Some people are just naturally happy and satisfied with life. 

Lucky them. 

For the vast majority of humanity, anything of value in life, including how we feel daily, generally will take a lot of work and effort. 

So if you want to get there, it’s time to get moving… this means working to let go of the habits holding you back; the habits so ingrained within you, you have to unlearn them. 

The latter is no walk in the park.

But to get better, you have to start somewhere, and I’m here to help.

In this article, I’ll take you through the habits you need to drop, if you constantly feel dissatisfied with life. 

Once you make the transition, you’ll be far better off for it. 

Let’s dive in!  

1) Overcommitting

I have a good friend who has the habit of saying ‘yes’ to everyone. 

Even when he doesn’t have to, he’ll volunteer to go out of his way to do someone a favor. 

I suspect he subconsciously desires to be in everyone’s good graces. 

He gets a little bit of a high of positive feedback and praise, however fleeting. 

Behind closed doors though, things aren’t quite as rosy. 

He can get incredibly stressed simply because he takes on too many responsibilities, and has too much on his plate. 

Sometimes, he pushes himself to near burnout, sacrificing the activities he enjoys and his free time in the process. 

When I see him in his flustered state, I can’t help but think that it’s all avoidable. 

Remember, saying ‘no’, while not ideal, can save you a lot of trouble.

Always prioritize yourself or risk dissatisfaction down the line. 

2) Living in “when-then” mode 

Constantly thinking, “I’ll be happy when…” is lazy, it’s passive. 

I used to think that I’d only be happy when I finally added another decimal to my bank account.

So until then, I’d wait in a state of limbo, marking off days in my calendar for that day to come, watching the paint dry. 

I learned later that this approach was off. I realized I wasn’t truly living life. 

Your days on this planet are finite. 

Don’t wait for something grand or epic to happen to appreciate the gift that is life, to appreciate the nuances of life. 

Have goals, yes, but don’t pause everything until they’re achieved. 

As cliche as it sounds, making every day count will pay off in the end. 

3) Overanalyzing

Being a worrywart is no way to live. 

So if you tend to overthink, it’s worth taking active steps to fix the situation. 

Why? Because overanalyzing tends to take up too much of your energy; energy that can be used for far more productive pursuits. 

Besides, worrying alone will not change any of the outcomes, so unless you’re constructively doing something about it, learn to let go and mindfully live in the moment. 

Life is too short to be constantly stressed about by the never-ending “what if” factors of life. 

Take action, or stop ruminating. 

The decision is yours. 

I think Master Oogway of Kung-Fu Panda fame said it best: “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.” 

Touche. 

4) Staying in unhealthy relationships

Sometimes, you can get so emotionally caught up in a relationship that you don’t realize you’re not all that happy. 

Attachment is a powerful thing, and the thought of breaking up can be heavy. 

So you put things off indefinitely and allow a toxic and draining status quo to perpetuate, sacrificing your emotional and mental well-being. 

The bottom line is that staying in an unfulfilling, unhealthy relationship can eat away at you without you even fully realizing it. 

Soon, you’ll feel hopeless, and permanently dissatisfied in life.

Don’t let things get to this point. You deserve better. 

Take action, rather than woefully letting things be. 

I promise: Once you make the transition, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner. 

Express yourself and your emotions, rather than bottling things up. Communicate. 

Communicating can be incredibly satisfying once you overcome the initial discomfort. 

Suppressing emotions will lead to a build-up of unresolved feelings, causing long-term dissatisfaction and resentment… this is not where you want to be. 

5) Chasing external validation

Happiness and satisfaction should always come from within, not from other people. 

Focus on your journey and embrace progress, rather than being overly preoccupied with others’ opinions.

I know people who will not be genuinely happy with an objectively impressive achievement if they don’t post it on social media and get glowing feedback… and a high number of likes. 

Not good. 

Take a step back, and forget what everyone else thinks, when it comes to gaining validation. 

Relying solely on others’ approval for self-worth can lead to constant insecurity and ultimately even a lack of self-confidence.

6) Living a sedentary lifestyle 

Exercise is huge for your body, mind, and soul. 

This isn’t just a vapid cliche, it’s scientifically proven: there is a direct link between physical activity and your level of happiness. 

I get it though… it’s easy to get sucked into work, trying to make money, or maintaining a relationship. 

All of these pursuits take a lot of energy. 

Hence, it’s your job to actively balance things out. 

If you haven’t already, get those endorphins flowing and start a fitness routine.

Do yoga. Learn a sport (pickleball, anyone?.) Hit the gym. 

And if none of the above sounds appealing to you, regular brisk walks through the neighborhood or park will do you wonders. 

The simple act of getting outdoors alone will help you dodge any feelings of lethargy and dissatisfaction. 

Final words 

Most of the time, when we feel dissatisfied with life, things are fixable. 

By the looks of it, you realize there’s an issue, and are now searching for solutions. 

That’s the most important step. So keep going. Continue being proactive. 

Set goals, both long and short-term. Celebrate your wins, big and small. 

If you continue having the right attitude, things will turn around completely. 

And when they do, a whole new reality will open up to you. You got this.