10 Bad Habits You Must Eliminate If You Want A Happy Life

A life filled with toxicity is not created by bad luck or circumstance; it is created by a cycle of bad habits and a negative mindset, by conditioning and by repeated habits, consciously or unconsciously. We all have bad habits present in our lives that are ruining and hampering the level of growth in our life and it is never too late to eliminate these bad habits to improve the quality of your life.

Comparison

This is a major spike of negativity we induce into our lives; we are often too quick to pull down our unique blinds, ushering in the transparency of others, more like we are constantly taunted by the light of the other person failing to realize that we carry so much more. We have calcium in our bones, iron in our veins, carbon in our souls, and nitrogen in our brain. 93 percent stardust with souls made of flame, we are all just stars that have people names – Nikita gill

You have castles inside your bones, coronets in your heart, you are a unique being who has so much value in this world, you deserve to be here, you are loved, please don’t believe any different. You are magic even at your most broken! This bad habit of comparison ushers in feelings of unworthiness, perfectionism, self-criticism, intense discomfort, loneliness, the urge to hide, aggression towards our self or others. Rather than moving forward we are held at a halt by these restrictions. Comparison is a self-inflicting violent act towards our self, our subconscious or conscious gets infiltrated with negativity.

Comparison from Social Media

At a very early age, we are exposed to the vices of comparison from the social media world; we compare looks, success, beauty, finance, growth, career and so on. Comparison is a self-destructive act, you are not aware of the tracks the other person has to travel through his or her journey, the obstacles, the challenges, the swift lanes that lead to crashing, you never knew what their life is about, what they’re dealing with and the hidden battles they face.

Negative Effects of Comparison

When people strike the chord of comparison, it ushers in depression and demoralization from a stemming belief of insufficiency and self-sabotage. Comparison ushers in a big limitation with jealousy, self-pity, self-sabotage; imposter syndrome, pride, not learning from past mistakes and these toxic elements get in the way of growth.

Overcoming Comparison

If you want a happier life you have to eliminate every form of comparison that shortlists your flaws. Remember that there are several parts of your magic, letting yourself be a work in progress makes more room for self-acceptance, which is what helps us get to where we’re wanting to go. There is usually no one path, way or method that is right for you; what is your path is different from another person’s and it’s okay if it doesn’t look like someone else’s.

Negative Beliefs

Our thoughts are keys to our development and improvement, the thoughts we consume are capable of enhancing our lives or putting a stop to our rapid growth and development. Negativity is a bad habit that subtly creeps into our minds, configuring the shades of truth to falsehood. These negative beliefs can be built from assumptions, challenges, criticisms, insecurities, anxiety, and fear of the unknown. Constantly harboring negative beliefs is a quick trip to unhappiness.

Acknowledging Negative Beliefs

You cannot begin to change or eliminate bad habits if you don’t realize that they exist in the first place. The first step to creating any change in life is to realize change needs to happen, so start by acknowledging the bad habits. Negative beliefs are cannibalistic, the more you feed it, the bigger and stronger it grows.

Overcoming Negative Beliefs

People who project negativity typically have low self-esteem, they feel bad about themselves and their negativity is simply a reflection of those feelings instead of entertaining and processing these negative thoughts, take charge and challenge them. The mind of a man is capable of anything; you can alter your life to a progressive lane through your thoughts. Rather than ushering in negativity with your words, adopt positive declarations.

Practicing Positive Affirmations

Instead of saying I’m behind in life, ask yourself where did the timeline idea come from, and is it valid? Instead of saying I’m not enough, ask yourself who profits off of insecurity and beauty standards? Instead of saying I’ll never find love, ask yourself how can I make more room for the love I already have? Instead of saying I’m not good enough, ask yourself how can I be good for myself right now? Instead of saying I’m going to fail, ask yourself since failure is inevitable in life, how can I let it be okay?

Unhealthy Routines

Practices We are what we repeatedly do; excellence is not an act but a habit. The routines we continually practice play a huge impact in our lives and most times we fail to employ positive routines to guide our daily activities. We practice bad habits like checking our phones first thing in the morning, consuming too much sugar, spending so much time on social media, wasteful spending, long term use of pain killers, not drinking water, neglecting your emotions.

Importance of Healthy Routines

Your daily routines kick up your momentum to take charge for the day. The quality of your routine and the activities you indulge in daily outlines the quality of your life. Every day you are making choices, you could choose at the beginning of your day as you are waking up to do the thing you know you have to be doing at that moment or the choice to fall back and find comfort in laziness.

Developing Positive Routines

These choices as little as they seem can greatly influence your life, waking and taking that first step of your routines starts the momentum. Stop trying to preserve your comfort state! Imagine if you execute your routines for a whole month? Start with a backbone of routines, then you can add more, consider removing negative routines as well, commit to doing it for multiple weeks to get your momentum.

Sample Positive Routines

Basic Morning Routine: Wake up early. Change your alarm to something pleasant. Avoid your phone first thing. State one thing you’re grateful for today. Include movement and exercise. Don’t skip breakfast. Choose a podcast or relaxing music on your commute. Make your priority list before you check your emails. Breathe before you start your workday.

Basic Evening Routine: Turn off your phone an hour before bed. Arrange what you will wear tomorrow, now. Make a plan for the day ahead, tonight. Read positive affirmations out loud. Write down what you’re grateful for. Set an intention for how you want to rise. Do a relaxing body-scanned meditation. Sleep in pitch black.

Craving for Approval and Validation

We as humans are constantly trailing around for validation and a beam of approval from individuals, relationships, career and circumstance, and this bad habit deteriorate the happiness and quality of our life. It is so sad that the quest for validation and approval have been built as an addiction to happiness. Validation is a powerful substance that intoxicates the human mind with negativity and this has to be weaned off.

Dangers of Seeking Validation

The constant need for approval and validation from others is a destructive habit that can severely limit your growth and happiness. When you rely on external validation, you give away your power and become dependent on others’ opinions of you. This can lead to low self-esteem, constant insecurity, and an inability to make decisions for yourself.

Shifting from Validation to Self-Acceptance

Instead of seeking validation from others, focus on cultivating self-acceptance and self-love. Recognize that your worth is not defined by what others think of you, but by your own inherent value as a human being. Practice self-compassion, forgive yourself for your mistakes, and celebrate your unique strengths and accomplishments.

Strategies for Overcoming the Need for Validation

One effective strategy is to set boundaries and limit your exposure to social media or other sources that trigger your need for validation. Unfollow accounts that make you feel inadequate, and instead, follow people and content that inspire and uplift you. Additionally, practice mindfulness and awareness to catch yourself when you’re seeking external approval, and redirect your focus inward.

Conclusion

Eliminating these 10 bad habits can be challenging, but the rewards of a happier, more fulfilling life are well worth the effort. By addressing the root causes of these habits and replacing them with positive, empowering behaviors, you can break free from the cycle of negativity and step into your full potential. Remember, you are a unique and valuable individual, deserving of love, acceptance, and happiness. Embrace the journey of self-discovery, and trust that with dedication and self-compassion, you can create the life you truly desire.