If you don't want to be unhappy for the rest of your days, eradicate these 12 behaviors now

Do you engage in these behaviors?

A woman with long blonde hair sits indoors, wearing a blue top. She has a contemplative expression, with natural light softly illuminating her face. The background is blurred, suggesting a serene and calm environment.

It’s time to take control of your happiness and say goodbye to these behaviors that are holding you back. These 12 common habits can lead to long-term unhappiness, often without you even realizing it. By eradicating them you can pave the way for a brighter, more fulfilling future.

1. Following people on social media who get you down.

A woman in a red shirt sits at an outdoor cafe, resting her head on her hand and looking down at her smartphone with a pensive expression. There are blurred buildings and greenery in the background.

You know that one person on Facebook who never stops complaining, that person on Twitter who’s always arguing with you, or that impossibly perfect Instagram influencer who makes you feel terrible about yourself?

Open up your phone now – right now – and unfollow them. You don’t need that in your life.

2. Spending too much time on social media.

A man with a beard is eating a bowl of cereal while looking at his smartphone. He is sitting in a kitchen with a bottle of milk and a green mug on the counter. A blackboard with writing in the background is partially visible.

Just because your social media feeds are now more positive places, that doesn’t mean you should spend hours scrolling through them.

It’s time to start thinking of social media as the equivalent to eating processed foods, or unhealthy habits in general.

Whilst it’s fine to enjoy fatty or sugary foods now and again, in moderation, if you eat them for three meals a day, every day, it’s going to have negative effects on your physical health.

Similarly, think of social media as something that has to be enjoyed in moderation to prevent it taking its toll on your mental health.

3. Hanging out with people who get you down, or hold you back.

Two men are having a conversation in a bright room. One is gesturing with his hands, wearing a plaid shirt, and glasses. The other has his arms crossed, wearing a pink shirt. Behind them is a wooden wall with green plants.

Social media is a big part of a lot of our lives these days, but the people you physically spend your time around are far more important.

Or they really should be.

If there’s someone who’s a negative influence in your life, and is always bringing you down, or stopping you from realizing your potential, and your efforts to discuss it with them have fallen on deaf ears, then make a conscious decision to spend less time with them.

You shouldn’t abandon a friend if they’re going through a rough patch, but it’s definitely a good idea to re-evaluate the amount of time you dedicate to those people who are consistently having a negative effect on you.

4. Saying yes when you want to say no.

Two men are sitting across from each other at a long wooden table in a modern office with cityscape windows. They appear to be having a serious conversation. One man is gesturing with his hands, while the other listens attentively.

If your default mode is to say yes to everything because you don’t want to disappoint everyone or you suffer from major FOMO, then it’s time to start saying no.

Start slowly.

This week, say no to at least one thing that you don’t have the time to do well.

Or, say no to one thing that, in your heart of hearts, you don’t want to do.

Then, start building up your nos.

Don’t just say no to everything for the sake of it, but say no to things that you’re too busy to commit to, or aren’t excited about.

5. Say no, when you really should say yes.

A person with light hair wearing glasses looks off to the side. They are dressed in a light-colored button-up shirt, and the background is softly blurred.

On the other hand, if your default mode is to say no to trying new things, meeting new people, or going out with friends, then starting to say yes could make a positive difference to your life.

Push yourself out of that comfort zone. Get out and about, and be around people. Embrace opportunities.

6. Constantly denying yourself ‘bad’ foods.

Two women sit at a dining table engaged in an animated conversation. One woman, wearing a white and pink striped blouse, gestures with her hands, while the other, in a pink sweater vest, looks at her with a surprised expression. Plates of food and cups are on the table.

Fresh fruit and veg should make up a good part of your diet, but you don’t have to constantly deny yourself all the foods that you’ve been taught to see as ‘bad’ or ‘naughty.’

Putting a blanket ban on all the foods you love will only frustrate you.

Make sure you treat yourself now and again without feeling guilty, and really savor the flavors when you do.

7. Holding grudges.

Two women are sitting on a gray couch with their arms crossed, facing away from each other. One wears a yellow shirt and glasses, the other wears a white shirt. The background features a green wall with framed pictures. They seem upset or in disagreement.

If you hold a grudge against someone, the main person that suffers is you.

Forgiving someone doesn’t mean you have to forget the things that have happened, but it means you can put them behind you and turn over a new leaf.

8. Beating yourself up.

A woman with long dark hair sits on a white sofa, gazing thoughtfully out a window. She is wearing a beige turtleneck and appears relaxed yet deep in thought in a softly lit room.

If you’ve been beating yourself up over something you did or didn’t do, it’s time to let it go.

Accept that you can’t change the past, recognize what you’ve learned from your mistakes, and start being kinder to yourself.

9. Holding on to unnecessary possessions.

A woman sits on a beige carpet in a living room, sorting clothes into three boxes labeled "Keep," "Donate," and "Discard." The room has a white sofa, shelving, and a lamp in the background. She is holding a piece of clothing above the "Donate" box.

Having too much stuff can really weigh a person down. Liberate yourself by getting rid of all the things you just don’t need.

Even just donating one bag of unwanted clothes will free up some space in your life.

10. Arguing about pointless stuff.

A man and a woman are standing in a bright room, engaged in a heated conversation. The man has an expressive gesture with one hand extended, while the woman is gesturing with both hands. They appear to be in a dining area with a table set in the background.

Next time you get into a disagreement with someone, whether personally or professionally, don’t be tempted to resort to low blows.

Take the high road, and swallow your pride, rather than getting into an argument over something that really isn’t worth it.

11. Staying in a job you hate.

A man in a blue shirt sits at a desk, resting his face in his hands with a frustrated expression. He appears to be looking at a computer screen. The background is out of focus, suggesting an office environment.

If you’re not happy or fulfilled professionally, then do something about it.

Start searching for a job you can genuinely get excited about.

Sure, we can’t all have super exciting jobs, but we should all be able to enjoy what we do every day and find satisfaction in it in our own way.

Start putting out feelers for new job opportunities, slowly but surely, or start considering other options, like self-employment.

12. Spending too much time indoors.

A woman with shoulder-length brown hair wrapped in a dark blanket is sitting on a white wicker chair indoors, looking out a window. Her hand rests on her forehead, and she appears to be in thought, gazing out at a rainy outdoor scene with greenery in the background.