People with inner peace and contentment never waste their time on these 7 things

You know those people who always seem to be at ease, radiating a sense of calm and contentment, no matter what’s happening around them?

The ones who navigate through life’s turbulence with an enviable grace, and the ones you secretly want to be like.

Well, I’ve been studying them. Not in a creepy, stalking kind of way, but in the spirit of understanding and learning from them.

And you know what I’ve discovered?

These contented souls, these individuals with an unshakeable inner peace, they don’t waste their time on certain things.

Simple everyday behaviors and attitudes they consciously avoid.

So, if you’re keen on knowing, “What are these seven things that people with inner peace and contentment never waste their time on?” just stick around. I promise it’s going to be enlightening.

1) Dwelling on the past

Ever catch yourself lost in a whirlpool of past memories, reliving each moment, each emotion, with painstaking precision? Well, you won’t find people with inner peace doing that.

Sure, they have their share of past experiences, some pleasant, others not so much.

But they don’t allow these moments to hold them hostage.

Instead, they learn from their past, embrace it for what it’s worth, and then let it go.

They understand that the past is a place of reference, not residence.

Dwelling on the past can feel like walking backwards.

It keeps us stuck, prevents us from moving forward.

People with inner peace and contentment know this well. And so, they never waste their time dwelling on the past.

We aren’t talking about forgetting or denying our past.

But rather about not letting it dominate our present or dictate our future. After all, peace and contentment stem from living in the now, don’t they?

2) Comparing themselves to others

I recall a time when I used to endlessly compare myself to others. My friends, colleagues, even random strangers on the internet. It was exhausting.

You know the drill. Their success, their lifestyle, their relationships – it all seemed so much better than mine.

It was as if I was in an unending race, constantly trying to catch up.

But then I noticed something.

The people who I admired for their serenity and contentment, they never indulged in this comparison game.

They acknowledged other people’s successes without belittling their own achievements or progress.

They understood that each one of us is on a unique journey with different starting points, different paths, and different destinations.

So comparing makes no sense. It only breeds discontentment and steals joy.

Adopting this mindset was a game-changer for me.

Once I stopped comparing and started appreciating my own journey with its ups and downs, contentment came knocking at my door.

3) Holding onto grudges

Grudges. They’re like those heavy, oversized bags you lug around during a long journey, weighing you down every step of the way. And let’s be honest, we all have a few of those, don’t we?

Here’s the thing.

Those who radiate inner peace and contentment, they don’t carry these bags.

They’ve realized that grudges are too heavy to hold onto and too costly to their peace of mind.

I’ve seen it – the calm acceptance when wronged, the willingness to forgive, even when it’s hard.

Not because they are pushovers or because they forget the hurt. But because they choose their peace over the bitter satisfaction of a grudge.

They don’t let resentments fester, eating away at their tranquility.

They let go. Not for the other person, but for themselves.

If you’re holding onto grudges, perhaps it’s time to ask yourself: Is it really worth your peace? 

4) Worrying about the future

We all have our worries about the future, don’t we? Those ‘what ifs’ that creep into our minds, casting a shadow on our present.

Those who exude inner peace and contentment, they seem to have an altogether different approach.

They don’t spend their time fretting over the future.

Does this mean they don’t plan or prepare for what’s ahead? Absolutely not.

They plan, they set goals, they prepare for the future. But they don’t let the uncertainty of tomorrow rob the joy of their today.

They’ve realized a simple yet profound truth: Worrying about the future doesn’t change it.

It only steals the peace of the present moment.

So, they focus on what they can control – their actions and attitudes in the present moment.

And as for the future? They trust that when they reach there, they will be equipped to handle whatever comes their way.

In other words: They live in the present, for the present, making sure not to waste their time worrying about a future that’s yet to arrive.

5) Engaging in negative self-talk

Did you know that we have about 60,000 thoughts a day, and a significant chunk of these thoughts are repetitive and negative?

People with inner peace and contentment are aware of this.

They understand the power of their thoughts and how they can shape their reality. So, they don’t waste their time entertaining negative self-talk.

Instead, they practice mindfulness, staying aware of the chatter in their minds, intercepting and changing the narrative when it veers towards negativity.

They consciously cultivate a positive mindset, recognizing the immense influence it can have on their emotional well-being and life satisfaction.

Our thoughts are like seeds we plant in the soil of our minds.

The more we water them with attention, the more they grow. So why not choose to nourish positive thoughts?

People with inner peace and contentment have made this choice.

And they definitely don’t waste their time on negative self-talk.

6) Judging others

We’ve all been there, haven’t we? Making snap judgments about people based on their appearance, their choices, their behavior. But let me share something.

People with inner peace and contentment, they don’t waste their time judging others.

Why? Because they understand that everyone is fighting their own battles, dealing with their own struggles.

They recognize that each person is a complex tapestry woven from unique experiences and circumstances.

They offer empathy instead of judgment, compassion instead of criticism.

They know that everyone is doing the best they can with what they know and have at any given moment.

Kindness and understanding can open doors that were thought to be permanently closed.

7) Chasing after external validation

Here’s the most important thing to understand: people with inner peace and contentment, they don’t waste their time seeking approval or validation from others.

They know their worth isn’t tied to the number of likes on their social media posts or the approval of their peers.

They don’t let the opinions of others dictate their self-esteem or happiness.

Instead, they cultivate a strong sense of self-worth from within. They validate themselves, their choices, their worth.

They live their lives according to their own values and aspirations, not someone else’s expectations.

They understand that the only validation that truly matters is the one they give to themselves.

Because at the end of the day, inner peace and contentment come from being true to oneself, not from fitting into someone else’s mold.

Final thoughts

If you’ve found yourself resonating with these habits, it’s okay. We all have things we can work on to bring more peace and contentment into our lives.

Inner peace lies in the choices we make, the thoughts we entertain, and the attitudes we adopt.

Take it one day at a time. Start by choosing one habit to work on.

Practice mindfulness, cultivate positivity, let go of judgments.

So as you go forward from here, remember this: Inner peace and contentment come from within.

They’re not tied to circumstances or people’s opinions of us, but our own thoughts and attitudes towards ourselves and life.