31 things to let go of right now to level up your life!
Simple ways to be more successful, happier and more content [PART 1]
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What if I told you that you could level up your life (in an insane way) not by doing more, but by simply doing less?
Here’s the deal. You might have some habits holding you back from living a happier life. These are everyday habits that are probably second nature to you. Patterns you tend to overlook. Habits that you might be giving time to without even realizing it.
The truth is, though, these habits have the potential to significantly affect your life. And not in the best way.
After reading this post, take a few minutes to think about your life. Pinpoint which things (if any) frequently feature in your life and need to go.
You might identify with many of them or only a few. It might even be all of them – that’s okay too.
It’s nothing to feel bad about; it’s just about noticing. Self-awareness is the first step!
This post will focus on guiding you through the journey of becoming aware.
If you’d like to take it one step further and put plans in place to correct these habits, I’ve designed a workbook just for you that you can grab here.
So, let’s get to it, shall we?
1. Complaining
We’re all guilty of hopping onto the “complain train” as soon as something doesn’t go our way. While that’s completely normal, complaining is a waste of time because it doesn’t change the situation.
Complaining only makes you feel worse because it reinforces the negative aspects of the situation. When you complain, the “bad bits” are all you see.
Use that energy to brainstorm solutions to the problem instead.
2. Gossiping
Some might say that the way you speak about others says more about you than it does about the other person.
Let’s be real, gossip is destructive. It breeds negativity and attracts unnecessary drama into your life.
Gossiping is a low vibrational activity that has no place in this beautiful life you’re building for yourself!
3. Overthinking
There’s a big difference between active problem-solving and overthinking or ruminating, as they call it. One is healthy, the other, not so much.
Dwelling on the same thoughts and constantly worrying about potential outcomes will only invite stress and self-doubt into your life. These are two things you don’t need if you want to be happy and content!
4. Stressing about things you can’t change
This goes for other people’s actions, things that happened in the past, traffic, the weather, you name it.
Why waste precious energy stressing about it if you can’t change it? It’s challenging, I get it, but the trick is to try to accept the things you have no control over.
Challenge your perspective to see the situation as if you had chosen it yourself.
Related: Simple Mindset Shifts to Change Your Life and Become a Better You
5. Being a people pleaser
We all want to make other people happy. It’s a normal part of being human. But life is way too short to live inauthentically by trying to please every single person around you.
Live a life that’s true to you and what you want and not the life others expect of you. Remember, you’re not “selfish” or a “bad person” for doing what’s best for you.
6. Habits that are holding you back
Take out a pen and paper and write down every destructive habit you have that you can think of. Go back and circle the ones standing in the way of your goals and dreams the most.
These habits need to go. Like, yesterday…
Find a way to get rid of them and watch your life change in a big way!
7. Holding onto the past
How can you look forward when you are always looking back? The past is history, and no amount of worry can ever change what happened there. Holding onto it will only weigh you down and stand in the way of your happiness.
Forgive, let go, heal and move on.
8. Taking everything personally
Picture this: Your friend cancels your dinner date last minute. You immediately jump to the conclusion that she secretly hates you and doesn’t want to spend time with you. Before you know it, you’re questioning your self-worth and wondering what you did wrong.
In reality, she’s exhausted from her busy life and needs a night to herself. The truth is, her choices had nothing to do with you at all, but you chose to make them about you.
If you go through life internalizing everything that happens around you, you’ll feel miserable and on edge. It’s emotionally draining and can be hella taxing on your self-esteem!
9. Trying to control everything
Thinking we can control everything is an illusion. The reality is that the only thing you truly have any control over is yourself: your thoughts, your words, your actions, and your attitude.
Focus on what you can control instead of outwards on things that are out of your control.
10. Comparing yourself to others
It’s true; comparison truly is the thief of joy. Comparing yourself to others wastes time because you weren’t meant to be anybody else. You were only meant to be your unique self, and you are enough just as you are.
Nobody is you, and that’s your superpower.
11. Overscheduling your time
Being “busy” is all the rage these days, but an overwhelming schedule is a recipe for stress and exhaustion.
Prioritizing rest is an essential part of self-care. Learn to be intentional with your time, say “no” more often, and set aside time to recharge. It’s vital for your inner happiness and well-being.
12. Worrying about what others think
Caring about what others think of you is a normal human response. Ironically, other people have far fewer opinions of you than you might think.
Think about it: who do you focus on and think about the most? Yourself. Everyone else is pretty much doing the same thing.
The truth is, people are far more interested in their own lives than they are in yours. No one is focusing on your failures and imperfections, trust me.
And even if they are, you have no control over what other people choose to think, so why worry about it?
13. Never leaving your comfort zone
I’ve been there. I get it. No one wants to leave the safety of their comfort zone and step out into the unknown. It can be downright terrifying.
But do you want to keep living the same day on repeat? Do you really want to miss new opportunities, experiences, and possibilities?
The truth is that you will have to face challenges if you want to learn and grow. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable and watch your life change.
“A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there.” – John Assaraf.
14. Being addicted to your phone
Have you checked how much time you’ve spent staring at a screen lately? If you haven’t, you might be in for a bit of a shock.
I almost fell off my chair last week when I found out my average screen time was six hours a day. That’s nearly half of the time I spend awake each day – how is that even possible?! I was walking around living a life of mobile phone addiction without even realizing it.
Spending this much time glued to a screen isn’t good for anybody’s happiness and well-being. Plus, it’s a GIANT waste of time. What could you achieve if you didn’t spend so much time on your phone?
15. Your negative mindset
Your negative thought patterns aren’t your fault. But if you want to be happy and successful, then you’re gonna have to work on fixing them.
The human brain is pretty much wired to focus on the negative. From an evolutionary perspective, this means recognizing and avoiding potential threats to your survival. Makes sense, right?
But negative thinking can become a bad habit that spirals and attracts more negativity. Some say that the state of your mind (your inside world) affects the state of your life (your outside world).
Think of your life as a garden, and every thought you have is a seed. What you plant will grow and multiply. Do you want to plant weeds or big beautiful trees and fragrant flowers? The choice is yours.
What habits do you need to let go of? How do you think letting go of these habits might affect your life? What would you add to this list, or what would you like to see in part 2 of this post?
Let me know below in the comments. As always, I’d love to hear from you! And look out for Part TWO.
