10 toxic traits that are definitely holding you back in life

We sometimes include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Read our affiliate disclosure.

Do you want to move forward but feel as if something is holding you back and keeping you from making progress?

What if I told you that you’re not alone?

You see, a lot of people find themselves in the exact same position that you’re in.

More often than not it’s their toxic traits that are to blame!

But don’t worry, I’m here to tell you what those traits are so you can work on getting rid of them and reach your full potential.

Off we go!

1) Negativity and pessimism

The truth is that negativity and pessimism never got anyone anywhere.

They’re toxic traits so why hold on to them?

If you’re always expecting the worst outcome, you’re never gonna try anything new.

Ang guess what – that’s gonna hold you back in life for sure! It can keep you from pursuing the career you always wanted or even from meeting the love of your life.

So, instead of focusing on the negative aspects of a situation, ask yourself if there’s something positive you can take away from it. If nothing else, it could be a great life lesson.

And instead of constantly fearing the worst – consider the alternative, “What if things went right? What if this turns out great?”

Now, I’m not saying that everything is always peaches and roses, but sometimes it is and that’s worth fighting for.

2) Toxic relationships

Toxic relationships are the worst!

They drain us of our energy, kill our self-esteem, they’re often abusive, and they hinder our growth.

And while I know it’s not easy, if you want to be able to move forward and live life to the fullest, you have to break free of the chains of a toxic relationship.

3) Procrastination

My friend in high school used to say, “Procrastinators unite tomorrow” which always made me laugh because it was so on point.

Look, I totally get procrastinating, I’ve been doing it my whole life. Whenever there’s too much on my plate or I have to do something that I don’t want to do or I want to do but it scares me, I put it off.

But here’s the thing: Making a habit of delaying and avoiding tasks often leads to missed opportunities!

So, if you want to seize the opportunities that life has to offer, why not make a list of the things you’ve been putting off and start ticking them off one by one?

Trust me, it feels really good to finally get stuff done.

4) Blaming others

There are no two ways about it: Taking responsibility for your actions is a normal part of growing up.

That means that if you avoid personal responsibility and are consistently blaming others for your own mistakes or shortcomings, you haven’t really grown up, have you?

The bottom line: If you want to grow up and move forward, you know what you have to do!

5) Perfectionism

The thing about being a perfectionist is that it can really mess with your head.

Why?

Because it’s impossible to achieve perfection.

By setting unattainable standards and goals for yourself and others, you will only end up being disappointed, unfulfilled, and sad. What’s more, it’s bound to mess with your self-esteem and stifle your progress.

The solution?

Start setting goals that are realistic and accept that the occasional failure is normal and happens to everyone.

Can you do that?

6) Envy

Envy is a very toxic trait because it has you feeling resentful toward other people’s success, and that’s a very negative way to feel.

But it gets worse…

Some people get so caught up in their envy that they totally forget to focus on their own lives and achieving their goals.

Instead of spending your time comparing yourself to others and thinking how unfair it is that they have something you don’t, focus on doing your best and appreciate what life has to offer, no matter how big or small.

7) Impulsivity

Yes, I know, it’s instinctive, it happens quickly, without thinking…

We’ve all been guilty of impulsivity at one point or another, however, if you make a habit out of it, you’re bound to make some very bad choices.

Next time you feel like making a hasty decision, try and think about the consequences first.

It may not be easy at first but if you make it a goal to think before acting, soon enough you’ll get used to it.

Why not give it a try?

8) Inability to forgive

Do you know why this is such a toxic trait?

Because more often than not, it hurts you more than the person you’re holding a grudge against.

In fact, they may not even be aware that you’re angry at them and here you are unable to let go of the past.

Being unable to forgive and holding on to grudges can weigh heavily on the soul and prevent you from healing and moving on with your life.

For example, if you’ve been hurt in the past or just come out of a bad relationship, you need to let go of all those negative feelings in order to give your new relationship a real try.

Does that make sense?

9) Lack of self-discipline

The truth is that if you want to achieve something, you have to put in the hard work.

For example, it’s no good wanting to get your degree if you party all night, sleep all day, and never have time to study.

It’s not fun but you need to have some self-discipline if you don’t want to be left behind.

The choice is yours.

10) Stubbornness

It’s one thing to be strongly opinionated and quite another to be outright stubborn.

Listen: Changing your mind is not a bad thing! It doesn’t mean that you’re abandoning your “true self”.

In fact, considering alternative viewpoints and changing your perspective are signs of growth!

Get rid of these 10 toxic traits and you’ll be well on your way to living a happier and more fulfilling life!

Did you like my article? Like me on Facebook to see more articles like this in your feed.

Tina Fey

I'm Tina Fey, the founder of the blog Love Connection. I've extremely passionate about sharing relationship advice. I've studied psychology and have my Masters in marital, family, and relationship counseling. I hope with all my heart to help you improve your relationships, and I hope that even if one thing I write helps you, it means more to me than just about anything else in the world. Check out my blog Love Connection, and if you want to get in touch with me, hit me up on Twitter

10 things to remember when you feel behind in life

12 signs you’re in a relationship with a genuinely supportive partner