Think a high-quality life requires a big bank balance?
Think again.
While wealth can provide comfort, true quality of life often comes down to our mindset and habits. Over the years, I’ve come to see that some of the most fulfilled people aren’t rich—they’re just intentional about what they keep and what they let go of.
Today, we’re taking a look at eight behaviors to leave behind if you want to elevate your life.
Let’s get into it.
1) Living beyond your means
Living beyond your means is a surefire way to stress and financial instability – two things that certainly don’t contribute to a high quality of life.
We often get trapped in the cycle of wanting more, buying more, and then wanting more again. This behavior can create a constant state of dissatisfaction and anxiety about money, which can take a significant toll on our happiness and well-being.
To break this cycle, it’s important to learn to live within our means. This doesn’t mean that we have to deprive ourselves of everything we enjoy. Instead, it’s about making mindful decisions about where we spend our money and ensuring that our spending aligns with our values and long-term goals.
2) Constant comparison
I once fell into the trap of constant comparison, always looking at what others had and feeling like I was falling short. And let me tell you, it’s an exhausting and unfulfilling way to live.
We end up focusing on what we lack, rather than appreciating what we have. This behavior can rob us of our joy and prevent us from fully embracing our own journey.
I had to learn the hard way that my worth is not determined by how I stack up against others. Once I stopped this constant comparison, my quality of life improved dramatically.
As Roosevelt once said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Embrace your own path and stop measuring your success against others.
3) Holding onto a bloated ego
Ego. We all have one, and while it can drive us to achieve and succeed, it can also be a major barrier to a high quality of life. A bloated ego can blind us to our faults, isolate us from others, and even lead to a sense of entitlement.
What’s the solution? Humility.
It allows us to stay open to learning from our mistakes, fosters genuine connections with others, and keeps us grounded.
In my book Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I delve further into this topic. The book explores the Buddhist philosophy of letting go of the ego and embracing humility.
But for now just know that by letting go of ego, you create space for contentment and satisfaction in your life.
4) Neglecting self-care
Self-care is not a luxury, it’s a necessity.
As noted by the folks at Psych Central, a lack of it can lead to a whole host of bad things like low energy, feeling hopeless, and a lack of patience and even make symptoms of depression and anxiety worse.
But what is self-care?
Well, it includes anything that you do to take care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
This could mean making time for exercise, ensuring you get enough sleep, eating nutritious foods, or even carving out some quiet time for meditation or reading each day.
Whatever it is for you, make sure to make time for it.
5) Always seeking comfort
This might sound a bit counter-intuitive, but always seeking comfort can actually hinder your quality of life. Why?
Because comfort rarely equates to growth.
It’s often when we step outside of our comfort zones that we learn the most about ourselves and make the most significant strides in personal development.
Stretching your boundaries and trying new things can lead to new skills, new experiences, and a richer, more diverse life. Don’t let the pursuit of comfort limit your life’s potential.
6) Failing to establish boundaries
Boundaries are essential for maintaining a healthy relationship with ourselves and others. Without them, we can easily lose ourselves in the needs and expectations of those around us.
Establishing clear boundaries means understanding and respecting our own needs, limits, and values, and communicating these clearly to others.
As noted by WebMD staff, boundaries can increase self-esteem, enhance emotional well-being, and even help avoid burnout.
Of course, it’s not always easy to establish boundaries, especially if we’re used to putting others first. But it’s a necessary step towards preserving our emotional energy and cultivating a high-quality life.
7) Holding onto grudges
This is a big one.
Holding onto grudges truly is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to get sick. Don’t believe me?
As the experts at Healthline have noted, studies have shown that holding onto grudges can make you more pessimistic, isolate you from clothes and negatively affect your mental health.
Letting go of grudges doesn’t mean forgetting or excusing what happened. Rather, it’s about deciding not to let past hurts continue to dictate the state of your present life.
In place of grudges, cultivating forgiveness can be a powerful tool for healing and moving forward. It may not be easy, but it’s a journey worth undertaking for the sake of personal growth and mental well-being.
8) Ignoring the present moment
How easy is it to get caught up in regrets, what-ifs, and future anxieties?
A bit too easy I’d say. And in doing so, we often overlook the beauty and opportunities right in front of us.
Practicing mindfulness, or the art of being fully present and engaged in the current moment, can significantly enhance our quality of life. It enables us to appreciate what we have right now, reducing stress and promoting a sense of peace and contentment.
Final thoughts: It’s all about choices
Improving our quality of life doesn’t always require wealth; it requires intention.
By letting go of these eight behaviors, we can make space for a more content, balanced, and fulfilling life.
Each of these changes brings us closer to a lifestyle rooted in genuine happiness and well-being, one that aligns with who we truly are and the life we want to live.
Small shifts, big impact.
