Confucius once said, “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”
Most of us complain how difficult and complicated life is, not realizing that we are the guilty ones. We’re the ones making our lives harder. Part of all the work, duties and chores we have to deal with on a daily basis, we tend to make even more complicated, with our minds becoming gradually disillusioned by negative external influences.
We hesitate and question our instincts, we’re afraid of stumbling and falling down when a new obstacle arises. Life is becoming harder and harder, and the only thing we’re doing is losing touch with who we really are and what we really need. Acknowledging the main reasons why you’re making your life harder than it has to be will be your first step in simplifying things and living a happier life.
1. You compare yourself to other people
Comparison is the thief of joy. Having a role model in life who will help you develop and improve yourself is always a good thing, but comparing yourself to people you think are better than you is just making you feel bitter and jealous. The existence of social media makes this even more difficult with all these unrealistic ways of living, shared with everyone with the best lighting and the best filter.
Not a single person in this world is the same, has the same life or chooses the exact same path in life, so don’t compare yourself to other people; instead, compare yourself to the current version of you and use it to become better.
2. You take part in the drama
Start talking only about the good things in people, in life. Even if you don’t feel like doing that – do it! Make yourself get used to that and slowly get out of all the drama circles around you. Imagine a life without gossip, verbal defamation.
Encourage people around you to do the same, and those who don’t support you in that can be ignored. Walk away from drama and incredible things will happen when you distance yourself from all that negativity and those who create it.
3. You’re too afraid
You don’t take risks and let your fears make decisions for you. The list of fears an average grown-up has can go on forever, like fear of failure, or rejection, of other people’s opinions, etc. Things like that will only hold you down and make you miss out on so many things in life.
Remember that fears exist only in your mind, and the more you believe in that, the more your fears will disappear. You will be more confident, take more risks and never let a chance slip away from your hands.
4. You care a big deal about what others think
People are talking behind your back? Don’t worry about that – worry about the moment they stop. There will always be people who like you and people who don’t; that’s just how life works. The sooner you realize that and stop caring about it, the sooner you’ll be happier and have better control over your life.
5. Waiting for a sign
Unfortunately, many people are waiting for a sign from God, or some other spiritual being, before deciding to make a decision or important move in their lives. Take your life in your own hands, find a way to make the most out of your life, because it is better to help shape fate than by being governed by it.
6. You expect life to always be happy
The world is a cruel place and full of suffering, heartbreaks, and loss. These things can affect your happiness, but you should not lose hope. Also having unrealistic expectations will make you end up disappointed. This doesn’t mean you should set the bar low – you should still have high standards for yourself and how others treat you, but there’s always a line where those high standards become excessive.
Life is about balance. ‘In suffering you can find great strength, in heartbreak, you can find resilience, and in loss you can find a renewed appreciation for life’.