If your goal is to be mentally stronger, say goodbye to these 10 behaviors

Ava Sinclair by Ava Sinclair | September 28, 2024, 5:32 pm

Hey there, friend! You’ve set your sights on becoming mentally stronger, haven’t you? That’s brilliant!

But it’s not just about the actions we take. It’s equally about the actions we avoid. You see, certain habits can actually drain our mental strength rather than build it.

We’re saying goodbye to these 10 behaviors if you’re keen on flexing your mental muscles.

And trust me on this – your mind will be sending you thank you notes later! Let’s get started!

1) Overthinking

We’ve all been there. Stuck in a never-ending cycle of “what ifs” and worst-case scenarios.

Overthinking is a common habit that can seriously drain our mental energy. It’s like running on a treadmill – you’re expending energy but not actually getting anywhere.

It keeps us stuck in one place, unable to move forward.

It’s time to step off that treadmill. When you find your mind stuck in a loop, take a deep breath and bring your focus back to the present moment.

Remember, you can’t predict the future, and rehashing the past won’t change it. Focus on what you can control – your actions right now.

2) Neglecting self-care

This might come as a surprise, but neglecting self-care is actually a surefire way to sabotage our mental strength.

When we’re busy or stressed, it’s easy to forget about taking care of ourselves. We might skip meals, ignore our exercise routine, or skimp on sleep.

But here’s the deal: your mind and body are interconnected. If you’re not taking care of your physical health, your mental health is likely to suffer as well.

So make sure you’re eating well, getting enough sleep, and moving your body regularly. It’s not selfish – it’s necessary for maintaining and building mental strength!

3) Being too hard on yourself

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been my own worst critic. It’s easy to fall into the trap of self-criticism, especially when things don’t go as planned.

I remember a time when I had a presentation at work, and despite preparing for it thoroughly, it didn’t go as smoothly as I’d hoped.

My immediate reaction was to beat myself up over it, telling myself I should’ve done better.

Here’s what I learned: being too hard on yourself doesn’t help you become stronger – in fact, it does the opposite.

It erodes your self-confidence and hinders your ability to learn from your mistakes.

The next time you stumble or fall short of your expectations, be kind to yourself.

Recognize that everyone makes mistakes, and they are opportunities for growth, not a reflection of your worth.

4) Avoiding challenges

Are you one of those people who tends to shy away from challenges, assuming they’re too hard or scary?

Well, you might want to reconsider that approach. Here’s an interesting fact: avoiding challenges can actually weaken our mental strength.

Individuals who regularly face and overcome challenges tend to have higher self-esteem and mental resilience.

This is because overcoming obstacles forces us to problem-solve, adapt, and build confidence in our abilities.

So instead of running from challenges, embrace them! Each one is an opportunity to grow stronger mentally.

5) Comparing yourself to others

If there’s one thing that can truly chip away at our mental strength, it’s the habit of comparing ourselves to others.

We’ve all done it at one point or another, scrolling through social media and feeling a pang of envy at someone else’s success, beauty, or seemingly perfect life.

Let me tell you. Comparison is the thief of joy. And not just joy, but also our self-worth and mental resilience.

We’re all on our own unique journeys, with different starting points, paths, and destinations. Your worth isn’t determined by how you stack up against someone else.

6) Ignoring your emotions

I used to think that being strong meant not showing any emotions. If I was sad, I’d plaster on a smile.

If I was angry, I’d bottle it up. I believed that acknowledging my feelings was a sign of weakness. But boy, was I wrong!

Ignoring your emotions is like trying to hold a beach ball under water—it’s exhausting and eventually, it’ll pop right back up. Our feelings are a part of who we are.

They’re not something to be feared or avoided, but understood and processed.

I’ve learned that it’s okay to feel what you feel. In fact, acknowledging and understanding your emotions is a sign of strength.

It’s about being honest with yourself and taking steps to address those feelings, whether that means having a good cry, talking things out, or seeking professional help.

Being in tune with your emotions can significantly improve your mental strength. Trust me, I’ve been there!

7) Living in the past or future

Let’s have some real talk here.

Living in the past or future can seriously mess with our mental strength.

It’s like being stuck in a time machine that’s always going backward or forward, but never where we are right now.

When we dwell on past regrets, mistakes, or heartbreaks, we’re robbing ourselves of the present.

And when we’re constantly worrying about the future—about things that haven’t happened yet—we’re creating anxiety for ourselves.

Life happens in the present moment. Every breath we take, every step we make, is happening right here, right now. So let’s stop time-traveling and start living in the present.

It’s not always easy, but it’s where real life happens and where true mental strength is built.

8) Seeking validation from others

We often fall into the trap of seeking validation from others to feel good about ourselves. But did you know that this habit can actually undermine our mental strength?

Here’s a thing : people who rely on others for validation tend to have lower self-esteem and are more likely to suffer from depression.

Remember, your worth isn’t determined by what others think of you, but by what you think of yourself. So instead of seeking approval from others, start approving of yourself.

Recognize your own value and accomplishments. Build your mental strength from the inside out, not the outside in.

9) Saying “yes” when you want to say “no”

I’ll admit, this is a tough one for me. I’ve always been a people-pleaser, always wanting to help out and avoid conflict.

But I’ve come to realize that constantly saying “yes” when I really want to say “no” was taking a toll on my mental strength.

Every time we agree to something we don’t want to do, we’re compromising our own needs and desires. It’s like telling ourselves that our time and energy aren’t valuable.

So, I’ve started practicing the art of saying “no” – and believe me, it’s liberating! It’s about setting boundaries and respecting your own needs as much as you respect others’.

It’s okay not to be available for everyone else all the time.

Remember, saying “no” can sometimes be the most empowering thing you can say for your mental strength.

10) Not setting goals

Not setting goals is like setting off on a journey without a map. You may be moving, but are you really getting anywhere? Are you progressing or just wandering aimlessly?

Having clear and meaningful goals gives us direction and purpose. It motivates us to grow, learn, and step out of our comfort zones.

But when we don’t have these guiding stars, we can end up feeling lost, unfulfilled, and stagnant.

It’s time to sit down and ask yourself: What do I want to achieve? Where do I want to go? And then set those goals—big or small—and keep them in sight.

They are the compass that guides your journey to mental strength.