With just over 2 months left in 2019, a lot of us are starting to look toward 2020, and making plans for the future. However, before we make plans for what we want to achieve next year, we need to consider which unhealthy habits we need to leave in 2019, in order to truly live our best lives in 2020.

So, in this post, I’ll be sharing the top 10 things and habits to let go of to set you up for an amazing 2020!

Stop Living In The Past

The thing that weighs down the most people, and the hardest to let go. Whether it’s mistakes you’ve made, relationships or regrets, chalk it up to experience and focus on your present situation and learning from everything you’ve been through.

Stop Comparing Yourself To Others

In today’s digital age, it’s easier than ever to compare your looks, job and life to people you see on social media. Even though you may be jealous of their lifestyles, it’s so important to remember that their lives are never as perfect as they make out.

Surrender Control Over Everything

As a self confessed control freak myself, the idea of giving up control can be very scary if you’re used to planning out everything and anything. But going with the flow of life and being more spontaneous can be very freeing and make your life so much happier.

Limit Your Gossip

Gossiping can be fun, yes. But what do you really get out of talking about other people’s lives? Most of the time, gossiping about other people can help make us feel better about our own lives, which means we’re avoiding improving our lives in healthier ways.

Stop Worrying About What Others Think Of You

This is another popular insecurity, especially for young people. The fact is, it’s very likely that most people aren’t thinking about you at all. Your ego tricks you into thinking that people are judging your life when in reality, they’re thinking about themselves and their own life.

Get Your Clutter In Order

Your environment can be a good indicator of your mental health. If your space is cluttered with stuff that you don’t need, you could probably benefit from having a clear out. This will make you feel lighter and more organised, which in turn will make you happier and more productive.

Let Go Of Grudges

Depending on your pride and how stubborn you are, it can be very very hard to let go of a grudge, especially if you feel someone has seriously let you down. But the truth is holding onto a grudge only punishes you – hate and anger takes up so much energy, that can be poured into more positive things.

Quit People Pleasing

If you’re constantly worried about letting other people down, even if it means sacrificing your own happiness and mental health, you’re a people pleaser. While being thoughtful and considering other people’s feelings are positive traits, putting other people before yourself all the time can leave you feeling drained.

Get To Know Your Bad Habits

We all have habits that we know are unhealthy and don’t add much value to our lives, and there is probably at least one that has sprung to your mind. Even by getting rid of one bad habit, we can feel more productive and fulfilled, and help us feel more positive about our lives.

Quit Sweating The Small Stuff

Over 90% of the things that anxious people worry about don’t happen. This should be evidence enough that you have nothing to worry about and everything will be just fine. Worrying about things that really won’t matter in the long run is a waste of energy that can be put into your happiness and wellbeing.

Stop Mindlessly Scrolling Through Your Phone

We’ve all been there – you say you just want to have a quick look at Twitter and two hours later you’re three years deep into your boyfriend’s friend’s girlfriend’s friend’s Instagram, wondering how you ended up there. Scrolling aimlessly can be very addictive and it’s so easy to immerse yourself in for hours on end. But actually consider what value this is bringing you, other than finding out the name of your ex boyfriend’s new girlfriend (don’t do this either!)

Stop Snoozing

Instead, designate specific times of the day to go on your phone – maybe 10 minute intervals at lunchtime, when you get home from work or school, in the evening. Try going without your phone in the morning – it’s been proven to boost happiness and focus, so instead choose to read a chapter of a book when you wake up.

Most people I know set an alarm to wake them up at a specific time – but they also have at least three more so that they can go back to sleep for 10 minute intervals before actually getting up. While this seems like a good idea when you’re tired in the morning, you’d actually feel a lot better if you just got up for the first one. The quality of sleep you’re getting in those 10 minutes is really poor, and it cuts into time in the morning where you could be doing something productive.

Instead, after your first alarm goes off, count yourself down from 3, and after 1, just get up. Then, in the extra 10 or 20 minutes you have, complete that annoying task you’ve been putting off forever so that you can start your day feeling productive and accomplished.

Stop Buying Things You Don’t Need

I recently wrote an article on how to practice minimalism, ie. the concept of living with less. One of the first things to overcome on your journey to becoming a minimalist is to quit buying things that you don’t really need, such as clothes or home decor pieces. Buying these things does bring initial joy and satisfaction but, if you already have a bursting wardrobe, you have to ask yourself if there is really any need for you to buy much more.

Instead, start saving the money you would spend on material things so that you can buy experiences with your loved ones instead. Decorate a jar or purchase a pretty money box, and aim to put aside a little bit of money each week. Meanwhile, make a list of fun things that you can save up for.

Limit Your Weekend Drinking

Yes, it’s fun to socialise and have a good time with your friends on the weekend. But going clubbing and drinking every weekend is expensive, pretty unhealthy for your physical and mental health, and it can make you lose days at a time while you recover.

Instead, aim to go out maybe every other weekend to start, or eventually cutting down to once a month. You could maybe find other fun activities to do with your friends on Friday and Saturday nights or, if your friends still really want to keep going out, begin to build a separate group of friends to spend time with who aren’t big drinkers.

Release The Need To Be Constantly Busy

Probably the habit that you absolutely must quit asap. Nowadays, how successful a person is is based on how busy they are. But actually, being busy all the time is incredibly unhealthy, and detrimental to your health, happiness and productivity in the long run. Having sufficient rest and time to relax is essential to living a balanced life, and allows you to avoid burning out.

Instead, make time for self care. I’ve made a few posts about self care such as Self Care For People With No Time, and 20 Self Care Box Ideas. Find things to do that you find relaxing, and make sure to practice at least once or twice a week. Alternatively, take up meditation and mindfulness to reduce stress.

There are my top 15 things to leave in 2019! I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and found it useful!

Lots of love,

Natalie

xxx