5 habits to quit
– My last post was a list of five habits to start, so I thought it was fitting and useful to make a list of five habits to stop. I think the more we work to improve ourselves, the happier we are. We have more free time during covid, so this is a great time to break your bad habits. I hope this list gives you some motivation to quit a bad habit, especially if it’s one on this list. Remember, I always love feedback and suggestions for future posts!
1) Procrastination.
I’ll be completely honest. I struggle with this the most. It’s hard for me to sit myself down and make myself do something when there’s other things I could be doing. But I’ve avoided the most stress when I’ve been proactive about getting things done early. I want to stop putting things off until the last minute, as I’m sure many of you do too. But wishing isn’t the same as doing. Make it a priority to tackle your tasks as soon as you can, and notice how much better it feels to have it off of your mind and plate.
2) Wasting valuable time on screens.
In no way am I saying that you need to cut screens out of your life entirely, but it benefits yourself and society much more when you put down your phone, remote, etc. and start helping others, and just being alive. Screens can still be a good thing, but good things are best in moderation. Read a book, mow someone’s lawn, look around and notice who needs someone to talk to, etc. It’s also better for you to be less sedentary. Get up and move around. Take a walk outside, complete a workout, walk up and down stairs, etc. Your mood will improve and so will your health. Not to mention you’re no longer doom scrolling for hours. Doodle, go fishing, collect cool rocks, whatever makes you happy and gets you off the couch.
3) Blaming.
This is a hard, subconscious, bad habit that many people have. Blaming others for a situation you’re in can be very toxic. Please note that there is a fine line between taking the blame for everyone/letting others walk all over you, and not searching for something or someone to blame. This habit has become so automated that we start to really believe that everything bad in our lives is because of someone else. Yes, certain things are directly or indirectly caused by the actions of someone else, but if we allow ourselves to believe that nothing bad is our fault, then we lose all control of the situation. We become less responsible and honest. This not only hurts us, but it negatively affects those around us and strains relationships that otherwise would be healthy. How do we stop doing this? We need to hold ourselves accountable to the things we do, to the degree by which it affects a situation. This also applies to anyone who blames themselves for any problems. As you start to change this, you’ll see a change in how you look at the world and notice that it seems much friendlier and manageable as you see that not everything is out to get you.
4) Pessimism.
It is so easy to get caught up in all the negative things that have been and are happening around us that it feels like there isn’t any good left. This is detrimental to relationships, productivity, (optimism obviously) and our mental health. Stop doom scrolling. Look for ways we have improved during this time, and learn how to be positive even during challenging times. Take time to be grateful. Note the positive aspects in life. You just have to notice what perspective you’re looking at it from. I’m certainly not telling you to put on rose colored glasses and block any semi- negative event or thing out, but make sure to have a balance. Notice the good and the bad, not one or the other. This way of looking at things is much more fulfilling.
5) Gossiping.
There’s not much good to say about gossip, there’s just a whole lot of bad. So why do we do it? This is a strange habit that I don’t fully understand, but I believe that it stems from our desire to be seen as better than those around us. Yet gossiping about others actually lowers the opinions of ourselves in the minds of others. This is why I don’t really understand it. Regardless, gossip is toxic and should be avoided. Instead, spread news of good qualities of others. Others will notice and will want to be around you more because you won’t talk bad about them behind their backs. You’ll gain respect rather than resentment.
Let me know if you want more lists like this
Stay safe,
maemaeuae
(I love feedback and suggestions for future posts)