Liv Walde
To reach inner peace, there’s likely a few pesky habits we all need to shed.
Some, you might already be aware of.
Living off black coffee and energy drinks, for example…
Yeah, that one should probably go.
But what other negative habits are interfering with your ability to leave a peaceful and stress-free life?
You’ll find it amazing how much difference a few habit tweaks can make.
So read on to find out more about the 8 habits that are getting in the way of your ability to live a clutter-free and peaceful existence:
1) Taking people-pleasing to extremes
It’s natural to want to make everyone happy and to want everyone to like you, but the unfortunate truth is that you can’t please everyone.
And you don’t want to die trying…
Because no matter how hard you try, you can never please everyone.
Some people will just take a dislike to you and there will be nothing you can do about it.
Plus, you don’t want to sacrifice your own peace just to appease someone else.
This is why beginning to understand that it’s okay to say ‘no’ and prioritize your own needs will bring you so much peace and prosperity.
Be kind, but set boundaries and know when to put your own needs first.
2) Not setting or enforcing boundaries
That people-pleasing we mentioned?
It comes from an inability to set or enforce decent boundaries around yourself.
Failing to do so means you’ll feel pulled in a million directions, stressed, and occasionally trampled over.
And conversely, the better boundaries you set, the more people will come to respect you for it.
By boundaries, I’m talking:
- Not checking your emails outside of working hours.
- Not letting people use your possessions without asking.
- Not going above what you’re comfortable with to help other people.
- Not feeling obliged to sacrifice self-care time to cater to someone else’s needs.
By establishing these sorts of clear boundaries, you decide what and who can enter your life.
Remember: it’s never selfish to set boundaries, but absolutely necessary for your wellbeing and peace of mind.
3) Dwelling in the past or future
How difficult is it to find peace if you’re constantly mulling over what was!
“I wish I didn’t say that.”
“I wish I hadn’t dropped out of school.”
“I wish my childhood had happened differently.”
And how anxiety-inducing is it, to constantly think of the future!
“What will happen if we break up?”
“What happens if I lose my job?”
“What if I never meet someone and spend my whole life unhappy?”
These what-ifs, they get in the way of living in the present.
Don’t get me wrong – a healthy amount of planning and foresight helps, but constantly fretting about things beyond your control won’t grant you any peace nor simplify your present life.
4) Overthinking in general
One of the biggest obstacles in the way of a peaceful life is constant overthinking.
If the point above hits close to home, you’ll know what I’m talking about.
Maybe you overthink about more than the future and past, and worry about every teensy tiny decision you have.
But the truth is, no amount of overthinking can change the past or predict the future. It only robs you of your present moment, the only time where life truly exists.
So, if you’re seeking a simpler life and inner peace, it’s time to say goodbye to overthinking. Try and accept that not everything requires a deep analysis.
And sometimes, it’s better to just let things be.
5) Procrastinating like it’s a sport
My own nemesis, procrastination is an unfortunate guilty habit that means deadlines loom ever closer and your anxiety levels skyrocket.
Because instead of getting things done in an orderly manner, you waste hours doing trivial tasks (basically anything bar the task at hand)…
Then suddenly, you’re scrambling to get things done at the last minute.
Getting out of the procrastination loop is hard, but firing up your self-discipline and motivation will do wonders for inviting peace into your life as all of your responsibilities become far more manageable.
6) Not caring for yourself
How much guilt-free time do you set aside on self-care, each day?
It’s easy to get swept up in the bustle of life and forget the benefits of spending a sunny afternoon wrapped up in your favorite book, hobby, or recipe.
Neglecting self-care adds complexity and stress to our lives.
Without a decent portion of time allocated to keeping on top of your mental and physical wellbeing, you’ll likely find your mood and energy levels plummet.
So wave goodbye to the habit of neglecting self-care.
A little me-time carved out of busy days paves the way for inner peace by ensuring your physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing is taken care of.
7) Skipping forgiveness & letting go
Grudges are a heavy load to carry. Like a big sack or a chain around your ankle, they slow you down and pull you to an eventual halt.
Forgiveness, on the other hand, actually enables you to move forward.
And forgiveness doesn’t have to mean you condone the actions of those who hurt you and tell them it’s all fine and dandy.
Nor does it mean repressing the hurt you feel and trying to deny yourself the ability to feel those feelings.
But when you let go of grudges, you’re not only simplifying your emotional landscape but also making room for inner peace.
You’re deciding to cut loose the ball and chain you carry from past hurt and allow yourself to gracefully move on to the next chapter.
8) Falling into the trap of comparison
You will find it very, very difficult to find peace if you’re always eyeing up everyone else around you, trying to see where you compare to them in all aspects of life.
Comparison is very literally a thief of joy.
With such tunnel vision on comparing yourself to everyone else, you lose sight of your own accomplishments and your own path ahead.
Because everyone starts out in different places and is on their own, individual journey.
Wasting energy on beating yourself up for not matching the stride of someone so different to you will only hinder your own progress.
Plus, the life that we portray online or reveal to other people is rarely the same as the life lived behind closed doors.
Hence why you only know half the picture when comparing yourself to an image online or a short fraction of time spent in someone’s company.
On the quest for peace
Peace looks very different for every person, so as we covered above, try and stop comparing your peace to somebody else’s.
But if your life is at present rather chaotic, start by shedding the 8 habits listed above.
Spring cleaning is about decluttering not just our physical environment, but our mental and emotional landscapes as well.
Just remember that the journey to a simpler life and inner peace doesn’t happen overnight.
It’s a continuous process of self-discovery and growth, of patience and of learning.
But know that the most important step is the first one you take.
So ditch procrastinating and start aligning your life with a peaceful future today!
