7 highly toxic habits that stop you from true happiness
Sometimes, you’re your own worst enemy. Believe it or not, that’s normal.
When we get hurt or rejected enough times, we learn how to cope with the pain—but oftentimes, these coping mechanisms breed toxic habits that hold us back instead of helping us heal.
You might think that certain behaviors are totally harmless. But if left unchecked, you develop toxic habits that can lead to self-sabotage.
If you want to achieve genuine happiness in life, you need to reflect on these toxic habits and slowly let them go.
Here are 7 toxic habits that stop you from true happiness
1. Avoidance
No one likes facing negativity in life. Who would deliberately put themselves in difficult situations?
But the reality is, life will always give us adversities. It’s inevitable. Before we can appreciate happiness, we need to know what sadness is first.
Avoiding emotional problems is the most unhealthy habit you can have. Each challenge must be faced with courage and emotional intelligence so you don’t create any more damage than necessary.
Work through your problems, not ignore it.
2. Envy and Comparison
In this modern world, it’s so easy to look around and compare your life to others who seemingly have it all.
But what you see around you is someone else’s life highlights. No one likes to show their struggles off.
So think about that the next time you envy someone and compare your life. Because look around you, you have security, people who love you, and many things to look forward to. Believe it or not, many people have it much, much worse.
3. Drama
Stirring up drama only results in negative attention. You might think it’s an effective way to get validation from the people around you. But ultimately, it won’t result in “winning” or happiness.
Creating drama in your own life only results in alienation and loneliness. Instead, work on trying to rid your life of drama.
Work on surrounding yourself with supportive and empowering people, not ones who stab you in the back.
4. The victim card
You think the world owes you. You think you’re the victim of your own story and make excuses for all the wrong things that happened to you.
And who can blame you? Maybe what you’re feeling is completely justifiable. We’ve all experienced horrendous things.
But staying in that zone and playing the victim card won’t help you move forward. What it does instead, is keeping you from healing and from being proactive in life.
At some point, you need to stop making excuses and save yourself, because no one else will do it for you.
5. Being lazy
The sooner you realize that life doesn’t happen to you, and you make life happen, the better.
You’re not going to win that million-dollar lottery prize. Love and happiness will not magically fall on your lap.
You have to work for what you want.
Procrastinating and being lazy won’t get you anywhere. In fact, it will make you fall behind. It’s the worst disservice you can do to yourself.
6. Complaining
Did you know that complaining completely rewires your brain to be more negative?
That’s right. Even science proves the dangers of being a Debby Downer.
First, it makes everyone else miserable and stops you from creating positive relationships with people.
And second, you start focusing on the wrong things until they’re all that you see. No wonder you don’t know what true happiness is like.
7. Worrying
It’s completely normal to worry. It’s human nature, a way to ensure security and safety.
But it’s a different thing when it’s all you do. You’re not doing yourself any favors when you keep imagining things that will probably never happen.
Sometimes, a happy life means being a little more carefree. You can prepare for the worst-case scenario, but don’t dwell too much on it.
Do you have any of these toxic habits? Or do you have any other toxic habit you’re aware of? Don’t hesitate to share your experiences and share this valuable information with your loved ones! Share away!