If you really want to become a better person, say goodbye to these 8 habits

We all want to be the best version of ourselves. But let’s face it, sometimes it’s our own bad habits that stop us from getting there.

Think of your life like a boat. To get to the better “you,” you have to sail to it. But bad habits are like heavy bags that make your boat slow and sink a little.

This article is all about throwing those heavy bags overboard. It’s time to get rid of the bad stuff that’s been holding you back, so you can race ahead and be who you want to be.

So let’s take a look at the 8 bad habits to say goodbye to. 

Habit 1: Procrastination

We all do it. We put things off, say “I’ll do it tomorrow,” and then tomorrow comes and we say it again. It’s called procrastination.

It’s like a sneaky little voice in your head telling you to take it easy, to avoid the hard stuff.

But here’s the deal: that little voice is a big liar. Because the more we listen to it, the more stuff piles up.

And before you know it, you’re stressed out, buried under a mountain of tasks that could have been done ages ago.

Practical Tip:

Make a to-do list every morning. Write down three things you want to get done that day. Just three. Keep it simple.

And then? Do them. Cross them off your list. It feels good, promise. Ignore that sneaky voice telling you to wait, and just start. You’ll be surprised at how much you can get done.

Habit 2: Negative Thinking

I get it, we all have those days where it feels like the sky is falling. Everything goes wrong, and it’s easy to think that nothing will ever go right again.

But here’s a secret: those thoughts? They’re not helping. In fact, they’re making things worse. It’s like having dark clouds in your mind that make everything look gloomy.

I’ve been there too. It’s easy to fall into that trap where every setback feels like the end of the world. But, trust me, it’s not.

Every problem, every mistake, is a chance to learn and grow. The sun is always shining behind those clouds.

Practical Tip:

Here’s something I try to do whenever I find myself stuck in a loop of negative thoughts. I stop and write down three things I’m grateful for.

They don’t have to be big things. Even something as simple as a sunny day or a call from a friend can make it to the list. It’s a small step, but it really does help to push those dark clouds away and let the sunshine in.

Habit 3: Avoiding Tough Conversations

Sometimes we run from conversations that make us uncomfortable. We dodge, duck, and dive away from anything that feels too real, too raw. It’s human. 

But avoiding tough conversations is like sticking your head in the sand. It feels safe for a moment, but all those unsaid words, they fester. They grow in the dark, becoming bigger and uglier than they ever needed to be. And one day, they burst out, messy and uncontrolled.

I’ve had my share of moments where I chose silence, thinking I was keeping the peace, or saving someone else from hurt.

But let me be clear: the silence is a lie. It doesn’t save us. It doesn’t protect anyone. It just builds walls between us and the people we care about.

Practical Tip:

When you feel that urge to run, to avoid, to stay silent – stop. Breathe. Remember, it’s okay to be scared. It’s okay to not have all the answers.

But speak up anyway. Start small. Say, “I’m not sure how to say this, but I think we need to talk.” It’s a beginning. And sometimes, that’s all we need to let the light in – a crack, an opening, a beginning.

Habit 4: Blaming Others

We’ve all been there, haven’t we? Something goes wrong and the first instinct is to find someone or something to point the finger at.

It’s easier that way. It means we don’t have to look in the mirror and face the uncomfortable truth that maybe, just maybe, we had a part to play in our own mess.

I know it’s harsh. But it’s also real. Blaming others is like putting on blindfolds. It keeps us in the dark, stops us from seeing things as they really are, and blocks our path to growth.

Because let’s face it, as long as we’re busy blaming others, we’re not fixing our own mistakes. We’re not moving forward. We’re just stuck.

Practical Tip:

Next time something goes wrong, before you start looking for someone to blame, take a step back.

Take a deep breath. Ask yourself, “What’s my part in this? What can I learn? How can I fix this?” It’s not about taking all the blame; it’s about taking responsibility for your part.

It’s tough, yes, but it’s also the first step towards real, honest-to-goodness growth.

