If you’re unhappy, it might seem easier to blame others, but it’s in your power. Here are four things you might be doing to steal your own happiness.
What is stealing your happiness?
1. You try to please everyone
It is impossible to please everyone else and yourself at the same time. If you worry about making other people happy and spend your time bending over backward to make it happen, you are stealing your own happiness. It’s important that you do what you want to do. Some people won’t like you unless you cater to them. This is not the type of person you need in your life. You have to be okay with people not always liking you. If you want to be happy, you need to follow your dreams. You need to invest your time in activities that inspire and motivate you. You won’t be happy chasing a dream someone else has for you. Others may think they know what’s best for you, but only you know what will make you happy.
2. You focus on problems
When you face problems and challenges in your life, it’s easy to focus on the negative. If you want to be happy, you need to focus on the solutions instead. Bad days are going to happen. They are unavoidable. Instead of dwelling on them, remind yourself that every day isn’t bad. If you didn’t get a job you applied for, remind yourself of your work history and the kind things employers have said about you. If you are facing an obstacle to a dream, don’t consider it a dead-end. Consider it something you need to overcome. A challenge will make you stronger. If you act like a victim, you won’t be happy. When you focus on solutions and work to overcome the obstacles you face, you will be a happier person.
3. You surround yourself with toxic people
Even one toxic person can ruin your day. A toxic person is anyone who is negative, needy, or finds enjoyment in gossiping. These types of people can drain your energy and ruin your mood. If you want to be truly happy, it’s important to surround yourself with like-minded people. You’re not obligated to listen to someone’s problems all day long even if it’s your best friend. This will take a toll on your own emotional and physical well-being. If you have someone in your life who makes you feel worse than you did before seeing them, it’s time to consider removing them from your life.
4. You ignore your problems
Many of us have issues we deal with throughout our lives. You might deal with abuse from your childhood or previous relationships, low self-esteem, or depression. There is no shame in getting help if you are struggling to overcome something. If you choose to suffer in silence, you may be robbing yourself of happiness. By seeking help you can learn techniques that will help you cope with what you experienced and may experience again.
Happiness is something that comes from within yourself so it’s important that you aren’t the one sabotaging it.
