There are days when getting out of bed feels like climbing a mountain—it’s just so damn hard. But those days became weeks, and weeks became months, until I realized that I needed to change something. For starters, I needed to find a reason, so I started blaming my job, my friends, family and basically, everyone around me. It’s just easier to blame someone else, but hey, be the change you wish to see in the world. So, here are some signs that you are (as am I) the reason of your own unhappiness.
Not living in the present moment. I was worrying so much about stuff I need to do tomorrow, next week, next month, that I missed so much in the present. I missed all those small joys, like drinking a cup of coffee at sunrise, enjoying the wakening of the city. You don’t always have to have your life together. Just live.
I was always thinking about the things I don’t have instead of those I do. By putting yourself down and comparing yourself to others, you are truly ruining your opportunity to see how awesome you are. Try to focus on the things you have already accomplished and see the beauty in the journey instead of wanting to always race ahead.
Drinking. Yes, alcohol is a depressant. You can still enjoy your wine, no worries, but careful with the amounts.
Holding onto toxic relationships. You read about them everywhere, and there is a reason for that. That friend who makes too many jokes that hurt your feelings? Forgets to check on you? Leaves you when you are down? Let that ‘friend’ go. We hold onto relationships because of the fear of being alone. We hold onto them because of the ‘good old times’, but those times are gone and so is your friendship. Being alone is still better than being surrounded with toxic people.
Not pursuing your dreams because they are silly. Who said they are? Remember when you were a kid and all you had were dreams, and yet you were so happy? Dream again. You want to paint? Then paint. You want to reach the sky? Get on a plane. You want to fly? Jump out of that plane. You honestly can do whatever you set your mind to.
Social media. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the Internet world that you start losing time—and losing yourself. Social media isn’t real life. For so long, the first thing that I did after opening my eyes was to check Instagram and Facebook. And from the first moment of the day, I was comparing myself to others.
“Look at that girl who got up at 6 a.m., exercised, did her hair and makeup. Wish I was like that (keep scrolling).” Your real life is more important than your social media.
Breaking habits is probably one of the hardest things to do, but staying focused and motivated all the time is harder. So, it’s okay not to know what the future is holding. It’s okay not to know what you want or what the answer to a problem is. What’s not okay is to let that keep you from growing.