Growing older can be a bit of a paradox, can’t it?
On one hand, you finally start to feel like you have this whole life thing figured out. You’re more comfortable in your skin, you know what you want and – most importantly – what you don’t want.
On the other hand, there’s this nagging feeling that your happiness and easygoing nature is slipping through your fingers, like sand in an hourglass.
You’ve probably heard people say that with age, we naturally become more rigid and less content. Well, I’m here to challenge that notion. And no, I’m not talking about finding some mystical fountain of youth or popping magic pills that promise eternal joy.
If you truly want to age with grace, contentment and maintain an easygoing disposition, it might be time to reassess some behaviors that are holding you back.
Here are seven behaviors you need to let go if you want to experience the full potential of happiness as you age.
1) Holding onto past regrets
Life is a journey, filled with ups and downs, triumphs and failures, joys and sorrows. And with each passing year, we accumulate a whole bagful of memories and experiences.
But let’s face it, not all of them are rosy.
If you’re like me, you’ve probably made some mistakes along the way. Maybe you’ve made choices that you regret or missed opportunities that you wish you had taken.
And if you’re really like me, those regrets can keep you up at night, gnawing at your happiness and peace of mind.
But here’s the thing: holding onto those past regrets won’t change a thing. It won’t reverse time or alter the past. All it does is rob you of your present joy and contentment.
If you want to be a happier and more easygoing person as you age, it’s time to say goodbye to those lingering regrets. It’s time to forgive yourself for the missteps of the past and focus on making the most of the present.
After all, life is too short for anything less than happiness.
2) Living in a constant state of worry
Worrying is a natural human response to uncertainty and risk. But when it becomes a constant state, it can be debilitating. It can keep you stuck in a cycle of anxiety, robbing you of your peace of mind and the ability to enjoy life.
I remember a time in my life when I was constantly worried about everything. Whether it was work, family, or the future, I felt like I was always on edge. I couldn’t enjoy the present because I was too busy worrying about what might or might not happen.
This constant state of worry didn’t just affect my mental health, it also took a toll on my physical well-being. I had trouble sleeping, I was always tired, and I started to develop health problems.
It took me a while to realize that worrying wasn’t helping me at all. In fact, it was only making things worse. So, I made the decision to let go of my worries and focus on what I could control.
Easier said than done, right? But believe me, once you start to let go of your worries, you’ll begin to feel lighter and more at ease. You’ll be able to enjoy the present moment and look forward to the future with optimism rather than fear.
3) Comparing yourself to others
The great philosopher Socrates once said, “Envy is the ulcer of the soul.” And boy, was he right!
In this age of social media, it’s all too easy to fall into the trap of comparing our lives with those of others. We see their carefully curated photos and posts, their seemingly perfect lives, and we can’t help but feel a pang of envy.
The thing is, it doesn’t make sense to do that. We’re all on different paths with our different strengths, weaknesses, and life choices.
It doesn’t matter how much we have or how successful we are, if we’re constantly comparing ourselves to others, we’ll never be truly happy.
So if you want to be a happier and more easygoing person as you age, let go of the need to compare. Embrace your journey, celebrate your successes, and remember that everyone is fighting their own battles behind the scenes.
Your life is your own unique story. Don’t let comparison steal your joy and peace. Instead, let go and embrace who you are, exactly as you are right now.
4) Neglecting self-care
According to the World Health Organization, self-care is a significant factor in overall health and well-being. Despite this, many of us neglect to take care of ourselves, putting everyone else’s needs before our own.
This was me a few years ago. I was juggling work, family commitments, and a hectic social life. I was always on the go, always trying to meet deadlines and expectations. And in the midst of all this chaos, I forgot to take care of myself.
I wasn’t eating right, I wasn’t sleeping enough, and I didn’t take the time to relax or engage in activities that brought me joy. It took a toll on my happiness and made me a less easygoing person.
That’s when I realized that self-care isn’t an indulgence; it’s a necessity. Taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being isn’t selfish – it’s essential for your happiness and peace of mind.
5) Being too hard on yourself
This is closely connected to my previous point. The kind of self-talk we have is also a part of self-care.
So let me ask you a question: how kind are you to yourself?
I used to be my own worst critic. Every time I made a mistake or failed at something, I would berate myself mercilessly. Instead of focusing on what I could learn from the situation, I would focus on what I did wrong.
Over time, I realized that being hard on myself wasn’t helping me grow or become a better person. In fact, it was doing just the opposite. It was making me unhappy, stressed, and less easygoing.
So I made a conscious decision to be kinder to myself. To treat myself with the same compassion and understanding that I would offer to a friend. And guess what? It made a huge difference in my happiness and well-being.
If you want to be a happier and more easygoing person as you age, embrace your mistakes as learning opportunities. Treat yourself with kindness and compassion. And remember that you are human, and it’s okay to be imperfect.
6) Resisting change
Change is the only constant in life. It’s inevitable and as natural as the changing seasons. Yet, so many of us resist it, clinging to the familiar and comfortable, even when it no longer serves us.
I was one of those people. I liked my routines, my comfort zones, and I disliked change with a passion. But life has a funny way of teaching us lessons we need to learn, doesn’t it?
As I got older, I experienced changes that shook me to my core – career shifts, loss of loved ones, changes in health.
Initially, I resisted these changes, and it made me unhappy and stressed. But then, I realized that resisting change was futile and exhausting.
Embracing change, on the other hand, opened up new opportunities for growth and happiness. It allowed me to adapt, to learn new things, and to let go of what no longer served me.
That’s why I urge you to look at change with a fresh perspective. See it as an opportunity for growth and transformation.
It may be scary, but it isn’t always bad; often, it’s just different. And different can be beautiful too.
7) Fearing the future
The future is a vast, unknown territory. It’s easy to get caught up in the what-ifs and maybes, fearing what we cannot predict or control.
I completely understand that — I used to struggle with worrying myself. This fear not only robbed me of my peace in the present, but it also hindered me from taking positive steps forward.
Fortunately, I learned an important lesson before it was too late — I can choose to look at the future in a positive light. As a blank canvas, full of possibilities and opportunities. And it’s up to us to make the most of it.
When we let go of our fears about the future and focus on living fully in the present, it’s amazing how much happier and more relaxed we can become.
After all, life is an adventure, and the best is yet to come.
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