11 Things that Steal Your Happiness

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Happiness is the goal of life.

Or what’s the point of life without happiness?

People are constantly reading articles on happiness, how to find happiness, and what to do to be happy in life.

You want to be happy in life. That’s why you’re reading this.

While some actions count towards happiness, other actions can drive happiness far away from us. That’s why I’ll be sharing with you 11 things that steal your happiness you must stop doing in order to be happier in life.

Because, come to think of it, happiness isn’t always automatic. There must be something you’re doing or not doing to be happy.

To be happier in life, you must stop doing things that ruin your happiness.

Read below the 11 things that steal your happiness that you must stop doing to be happier in life:

1. Comparing yourself with others

Comparison has become the order of the day especially in this age of social media where everyone shares their happy side with the world.

It’s so easy to think that everyone is happy in life except you.

If you want to be happy, you need to stop comparing yourself with others because comparison will either produce pride or envy.

Also, no matter how much you compare, there’ll always be someone who has it better or worse than you.

2. Living in regret of the past

You can’t be happy in life if you still wish you could turn back the hands of time to do things differently.

The past is past and there’s nothing you can do about it.

Happiness will elude you if you remain stuck in the past.

Whatever mistake you’ve made in the past cannot be undone. Try to move on, no matter how difficult.

Read: 10 Things You’ll Regret Not Doing Now in Five Years

3. Waiting for things to be perfect

If you’re waiting for things to be perfect before you are happy, then you’ll never be happy.

If you think you’ll only be happy when you land a big job, get married, have a baby, get a new car, buy your own house etc., you’ll never be happy; because human wants are insatiable. You’ll always have things you desire.

You have to learn how to enjoy where you are on your way to where you’re going.

4. Deriving your happiness from material stuff

If the source of your happiness are things that money can buy, then your happiness cannot be stable.

Because they’ll always be things that your money cannot buy.

I’m not saying that material things cannot make us happy. Of course, there are some things that I’ll be happy to have.

But I’ve learnt in life that the moment you have what you’ve always desired, just give it time, the happiness you derive from it will wane, and you’ll start to crave newer things.

The cycle never ends. The secret of happiness is contentment.

Read: Six Basic Skills You Need to be Successful in Life

5. Making people the source of your happiness

Stop expecting people to make you happy if you want to be happier in life. Putting your happiness in the hands of another human will only lead to disappointment and sadness.

Only happy people can make people happy, and people aren’t always happy. So you can’t depend on other people’s happy times.

I’m not saying others cannot make us happy, but ultimately, you determine your own happiness. Because people can’t even make you happy if you don’t let them.

Also, making people the source of your happiness means you give them the power to determine your happiness.

6. Taking things personally

If you’re too sensitive and self-conscious, you’ll take everything – every comment, every stare, every joke personally.
Stop taking things too personally if you want to be happier in life.

7. Procrastinating what you should do

I already confessed that procrastination is my greatest weakness, so I know how putting things off until a later time makes me unhappy.

I feel happy when I’m able to do things I should do. I feel fulfilled when I’m able to achieve my goals.

So, go ahead and make that call, do that laundry, write that book, meet that deadline…

Read: What to do when you are just tired of it all

8. Looking down on yourself

Your self-esteem has a lot to do with your happiness. You can’t constantly think low of yourself and expect to be happy.

You can’t think you’re ugly, daft, weak, unfortunate, empty etc..and still be happy.

Stop looking down on yourself and wallowing in self-pity, and be a happier version of yourself.

9. Concentrating on your flaws/weaknesses

You must learn to love yourself regardless of your flaws. No one is perfect.

Believe the best about yourself while you work on your weaknesses.

Stop focusing on things you are not doing right and focus on things you’re doing right.

10. Remaining in situations that cause you to be unhappy

To be happier in life, you need to identify what makes you unhappy and fix it. You can’t remain in things that make you unhappy and expect to be happy.

If it’s a toxic relationship, love yourself enough to quit.

11. Stop putting pressure on yourself

While you should constantly strive to improve on yourself, you must be careful not to put undue pressure on yourself.

The pressure from the society is enough, don’t add to it.

Be easy on yourself. You’re not in a competition with anyone. Just keep going steady. You’ll get there.

We can’t always be happy, because life isn’t a bed of roses, so there will be some low moments. But we shouldn’t constantly live in unhappiness.

A life devoid of happiness is no life.

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