5 Negative Things To Remove From Your Life So You Can Be Happy
We all have negative things that clutter our lives. We all allow it. We feel like we have to. Like we deserve it. Like there's no other choice. We feel like the world that's currently Thrust on us is our only option. There's nothing we can do about our current situation and every time we try, we fail.
My sweet lady, I'm here to tell you that it's all wrong. You're not forced to stay in the situation you're in. Change won't happen overnight...but it can and WILL happen! You've just got to take steps to improve your life and change your mindset and perspective.
Take It From The Girl Who Was Pregnant at 15
My life is FAR from perfect. I grew up believing that everything happens for a reason and I just need to deal with it. But yet, when things happened to me, I was criticized for it. That didn't make sense. I was shamed for my big butt and lack of a chest. I got made fun of at school for my clothes that came from Walmart. And then I got pregnant at 15 years old.
I went on to get married and graduate and go to college. But negative people had such a control over my life. Stress led me to stare blankly at walls instead of do anything about the tight financial situation we were in. I looked at my 125lb frame and couldn't get out of my head how fat I was...because that's what I was told...that I needed to lose all that baby weight and get back down to 105. Ludicrous!
Several years ago, I started changing that mindset and started implementing these things below. I'm FAR from being perfect in those categories but...I'm a work in progress! And so are you.
The 5 Negative Things I'm STILL Removing From My Life
1. Clutter
We love our STUFF. But that STUFF can suffocate us. The visual of clutter is stressful whether you deem it to be or not. Don't attack everything at once though! Go through it a little at a time. Flylady is one of my favorite resources for controlling clutter and gaining a clearer mind.
2. Toxic People
People are the hardest to remove. Because some of them we love. Some are family and some are friends. But the thing is, we become most like the 5 people we spend the most time with. So you if you are always around an alcoholic, you're more likely to become an alcoholic. If you're around someone who gossips, you will become a gossip. If you're around someone abusive, you're a victim and also more likely to abuse in some form in the future.
You might not cut these people off...but distance them. Far from you. And don't use your kids as an excuse because they won't have a part of their lives. Do you WANT your children gaining characteristics from abusive, narcissistic, gossipy, alcoholic bullies? Me either.
3. Excessive Use of Alcohol
Ah, alcohol. Our favorite form of self medication. Also the most abused. It's great to sit down and relax and have a drink. Unwind. De-stress. However, too much alcohol is not only good for your health, its not good for your mind or your future. Alcohol is a depressant and although it seems fun sometimes and relieving, for some people it has very negative consequences. Some people are angry when they're drunk, or they get sad. And MOST people are prone to make very bad decisions when drinking ...from sleeping with someone you never would have sober or making the decision or operate a vehicle while under the influence. Be careful with your poison, ladies! (Don't get me wrong...I love alcohol ;) )
4. Self Criticizing Mindset
Although mean people can be...mean....we are our own worst critic and enemy. We take the insults people hurl at us and we internalize them. We look and the mirror and thing very hateful things about ourselves. Eventually, we hate ourselves. We're too fat to be pretty. To skinny to be beautiful. Too dumb to apply for that job. Too 'whatever' to peruse 'your dreams'.
You are amazing my dear! Simply wonderful. No matter what you've been through or have been told, you have WORTH! Make a list of 3 affirmations and write them on your bathroom mirror. Every time you look in that mirror, say those to yourself. The more you do, even when you don't feel like it, the more your mind will accept it. And then your life will start to change!
Self help books also are a great help! (And not as boring as they sound) This was the tool that changed my life the most. If you're not into reading, get them on audio and listen to them in the car or while cleaning. On a budget? Library has them! My 3 favorites are Girl Wash Your Face, You are a Badass, and The Slight Edge.
5. A Job That Sucks Your Soul
Having a job that makes you miserable can be one of the worst things in life We spend 40 or more hours of our week here. The majority of our day. Away from our kids. Doing something we HATE. Don't do that to yourself! Now, don't go quit your job today, you still need to support yourself and your family. But start looking into options. What do you love? Can it in any way be created into a money making side source that can eventually be a business? What's your dream job? Do you need an education for it? Go back to school. Even if it's one class at a time. Oh that will take too long? Not an excuse! That time will pass anyway. You're either working towards your dreams or you're sitting on your ass wishing your life was better. Do something, girl! Its SO worth it to do work that satisfies your SOUL.
Okay....off my soapbox now. Enjoy your day, Angels!
