There are many things that we should watch out for when it comes to personal habits and behaviors that may be sabotaging our happiness. We may be unknowingly holding ourselves back from being successful or enjoying life as much as possible. There are habits that we are not even aware we’re doing, like comparing ourselves to others, or being harder on ourselves than is necessary and those can get in the way of us leading our most fulfilling lives and may be hindering happiness.
What May Be Causing Your Unhappiness
Social media
Try staying away from social media for a week. Because of the very nature of people sharing their life highlights, social media posts can make it seem like everyone else is leading happier, more exciting, and fulfilling lives than you. Few people share that their kids failed a test or that they’re struggling with paying bills. As Psychology Today writes, From an evolutionary standpoint, comparing ourselves to others is a survival strategy. We have to scan our environment to see how we fit in, to make sure we are safe. For those of us with social anxiety, our “radar” is very advanced–we are always seeing our areas of vulnerability, and we see them very clearly.
An unfulfilling job
Stop telling yourself the job you dislike doing is your only option. Because of the amount of time we spend working, it is too big a slice of our lives to be spent unhappy and unsatisfied. Two options are available to you.
One option is for you to go back to school and earn a degree. This can be done online for both undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as technical training like computer or language skills. Online classes allow you to work around your current schedule giving you the flexibility to study at your own pace.
The second option is to simply apply for a job that will make you happier. Use sites like Monster or Linkedin to apply and network. You can create a stellar and professional-looking resume by utilizing a free online resume builder. You can choose from a library of professionally designed resumes and then add your own copy, photos, colors, and images.
A stressful environment
A clean, organized and decluttered house is more than just a tool for productivity. It’s a form of self-care that reduces your daily stress levels and improves your mood. You don’t need to spend hours every day cleaning in order to have a clean and decluttered house. All it takes is 15 minutes per day as well as a few simple organizing tips which will help you achieve this goal faster, like clearing out any clutter that has accumulated.
Mismanaging time
Time management is a skill that can lead to more peace of mind. It allows you to prioritize your tasks and choose the right time to do them, giving you more time in your day. Allocating just enough time will help you avoid the stress of feeling overwhelmed, while not having enough time will create more stress due to you feeling like you are lacking something important. Try creating new time management habits like creating a schedule and sticking to it and avoiding time-wasters like Facebook, TV, surfing the web, or chatting on the phone.
A poor diet
Diet can play an important role in your life and having a better diet is important for your mental and physical health. A well-balanced diet can improve your mood and reduce stress levels. Having a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables, protein, and whole grains can help increase serotonin levels in the brain, which may result in greater happiness and avoid foods that can put you in a bad mood.
So, there are some tips on how to stop sabotaging your happiness. Happiness is a feeling, but it also has to do with how our brains process and react to events. As Monica of The Happiness Blog writes, happiness is a choice. There’s even scientific evidence to back that up! Choosing to be happy and letting go of the things that make us unhappy is a learning process. Reading about how others achieve their happiness goals is a great first step to getting you on the happiness path too. You can read more articles here.
Great insight! I definitely agree that our environment can take a toll on us, if it is not well maintained. It was not until I moved out of my parents, that I really understood how my environment could affect me. But the good thing is its an easy fix. A few extra minutes here and there can make the difference between living in a nice clean organized home verses an unorganized mess. For me knowing where everything is a must, that is why I need to be the one who cleans everything so I can feel like I am at home, when I am at home. The phrase home sweet home has more meaning to me now. Thank you for the great topic, so true!
Thanks for your thoughts! And, yes, ‘home sweet home’ is a great way to describe a home environment that one creates to one’ s liking and which is a safe haven from the rest of the world. Keeping things tidy in your home helps boost mental health and self-esteem as well. Our environment certainly can impact our happiness, which is why it’s so important to make healthy choices.