Give up these things for a happier life

Some believe that the pursuit of happiness is a real aspiration as if happiness is something that exists outside of ourselves that we must find. It is true that the capacity for happiness already exists in all of us. Here are the things you need to let go of in life to be more fulfilled:

Past

It’s okay to look back at memories from time to time, whether good or bad, but it’s important that you don’t spend too much time ‘overturning’ the past. When you decide to leave behind the baggage that has burdened you, you will find that it is much easier to get on with your life.

Future

Just as you should give up the past, you should give up the future. That doesn’t mean you should live recklessly and forget about the consequences, but you should try to stop worrying so much about what may or may not happen tomorrow, because all you can control is what happens today. One way to improve your ability to stay in the moment is to practice mindfulness meditation.

Materialism

We all know old one, money can’t buy you happiness, and neither can the things you buy for the money. You may experience crazy euphoria when you buy something new, but that feeling never lasts very long. In fact, the constant pursuit of instant gratification through spending will only lead to even greater misfortune. There is no substitute for real relationships and experiences.

You are trying to be someone you are not

No matter how hard you try to be someone else or be the person you think others want you to be, you can’t change what is deep inside. The sooner you realize this, the sooner you will start living your own life and you will be happier.

Responsibility

Research shows that those responsible for their actions are more likely to be happier and more successful, both at work and in life. Furthermore, when you take responsibility for your life, you realize that you have the power to change it for the better. 

You compare yourself to others

The easiest way to destroy your self-esteem is to compare yourself to others. If you look long enough, you will always find someone who is smarter, taller, better looking, more successful or richer than you. Instead of competing with others, compete with the person you were yesterday and set yourself goals to constantly improve.

You keep apologizing

Do you think you apologize all the time, even when you haven’t done anything wrong? If so, stop. One study found that people who do not apologize are more likely to be happier than those who apologize because they have a greater sense of power and control and have greater self-esteem. It’s good to admit your transgressions when the situation calls for it, but don’t feel the need to apologize for everything.

Social media

Research has shown that people who use social media are more likely to experience poor physical and mental health than those who do not. Sites like Facebook and Instagram set unrealistic expectations and end up making us feel less connected to others. As a result, more and more people are removing their social media accounts in exchange for real-life interactions, and maybe you should too.

Being negative

The more you tell yourself that you are not good enough or that you will never succeed, the more you begin to believe it. Instead, focus on the positive. Changing the way you think about yourself can take time, but it will pay off in the end.