Joy is a choice, but not everyone realizes that. Especially when certain habits are standing in the way of that happiness.
These habits may seem harmless at first, but they are quietly robbing you of your joy, leaving you feeling stuck in a loop of negativity.
If it’s been too long since you last felt truly joyful, it’s time for a change. And the first step is to let go of these 8 habits.
In this article, I’ll guide you to identify and say goodbye to these joy-stealers. Because everyone deserves to live a life filled with joy, including you.
1) Overworking yourself
There’s a common misconception that being constantly busy equates to being successful. But is it worth it if it’s stealing your joy?
You see, we live in a society that glorifies hustle and grind. We’re constantly told that we should be doing more, achieving more. But at what cost?
Overworking leads to burnout, exhaustion, and a lack of joy. You end up going through life on autopilot, not really living, just existing.
When you’re constantly busy, you don’t have time to enjoy the little things in life. You’re too focused on the next task, the next deadline. And before you know it, joy becomes a distant memory.
If you can’t remember the last time you felt joyful, ask yourself if you’ve been overworking yourself. Are you taking time to rest and recharge? If not, it might be time to say goodbye to this habit.
2) Neglecting self-care
I’ll admit it, I used to be guilty of this one. I’d wake up, jump straight into work, and not stop until late at night. I would grab fast food on the go, skip workouts, and push aside anything that wasn’t ‘productive’.
Before I knew it, I was feeling constantly drained and joy was a rarity in my life. It took me a while to realize that not taking care of myself was a major part of the problem.
Self-care is not about self-indulgence or being selfish. It’s about taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional health. It’s about doing things that bring you joy and make you feel good.
When I started prioritizing self-care, everything changed. I started exercising regularly, eating healthier, taking breaks during the day, and setting aside time for things I love like reading and painting.
The result? I started feeling more energized, more focused, and most importantly – more joyful.
3) Dwelling on the past
It’s easy to get lost in the past, especially when things didn’t go as planned. But did you know that our brains aren’t designed to be constantly focused on past events?
The human brain is designed to focus on the present and plan for the future. Continually dwelling on past mistakes or regrets can cause stress and anxiety, which are major joy killers.
When we spend too much time ruminating over what’s already happened, we miss out on the joy that can be found in the present moment.
4) Comparing yourself to others
In this era of social media, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others. You see someone’s highlight reel online and suddenly, your life doesn’t seem as great.
But here’s the thing – comparison is the thief of joy. When you compare your life to someone else’s, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. You’re focusing on what you don’t have instead of appreciating what you do have.
Everyone is on their own unique journey, with their own set of challenges and triumphs. So next time you find yourself comparing your life with others, try to catch yourself and redirect your focus on your own path.
It’s time to say goodbye to this habit if you want to bring joy back into your life.
5) Not allowing yourself to feel
In a world that often tells us to “just be positive”, it’s easy to fall into the habit of suppressing our emotions. But bottling up your feelings isn’t healthy and it certainly isn’t a path to joy.
We’re all human, and being human means experiencing a range of emotions – not just the good ones. It’s okay to feel sad, angry, or disappointed. These emotions don’t make you weak, they make you real.
When you suppress these feelings, they don’t just disappear. Instead, they build up inside you, creating a barrier that blocks out joy.
So, if you’ve been holding back your feelings, it’s time to let them out. Talk about them, write them down, express them in a way that feels right for you.
Allow yourself to feel, because you’re human and your feelings are valid.
6) Trying to please everyone
I used to be a people-pleaser. I thought that if I could make everyone else happy, I’d be happy too. But all it did was leave me feeling drained and unfulfilled.
The truth is, you can’t please everyone. And trying to do so often means neglecting your own needs and desires. It’s like trying to fill up everyone else’s cup while your own remains empty.
While being considerate of others is important, it’s equally important to consider yourself. You deserve to prioritize your own happiness and well-being.
If you’ve been bending over backwards to please everyone else, it might be time to start pleasing yourself. Start saying no when you need to, without feeling guilty. Prioritize your own needs and happiness.
7) Avoiding change
Change can be scary. It’s natural to feel comfortable with what’s familiar and avoid stepping out of your comfort zone. But avoiding change can also hinder your growth and keep you from experiencing joy.
Staying in the same place, doing the same things, and expecting different results is a surefire way to end up feeling stuck and joyless.
Embracing change, on the other hand, opens up new possibilities. It allows for growth, learning, and new experiences that can bring joy and fulfillment.
If you’re not feeling joyful, it might be time to evaluate your relationship with change. Are you avoiding it out of fear? If so, saying goodbye to this habit could be the key to unlocking more joy in your life.
Change is a part of life. And often, it’s through change that we find our greatest joy and fulfillment.
8) Ignoring your passions
We all have things we are passionate about – activities, interests, or pursuits that light us up and make us feel alive. Ignoring these passions is like turning off a major source of joy in your life.
Life isn’t just about work, responsibilities, and getting through the day. It’s also about doing things that make you happy, that get you excited, that fill you with joy.
If you’ve been ignoring your passions, it’s time to say goodbye to this habit. Start making time for the things you love.
Your passions aren’t just hobbies or pastimes. They’re a vital part of who you are and they deserve to take center stage in your life. Because when you do what you love, joy naturally follows.
Final thoughts: It’s all about choice
Renowned psychologist, Carl Jung, once said, “I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.” This applies to our pursuit of joy as well.
The eight habits we’ve discussed can often sneak into our lives unnoticed, slowly chipping away at our joy. Recognizing them and choosing to let them go is a powerful step towards a more joyful life.
Remember, joy doesn’t come from external factors or achievements. It comes from within and is deeply rooted in self-love, self-care, and the choices we make every day.
So if you’re struggling to remember the last time you felt truly joyful, take a moment to assess these habits in your life.
Choosing to say goodbye to these habits may not be easy, but it’s a choice that could lead you back to the joy you’ve been missing. In the end, it’s all about choice – your choice.
