I always felt unfulfilled and unhappy in life, until I adopted these 7 new habits

For a long time, I was stuck in a cycle of chronic dissatisfaction.

You know the feeling:

– A constant sense of missing out

– Feeling unaccomplished

– Always being bored

– Lacking motivation or drive.

And the inability to appreciate the present without worrying about what comes next.

I’m Lachlan Brown, the founder of Hack Spirit and a psychology enthusiast, and this was my reality about 5 years ago.

I was just another guy in his late 20s, stuck in a job I wasn’t passionate about, struggling to make meaningful connections and constantly battling an overwhelming feeling of discontent.

Life seemed to be a monotonous loop of unfulfillment. I was just an ordinary guy, but living an extraordinarily unsatisfied life.

Then everything changed when I stumbled upon these 7 life-altering habits.

In this article, I’m going to share these habits with you. They transformed my life, and I believe they can do the same for you.

Let’s dive in.

1. Embracing gratitude

The first habit that transformed my life was adopting an attitude of gratitude.

Sounds cliché, right? But hear me out.

I was so caught up in what I didn’t have and what I hadn’t achieved, I overlooked all the good things that were already present in my life.

Gratitude taught me to appreciate these things; it shifted my focus from lack to abundance.

I started a simple practice: every day, I would write down three things I was grateful for. Some days it was as basic as a good cup of coffee or a friendly conversation. Other times, it was something deeper like good health or the love of my family.

This habit didn’t just make me feel happier; it changed my perspective on life. It made me realize that even in the midst of dissatisfaction and unfulfillment, there were still moments of joy and happiness to be found.

If you’re feeling unfulfilled or unhappy, try this simple practice. Start with just one thing you’re grateful for each day and gradually increase it over time. This small step could be the beginning of your journey towards a more fulfilled and happier life.

2. Setting personal goals

The second habit that drastically changed my life was setting personal goals.

I remember feeling like I was just drifting through life, without any real direction or purpose. That’s when I decided to start setting goals for myself – not just big, long-term ones, but small, achievable ones too.

One of my first goals was to run a 5K. It wasn’t about the race itself, but about the process of training, improving and eventually achieving something I had set my mind to.

Renowned psychologist Edwin Locke said, “High goals lead to greater effort than low goals.” This quote struck a chord with me. I realized that the satisfaction I felt after achieving my goal came from the effort I put in and overcoming the challenges along the way.

Setting and achieving these personal goals gave me a newfound sense of fulfilment and purpose. It showed me that I was capable of more than I thought, and it motivated me to keep striving for more.

3. Cultivating mindfulness

The third life-changing habit for me was cultivating mindfulness.

I used to be constantly preoccupied with what I had to do next or what I should have done differently. The present moment was always overshadowed by thoughts of the past or anticipation of the future.

Then I discovered mindfulness: the practice of being fully present and engaged in whatever I’m doing at the moment.

I began incorporating mindfulness into my daily routine, starting with mindful eating. Instead of hastily scarfing down my meals while watching TV or scrolling through my phone, I started paying attention to every bite. I savored the flavors, noticed the textures, and truly appreciated the food in front of me.

This seemingly small change had a profound impact on my overall sense of well-being. Being present made me feel more connected to my life as it unfolded, rather than feeling like a bystander watching it pass me by.

If you’re feeling disconnected or unfulfilled, try incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine. It could be as simple as paying attention to your breath, noticing the sensation of your feet hitting the ground as you walk, or truly listening when someone is speaking to you. You might be surprised at how this simple practice can transform your life.

4. Engaging in regular physical activity

The fourth habit that brought about a significant change in my life was engaging in regular physical activity.

I was never much of a gym enthusiast, but I knew I needed to get moving to improve my overall well-being. So, I started with something simple: walking.

Every day, I made a point to take a 30-minute walk around my neighborhood. Slowly but surely, these walks became a crucial part of my day.

What’s more, these walks didn’t just improve my physical health; they significantly improved my mental well-being too.

What started as a small step towards a healthier lifestyle became a valuable tool in maintaining my mental health.

If you’re feeling unfulfilled or unhappy, try incorporating some form of physical activity into your daily routine. It doesn’t have to be anything strenuous or time-consuming; even a brief walk can do wonders for your mental and physical well-being.

5. Practicing self-compassion

The fifth habit that made a significant difference to my life was practicing self-compassion.

I used to be extremely hard on myself. Every mistake I made, every goal I didn’t meet, I would berate myself endlessly.

I realized this self-criticism was doing more harm than good. It was stripping away my confidence and leaving me feeling stressed and unhappy.

So, I decided to make a change. I started treating myself with the same kindness and understanding I would offer a friend in the same situation.

Instead of dwelling on my mistakes, I learned to see them as opportunities for growth. Instead of focusing on my failures, I started celebrating my efforts and progress.

This shift in perspective led to an incredible transformation. I felt happier, more at peace, and more motivated to pursue my goals.

If you’re often critical of yourself, try practicing self-compassion. It might feel uncomfortable at first, but with time, you’ll start to see the positive impact it can have on your overall happiness and fulfillment.

6. Embracing change

The sixth habit that reshaped my life was embracing change.

I used to resist change. I liked my routines, my comfort zone. When things didn’t go as planned, I’d feel anxious and unsettled.

But then I realized that change is a natural part of life. It’s not something to be feared or avoided, but rather something to be embraced.

I remember when I decided to leave my steady job to start Hack Spirit. It was a risky move, full of uncertainty. But instead of resisting this change, I embraced it. And it turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life.

Famous psychologist Carl Rogers once said, “The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change.” Embracing change is not just about adapting to new situations, but also about learning and growing from them.

If you’re feeling stuck or unfulfilled, perhaps it’s time to embrace some changes in your life. It might be scary at first, but remember that every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.

7. Learning to say no

The final habit that flipped my life around might surprise you: learning to say no.

I used to be a ‘yes man’, always agreeing to additional tasks, social events, and responsibilities, even when I was already stretched thin. I thought saying yes would make me more likable and successful.

But all it did was leave me feeling overworked, stressed, and disconnected from my own needs.

So, I decided to start saying no. Politely declining invitations that didn’t interest me, not taking on extra work that I didn’t have the capacity for.

This didn’t make me selfish or unkind; it made me more authentic. It gave me the time and energy to focus on what truly mattered to me.

It might feel uncomfortable at first, but remember, saying no to others often means saying yes to yourself.

Conclusion

Changing your life for the better doesn’t always mean making grand, sweeping changes. Sometimes, it’s about adopting new habits, like the ones I’ve shared, that can gradually transform your daily experience.

Remember, change takes time. Don’t rush it. Start with one habit that resonates with you and build from there.

If you’re feeling unfulfilled or unhappy, know that it’s not a life sentence. You have the power to change your life, one habit at a time. Keep going, be patient with yourself, and remember: the journey to fulfillment is just as important as the destination.