift in my happiness levels. It wasn’t overnight, but gradually, life began to feel more fulfilling.

So if you’re constantly measuring your life against someone else’s highlight reel, it might be time to step back and refocus on your own path. It’s not always easy, but it’s definitely worth it.

3) You’re holding on to past failures

There’s a quote by the famous author J.K. Rowling that goes, “It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case, you fail by default.”

That one hit me hard.

For the longest time, I was holding onto past failures like they were badges of dishonor. I would replay those moments over and over in my head, constantly reminding myself of what went wrong.

But here’s the thing: Failure is a part of life, and it’s a part of growth. It’s not something to be ashamed of or something that should keep us from enjoying our lives.

J.K. Rowling didn’t just talk about failure; she lived it. Before her Harry Potter series became a global phenomenon, she was a single mother living on welfare.

But she didn’t let her past failures define her future; she used them as stepping stones to success.

4) You’re neglecting self-care

Here’s something that might catch you off guard: Did you know that the way you treat your body can directly impact your emotions and overall sense of well-being?

It’s true. Lack of proper sleep, an unhealthy diet, minimal physical activity – all of these can lead to a constant state of fatigue, stress, and low mood.

I’ve been there. Eating takeout daily, falling asleep with the TV on, and barely moving except to get to work. It felt like I was just going through the motions, not really living.

But once I started treating my body with care – nourishing it with healthy foods, getting regular exercise, ensuring I got enough sleep – I noticed a shift in my mood. I felt more energized, more positive, more…happy.

So if you’re feeling down and can’t remember the last time you felt genuinely happy, take a look at your self-care habits.

It might be time to say goodbye to neglecting your physical well-being and hello to taking care of yourself – mind, body and soul.

5) You’re not setting boundaries

Boundaries. We’ve all heard of them, but do we really understand their importance?

In my own journey, I’ve found that not setting clear boundaries can lead to feelings of resentment, stress, and unhappiness. This can range from taking on too much work to constantly saying yes when you really want to say no.

I remember a time when I was constantly overworked and underappreciated. I was always the one who stayed late, took on extra assignments, and never said no.

The result? I felt burnt out, unappreciated, and far from happy.

Setting boundaries is not about being selfish; it’s about self-preservation. It’s about understanding your limits and ensuring that others respect them.

6) You’re ignoring your passions

Let’s talk about passion.

Not the romantic kind, but the things that light up your soul and make your heart sing.

For a long time, I was so caught up in the daily grind that I completely forgot about my own passions. I barely had time for myself, let alone for the things that truly made me happy.

But one day, I picked up my guitar again, something I hadn’t done in years. And suddenly, I felt a spark. A spark of joy, of excitement, of pure happiness.

It was a stark reminder that our passions are not just hobbies or pastimes; they’re an essential part of who we are.

And when we ignore them, we’re essentially ignoring a part of ourselves – a part that can bring us immense joy and fulfillment.

7) You’re not expressing gratitude

Gratitude is a powerful thing. It has the ability to shift our focus from what’s wrong in our lives to what’s right, from what we lack to what we have.

There was a time when I found myself constantly complaining about everything. I felt like life was unfair, and I was always focusing on the negative aspects of my life.

But then, I started keeping a gratitude journal. Every day, I would write down three things I was grateful for. It could be something as simple as a sunny day or a delicious meal.

And you know what?

My perspective started to change. The more I focused on the good things in my life, the more good things I noticed.

8) You’re not living in the present

Finally, one of the biggest happiness stealers is not being present in the moment.

I’ve been guilty of this myself. I would be so worried about the future or regretful of the past that I would completely miss out on what was happening right in front of me.

But life is happening right now, in this very moment. And if we’re constantly looking ahead or behind, we’re missing out on it.

I’ve learned that happiness is not a destination, it’s a journey. It’s found in the little moments – a shared laugh with a friend, a beautiful sunset, a good book.

So if you’re constantly feeling unhappy, it might be time to say goodbye to living in the past or future and hello to embracing the present. Because this moment, right now, is all we truly have.

Wrapping up

If you’ve found yourself nodding along to these points, then it’s likely that you’ve fallen into some of these behaviors.

But here’s the good news – behaviors can be changed.

It all starts with self-awareness. Recognize when you’re falling into these patterns and take a moment to pause.

Ask yourself, is this behavior serving my happiness? Does it align with my values? Am I being true to myself?

It won’t be an overnight transformation. After all, habits are hard to break. But with consistent effort and mindfulness, you can start to shift these behaviors.