If joy feels like a distant memory, it may be time to let go of habits that drain your energy and block your happiness. Here are 10 habits
1. Overthinking Everything
Constantly replaying scenarios or worrying about what could go wrong creates mental exhaustion. Let go of the need to control every outcome and embrace the present.
2. Seeking Approval from Others
Basing your self-worth on others’ opinions is a recipe for dissatisfaction. Focus on what makes *you* happy, not what pleases everyone else.
3. Comparing Yourself to Others
Measuring your life against someone else’s highlights will only bring frustration. Celebrate your unique journey and successes, no matter how small.
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4. Holding Onto Resentment
Carrying grudges or past hurts weighs down your spirit. Forgiving doesn’t mean excusing—it’s about freeing yourself from the burden of negativity.
5. Neglecting Self-Care
Ignoring your physical and mental well-being leads to burnout. Prioritize activities that nourish your body and soul, even if it’s as simple as a walk or quiet time for yourself.
6. Focusing Only on What You Lack
Constantly chasing what you don’t have blinds you to what’s already good in your life. Shift your focus to gratitude and abundance.
7. Overcommitting Yourself
Saying “yes” to everything spreads you too thin and leaves little room for joy. Learn to set boundaries and honor your own time and energy.
8. Clinging to Toxic Relationships
Whether it’s a friend, partner, or coworker, staying in toxic dynamics drains your happiness. Prioritize relationships that uplift and support you.
9. Resisting Change
Fear of the unknown keeps you stuck. Embracing change as an opportunity for growth can lead to new and joyful experiences.
10. Living in the Past or Future
Dwelling on regrets or obsessing over what’s ahead robs you of the present moment—the only time where joy truly exists. Practice mindfulness to stay grounded in the now.
By letting go of these habits, you create space for more lightness, peace, and genuine happiness to return to your life.
Love Aryln
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When Memory Issues Deserve Medical Attention
Most age-related memory concerns are about lifestyle, not pathology — and the habits in this piece address the most common culprits. However, if memory difficulties are sudden, significantly interfering with daily function, or accompanied by other neurological symptoms (confusion, personality changes, difficulty with familiar tasks), it’s important to speak to a GP. These are distinct from the ordinary “where did I put my keys” variety of forgetting and warrant proper assessment. For most people, though, sustained lifestyle improvements — particularly around sleep, exercise, and stress — produce meaningful improvements in memory and cognitive function within weeks. For reading on sleep’s impact on the brain, The Science of Sleep: Why 6 Hours Is Never Enough is directly relevant.
Written by Jack Rylie, Growth & Resilience Writer at Rubie Rubie.
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Jack Rylie is a writer and mental health advocate who has spent the past decade exploring resilience, identity, and emotional rebuilding — both as a writer and as someone who has navigated significant personal upheaval. After a career change in his early 30s that coincided with the end of a long-term relationship, Jack spent two years in psychotherapy and became deeply interested in how men process loss, change, and vulnerability in a culture that rarely creates space for it. He holds a Post-Graduate Certificate in Psychology of Mental Health and has contributed to mental health awareness campaigns with several UK-based organisations. His writing draws on clinical research, personal experience, and a long-held belief that honest male vulnerability is not a weakness — it is the foundation of genuine resilience.
