There is always something to get rid of in search of living a happy and meaningful life.
I have experimented with 20+ 30-day challenges in search of building sustainable, healthy, and productive habits. These challenges helped me how to get rid of the useless thing I do unconsciously and focus on what’s essential in life.
Let’s accept this fact, we cannot change everything, but we can change or at least make an effort to make a positive change. Let me recall the serenity prayer to sum it up.
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.
In order to save more time and gain control over your life, here are the 6 useless things you can let go of.
#6 High expectations
My expectations were reduced to zero when I was 21. Everything since then has been a bonus. — Stephen Hawking
It’s perfectly fine to dream big and do everything you can to make your dreams come true; just make sure your expectations are realistic and you have patience.
Nothing is going to change overnight.
To achieve your goals, you must sometimes make a lot of sacrifices and work extremely hard.
You shouldn’t give up when things get tough.
Also, don’t have high hopes that someone is going to help you all the time. You need to find a solution; if someone helped you along the journey, that’s just a bonus. It’s your life.
#5 Jealousy or Jealous people
Jealousy is a disease, love is a healthy condition. The immature mind often mistakes one for the other, or assumes that the greater the love, the greater the jealousy — in fact, they are almost incompatible; one emotion hardly leaves room for the other. — Robert A. Heinlein
You must let go of jealousy in order to be happy.
#4 Perfectionism does not exist
One of the basic rules of the universe is that nothing is perfect. Perfection simply doesn’t exist. Without imperfection, neither you nor I would exist. — Stephen Hawkings
I truly believe perfection is a myth.
It does not exist. No matter how hard you work, there is always room to improve. That’s called development which will happen over a long period. You play your part and move on.
If I fail at something, it does not imply that I am a failure because I am not what I do. Life means to win sometimes, and sometimes we learn.
The key is to keep moving on even if you have to crawl.
#3 Worrying about the future all the time
Life is simple. Everything happens for you, not to you. Everything happens at exactly the right moment, neither too soon nor too late. You don’t have to like it… it’s just easier if you do. — Byron Katie
I accept that there are some aspects of life over which I have no control, no matter how hard I try.
I believe in the flow of life and believe we live in an intelligent universe where everything happens for a reason.
I guess patience is the key.
#2 Pleasing others
If someone isn’t what others want them to be, the others become angry. Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own. — Paolo Coelho
Forget about pleasing others; they don’t live your life, they don’t know you, and if you’re unhappy, they won’t notice.
Instead, be the best person you can be!
#1 Too much or unnecessary screen time
Screen time is like junk food for the mind. — Brian Solis
It’s pretty easy to get caught up in a cycle of mindless scrolling and browsing. We often forget how much time we spend staring at our screens.
And that’s not even counting the time we spend at work, where many of us likely spend 90% of our time in front of a screen.
Then we go home and spend evenings in front of screens.
The bottom line
It’s time to eliminate the things that are not adding value to your life.
Let me recall the things you can say goodbye to right now!
- High expectations
- Jealously
- Perfectionism does not exist.
- Worrying about the future almost all the time
- Pleasing others
