As 2024 draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the habits that have been hindering your personal growth and mental well-being. The new year offers a fresh start—an opportunity to shed old patterns and embrace healthier ways of thinking and behaving. If you’re looking to make 2025 your best year yet, consider letting go of these six destructive habits that can hold you back from living a fulfilling and authentic life.
GASLIGHTING YOURSELF: STOP BLAMING YOURSELF FOR EVERYTHING
Gaslighting isn’t just something others do to manipulate you—it’s also something you can do to yourself. When you constantly second-guess your decisions, undermine your feelings, or convince yourself you’re at fault for every mistake, you undermine your own mental health. In 2024, stop minimizing your experiences. Embrace your emotions, acknowledge your needs, and understand that not everything is your fault.
Self-gaslighting can create confusion, insecurity, and a lack of self-trust. Over time, it erodes your confidence and prevents you from making clear, empowered choices.
Practice self-validation, acknowledge your feelings without judgment. Take a moment to reflect on your decisions and actions, and remember that mistakes don’t define you—they’re opportunities to grow.
PEOPLE-PLEASING: YOU CAN’T MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY
Many of us fall into the trap of trying to please others at the expense of our own needs and happiness. Whether it’s saying “yes” to requests you don’t want to fulfill or constantly seeking validation from others, people-pleasing can leave you feeling exhausted and unfulfilled.
People-pleasing leads to burnout, resentment, and a lack of personal boundaries. It also reinforces the idea that your worth is based on the approval of others.
Learn to say no, and without guilt. Set healthy boundaries and communicate them with kindness. Practice self-compassion, it’s you who you should please first.
SAYING “MAYBE” WHEN YOU WANT TO SAY “NO”
The “maybe” response is often a cop-out. It’s an attempt to avoid confrontation or disappoint others, but in doing so, you’re not being truthful to yourself or others. If you’re constantly saying “maybe” when your gut tells you “no,” it’s time to reevaluate how you communicate your boundaries.
The inability to assert yourself leads to confusion and frustration. It also prevents you from protecting your time and energy, leading to stress and resentment.
Trust your instincts. It’s okay to say “no” to anything you don’t want.
LACK OF TRANSPARENCY: STOP HIDING YOUR TRUE SELF
Whether it’s hiding your true thoughts to avoid conflict or pretending to be someone you’re not to fit in, a lack of transparency can damage your relationships and your self-esteem. Authenticity is key to meaningful connections with others and with yourself.
A lack of transparency fosters distrust, both from others and within yourself. It prevents real, deep connections and contributes to feelings of isolation and inauthenticity.
Be open about your thoughts and feelings in a respectful manner. Know that honesty is the key–even in small matters– to build a foundation of trust.
COMPARING YOURSELF TO OTHERS: EMBRACE YOUR UNIQUE JOURNEY
In the age of social media, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others—whether it’s friends, colleagues, or influencers. Social media often presents a curated, idealized version of reality, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy and envy.
Comparison robs you of the joy of your own achievements and progress. It fuels insecurity and distracts you from focusing on your personal goals.
Focus on your own growth. Celebrate your small victories and progress, no matter how minor they seem. Limit your time on social media or curate your feed to only include accounts that inspire you positively.
FOCUSING TOO MUCH ON INTERNET FIGURES: RECOGNIZE THE POWER OF REAL LIFE
While it’s fine to admire influencers, celebrities, or public figures, it’s crucial not to lose sight of your own life in the process. When you overly idolize internet figures, you risk placing your self-worth on external validation rather than nurturing your own inner confidence.
Constantly comparing your life to the curated online persona of others can distort your self-perception and lead to unrealistic expectations.
Remember that social media only shows a highlight reel. You gotta be conscious of the reality behind the curated content. Embrace your own path, your journey is uniquely yours, and it doesn’t need to resemble anyone else’s.
Bottom line, let go to grow.