Habit 5: Overcommitting

I have a confession to make: I’m a recovering ‘yes’ person. For the longest time, I thought saying yes to everything was my superpower. Need someone to cover a shift? Yes.

Want a volunteer for a weekend project? Yes. Need a hand with that impossible task? Double yes.

But here’s what I didn’t realize: every ‘yes’ to someone else was a ‘no’ to myself.

Overcommitting is like being a jack of all trades, but master of none. You’re everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

Your energy is scattered, and let’s be real, there’s only so much of ‘you’ to go around.

And I learned this the hard way – burned out, stressed, and feeling like a failure because I couldn’t be everything to everyone.

Practical Tip:

Here’s a nugget of wisdom from my own journey: it’s okay to say no. Seriously. The world won’t end. People won’t hate you. In fact, they’ll respect you more for being honest about your limits.

Take a moment and evaluate before you commit. Ask yourself, “Do I really have the time and energy for this?” If the answer is no, then give yourself permission to decline.

Trust me, the freedom that comes with being able to say ‘no’ is life-changing.

Habit 6: The Pursuit of Perfection

Now, this might catch you off guard. After all, isn’t striving for perfection a good thing?

It shows you’re committed, dedicated, and unwilling to settle for mediocrity, right? Well, not quite.

In fact, the relentless chase for perfection is one of those habits that’s not just bad for us – it’s downright destructive.

Perfection is a mirage. It’s that elusive oasis in the desert; you can see it, almost touch it, but it always remains just out of reach.

And the more you chase it, the more lost you become.

You see, in the grand pursuit of getting everything ‘just right,’ we lose sight of the beauty in our imperfections, the lessons in our mistakes, and the growth that comes from our flaws.

Practical Tip:

Here’s a radical thought – embrace imperfection. It’s not about being careless or settling for less. It’s about acceptance.

Recognizing that ‘good enough’ can be incredibly freeing and powerful. Instead of beating yourself up for the mistakes, celebrate them.

They mean you’re trying, you’re learning, you’re alive. Give yourself the grace to be imperfect and watch how it transforms not just your self-esteem, but your entire life.

Habit 7: Ignoring Your Health

We often treat our bodies like they’re indestructible. Skipping meals, skimping on sleep, and pushing through stress like it’s a badge of honor.

I’ve been there, staring at the computer screen until my eyes blurred, convincing myself that I could run on empty and still give my best. But here’s the real talk: it’s a lie.

Ignoring your health is like driving a car and never stopping for maintenance. Sure, it’ll run for a while, but one day, it’s going to break down, and it won’t be pretty.

Our bodies are not machines. They’re living, breathing entities crying out for care, rest, and nourishment.

Practical Tip:

I had to learn this the hard way, but I hope you don’t. Start small. Take breaks. Eat your meals. Get some sleep. It sounds basic because it is. Your body isn’t asking for a miracle; it’s asking for the basics.

And trust me, when you start listening to it, treating it with the respect it deserves, it’ll pay you back in ways you can’t even imagine. You’ll feel better, work better, and live better.

Habit 8: Living In The Past

We all have a history, a string of moments, decisions, and events that have shaped us. But sometimes, we get stuck there, in the past.

We replay old movies in our minds, starring in our own tragedies, comedies, and dramas. We become prisoners to moments that have long passed.

I know how it feels to be shackled by yesterday. To look in the rearview mirror so long that the road ahead becomes blurry.

But here’s the hard truth: we can’t drive forward while looking back. The past, with all its glory and gore, is a place of reference, not residence.

Practical Tip:

It took me a while to get this, but the moment I did, everything changed. Start by forgiving yourself. We all mess up; it’s part of the human gig. Each day is a new page, a fresh start, and you have the pen.

Write a story you’re proud of. If old memories haunt you, acknowledge them, learn from them, and then let them go.

They don’t own you or define you. You’re not who you were yesterday – you’re who you choose to be today.