1. It’s Never Your Fault
This habit can become compulsive and extremely hard to break. No one wants to be the person who is always finding a way to complain when things don’t go their way. Not only does this mentality irk others, it also leads one to struggle with taking responsibility. Being able to hold yourself accountable for your actions is crucial to increasing your self-awareness and improving your well-being.
2. Avoiding the Conflict
Conflict avoidance is, in theory, the easy way out. Yet, avoiding potential conflicts ironically tends to lead to less trust and understanding on both sides. Ensuring one’s boundaries are clearly defined early on is a surefire way to prevent both parties from jumping to conclusions. And once these boundaries are established, don’t let people step all over them.
3. Everything Bottled In
Many people believe suppressing thoughts and feelings will eventually cause them to go away. This is utterly false. In the long run, this is the cause of a lot of unnecessary tension and stress. Keeping things to oneself may prevent others from being hurt, yet sometimes this is not worth the risk of hurting oneself.
4. Comparing Yourself to Others
The illusion of perfection has always been incredibly misleading. Success does not look the same in every individual. We all have different skills and talents. What we see in social media profiles and LinkedIn pages is but a brief and sometimes distorted glimpse into their real lives. The act of comparing can demolish success, potentially resulting in unhealthy obsessions and reduced self-esteem. So be sure to celebrate your achievements, no matter how big or small. Focus on your own journey!
5. Excusing Someone Else’s Behavior
This is something we all engage in, hardly without second thought. People often find themselves trying to come up with excuses that justify the actions of others around them. However, it is not your job to fix everything. In fact, it’s often better when you don’t try to. Stop protecting others, let them deal with the consequences, and support them the whole way. This pays off in the long run.
6. Overthinking
There is a fine line between mental problem-solving and overthinking. It is almost too easy for the line to be unknowingly crossed. Overthinking is quite frequently linked to generalized anxiety disorder. This condition not only entails further anxiety and distress, there are also a multitude of side effects, including difficulty controlling anxiety, trouble concentrating, struggling to make decisions, and constantly seeking validation. So stay in the present and trust your gut instinct. You are a resilient individual, and you should never let your past get the better of you. Your past does not define who you are.
7. Exaggerating the Truth
Once you tell one lie or fabricated truth, there’s no going back. Countless ones are consequently built upon that first one to simply cover it up. A loss of integrity, trust, and ultimately the destruction of relationships are only potential side effects. No one wants to live with this sense of constant guilt, and luckily, this toxic habit can be easily avoided. Develop habits of open communication and don’t be afraid to admit your mistakes. It goes a long, long way.
8. Being a Perfectionist
Perfectionism can create a stronger work ethic, nonetheless, there are significant drawbacks. It is pertinent to have a balance. Self-awareness is key: knowing where your limits are and recognizing them turns the toxicity of perfectionism into a drive, an initiative. Take breaks, smile, and remember to cut yourself slack. You’re a human being, and you’re learning. And at the end of the day, that’s what really matters.
9. Believing You Deserve Less
What is your family dynamic like at home? What do your relationships with your peers look like? And most importantly of all, how do you treat yourself? If you were raised in a physically or emotionally abusive household, for example, you might start to normalize these behaviors. You might not even recognize the damaging impact of such behaviors, because you are so accustomed to them. It is important to note that we are all worthy of love and respect. Internalizing this, in addition to recognizing the times we don’t, will allow everyone to pursue healthier, more fulfilling things in life.