If you’re feeling lost in life, say goodbye to these 8 habits

It’s Lachlan Brown here, founder of Hack Spirit and a mindfulness enthusiast. If you’re feeling lost in life, I’ve been there.

In my experience, it often comes down to habits. Those little everyday routines that can either push us towards our goals or pull us into a cycle of despair.

When we’re feeling lost, it’s usually because we’re stuck in some unhealthy habits that aren’t serving us. Trust me, I’ve had my fair share of these.

If you’re ready to find your way again, here are 8 habits to say goodbye to. This isn’t about blaming yourself; it’s about making a conscious decision to change the things that aren’t working for you.

Let’s do this together.

1) Living in the past

It’s human nature to ruminate on the past. We’ve all done it, including me, Lachlan Brown.

But when you’re feeling lost in life, often it’s because you’re stuck in what’s behind you. You can’t change the past, no matter how much you might want to.

Think about it. When we replay past mistakes or painful memories in our minds, we’re not just reliving the pain, we’re also preventing ourselves from moving forward.

As a mindfulness advocate, I can tell you that present moment is where life happens. Not in your past regrets or future worries.

So if you find yourself thinking too much about the things that have been, it might be time to say goodbye to this habit.

Try focusing on the now instead. Mindfulness techniques like meditation or simply deep breathing can help you stay grounded in the present moment.

2) Comparing yourself to others

We all fall into the trap of comparison from time to time. I, Lachlan Brown, am no exception.

In this digital age, it’s so easy to scroll through social media and compare your life to those seemingly perfect snapshots of others. But remember, you’re comparing your behind-the-scenes with their highlight reel.

Comparison can lead to feelings of inadequacy and leave us feeling lost in life. It’s a habit that does more harm than good.

The renowned mindfulness teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh said, “To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.”

This quote is a powerful reminder that it’s not about being better than someone else, but about being the best version of yourself.

Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on your own progress and personal growth. Celebrate your own victories, no matter how small they may seem.

3) Ignoring your inner voice

When you’re feeling lost, it’s easy to drown out your inner voice with distractions. But here’s some raw honesty for you: that little voice inside you? It knows things.

In the noise of daily life, we often lose touch with our intuition, our gut feeling. We ignore the whispers of our heart and follow what seems logical or practical or what others expect from us.

In Buddhism, there’s a concept called “prajna” or “deep understanding”. It emphasizes tapping into our inherent wisdom, listening to what our inner self is telling us.

Ignoring your intuition can lead you down paths that aren’t meant for you, making you feel more lost than ever.

4) Neglecting self-care

Let’s be real here. When you’re feeling lost, self-care often takes a backseat. Whether it’s skipping meals, sacrificing sleep, or neglecting exercise, it’s easy to forget about looking after yourself.

But here’s the thing – your physical health and mental health are interconnected. When one suffers, so does the other.

Mindfulness isn’t just about being present in the moment, but also about being present to your own needs. It’s about recognizing when you’re hungry, tired, stressed, or in need of a break.

Neglecting self-care can lead to burnout and make feelings of being lost even more intense.

If you’ve been pushing yourself too hard without taking time to recharge, it’s time to say goodbye to this habit.

Start prioritizing self-care. Take a walk, enjoy a healthy meal, get plenty of sleep. Remember, taking care of your body is an essential part of taking care of your mind.

5) Letting ego control your life

It’s Lachlan Brown again. I’ve noticed in my journey that when you’re lost, it can often be because your ego is at the wheel.

Ego can cause us to make decisions based on what will make us look good rather than what’s truly right for us. It keeps us from admitting our mistakes, from learning and growing.

In my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I talk about how Buddhism teaches us to let go of the ego, to live authentically and with compassion.

If your ego has been calling the shots, it might be time to say goodbye to this habit.

Your true self is not your ego. It’s the awareness behind it. Cultivating mindfulness can help you recognize when your ego is taking over and steer yourself back towards authenticity.

6) Resisting change

Here’s a hard pill to swallow: Life is full of change. It’s the one constant we can depend on. Yet, many of us resist it, clinging to what’s familiar, even if it no longer serves us.

This resistance to change can keep us stuck, feeling lost and directionless.

In both Buddhism and mindfulness, there’s a deep understanding of the concept of impermanence – that everything changes and nothing remains the same.

Embracing this truth can be liberating. It means accepting that while we cannot control every aspect of our lives, we can control how we respond to it.

So if you’ve been resisting change, it’s time to say goodbye to this habit.

Remember, change isn’t always a bad thing. It can be the door to new opportunities and paths you’ve never considered. Embrace it, and you might just find your way again.

7) Chasing after happiness

It might sound counterintuitive, but here’s some raw honesty for you: chasing after happiness can actually make you feel more lost.

When we pin our happiness on external things – a job promotion, a new car, a relationship – we’re setting ourselves up for disappointment. Because these things are transient, and once the novelty wears off, we’re left feeling unsatisfied again.

The famous Buddhist teacher, Dalai Lama once said, “Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.”

So if you’ve been chasing after happiness, it’s time to say goodbye to this habit.

Instead of seeking happiness externally, focus on finding contentment within. Engage in self-reflection, cultivate gratitude, and remember that true happiness comes from within.

8) Trying to control everything

Here’s an unexpected truth: trying to control everything can leave you feeling more lost, not less.

We often try to control every aspect of our lives in an attempt to avoid uncertainty or discomfort. But the reality is, life is unpredictable. And the more you try to control it, the more stressed and anxious you become.

Mindfulness teaches us to accept things as they are, without trying to change or control them. It encourages us to stay present and engaged, even when things don’t go as planned.

So if you’ve been clinging tightly to control, it’s time to say goodbye to this habit.

Let go a little. Allow life to unfold naturally. You might be surprised at how freeing it can feel and how it can guide you back when you’re feeling lost.

Conclusion

Feeling lost in life can be overwhelming. But remember, it’s often our habits that lead us down these confusing paths.

By saying goodbye to these 8 habits, you can start to find your way again. It won’t happen overnight, but each day you’ll be a step closer to the life you want to live.

If you want to delve deeper into habits and how they shape us, and how we can use Buddhist wisdom to lead a fulfilling life, I recommend my book Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego.

Remember, the journey back from feeling lost is not about finding the right destination, but about finding the right path. And this path starts with changing our habits.

Stay strong, stay mindful, and remember – you’re not alone on this journey.