Adrian Volenik
Happiness is great, but you want to be content in life. You want to look at your life and feel satisfied and fulfilled.
You see, most people want to be happy in life, but no one’s happy all the time. That just doesn’t exist.
Contentment, on the other hand, is within almost anyone’s reach. However, you’ll need to stop doing the following:
1) Clinging to the past
Look, we’ve all made mistakes in the past. But that doesn’t mean we should dwell on them.
Living in the past prevents you from fully enjoying the present. While you should acknowledge past experiences, you also need to recognize that the present offers new opportunities and moments for contentment.
Likewise, when you hold onto grudges, you’re carrying negative emotions from the past that only weigh you down.
Instead of forgiving and moving on, you’re trapped in a cycle of resentment and anger.
So, to be truly content, you need to forgive and forget and move on with your life. Let bygones be bygones!
2) Surrounding yourself with negative influences
I’ve always been somewhat of a pessimist. But now that I look back on my attitude and outlook, I was merely a product of my own environment.
You see, when I finished my bachelor’s degree, the world was smack in the middle of a full-blown financial crisis.
Everywhere you looked, people were being laid off, and almost none of my friends had a positive perspective.
Still, the world moved on, but all my friends were still terribly negative, and that was getting to me.
The simple truth is that negative people bring you down and affect your mindset. Building a support network of positive, encouraging people is critical in your pursuit of contentment.
3) Avoiding change
Life’s all about changes, big and small. If you’re constantly dodging them and sticking to the same old routine, you’re staying in your comfy zone forever.
But here’s the thing – change might feel scary, but it’s where growth happens. Think of it like this: if you never switch things up, you might miss out on incredible opportunities and the chance to become a better version of yourself.
So, don’t be too afraid of change. Embrace it, and you’ll find that personal development and contentment often follow.
Although I’m generally really content with my life now, I love making myself uncomfortable and putting myself out there.
I feel like that way, I’m writing more exciting pages in my book of life.
4) Being materialistic
Being materialistic means putting too much importance on stuff rather than moments and people.
Think about it this way: if you spend all your time and money on buying the latest gadgets and fancy things, you might feel a quick burst of happiness, but it doesn’t stick around for long.
On the other hand, when you invest in experiences like traveling, making memories with loved ones, and forming meaningful connections, those moments bring you a much deeper and long-lasting kind of happiness.
You’re basically choosing between a brief smile and a warm, lasting glow in your heart.
5) Excessive screen time
Spending too much time in front of screens, like binge-watching shows or endless scrolling on your phone, can leave you feeling pretty isolated and kinda down.
But here’s the thing: mixing in some face-to-face hangouts with friends or going outside for a walk in the park will seriously boost your mood and make you happier.
So, don’t forget to balance your screen time with some real-life fun and fresh air.
6) Worrying about things out of your control
Here’s something I’ve learned a long time ago: Worrying about stuff that’s beyond your control is like stressing over the weather.
You can’t change it, so why waste your energy and mood on it? Instead, focus on what you can influence, like making your day the best it can be, rain or shine.
That doesn’t mean you should stop reading the news or caring about things happening to other people or the world in general.
You can still raise awareness (and money) for the causes you believe are important. But that doesn’t mean you should lose sleep over them.
The same goes for the following:
7) Chasing perfection
If you’re constantly aiming for perfection in whatever you do, you can hit a real roadblock really soon.
You end up never truly satisfied with your work, which is pretty frustrating and leaves you feeling unsatisfied.
Instead, think about it like this: aiming for progress and getting better bit by bit is a much healthier approach that can bring more happiness.
Simply aim to be 1% better each day or week, and the power of compound effect will do the rest.
8) Comparing yourself to others
Constantly measuring yourself against others is also a satisfaction killer. There are many who are better looking, wealthier, and more successful than us.
It’s like wearing shoes that don’t fit, and they pinch your self-esteem. Instead of trying to one-up everyone, focus on your own path and growth.
Run your own race to feel more at ease and content with your progress.
Celebrate your wins, learn from your setbacks, and keep moving forward. That’s where the real growth and happiness lie.
9) Living in fear
Many people live in a state of crippling fear and basically spend half their life spinning their wheels without going forward.
Even now, I keep procrastinating on a new project that will put me out of my comfort zone and will require a lot of work with no end in sight.
But I know that allowing fear to dictate my choices results in a life marked by missed opportunities and regrets.
That’s why I set my mind on doing this project if it’s the last thing I ever do. I’d rather try and fail instead of wondering what if?
The potential upsides are far greater than the short-term inconvenience I might suffer.
If you want to be truly content in life, you must conquer your fears and take calculated risks.
Otherwise, you’ll be a grumpy old person one day wondering how much different their life might have been.
10) Impatience
Apart from being crippled by fear, I was also very impatient. Like many, I want things now, not a month, a year, or five years in the future.
However, as I’m getting older, I’m starting to appreciate the journey more. I’m content with the work itself and don’t rush to get the end result or the prize.
Impatience only results in frustration and dissatisfaction with the pace of life. Learning to be patient and appreciating the journey helps us have a more content and peaceful mindset.
For example, many people want to start a YouTube channel, right? One of the most desired professions in the world is being a YouTuber.
Yet, many give up way before their channel gains any real traction. They’re impatient and expect results now. They aren’t willing to put in the work needed.
For most YouTubers, it takes YEARS of hard work and weekly uploads to earn only a couple of thousand dollars per month.
That’s why if you don’t enjoy the process, the journey, you’ll never be content in life.
11) Perpetual multitasking
Trying to do a million things at once, like texting while cooking dinner, or watching TV while working, can make you feel scattered and stressed.
You’re spreading yourself too thin.
Instead, just tackle one thing at a time and put your full attention into it. This way, you can actually get stuff done without all that extra stress and feel more content in the process.
Are you ready to be content?
To be really content in life, start by taking a moment each day to acknowledge and appreciate the good things in your life.
Appreciate that delicious meal, a supportive friend, or a sunny day. Focusing on what you’re thankful for can boost your contentment.
At the same time, prioritize self-care activities that make you feel relaxed and recharged. From taking a bath, going for a walk, or practicing mindfulness and meditation.
But also, never stop working on yourself and never stop learning.
