We all have a vision of who we want to be. A better person, right?

But let’s face it, getting there isn’t a straight path.

You’ve probably caught yourself thinking, “I could be better than this.” And you’re not wrong.

Breaking habits is tough. They’re like those old, comfy sneakers that you should’ve thrown out ages ago – familiar, yet holding you back.

You know the drill. You tell yourself you’ll start fresh tomorrow, next week, or after some milestone. But deep down, you know it’s those sneaky little habits nibbling away at your potential.

It’s time to face the music.

I’m not here to tell you it’s easy or that you’ll transform overnight. What I am saying is, if you’re serious about becoming a better version of yourself, some habits need the boot.

Ready to see what they are? Let’s dive in.

1) Procrastination, my old friend

You see, I used to be the king of “I’ll do it tomorrow.” 

Procrastination wasn’t just a habit for me; it was a lifestyle. I’d put off everything from work tasks to personal goals, promising myself that in the future I would somehow have the superhuman strength to tackle it all. Sound familiar?

But here’s the kicker – ‘tomorrow’ never quite does the trick we think it will. Instead, it’s just today, repeated. Breaking free from procrastination is realizing that time isn’t infinite, and that every day wasted is a missed opportunity to be that better person I envisioned.

2) Goodbye, negative self-talk

Next up on my hit list was the way I talked to myself. You wouldn’t believe the things I’d say in the privacy of my own mind. If I talked to my friends like that, I’d have none left! 

Negative self-talk cleverly disguises itself as ‘realism’ or ‘tough love’ in order to appear as a way of pushing yourself to achieve more.

But here’s what I learned: the words we tell ourselves have power. They shape our reality, our self-esteem, and our confidence. Once I started catching and flipping those harsh self-criticisms into something constructive or even kind, things began to change.

It’s like clearing weeds from a garden – only then can the good stuff grow.

3) Scrolling away your time

Did you know the average person spends about 147 minutes per day on social media?

That’s over two hours that could be spent on learning a new skill, connecting with loved ones, or working towards personal goals. Our screens have become our comfort zones, the places we retreat to when we’re bored, anxious, or just trying to avoid the real world.

But here’s the thing – every minute scrolling through someone else’s life is a minute not living yours. Reducing screen time isn’t just about gaining back hours; it’s about reconnecting with the world directly around you and focusing on self-improvement. 

When I consciously decided to limit my daily dives into the digital world, I found more space for creativity, reflection, and yes – improving myself.

4) Holding onto grudges

There’s a weight you carry around when you hold onto past hurts and slights. It’s a burden that can make your heart heavy and your steps a little slower. Letting go of grudges doesn’t mean you’re weak or that what happened was okay. You’re choosing your peace over your pain.

It’s like holding onto a piece of hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.

When we learn to forgive, it isn’t just about giving a gift to those who had wronged us. We are able to heal, to reach out, and to embrace the joys of life with a lighter spirit.

5) Skipping self-care

I’ll be honest; there was a time when I thought self-care was just a trendy buzzword. “I’m too busy for a spa day,” I’d scoff, as if self-care was nothing more than indulgence. But the truth hit hard: I was running on empty, valuing productivity over my well-being, and it wasn’t sustainable.

Self-care isn’t always about bubble baths and face masks. It’s about getting enough sleep, eating food that nourishes your body, and giving yourself permission to take a break.

Just to share: I started treating myself with the same kindness I’d offer a good friend, everything shifted. My energy levels, my mood, even my interactions with others improved. It turns out that taking care of myself wasn’t selfish; it was essential for becoming the person I wanted to be.

6) Ignoring your finances

Let’s talk about money – it’s often a touchy subject, but it’s also a crucial part of personal growth.

For years, I’d avoid checking my bank balance, as if not looking could somehow make the problems disappear. But ignoring finances is like ignoring a leaky faucet. It may not seem like a big deal at first, but eventually, it can cause some real damage.

Financial responsibility is more than just paying bills on time. It’s knowing and planning where your money is going. Part of that is also setting goals for the future, and making informed decisions. 

Here’s what I found: when I took control of my finances, it wasn’t just my bank account that felt healthier – I did too.

7) Resisting change

Change can be frightening. There’s comfort in the familiar, even if it’s not what’s best for us. It is so easy to cling to routines and resist any alterations to our  ‘plan,’ thinking that stability was the key to happiness.

But life has a funny way of throwing curveballs, and flexibility isn’t just an asset; it’s a necessity.

Embracing change doesn’t mean we have to love every aspect of it. But by staying open and adaptable, we’re more likely to grow and learn from new experiences.  

So stop resisting change and start riding its waves! You will learn to be resilient and before you know it-you’re on the way to being your better self.

8) Not setting boundaries

I’ll admit it: I used to be a ‘yes’ person. Yes to extra work, yes to social events I didn’t want to attend, yes to favors that left me stretched thin. Not setting boundaries was my way of being nice, but it often left me feeling drained and resentful.

Setting boundaries is critical for self-respect and mental well-being. it’s okay to say no when something doesn’t align with your needs or values.

Learning to set healthy boundaries taught me that saying no to others sometimes means saying yes to myself.

9) Fearing failure

One of the things that kept holding me back was the fear I would mess up . The mere thought of failing would stop me from trying new things or taking risks. 

But here’s the thing about failure: it’s an incredible teacher. Each misstep is packed with insights that you just can’t get from playing it safe.

When I started to see failure as a stepping stone rather than a setback, my whole approach to life shifted. It became less about avoiding failure and more about learning from it. This shift in perspective has been instrumental in my journey towards becoming better.

10) Overlooking gratitude

Gratitude was always an afterthought for me — something reserved for Thanksgiving dinner. 

Starting and ending my days with gratitude has been transformative. It could be something as simple as acknowledging a sunny day or being thankful for a good cup of coffee.

This habit helped me focus on the positives and fostered a sense of contentment that bled into all areas of my life.

Conclusion

And if you’ve been keeping count, you’ll notice we’ve covered ten habits to say goodbye to if you’re looking to become a better person. 

Letting go of these habits won’t happen overnight, but being aware of them is the first step towards making lasting changes in your life. 

Remember, growth is a journey – not a destination – and each step forward is a step towards the person you aspire to be.