If you want to live to the fullest, say goodbye to these 9 joy-stealing habits

Living life to the fullest isn’t about chasing every thrill or maxing out every moment. It’s about making the most of the time you have and making choices that bring joy and fulfillment instead of stress and dissatisfaction.

We all have habits that, despite our best intentions, steal away our joy. Sometimes, we’re not even aware we’re doing them. These habits can be as subtle as negative self-talk, or as obvious as chronic procrastination.

So, if you’re ready to enhance your life experience and say goodbye to the joy-stealers, here are 9 habits that you need to kick to the curb. Trust me, your future self will thank you!

1) Overthinking

It’s true: Overthinking kills. 

In our quest to live life to the fullest, overthinking is one of the biggest joy-stealers. It’s the habit that keeps us stuck in our heads, analyzing every decision, every conversation, and every situation down to the smallest detail.

Overthinking can hold us back from taking risks or trying new things because we’re too busy worrying about what could go wrong. It’s a habit that robs us of our spontaneity and our ability to live in the moment.

The truth is, life is unpredictable and full of uncertainties. And while it’s good to think things through, obsessing over every possible outcome only leads to stress and anxiety.

2) Procrastination

Procrastination, my old nemesis. For years, I was notorious for putting things off until the last minute. Whether it was a work project or a simple household chore, I would always find an excuse to delay it.

I convinced myself that I worked better under pressure, but the reality was, I was just stealing joy from myself. The stress of rushing to complete tasks at the eleventh hour and the guilt of wasting precious time put a damper on my overall happiness.

It was only when I decided to tackle this habit head-on that I started seeing a change. Instead of waiting for the ‘perfect time’ (which never comes, by the way), I began doing things immediately when they came up.

This simple shift freed up so much of my mental space and allowed me to enjoy my leisure time without any lingering guilt. If you’re a chronic procrastinator like I was, give this a try – it really does make a difference in how you experience life.

3) Neglecting self-care

In a world that glorifies busyness, taking time for self-care often gets pushed to the back burner. And the result? We find ourselves running on empty, trying to meet deadlines, fulfill responsibilities and juggle multiple roles.

But did you know that chronic stress, which often results from neglecting self-care, can actually rewire your brain and make it more difficult to experience joy and happiness? Studies show that prolonged exposure to stress can shrink the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for emotions and memory.

Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Taking time for yourself isn’t selfish – it’s necessary. It can be as simple as going for a massage, taking a yoga class, or enjoying a good book. Your brain will thank you!  

4) Comparing yourself to others

It’s so easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others, especially in the age of social media. We look at others’ highlight reels and wonder why our lives don’t look as perfect.

But here’s the thing: comparison is the thief of joy. It makes us focus on what we lack instead of appreciating what we have. It creates a sense of inadequacy and keeps us stuck in a cycle of self-doubt and dissatisfaction.

If you want to live life to the fullest, it’s time to stop comparing yourself to others. Embrace your unique journey and celebrate your achievements. You don’t know the battles other people are fighting behind the scenes. 

5) Holding onto grudges

Clutching onto grudges is akin to sipping on a concoction of resentment-infused poison and expecting the other person to keel over. Newsflash: they won’t, but you might. It’s the ultimate act of mental suicide. 

Forgiveness, on the other hand, is a powerful act of self-love. It allows us to let go of the past and move forward with our lives. Forgiving someone doesn’t mean condoning their actions, it simply means freeing yourself from the burden of carrying around that negative energy.

When you let go of past hurt, you open up space for joy and positivity. If the old doesn’t go, how can the new come? It might not be easy, but it’s definitely worth it.

6) Neglecting relationships

In the hustle and bustle of life, it’s easy to neglect our relationships. We get so caught up in our to-dos that we forget to nurture the connections that truly matter.

But at the end of the day, it’s not the achievements or possessions that bring us true joy, it’s the people in our lives. It’s the shared laughter, the heartfelt conversations, and the comforting silences.

Neglecting relationships can lead to a sense of isolation and loneliness. On the other hand, investing time and effort into building strong, meaningful relationships can greatly enhance our happiness quotient.

My advice is: Make time for those you love while you can. They’re the real treasures of life.

7) Fear of failure

I’ve missed out on so many opportunities because I was afraid to fail. I played it safe, stuck to what I knew, and let my fear dictate my decisions.

But here’s what I’ve learned: failure is not the opposite of success, it’s a part of it. Every setback, every mistake, is a stepping stone towards achieving our goals. It’s through failing that we learn, grow and become stronger.

Embracing failure, instead of fearing it, can open up a world of possibilities. It can free us from the constraints of perfectionism and allow us to take risks and chase our dreams.

8) Living in the past or future

What happens when we live in the past?

Well, we miss the present moment. When tomorrow comes, today will become “the past” that we will ruminate over, regretting that we didn’t make the most out of it. That’s a never-ending cycle of self-sabotage, don’t you think? 

Living in the past can lead to regret and living in the future can lead to anxiety. The only place where life truly exists is in the present moment. It’s where joy happens and where we can truly experience life.

9) Ignoring your passions

When it comes to living a joyful life, doing what you love is the name of the game.

Nothing steals joy from your life faster than ignoring your passions and interests for the sake of practicality. Nothing!

Your passions are a part of who you are. They spark excitement, provide purpose, and bring immeasurable joy. When you spend time doing what you love, you radiate positivity and happiness, influencing every aspect of your life.

Whether it’s painting, hiking, cooking, dancing, writing, or anything else that sets your soul on fire – make time for your passion. Life is too short to ignore what makes you truly happy.

Final thoughts: It’s about choice

At the heart of living life to the fullest is a simple yet powerful concept: choice. Every day, we make choices – choices about what to do, what to say, how to react. And it’s these choices that ultimately shape our experiences and our joy.

Each of the joy-stealing habits we’ve discussed is a choice. We choose to overthink, to procrastinate, to compare ourselves to others. We choose to hold onto grudges, neglect relationships, and let fear dictate our actions. If only we had the wisdom and courage to choose differently.

As you reflect on your own habits and choices, remember this: You have the power to design your own happiness. You have the power to live life to the fullest. All it takes is a choice.