Most of us desire to live a happier, healthier life that is more connected to our true purpose and meaning. To do this, a lot of time we look at what we need to add to our lives.
This is not our fault but how we are hard-wired because of our current materialistic culture. What we have + more = happiness. Sometimes we often overlook the simplest truest way to add to our lives, which ironically is to remove that which no longer serves us.
There are so many things in life that we carry with us that cause us a massive amount of pain, stress and torment. We add good qualities, habits and positive experiences to our lives but never let go of the pain we carry.
Here is a list of 10 things you need to sacrifice to be happy. Not only that but it will ultimately make us freer to fill our lives with things that serve us to carry us to our highest potential.
1. Give Up Jealousy
Some people hide their jealousy in feelings of ambition or drive. It is okay to have a healthy sense of competition, but when you desire to be better than others as a goal for fulfillment, you know you have crossed that line.
A good indicator that this is where this feeling is coming from is when you feel frustration when you see the success of others around you. Give this up and you will have more energy to focus on what will bring lasting happiness.
2. Give Up Control
Give up your need to have a sense of control over yourself, people or life in general. Trying to create a safe environment around us can often create a chaotic unhealthy environment inside us.
Give the world space to be what it is, and allow that to be okay. Ultimately, having inner peace will create more inner stability that will be untouched by outer elements.
3. Give Up Your Need To Be Right
Ask yourself in any situation of conflict, "Would I rather be right? Or would I rather have peace?"
Oftentimes we take a stand to defend a point of view that does not need to be defended. Allow others to exist in their truth without it affecting your truth.
4. Give Up The Fear of Change
This is a very important one to internalize in this day and age. Day by day, with the advancements in technology, the billions of people that exist in this world, and the globalization of the world, finding something permanent is like trying to build a house on a sand dune.
Be open to change and embrace it as a doorway to a better opportunity for learning and growth, and you will find you will have all the inner permanence you need to live happily no matter what comes.
5. Give Up Overworking
Don't think that by overworking you will somehow create the financial outcome you want. There will be times where you will need to work long hours to achieve your goals, but these situations will be few and far between.
Oftentimes we will overcompensate in a situation by burying our heads in the sand and trying to just work our way out of it. Ask yourself, are you working hard and not smart? Are you working hard on something you are comfortable with to avoid learning, or doing something new or scary that you have never done before?
You need balance in your life, which means facing your fears and giving yourself time for equally important aspects of your life like family, friends, exercise and hobbies.
6. Give Up Criticism
Instead of focusing on what is wrong, focus on what is going well. By looking for the negativity in others and in situations, it carries with us a mental burden all throughout the day. Let go of that negativity and just allow the positive to come through.
7. Give Up Blaming
Sometimes shit goes sideways…it happens. Whether it happens in our personal or professional lives, give up your need for there to be a reason or face behind the situation.
Sometimes things just happen, and it was not intentional. By letting go of the blame, it will clear your mind to better focus on finding a solution to the problem.
8. Give Up Complaining
Constantly complaining will ruin your happiness and the happiness of the ones around you. Negative things will happen in life, but we can control how we react to those things. Next time you are going to complain, THINK.
T – is it True?
H – is it Helpful?
I – is it Inspiring?
N – is it Necessary?
K – is it Kind?
If not, it's probably not worth sharing.
9. Give Up Trying To Please Others
So many people live lives that are for their parents, their families, their friends, their competitors, their children. They stopped listening to themselves and understanding what they want, and what they need in life.
They are so busy making things right for those around them that they are left drained and hopeless on the inside, living a life that is not true for them. This doesn't mean to live a selfish life, but make things right for yourself, just as you would make things right for those around you.
10. Give Up Your Need To Be Special
Oftentimes we chase love, appreciation and approval of others throughout our lives without ever stopping to think of the stress and misery it causes us. We somehow convince ourselves that finding these things from others will bring us some sort of happiness or fulfillment.
To truly live a happier life, you have to give up your need to be acknowledged, appreciated or understood. When you do this you will relax and let yourself find happiness in your inner well of eternal joy.
Have your own tips on how to find happiness in daily life? Share them below!
