We all have them – those self-destructive habits that we can’t seem to break. They’re the things that we know are bad for us, but we do them anyway.
We tell ourselves “I’ll just do this one last time” or “I can’t help it, I’m just wired this way.” But the truth is, you can break these habits – and you need to break them immediately.
In this article, we will discuss seven of the most common self-destructive habits and how to break them. Let’s get started!
#1 – Being Mr. Nice Guy
Are you the type of person who always puts others first? Do you find yourself saying “yes” to things that you really don’t want to do, just because you don’t want to disappoint someone? If so, then you might be a “nice guy.”
And while being nice is certainly not a bad thing, it can be self-destructive if you’re not careful.
The problem with always being nice is that it can lead to you being taken advantage of. People will start to expect that you’ll always be there for them, no matter what they need or how much it might inconvenience you.
What’s more, is that being a nice guy can sometimes make you feel like you’re not good enough. You might start to believe that the only reason people are nice to you is because they feel sorry for you.
If you find yourself in any of these situations, then it might be time to start standing up for yourself. That doesn’t mean that you have to become a jerk, but it does mean that you need to start setting some boundaries.
It’s also important to learn how to say no. A lot of us have a hard time doing this because we don’t want to disappoint people or let them down.
However, if you’re constantly saying yes to everyone and everything, then you’re going to end up feeling overwhelmed and stressed out. Saying no is not a bad thing. It’s actually a very healthy thing to do.
#2 – Avoiding Discomfort
One of the most common self-destructive habits is avoidance. We avoid anything that makes us feel uncomfortable – whether it’s an unpleasant task, a difficult conversation, or even just facing our own emotions.
The problem with avoidance is that it only leads to more discomfort in the long run. When we avoid something, we’re never really dealing with the issue at hand. We’re just putting it off until later.
And as anyone who has ever procrastinated can tell you, the longer you avoid something, the more daunting it becomes.
So how do you break this habit? The first step is to become aware of when you’re doing it. Pay attention to the things you’re avoiding and why.
Are you afraid of failure? Are you worried about what other people will think? Once you know the reason behind your avoidance, you can start to address it.
Remember, facing your fears is never as bad as you think it’s going to be. And even if it doesn’t go the way you wanted, it’s always a learning experience.
Avoiding discomfort will only make you more anxious and stressed in the long run. It’s better to face your fears head on and deal with them.
By avoiding discomfort, you’re only making things worse for yourself. So next time you’re feeling scared or anxious, try to face your fears head on. It might be uncomfortable at first, but it’ll be worth it in the end.
#3 – Toxic Friendships
We’ve all been there – in a friendship that just isn’t healthy for us. Maybe it’s a friend who is always putting you down or one who only calls you when they need something.
These toxic friendships can be some of the most difficult to break, but it’s so important to do what’s best for you. If you have a friend who is constantly bringing you down, it’s time to cut them loose.
It might be difficult at first, but in the long run, it will be worth it. You deserve to surround yourself with positive people who make you feel good about yourself – not people who bring you down.
Take a look at your friendships and see if any of them are toxic. If they are, it’s time to break up with your friend – for your own sake. Trust me, you’ll be better off without them.
#4 – Being Lazy
Laziness is a self-destructive habit that can be hard to break. After all, it’s so easy to just sit on the couch and watch TV all day. But if you want to improve your life, you need to find the motivation to get up and do something productive.
So how do you overcome this?
The first step is to recognize when you’re being lazy. Once you’re aware of it, you can start to take action.
For example, if you’re lazy about getting out of bed in the morning, set your alarm for a specific time and make sure you get up as soon as it goes off.
You may also want to set a goal for yourself – such as working out for 30 minutes or taking a brisk walk around the block – so that you have something to motivate you to get up and moving.
The key is to take small steps first. Once you’ve overcome your laziness, you’ll be surprised at how much more energy you have – and how much better you feel!
#5 – Not Owning Your Mistakes
We all make mistakes. It’s a part of being human. However, there are some people who have a hard time admitting when they’re wrong.
These people will do anything to avoid taking responsibility for their actions.
They might try to blame someone else or make excuses. But at the end of the day, if you made a mistake, then you need to own up to it.
Only by taking responsibility for your actions can you learn from your mistakes and become a better person.
How do you break this habit? It’s actually quite simple: whenever you make a mistake, own up to it. Apologize if necessary, and then learn from your mistake so you don’t make it again in the future.
It’s not easy to admit when you’re wrong, but it’s an important step in breaking this self-destructive habit.
#6 – Procrastinating
Do you find yourself putting off tasks that you don’t really want to do? Maybe you keep telling yourself that you’ll do it later, or that it’s not really that important.
Procrastination is a self-destructive habit because it prevents us from getting things done. It also creates a lot of stress and can lead to anxiety and depression.
So how do you break the habit of procrastination?
The first step is to recognize that you are doing it. Once you become aware of your procrastination, you can start to change your behavior.
Start by setting small goals for yourself. For example, if you have a project due in a week, start working on it today.
Set a timer for yourself and work for 20 minutes. Once the timer goes off, you can take a break.
But don’t give yourself too much time to procrastinate! If you find that you’re still putting things off, try setting a deadline for yourself.
For example, tell yourself that you will finish the project by the end of the day. If you still can’t seem to get started, try asking a friend or family member for help.
Sometimes it helps to have someone else hold you accountable. Breaking the habit of procrastination can be difficult, but it’s worth it.
#7 – Eating Junk Food
Junk food is one of the most common self-destructive habits. We all know that it’s bad for us, but we can’t seem to help ourselves.
The next time you’re tempted to eat junk food, remember these three things:
First, junk food is loaded with empty calories. It may taste good, but it won’t do anything for your body.
Second, junk food is usually high in sugar and fat. This can lead to weight gain, which can be difficult to lose.
Finally, eating junk food can lead to health problems such as heart disease and diabetes.
So, how can you break the habit of eating junk food?
Try these tips:
- Plan your meals in advance and make sure you have healthy snacks on hand.
- Avoid eating out at restaurants, where it’s harder to control what you eat.
- Limit the amount of junk food you keep in your house. If it’s not there, you can’t eat it!
- Make sure you’re getting enough sleep and exercise. Both of this help to reduce stress, which can lead to unhealthy eating.
- Talk to a friend or family member about your goal to eat healthier. They can provide support and encouragement.
Conclusion
Breaking these seven bad habits will improve your life in ways you never thought possible. Imagine the possibilities if you stopped self-sabotaging and started living a healthier, more productive lifestyle. It’s time to break free from your old destructive patterns and become the best version of yourself. Are you ready to make a change?
