There’s a subtle difference between choosing to be happy and resigning oneself to a life of unhappiness.

The difference, you ask? It’s all in the habits. A woman who has quietly resigned herself to a life of unhappiness often has certain habits that hold her back from experiencing joy.

These habits, like invisible chains, keep her tethered to a world of gloom and doom. As someone who has observed this (and even fallen into the trap myself), I can tell you that these habits are not easy to spot, nor are they easy to break.

In this article, I’ll be sharing with you 7 habits of a woman who is quietly resigned to staying unhappy in life. And no, it’s not about blaming or shaming; it’s about understanding these patterns so we can begin to unravel them.

Because hey, we all deserve a shot at happiness, don’t we?

1) Embracing negativity

In the world of online editing and proofreading, we often talk about the power of words and how they shape our reality.

And this is especially true when it comes to our emotions.

A woman who is quietly resigned to a life of unhappiness often embraces negativity. She focuses on what’s wrong instead of what’s right. She dwells on her problems, shortcomings and past mistakes, turning them into a continuous loop of self-blame and regret.

This habit is like quicksand. The more you struggle with it, the deeper you sink.

Negativity becomes her go-to response, her default setting. And like an old, worn-out record, she keeps playing the same sad song over and over again.

But remember, habits can be broken and replaced. Embracing positivity may not happen overnight, but it’s a journey worth embarking on. After all, who wants to stay stuck in quicksand?

2) Avoiding change

Now, let me share a little story with you.

A few years ago, I found myself in a rut. I was stuck in a job that didn’t inspire me and living a life that felt unfulfilling. I knew I was unhappy, but instead of seeking change, I dug my heels in.

I told myself that change was too risky, too difficult, or too inconvenient. I clung to my comfort zone, even though it was making me unhappy.

Looking back, I realize this was one of those habits of women who quietly resign themselves to unhappiness. Like wearing an old, uncomfortable pair of shoes just because they’re familiar.

The fear of the unknown can be paralyzing. But avoiding change only keeps us trapped in our unhappiness. It’s only when we take the leap and embrace change that we can start to create a life that truly brings us joy.

3) Overthinking

Did you know that humans have between 60,000 to 80,000 thoughts per day? That’s a lot of thinking! Now, imagine if a significant chunk of those thoughts were negative or filled with worry.

A woman who is resigned to staying unhappy often falls into the trap of overthinking. She replays past mistakes in her mind like a movie on repeat. She worries about the future, creating scenarios that may never happen.

This constant overthinking can be exhausting, and it robs her of the joy of living in the present moment. It’s like trying to drive forward while constantly looking in the rear-view mirror.

Breaking free from this habit requires conscious effort. It involves learning to control our thoughts rather than letting them control us. After all, peace of mind isn’t about having fewer thoughts; it’s about having more thoughts that bring us peace.

4) Ignoring self-care

The phrase “you can’t pour from an empty cup” rings true in this scenario.

A woman resigned to unhappiness often neglects herself. She might put others’ needs before her own, ignore her physical health, or brush off the need for mental rest.

She might believe that she doesn’t deserve care or attention, or that her needs are less important than others’.

But here’s the thing: self-care isn’t selfish. It’s essential. We can’t be our best selves for others if we’re running on empty.

Ignoring self-care is like ignoring a low fuel warning in a car. Eventually, you’ll run out of gas.

Breaking this habit requires acknowledging that your wellbeing matters. It’s about carving out time for rest, nourishment, and joy. Because at the end of the day, you are worth taking care of.

5) Playing it safe

I’ve always been a bit of a risk-averse person. “Better safe than sorry” was my motto.

I’d turn down opportunities that seemed too challenging or unpredictable. I’d stick to the familiar path, even if it wasn’t leading me where I wanted to go.

This habit of playing it safe, of clinging to comfort zones, is common among women resigned to unhappiness. It’s like staying in a small, cramped room because you’re afraid of what’s outside the door.

But here’s what I’ve learned: growth happens outside of our comfort zones. Taking risks, embracing challenges, and stepping into the unknown can be scary, but it’s also where we find our strengths, our passions, and our joy.

In essence, playing it safe is like reading the same chapter of a book over and over again. You might know it by heart, but you’ll never know how the story ends.

6) Comparing herself to others

In today’s social media age, it’s easy to fall into the comparison trap. We see the highlight reels of other people’s lives and start comparing them with our own.

A woman resigned to unhappiness often measures her self-worth against others’. She sees someone else’s success as her failure, their happiness as her inadequacy.

But here’s the reality: Comparison is the thief of joy. It keeps us focused on what we don’t have, rather than appreciating what we do have.

Breaking free from this habit involves understanding that everyone’s journey is unique. It’s about celebrating our wins, however small, and accepting that we are enough, just as we are.

After all, life isn’t a race. It’s a journey meant to be lived at our own pace.

7) Dismissing her dreams

At the heart of a fulfilling life are dreams and aspirations. But a woman resigned to unhappiness often dismisses her dreams as unrealistic or unattainable.

She might believe that she’s not worthy of her dreams or that they’re too big to achieve. So, she buries them deep within, like hidden treasures forgotten in time.

Here’s the truth: Our dreams are what give us hope, direction, and purpose. They’re the sparks that light up our lives.

Dismissing our dreams is like trying to navigate in the dark. It’s time to turn on the light, dust off those dreams, and start believing in their possibility again.

Because, at the end of the day, we are all capable of achieving more than we think. And there’s no dream too big or too small that isn’t worth pursuing.

In the end: It’s about choice

In the labyrinth of human behavior and emotions, it’s crucial to remember that our habits are often a matter of choice.

The renowned psychologist, Viktor Frankl, once said, “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”

These seven habits of a woman resigned to staying unhappy in life are not destiny. They are choices, made consciously or unconsciously, day after day.

Whether it’s embracing negativity, avoiding change, overthinking, ignoring self-care, playing it safe, comparing ourselves to others, or dismissing our dreams – these are all choices we make.

But just as we have the power to choose these habits, we also have the power to choose differently. To choose happiness. To choose growth. To choose freedom.

As you reflect on these habits, remember that change is possible. Breaking free from these chains might not be easy, but it’s certainly worth it.

After all, every journey begins with a single step. And sometimes, that step is simply making a different choice.