Living a joyful life isn’t just about the things you do or the choices you make. It’s also about the habits you leave behind. I’m Lachlan Brown, founder of Hack Spirit and a passionate believer in the power of mindfulness and Buddhism to transform lives.
Today, I want to talk to you about eight habits that may be standing in the way of your happiness. These are habits that, over time, can erode your joy and make it harder for you to find fulfilment and contentment in your everyday life.
To truly experience joy, we need to let go of these habits. And don’t worry, I’m not just going to tell you what they are – I’m going to show you how to say goodbye to them.
Let’s dive in and uncover these joy-stealing habits, so we can kick them to the curb for good.
1) Overthinking
Living a joyful life often starts with your mindset. And one of the biggest mindset traps we can fall into is overthinking.
As a mindfulness and Buddhism enthusiast, I’ve seen firsthand how this habit can rob us of our joy. We become so wrapped up in our thoughts, analyzing every detail of our past and future, that we miss out on the beauty of the present moment.
Overthinking keeps us stuck in a cycle of worry and fear, preventing us from truly experiencing life as it unfolds. It’s like being caught in a thunderstorm of thoughts, unable to find shelter.
Not every thought deserves your attention. Sometimes, it’s just noise.
I you want to live a joyful life, start by saying goodbye to overthinking. Embrace mindfulness instead. Focus on the present moment and let your thoughts pass by without judgment.
Easier said than done, I know. But with practice and patience, you can break free from the chains of overthinking and reclaim your joy.
2) Neglecting self-care
Self-care isn’t just a trendy buzzword. It’s a crucial component of living a joyful life. And yet, it’s a habit many of us neglect.
I’ve been guilty of this myself. When Hack Spirit was in its early days, I found myself working long hours, skipping meals, and barely getting enough sleep. I thought I was being productive, but in reality, I was burning out.
That’s when I stumbled upon a quote from renowned Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh: “To meditate means to go home to yourself. Then you know how to take care of the things that are happening inside you, and you know how to take care of the things that happen around you.”
These words resonated with me deeply. I realized that ignoring my own needs wasn’t just harmful to me; it was also affecting my ability to serve others effectively.
3) Grasping onto impermanence
Buddhist wisdom teaches us about the concept of impermanence. Everything in life – our joys, our sorrows, our successes and failures – is transient. Nothing lasts forever.
Yet, so many of us develop the habit of clinging to things, people, or situations that are impermanent. We resist change and hold on tightly to what we know, even when it’s no longer serving us. This clinging is a significant source of suffering and can severely hinder our joy.
It’s a hard pill to swallow, but the truth is, things change. People change. We change. Holding onto the past or fearing the future only robs us of the joy in the present moment.
It’s time to say goodbye to the habit of clinging to impermanence. Embrace change as an inevitable part of life. Remember, every ending is a new beginning. In the ever-changing flow of life, it’s possible to find profound joy and peace.
4) Living on autopilot
How often do you find yourself going through the motions of life without truly experiencing it? This is what we call living on autopilot, and it’s a habit that can sneak up on all of us.
When we live on autopilot, we’re not fully present. We’re not fully engaged with our experiences or the people around us. We’re just rushing from one task to another, ticking off items on our to-do list without really appreciating the moments in between.
Mindfulness teaches us to switch off the autopilot and take control of the steering wheel. It’s about being fully present and engaged in whatever we’re doing right now, whether it’s washing dishes, taking a walk, or having a conversation with a loved one.
5) Living with a bloated ego
I’ll be honest here; we all have an ego, and it’s not necessarily a bad thing. It helps us define our individuality and drives us to achieve our goals. But when the ego becomes inflated, it starts to overshadow our true nature and disconnects us from others.
I’ve experienced this myself. There were times when I let my ego get the better of me, and it affected my relationships and overall happiness.
In my book, , I delve deeper into the concept of ego in Buddhism and how it can hinder our pursuit of joy.
If you’re constantly trying to assert your superiority or prove your worth to others, it’s time to say goodbye to this habit. Start practicing humility instead. Let go of your need to be right all the time or to always be in control.
Living with a minimum ego doesn’t mean you’re less important or less valuable. It simply means recognizing that everyone has their own unique value and strengths, including you. And believe me, there’s so much joy in embracing this truth.
6) Dwelling on the negative
Let’s face it, life isn’t always rainbows and butterflies. We all face challenges and setbacks. But if we make a habit of focusing solely on the negative, we make it incredibly difficult for joy to find its way into our lives.
Both Buddhism and mindfulness teach us the power of acceptance. This isn’t about ignoring our problems or pretending everything is fine when it’s not. It’s about acknowledging our feelings without letting them take control.
It’s natural to experience negative emotions. But dwelling on them or letting them define our reality can lead us down a dark path.
If you’re constantly focusing on what’s wrong rather than appreciating what’s right, it’s time to say goodbye to this habit. Start practicing gratitude and acceptance instead.
Every cloud has a silver lining, and sometimes our greatest challenges can lead us to our greatest joys. Acceptance doesn’t mean resignation; it means understanding that hardship and pain are a part of life, but they don’t have to consume it.
7) Chasing external validation
In our social media-driven society, it’s easy to fall into the trap of seeking external validation. We post a picture, share a status, and wait for the likes and comments to roll in. But does this really bring us joy?
The truth is, when we rely on others for validation, we give them control over our happiness. We allow their opinions and approval to dictate our self-worth. And that’s a shaky foundation for joy.
Buddhist wisdom emphasizes the importance of finding happiness within ourselves. As the famous Buddhist teacher Pema Chödrön once said, “Don’t let people pull you into their storm. Pull them into your peace.”
If you’re constantly seeking approval from others, it’s time to say goodbye to this habit.
Start cultivating self-approval instead. Know your worth isn’t defined by likes or followers, but by your kindness, integrity, and the love you give and receive.
Real joy comes from within. It’s about being at peace with who you are, not who others want you to be.
8) Always being busy
In our fast-paced society, being busy is often seen as a badge of honor. We fill our schedules to the brim, believing that the more we do, the more successful we’ll be. But does this relentless hustle truly bring us joy?
Mindfulness teaches us the power of stillness. It’s about slowing down, taking a deep breath, and simply being present. And often, it’s in these quiet moments that we find true joy.
If you’re always on the go, rushing from one task to another, it’s time to say goodbye to this habit. Start carving out moments of stillness in your day. Take a walk in nature, meditate, or simply sit quietly with a cup of tea.
Remember, being busy doesn’t necessarily mean being productive or joyful. Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is to simply be.
To wrap things up, living a joyful life isn’t about chasing fleeting moments of happiness. It’s about letting go of habits that no longer serve us and embracing those that uplift us. It’s about living mindfully, grounded in the present moment, and finding peace within ourselves.
Conclusion
Letting go of these eight habits won’t be easy. It requires patience, commitment, and a whole lot of self-love. But trust me, the rewards are worth it.
If you want to delve deeper into this journey, I invite you to check out my book, . It’s a guide to living a fulfilling life grounded in Buddhist wisdom and mindfulness practices.
Remember, the journey to joy starts with you. So take that first step today. You’ve got this!
What would Jesus say?
Unsure whether to move on from a failed marriage? Struggling with desire and feeling guilty for it? Wanting to live a life Jesus would be proud of?
Let Jesus tell you how to be a good Christian according to the teachings of the Bible.
We brought Jesus back to life with the help of AI. Ask your toughest life questions, and Jesus will tell you exactly what to do.
