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Home · Health & Wellness

15 Things You Do Daily That Steal Your Joy

Simple secrets to a happier day. (You're welcome!)
By Charli Penn · Updated October 27, 2020
01
Bring Your Laptop to Bed

Firing off a few last emails before bed is actually cutting into your sleep and your happiness. Less sleep equals less joy, and working from bed makes it difficult to fall asleep afterward and keeps you up later than you planned to be.

15 Things You Do Daily That Steal Your Joy
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02
Date the Wrong Guy

Not every relationship is meant to be. If you and your significant other aren’t truly compatible, but you’re staying together anyway, you’re not allowing yourself to be happy within the relationship. If you’re not happy, call it quits. Staying together longer than you both want to, is how you find your relationship bliss.

15 Things You Do Daily That Steal Your Joy
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03
Compare Yourself To Strangers

While someone else’s life being your “#lifegoals” can be a fun thing to joke about on social media, comparing yourself to others who you believe are living better than you will only bring you down. Stop it, now. The grass will always be greener on the other side, but that doesn’t mean your grass isn’t green.

15 Things You Do Daily That Steal Your Joy
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04
Forget To Dream

Our dreams keep us going on our toughest days. A dream is your light at the end of the tunnel; everyone should have at least one, and multiple dreams if possible. How can you push through when you have nothing to push for?

15 Things You Do Daily That Steal Your Joy
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05
Spend Time Around Unhappy People

Beware of the company you keep. You absorb the energy and vibes of those around you. If your friends, co-workers or family members only bring negativity your way, it’s time

15 Things You Do Daily That Steal Your Joy
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06
Worry, Worry, Worry!

The future is uncertain, but it’s certainly yours to claim. Worrying about the outcome of tomorrow affects the way you live today. Stop worrying. Just live. Case closed.

15 Things You Do Daily That Steal Your Joy
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07
Hold a Grudge

It’s nearly impossible to feel grateful and angry at the same time. If you’re holding on to negative emotions toward someone else, and harping on them daily, you’re weighing yourself down emotionally.

15 Things You Do Daily That Steal Your Joy
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08
Obsess Over Your Weight

No one’s saying fitness and good health aren’t important priorities to have, but spending every second of the day obsessing over pounds gained or lost, calorie counts or portion sizes will take the fun out of meal time—a time that’s often spent sharing moments and memories with others. Enough of the weight watching!

15 Things You Do Daily That Steal Your Joy
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09
Being Afraid to Fail

Some of the greatest achievements are born from failure. This we all know. Stop worrying about falling down and focus on how you’ll get back up when you do.

15 Things You Do Daily That Steal Your Joy
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10
Wear Uncomfortable Clothes

Squeezing into skinny jeans that are actually skinnier than you or a not coming to terms with the fact that your bra-size has gone up a cup, can make you feel uncomfortable all day long. It’s time to toss out any article of clothing you have to constantly tug on, adjust or fret over.

15 Things You Do Daily That Steal Your Joy
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11
Commute Long and Far

If you spend an hour (or more) driving to and from work each day, studies show that this directly affects your daily happiness. Sitting in traffic for long stretches of time or going long distances can negatively affect your mood.

15 Things You Do Daily That Steal Your Joy
12
Not Speak Up For Yourself

If there’s something weighing heavy on your heart, get it off. Repeatedly not sharing what’s on your mind makes you feel emotionally stifled, and the negative emotions will only fester.

15 Things You Do Daily That Steal Your Joy
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13
Not Follow Your Heart

If you want to travel, travel. If you hate your job, quit and find a new one. If you need a change, move to a new neighborhood, city or state.

15 Things You Do Daily That Steal Your Joy
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14
Try To Be Perfect

No one’s perfect. Deal with it. Get over it, and move on. Trying to be at the top of your game, all the time, will drive anyone mad. Stop trying to be perfect and instead just be yourself. It’s easier, more fun, and will still get you to where you need to be.

15 Things You Do Daily That Steal Your Joy
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15
Hate Your Job

If you don’t like your job, find a new one. You spend close to 80-percent of your week at work, which means if you’re miserable while you’re there, you’re pretty much miserable all the time. Not good.

15 Things You Do Daily That Steal Your Joy
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