If you can’t remember the last time you felt genuinely excited by life, say goodbye to these 8 habits

Life can sometimes feel like a never-ending to-do list, leaving you wondering when you last felt a rush of genuine excitement. Often, this is not due to lack of opportunities for joy, but the result of certain habits dimming our spark.

If you can’t remember the last time you were truly thrilled about life, it’s time to bid farewell to these eight habits. Because believe me, once you do, you’ll start feeling the thrill of life again.

In my article, I’ll guide you through each habit and how to effectively kick it to the curb. It’s simple, practical advice that could reignite your zest for life.

Let’s dive in.

1) Constant comparison

We’ve all been there. Scrolling through social media feeds, feeling a pang of envy as we compare our lives to everyone else’s highlight reels. This common habit, however, can be incredibly damaging and suck the joy right out of life.

The constant comparison trap is one that many of us fall into without even realizing it. It’s easy to look at others and feel like we’re falling behind, not accomplishing enough or simply not living up to the ‘standards’ we see online.

The truth is, everyone’s journey is unique and filled with its own twists and turns. Comparing your path to someone else’s won’t bring you happiness, but rather feed into a cycle of discontentment and dissatisfaction.

If you want to reignite that spark of excitement in your life, it’s time to say goodbye to the constant comparison habit. Instead, focus on your own journey and celebrate your personal achievements.

2) Neglecting self-care

I’ve been there, too. Life gets busy, and before you know it, taking care of your own needs falls to the bottom of the priority list.

There was a time when I found myself constantly exhausted, overwhelmed, and unable to remember the last time I genuinely felt a spark of excitement. I was always prioritizing work, family, and friends over my own wellbeing. It took me a while to realize that this habit was draining my energy and joy.

Neglecting self-care is a habit we often overlook. We tend to think we’re being selfless or hardworking, but in reality, we’re just burning ourselves out and dampening our zest for life.

Once I started prioritizing self-care – whether it was taking a long bath, reading a book, or simply taking a day off to do nothing – I noticed a significant shift in my mood and energy levels. Suddenly, life didn’t feel like an endless cycle of chores; I started feeling more excited about my days and even found joy in the smallest things.

3) Living in the past or future

Did you know our brains are wired to wander? Studies show that we spend almost half of our waking hours thinking about something other than what we’re doing. And, more often than not, these thoughts revolve around the past or future.

But here’s the catch. Constantly living in the past, ruminating over mistakes or missed opportunities, can lead to feelings of regret or guilt. On the other hand, constantly worrying about the future can fill us with anxiety and fear.

The present moment, however, is where life happens. That’s why mindfulness – the practice of being fully present in the moment – has been linked to increased happiness levels.

If you find your mind constantly drifting to the past or future, make a conscious effort to bring it back to the present. Mindfulness techniques, like meditation or deep breathing exercises, can help anchor your mind in the now.

4) Clinging to outcomes

This is a big one. In our achievement-driven society, we’re often taught to fixate on outcomes, setting our happiness on whether or not we reach certain goals. While having aspirations is important, clinging too tightly to desired outcomes can lead to disappointment and diminish our enthusiasm for life.

This concept of non-attachment is a cornerstone of Buddhist teachings. Buddhism encourages us to remain detached from specific outcomes, allowing us to fully enjoy the journey without being consumed by the destination.

In my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I delve deeper into this concept and how it can radically shift our perspective on life.

By learning to detach from outcomes, we can embrace life as it comes, enjoying the process and finding joy in the journey. This isn’t about giving up on your dreams or aspirations; it’s about not letting them define your happiness.

5) Lack of novelty

There was a phase in my life where every day felt like a replay of the day before. Like I was stuck in this monotonous loop of wake up, work, sleep, repeat. The usual activities that once brought me joy had become routine and lost their charm.

What I didn’t realize then was that my life was lacking novelty.

Novelty, the experience of something new or different, is like fuel for our brains. It triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that not only makes us feel good but also motivates us to seek out new experiences.

Introducing new experiences or changes into your routine can shake things up and reignite your zest for life. It could be as simple as trying a new recipe, picking up a new hobby, or even changing your daily commute.

Once I started incorporating small changes and exploring new things, life suddenly became more exciting. There was always something to look forward to, something to be curious about.

6) Chasing happiness

This might sound counter-intuitive, but hear me out. One of the habits that can dim your excitement for life is the constant pursuit of happiness.

The idea that we should be happy all the time is a modern construct. We’re bombarded with messages telling us that happiness is the ultimate goal, leading us to chase it relentlessly. But in doing so, we often overlook other emotions that are equally important.

Life isn’t meant to be a constant high. It’s a complex mix of emotions – joy, sadness, anger, excitement, fear – they all have their place in our emotional landscape.

When we stop chasing happiness as the only acceptable state and start accepting all emotions as part of the human experience, we open ourselves up to truly live.

Instead of constantly pursuing happiness, aim for emotional richness. Embrace all feelings as they come and go, and you might just find that life becomes a lot more vibrant and exciting.

7) Overloading your schedule

In our fast-paced world, being busy is often seen as a badge of honor. We pack our schedules, juggle multiple tasks at once and take pride in our ability to ‘do it all’. But here’s the thing – an overloaded schedule can actually drain the excitement out of life.

When you’re constantly rushing from one task to another, you barely have time to enjoy what you’re doing. Life becomes a checklist of tasks to be completed, rather than an adventure to be savored.

Remember, it’s okay to slow down. It’s okay to say no to things that don’t serve you.

By creating space in your schedule, you allow room for spontaneity and joy. You give yourself the chance to enjoy the little moments that make life truly exciting.

8) Ignoring your passions

At the heart of a truly fulfilling and exciting life are your passions. These are the things that light you up, that make your heart race with excitement, that you could spend hours doing without ever getting bored.

Ignoring your passions, whether due to lack of time, fear of judgment, or any other reason, can make life feel dull and uninspiring.

Your passions are your personal source of magic. They bring color to your life and spark joy in ways nothing else can.

So, if you can’t remember the last time you felt genuinely excited by life, take a moment to reconnect with your passions. Make time for them. Honor them. Let them guide you towards a life that feels thrilling and deeply satisfying.

Your passions are not frivolous. They’re an integral part of who you are and they deserve to be nurtured. Ignite them, and watch as life becomes an exciting adventure once again.

Reflection: It starts within

When it comes to reigniting our excitement for life, the journey often begins within us.

These eight habits that we’ve discussed – from constant comparison to ignoring your passions – have one thing in common: they disconnect us from our true selves. They cloud our perspective, dampen our spirits, and make life feel more like a chore than an adventure.

But remember, you hold the power to change that. By saying goodbye to these habits, you’re inviting joy, curiosity, and excitement back into your life. You’re reconnecting with the person who sees life as an endless array of possibilities.

In my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I explore this concept further. I delve into how Buddhist principles can help us navigate through life with more ease, joy and authenticity.

As you reflect on these habits and consider the changes you want to make, remember that the goal isn’t to create a perfect life. It’s about creating a life that feels genuine to you, a life that sparks joy and excitement in your own unique way.

So go on. Take that first step towards a more exciting life today. After all, your journey towards a more fulfilled and vibrant life starts within you.