If you really want to be a joyful person, you need to ditch these 7 habits

We all aspire to be that person – the one who walks into a room and lights it up with their unshakeable joy. You know, that individual who seems to radiate happiness from every pore, inspiring a ripple of cheerfulness wherever they go.

But let’s be real.

Achieving that level of joy may feel like an uphill battle, especially when our daily habits and behaviors are secretly sabotaging our chances of true happiness.

So, are you asking yourself “How can I become a more joyful person?”

Good news! A significant step towards becoming that beacon of joy is recognizing and ditching certain habits that might be dampening your inner cheer.

In this article, we’re going to delve into seven such habits that could be standing between you and the joy-filled life you deserve. Hint: it’s not about adding more to your life, but rather, subtracting the negatives.

Stay tuned, and prepare to embark on a journey towards embracing a happier, more joyful version of you.

1) Ditching the habit of comparison

We’ve all been there.

Scrolling through social media, seeing snapshots of people’s seemingly perfect lives, and suddenly our own accomplishments feel insignificant.

Here’s an important truth:

Everyone’s journey is unique, with its set of ups and downs, triumphs and trials. It’s like comparing apples and oranges – it just doesn’t work!

Comparing ourselves to others is a happiness thief, it robs us of appreciating our own progress and achievements. Instead of focusing on what others are doing, try to shift your attention to your own journey.

2) Letting go of the need to be in control

Now this one, I’m speaking from personal experience.

I used to be a control freak.

I wanted everything to be perfect, always planned out to the last detail. And let me tell you, it was exhausting. Not only that but when things didn’t go as planned (which is often the case in life), I’d feel frustrated and disappointed.

Then one day, I had an epiphany.

I realized that I can’t control everything around me – people, situations, outcomes. The only thing I can control? My reaction to them.

Once I started letting go of the need to have it all under control, I found an unexpected sense of freedom and joy.

3) Saying goodbye to negativity

I have a confession to make.

I used to be quite the Negative Nancy.

It was as if I had a pair of glasses that only magnified the bad in every situation, and trust me, it was a surefire way to suck the joy right out of my life.

Then, I made a conscious decision to change.

I started by practicing gratitude every day. For every negative thought I had, I challenged myself to counter it with something positive.

For instance, when I’d think, “I hate that it’s raining,” I’d immediately follow it up with, “But the rain is making everything so green and vibrant.”

Gradually, this mental tug-of-war shifted my perspective from negative to positive. And you know what? Life started to feel a whole lot more joyful.

4) Cutting out the habit of overthinking

Overthinking – it’s an easy trap to fall into.

We all have those moments where we replay situations in our heads, analyzing every detail, every potential consequence. But let’s be honest, does it ever lead to anything productive? Most of the time, it just saps our energy and clouds our joy.

Here’s a little secret:

Happiness lies in the present moment, not in the labyrinth of our thoughts. So next time you find yourself caught in an overthinking spiral, try to bring your focus back to the here and now.

Mindfulness is a great tool for this. Whether it’s focusing on your breath, or grounding yourself by noticing the sensation of your feet on the floor – there are countless ways to anchor yourself in the present.

5) Eliminating procrastination

Procrastination – it’s something we’re all guilty of from time to time.

Putting off tasks might seem like a harmless habit, but did you know that chronic procrastination can actually lead to higher levels of stress and lower levels of well-being?

Think about it.

When we keep pushing tasks to the back burner, they start to pile up. And before we know it, we’re under a mountain of ‘to-dos’ that feels overwhelming and joy-crushing.

The solution?

Start by tackling small tasks right away instead of delaying them. You’ll be surprised how much lighter you feel when you’re not constantly carrying around a mental laundry list of tasks.

6) Avoiding conflict

I used to shy away from conflict.

Whether it was a disagreement with a friend or a difference of opinion at work, I’d always choose to keep quiet, thinking it was the easier path. But over time, I realized this habit was actually stealing my joy.

Avoiding conflict might seem like the peaceful option in the short term. However, in the long run, it can lead to resentment and unvoiced frustrations – both of which are joy killers.

The key is to learn how to manage conflict in a healthy way. It’s about expressing your feelings and opinions assertively, not aggressively. It’s about listening to understand, not just to reply.

And believe me, once you start addressing conflicts instead of avoiding them, you’ll find a sense of relief and joy you never thought possible.

7) Letting go of the fear of failure

Failure.

It’s a word that’s often associated with negativity, disappointment, and regret. But here’s something I’ve learned over the years:

Failure is not the opposite of success. It’s a part of it.

Every misstep, every setback, every ‘failure’ is an opportunity to learn and grow. When we let go of the fear of failure, we free ourselves to take risks, try new things, and ultimately, experience more joy.

Don’t let fear hold you back. Embrace every stumble as a stepping stone towards success and joy. After all, life is too short for ‘what ifs’.

Embracing the journey

If you’ve found yourself nodding to some of the habits mentioned above, don’t stress. It simply means you’re human.

But here’s the empowering part – they don’t have to define your journey towards joy.

Awareness is a powerful tool. Once you’re aware of these joy-stealing habits, you can actively work towards ditching them. It’s not about perfection but progress.

Start by observing when these habits show up in your life. Is it when you’re stressed or tired? Or perhaps when you’re feeling insecure or anxious?

Then, challenge yourself to act differently. Swap comparison with self-acceptance, control with adaptability, negativity with positivity – and so on.