If you want to start feeling more optimistic about life, say goodbye to these 5 behaviors

Do you ever feel like life’s challenges weigh you down more than they should? Or like optimism feels just out of reach?

Well here’s the thing: optimism isn’t just something some people are born with—it’s a mindset that can be cultivated.

However, to truly embrace a more positive outlook on life, it’s not just about adding new habits; it’s also about letting go of the ones that drag you down. Certain behaviors quietly chip away at our ability to see the brighter side, keeping us stuck in cycles of negativity and self-doubt.

Today, we’ll explore 5 such behaviors to say goodbye to if you want to start feeling more optimistic about life.

Let’s dive in!

1) Overthinking

We’ve all been there. Stuck in a loop of thoughts, analyzing every detail, every possible outcome.

However, overthinking can be a serious roadblock to optimism.

Why is that? Well, when we overthink, we often focus on the negatives. We predict worst-case scenarios. We worry about things that haven’t happened yet and may never happen.

But here’s the kicker: Overthinking doesn’t solve problems. It creates them.

It amplifies stress and anxiety, and it can seriously dampen our positive outlook on life. As noted by Amy Morin, a psychotherapist and international bestselling author, it can even lead to conditions like depression and OCD.

If you really want to start feeling more optimistic, it’s time to say goodbye to overthinking. Practice mindfulness, live in the present moment, and let go of the need to have everything figured out.

2) Neglecting self-care

Self-care is not just a buzzword. It’s a crucial part of maintaining our mental and physical health. And when we neglect it, our optimism can take a serious hit.

This is well-acknowledged by experts. For instance, those at Psych Central have noted that a lack of self-care is associated with:

• Feeling hopeless
• Less patience
• Less motivation to engage in social activities
• Strain in close relationships
• Worsening mental health symptoms like depression and anxiety

I know this firsthand. I remember a time when I was working crazy hours, trying to get Hack Spirit off the ground. I was burning the candle at both ends, barely sleeping, and eating whatever was quickest and easiest.

Needless to say, my mood and outlook were far from positive.

Then, I decided to make a change. I started prioritizing self-care: regular exercise, healthy eating, adequate sleep, and time for relaxation and hobbies. And you know what? My optimism soared.

Self-care isn’t selfish or indulgent. It’s necessary. And when we take care of ourselves properly, we’re better equipped to tackle life’s challenges with a positive mindset.

3) Seeking constant happiness

This one might seem a bit counter-intuitive. After all, isn’t the pursuit of happiness a good thing?

Well, yes and no. While it’s healthy to strive for happiness, constantly chasing it can actually harm our optimism.

Here’s why.

Happiness isn’t a constant state. It’s normal to experience a range of emotions, including negative ones like sadness, anger, or fear. These emotions aren’t bad – they’re part of being human.

But when we’re always seeking happiness, we can start to view these negative emotions as failures. We can start to feel like there’s something wrong with us for not being happy all the time.

This mindset can lead to a lot of unnecessary stress and self-judgment, which are definitely not conducive to optimism.

Instead of constantly seeking happiness, try seeking balance and acceptance. Understand that it’s okay to have bad days or to feel negative emotions. It doesn’t make you a failure – it makes you human.

As the famous psychologist Carl Jung once said, “Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word happy would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness.”

Embrace the full range of your emotions, and you’ll find that your optimism naturally increases.

4) Comparing yourself to others

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We live in a world where it’s easier than ever to compare ourselves to others. With social media, we’re constantly exposed to highlight reels of other people’s lives, which can make us feel like we’re not measuring up.

But here’s the thing: Comparing ourselves to others doesn’t usually help us. It doesn’t make us happier, more successful, or more optimistic. In fact, it usually does the opposite.

When we compare ourselves to others, we’re not seeing the full picture. We’re comparing our behind-the-scenes to their highlight reel. And this can lead to feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction.

Remember what renowned psychologist Albert Einstein once said: “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

Don’t judge your life by someone else’s standards. Embrace your unique journey, and watch your optimism soar.

5) Believing you have no control

One of the biggest roadblocks to optimism is the belief that we have no control over our lives. That we’re just victims of circumstance, passively drifting through life.

This mindset can leave us feeling helpless and hopeless – the very opposite of optimism.

While we can’t control everything that happens to us, we can always control how we respond to it. We can choose our attitude, our actions, our mindset.

By recognizing and embracing our personal power, we can transform challenges into opportunities for growth. We can choose to view setbacks as temporary hurdles rather than insurmountable obstacles. We can choose optimism.

Final thoughts: It’s a journey

Cultivating optimism isn’t about ignoring life’s challenges or forcing positivity—it’s about shifting your mindset and embracing habits that support a brighter outlook.

By letting go of the behaviors that weigh you down, you create space for more clarity, joy, and resilience. The journey might not always be easy, but each step you take will bring you closer to the life you truly want to live.

Remember, optimism isn’t a destination—it’s a practice. So be patient with yourself, celebrate your progress, and trust in the process.

Here’s to a more optimistic, fulfilling life ahead!