Did you know you can make your life better without buying or having expensive things? Yes, you can have a better life for free by adopting positive habits that make you happy. This is the true way to build a life you’re proud of, a life that aligns with what you deeply want and who you really are. This is a super short list of some of the habits that have helped me improve my life over the last few years, maybe these can help you too.
5 Positive Habits For An Amazing Life
I don’t have a set routine when I do them, but I’ve simply integrated them into my life and they come to me naturally now. I did this for the most part by doing 7-day challenges and being really intentional.
1. Stop Whining, Start Giving Thanks!
This is one I knew in theory for quite a while before I actually started practicing it. But I’ve been a complainer, pretty much throughout my adolescent and adult life. Heck, I bet I was complaining a lot even as a kid. It’s basically what I was taught in school and by my family and friends.
Now when I look back, I think I misunderstood it. I never wanted to brag and to seem like I’m an arrogant asshole. And my understanding was that being humble means you need to always complain in front of others, so they don’t get jealous and feel bad about themselves. I felt like I needed to undermine my achievements and the good things that were happening in my life and instead to complain about the things that I lacked. I know, crazy is the best word to describe it.
All of that complaining became a habit I wasn’t even aware of for a long time. I thought I was doing great, I was funny I had friends, we laughed a lot. But then I did like a seven or thirty day challenge of no complaining and expressing gratitude instead whenever something good happens. This is when I noticed I was complaining all the time. I would complain about small things and big things.
Over the course of that challenge, I don’t even think I finished it, I started noticing a huge positive shift in my happiness levels and in the way I communicated with others and with myself (which I often do in public and people look at me like I’m crazy).
2. Eat The Frog
That is all you need to know when it comes to being productive and stopping procrastination. Do the most difficult thing first thing in the morning. Especially when you don’t feel like it. You have the most willpower in the morning, use it to do this. That small act of discipline every day will set you free. Otherwise, you’ll keep it on your mind and it will haunt you for the rest of the day. And you’ll keep putting it off and off and off. “Hey, great job, but you still have to do this. And, remember, it will suck.”
When it comes to work, to me this would be writing. I try to always write first thing in the morning right after I’ve done some exercise and have had my coffee. Writing is a pretty hard task for me. I mean you have to sit on a chair in front of a computer, without being distracted and make something out of nothing. Every day I’m tempted not to do it and go and get on social media, shoot videos or design graphics all day long. But whenever I actually skip it, I feel super unproductive and not fully present all day long, because I keep thinking about it. So whatever it is for you today – do it first thing.
3. Run, Tone and Stretch
Exercise is one of those habits that everyone talks about. It makes you roll your eyes when you hear or read about it. Like what else is new? Exercise is good for you. To me, exercise is a very important habit physically and mentally. I especially notice how much it impacts my life when I don’t do it. I become very emotional and reactive and it shows in my relationships, in my work and in the decisions I make – I can’t seem to stay clear and objective when I don’t do it. Plus I’m in physical pain from all the sitting and lifting my toddler.
So I try to make exercise a part of my day whether it would be by walking for at least an hour, going to the gym, stretching, running or doing an at home workout. It has become a part of my life and it fits naturally. If it’s still not a part of your daily routine, just try it.
4. Hear Them Out!
Somehow over the last few years we all read a few books, watched some documentaries, TED talks and listened to hundreds of podcasts and we’ve become experts in everything. Which is a great thing, we’re learning so much and evolving.
The not so great part is when we start giving advice here and there for situations we’ve never actually experienced, but have heard some random person talk about. Sometimes people don’t seek your advice. They just want to talk, because they want to be heard out – not corrected or being “guided”.
Whenever things change, we look for safety and support, not only tips that make the other person feel superior. So whenever a friend comes to you and shares something that’s been on their heart and on their mind, simply listen and be there. That’s all they need. This habit, this skill will help you build better connections and relationships with others.
5. Feed Your Body & Soul
Eat healthy to fuel your body. Have the foods that give you energy and not the ones that take away from it and make you want to hide from the world. I’m no stranger to dieting and I did try the keto diet without much success last year, but I’m no fan of diets. They make me panic and feel guilty and like I’m not doing good enough. It’s ridiculous that we can use food to feel this way.
Food is there to nourish and to be enjoyed and shared with others. I understand that my body needs nutrients to function right and no crash diet can provide those nutrients.
No success in diet can replace the joy of seeing my son laugh when we’re enjoying pancakes or pizza together. I’m not saying I’m feeding my toddler only pancakes and pizza, but it happens sometimes. We don’t plan it, we don’t have cheat days, but we do eat out a few times a week. And I wouldn’t trade those beautiful moments and memories for abs or legs without cellulite.
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