If your life isn’t going the way you want, your first instinct is to add something. Perhaps you could join a new club or get into another relationship.
But usually what ails us isn’t a lack of something, but rather a thorn in our side. There’s something in our life that is actually detracting from our experience, not making it better.
In this post, we take a look at some of the things that you’ll want to subtract from your routine. If you don’t, you could wind up miserable.
Unrealistic Expectations
Do you imagine that you will be a billionaire rockstar in the future? Well, if so, there’s some bad news: only a tiny fraction of people ever make it to that illustrious status.
In fact, there are probably only a dozen artists who have cracked the $1 billion mark.
In life, avoid setting yourself unrealistic expectations. Try not to say to yourself things like “when I have the lifestyle that I want, I will be happy.” Newsflash: you won’t be. Then you’ll be even more disappointed.
Instead, learn to enjoy the things you have now. Work on your projects, stay focused, and eventually something resembling the life that you want will materialize.
Social Media
Social media is poisonous for the human mind. And while most people can see that fact plainly, they still engage with it anyway. They think that if they just get more likes, subscribers and followers, they will be happy.
Social media is addictive because it sets your brain up to expect rewards. Every day, it gives you a dopamine hit. Unfortunately, to get the same hit, you need bigger and bigger rewards. Eventually, it becomes unsustainable.
If you must use social media, do it for work. Otherwise, just leave it alone. You’ll feel happier in the long-run.
Negative Spending Habits
You don’t have to spend your life as a Trappist monk, but too much consumption can actually worsen your life significantly.
When many younger people start work, they imagine that they will be able to enjoy the fruits of their labor immediately. After a month or so, they go shopping for designer handbags and luxury vacations.
Unfortunately, that’s not how the real world works. While monthly salaries provide you with a bit of money, they pale in comparison to building long-term, sustainable wealth.
If you adopt negative spending habits early on in your career, you won’t be able to build the lifestyle that you want long-term. You’ll eat through all the money you should have set aside for investment.
The Past
The past is something that can really drag you down. Nobody on this planet lives a perfect life. At some point, everyone has been hurt (or hurt somebody else).
The trick here is to leave it behind. People who can’t often get depressed, turn to substances, and then require addiction treatment. If you can help it, you want to avoid becoming one of them.
If you notice your mind straying and thinking about the past, bring yourself back to the present. Stop yourself from consciously dwelling on your negative experiences and replace them with positive ones instead.
Endless Work
While endless work is an aspect of hustle culture, it’s not really what life is about. You need a balance. Sometimes, you want to be working, pursuing your goals, while other times, you want to enjoy yourself, go on vacation, and just get the most out of life.
Working all the time can actually make you feel distressed. While you might enjoy your job, it involves a certain level of pain and conscious effort. For most people, it’s not the same as a relaxing leisure activity.
For others still, it is downright unpleasant. For instance, you might have a bullying boss or work in a toxic environment.
Your Busy Schedule
While being slightly busy can be fun, being too busy quickly leads to overwhelm. There’s just so much that you have to do that it can make your head spin.
Try ditching some of the elements of your busy schedule and replacing them with other activities. Take time out for a bath or give yourself a weekend totally free from work or any other commitments once per month.
Toxic Relationships
Lastly, toxic relationships are something that you’ll want to expunge from your life. When a partner, colleague or family member affects you emotionally, it can bring you down.
When it comes to relationships, put yourself first. Be clear about what you’re willing to accept, and what you’re not. Establish boundaries.
Mom on the go in Holy Toledo 
I think you are absolutely right! Very well written! Thanks 😊💕🎉
Thank you