The previous year was full of changes and challenges for me as I’m sure it was for you. And as most years do, this one went by at the speed of light, it just became more challenging with the addition of the pandemic which is still going on.
Time passed by so fast that I haven’t had any chance to reflect on anything that’s happened – the good and the bad.
Letting go and moving on can be an act of great power. You cannot start a new chapter if you don’t close the door on habits that are holding you back.
There are plenty of things others say you should start doing to be better, though there are a few habits you should also get rid of. With the new year approaching, it’s important to let go of any baggage that’s weighing you down and make space for what’s to come. Read on for ideas!
1. Holding Grudges
This is such a huge waste of your time, energy and a hindrance to overcome happiness. The sooner you forgive, the sooner you can move on.
2. Worrying About What Has Happened In The Past
“Regret” is a powerful yet destructive word. Left to dissipate leads to negativity and stops you from moving forward. However, it can be conquered through forgiveness. I have done this myself, I know that it can be a challenge but I know you can too. Meditate, forgive and accept.
3. The Need To Be In Control of Everything
Stress happens when you feel like you’re not in control. The plain truth is, you’re not in control of all the things in your life, so avoid wasting your energy on trying to manage everything. Accept that you cannot control every circumstances of your life, it will truly depend on how you react towards it.
4. The Ideation Of A Perfect Life
Nobody and nothing in life is perfect so get used to that discomfort. I’m sure we’d all love someone to reassure us that it’s all going to work out perfectly great but let’s be honest, it’s not going to happen! We live to explore and learn and sometimes making a few mistakes along the way. Enjoy every moment and choose to live in the present, then you’ll feel the fear begin to fade while happiness fills your heart and mind.
5. Staying On Your Comfort Zone
Remember that successful persons never did anything great by doing the same thing repeatedly because effort is required to achieve your goals. Doing something new is indeed uncomfortable at first but look at it as a chance to expand your comfort zone. If you don’t step outside of it, you can never grow as a person while your space will remain small and contained. This is the right time to let go, step out, free yourself to achieve more and be more.
6. Unhealthy Relationships With Superficial And Toxic People
Meaningful friendships and relationships require substance. People who make you question yourself, your self-worth, and who you are as a human being are just a waste of time. It can feel difficult to distance yourself from someone important but if they foster negativity in your life, then they aren’t worth spending your time with. Best thing you can do for yourself is to try letting them go with good grace.
7. Worrying About Things You Cannot Change
You might be feeling frustrated if things didn’t progress as much as you were hoping this year. Try your best to reevaluate it positively and focus on the lessons you’ve learned from it. Then, take a few deep breaths, start a new plan of action, make it happen and get things move in the right direction.
8. Possessions That Is Not Evident Of Your True Self
Clothes, habits, behaviors or anything that don’t bring you joy, toss them. Be 100% you and own yourself. Those who don’t appreciate that shouldn’t be in your life anyway.
9. Breaking Promises
The fastest way to lose integrity is breaking your promises. If you swear to do something, then do it. Don’t do anything that will break your trustworthiness and ruin the reputation that you’ve worked so hard to achieve.
10. Over Scheduling
We over schedule our days and complain constantly about being too busy. Organizing a timetable according to your routine should be balanced where you could also give some time for yourself. When you schedule, it is important to obey it, otherwise, it is highly possible that you would disregard after some time.
11. Comparing Yourself To Other People
Comparing yourself with others is a waste of time. The only person you should be competing against is yourself.
12. Constantly Complaining
If something isn’t working, do something about it.
13. Thinking You Are Not Ready
You are never ready. Nobody is 100% ready for the opportunities coming his or her way. The best opportunities stretch us beyond our limits.
14. Your Insecurities
Insecurity leads to despair. It may originate from your own self-judgment, or from others. Be the best version of yourself as much as possible and live the life that is true and right for you. The people around you love you for who you really are. You do neither yourself nor them any favors by constantly doubting their affection and respect.
15. Procrastinating On Important Things
We all put things off from time to time. But we also feel a great sense of relief when we tick off those things, don’t we? Start as you mean to go on and try to leave procrastination behind this year.
16. Overspending
While I’m being guilty of this myself, money is indeed a weird thing. Each of us handles it differently. Look through your past spending history and see if there’s one area where you can cut down. Let’s ditch frivolous spending and help mature our financial habits. Even if you’re already good at saving, challenge yourself to pay off a certain debt that has been lingering and leave the irresponsible and unorganized financial habits on the previous year.
17. Pride
Pride is a good thing in certain contexts, however, it can be a destructive force that can ruin you both professionally and personally. If your pride gets in the way, you may refuse to see your mistakes, therefore you will never learn. So let it go before it does any more unpleasant to erode your happiness.
18. The Need To Figure Everything Out
It’s very rare to find anyone whose life turned out the way they planned it. Instead of forcing yourself to try and ‘figure your life out’, give yourself a little space to let life happen to you. Amazing things happen when you least expect them to. Getting frustrated because you haven’t figured things out isn’t worth it.
19. Blaming Others For Your Troubles
Blaming others is a way of denying your own accountability for your life. Take responsibility for who you are and what you do.
20. Unrealistic Expectations
Feeling the pressure of others expectations places a heavy burden on our hearts and minds. Some people carry them for a lifetime before even realizing that they’ve been holding them back. Forgiving and letting go is the kindest thing that you can do for yourself and your future.
21. Keeping Your Feelings Bottled Up Inside
If no one ever knows what you’re thinking or what you need, you can’t expect to be heard or receive help.
22. Trying To Avoid Mistakes
Life is about making mistakes, taking chances, allowing risk. It’s time to forgive yourself for all your mistakes in the past. Don’t let them overshadow your future. The only mistake that can truly hurt you is choosing to avoid living your life.
23. Fear Of The Truth
One thing that we all need to be happy is an understanding of our own inner truths. It is okay to be scared, but if you let that fear rule your life, you will always be unhappy. Your only shot at true happiness is to find out who you really are and what you really want, and then go after it even if it makes you scared.
24. Criticizing Yourself For What You Didn’t Accomplish
Though this year has been indeed difficult, this time of the year is best to reflect on the good, even so it can bring up a lot of regrets and ‘should-haves’. If you review the goals you set for yourself at the beginning of the year and find that you haven’t accomplished them yet, don’t be too hard on yourself. There’s always a right time for everything.
25. Fear Of Being Unsuccessful
When you tell yourself that you’ll never get anywhere, the chances of you getting anywhere are pretty slim. Use the time before the new year to reflect on the thoughts you have about yourself and your abilities. Your mindset plays a huge role in your success, whatever success means to you, so make this next year the year of believing in yourself.
26. Always Being So Serious.
Life is serious enough to begin with, spice it up with some fun.
Leave the negative memories of your life in the past where they belong. Bring only the positive memories and lessons you learned.
We must be willing to let go of the life we have so we can have the new life that is waiting for us.
Here’s to a happy new year.
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