Do you sometimes feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders? Or you’re being pulled in 100 different directions at the same time? Sometimes I honestly feel like I’m losing my mind and might never regain my peace of mind and balance in life. But I’m working on it!
There are so many things in our lives that weigh us down. We can often find ourselves holding onto grudges, negative thoughts, worry, material possessions, and more — so in this article, we are going to look at 19 things to release for greater peace of mind, balance, and happiness in life.
19 Things to Release for Greater Peace of Mind
At times, we can hold on to things that no longer serve us, causing stress, anxiety, and unrest. The key to greater peace of mind and balance is learning to let go of what is weighing us down. Here are 19 toxic things to cut out of your life to help you find a greater sense of peace, happiness, and success.
1. Negative Self-Talk and Thoughts
Constantly criticizing and berating yourself can take a toll on your mental health. Let go of negative self-talk and thoughts; replace them with positive emotions and self-compassion.
Using a daily journal for reflection, practicing daily affirmations, and meditating can help you change your negative thoughts to positive thoughts. It can be a process that takes some time, but if you change your mindset you’ll find more peace of mind and positivity.
2. Grudges and Resentment
Holding onto grudges against others can create bitterness and resentment. This causes you to develop a negative mindset that makes it difficult to find peace of mind. Release grudges and practice forgiveness to find more peace in your relationships.
Holding onto resentment towards others or ourselves creates a negative energy that affects your mental and emotional well-being. Let go of grudges and resentment and focus on gratitude and forgiveness instead.
3. Unrealistic Expectations
Could you possibly be too hard on yourself? Maybe expect too much of yourself? Setting unrealistic expectations for yourself and others can lead to disappointment and frustration.
Instead, embrace a growth mindset that allows you to learn from your mistakes, appreciate all learning opportunities, and embrace the growth process. You’ll find your mind is far more peaceful.
4. Toxic Relationships
Surrounding yourself with negative or toxic people can drain your energy and have a negative affect on your mental health. These people may be friends, family, coworkers, or acquaintances who drain your energy with their constant negativity and toxicity.
Release toxic relationships and focus on building positive, supportive connections. Cutting ties may seem harsh, but it could be what you need to do for your own well-being and peace of mind.
5. Fear and Worry
Constantly worrying about the future or dwelling on past mistakes can cause anxiety and stress. Letting go of fear and worry can significantly improve your peace of mind and wellbeing.
However, be sure to acknowledge your fears and worries, then let them go, so you can create space for a more positive and peaceful mindset. You can use a Feelings Wheel to help work through the fear and worry because you never want to completely ignore your feelings.
Learning to release fear and worry will lead to greater happiness, a more positive outlook on life, and an overall sense of calm and contentment.
6. Material Possessions
Clutter and excess possessions can weigh you down and create stress. Get rid of material possessions that no longer serve a purpose so you can create a more minimalist, organized living space.
Schedule a regular time to declutter areas or rooms of your home rather than try to tackle the whole place at once. Ask yourself if the item has sentimental value to you, or do you have an emotional attachment to the item. Donate things or throw them away.
Having less stuff means less to clean and organize, giving you more time and energy to focus on the things that truly matter to you. It’s also helpful to become a more intentional shopper and only buy things that really have a purpose.
7. Control
We all have a natural inclination towards control. It’s human nature to want to plan and organize our lives in a way that makes us feel secure and in charge. Some people also want to control the lives of others.
But the problem with this constant need for control is that it can prevent you from living your best life. If you’re constantly trying to micromanage every aspect of your life (or the lives of others), you’ll quickly find yourself feeling overwhelmed and stressed.
You won’t have space in your head to enjoy the present moment because you’ll be too busy trying to control what might happen next. Work on becoming more mindful and present in the moment, and surrendering control, so you can free up some head space for peace and quiet.
8. Limiting or Untrue Beliefs
Limiting and untrue beliefs can prevent you from realizing your full potential and living a fulfilling life. It can hold you back, causing you to doubt yourself and your abilities.
By letting go of these beliefs, you open yourself up to new possibilities and opportunities that you may have once thought impossible. You can cultivate a more positive and optimistic outlook, leading to increased confidence, self-esteem, and inner peace. It’s time to release these limiting and untrue beliefs… and BELIEVE!
9. Guilt or Regret
Holding onto guilt and regret can weigh heavily on your mind and prevent you from experiencing true happiness and peace of mind. These negative emotions can lead to self-blame, self-doubt, and a constant focus on the past, causing you to miss out on what’s happening in the present and future.
By letting go of guilt and regret from the past, you can free yourself from these negative emotions and begin to focus on the positive aspects of your life.
10. Judgement and Condemnation
Releasing judgment and condemnation is essential for developing peace of mind and cultivating positive relationships. When you judge and condemn others, you create a negative energy that not only affects your own well-being but also impacts those around you.
By letting go of these negative attitudes, you can develop a more compassionate and accepting outlook towards others and build healthier relationships. Ultimately, releasing judgment and condemnation allows you to cultivate inner peace, live in harmony with others, and create a more positive and loving world.
11. Gossip
Gossip can be toxic and damaging to both the person speaking and the person being talked about. Engaging in such behavior not only erodes trust and respect but can also lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and anxiety, thereby eroding peace of mind.
By not participating in gossip, you will protect your peace of mind and cultivate healthier relationships based on trust, honesty, and respect. Instead, you should promote positive conversations that build up yourself and others, promoting harmony and peace in your life.
12. Bad Habits
We all have our fair share of bad habits. Whether it’s procrastination, overspending, constantly checking social media, or staying up too late, these behaviors can take a toll on our mental health and well-being.
Take a survey of your life and think about what bad habits you may need to release. Choose one and work on replacing the bad habit with a good habit. Instead of checking social media 900 times a day, call a friend to catch up or read a good book. It’s important to release negative patterns in order to find freedom and inner peace.
13. Caring What Other People Think
Another thing to release is the need for constant validation from others. It’s easy to get caught up in seeking approval from friends, family or colleagues, but this can lead to feelings of anxiety and self-doubt.
Remember that your worth doesn’t come from external sources — it comes from within. Stop caring what other people think and focus on what you think of yourself. Be proud to be you — just the way you are.
14. Drama and Chaos
Drama and chaos can be pretty overwhelming. It comes in different shapes and sizes, but the stress it causes is always the same. It’s like trying to juggle too many balls at once — sooner or later, something will drop.
The good news is that you don’t have to let drama and chaos consume your life. Set boundaries with people, be assertive about your limits, practice self-awareness, and notice when you’re getting caught up in drama so you can take steps to disengage. Be mindful and proactive about addressing issues before they escalate.
15. Things that Don’t Serve You
Learn to say NO if something does not serve you. It might be a party that you really don’t want to attend because there will be too much drama. Or it could be a volunteer activity that you would love to do but really don’t have time for in your schedule.
Learning to say NO can be difficult if you are used to accommodating everyone, or if you are a people pleaser. But it’s time for you to think about self-preservation and let go of those things that don’t serve you.
16. Too Much Screen Time
Most of us spend far too much time in front of technology screens. It could be scrolling on your phone, checking email, looking at social media, working, or gaming — it’s not healthy because it keeps your brain in a constant state of excitement and chaos.
Reducing screen time will give you more time to connect with friends and family. This will help prevent depression, anxiety, and stress. You can also take a bath, listen to music, or take a walk instead. It will give your mind a break.
17. Comparison
Constantly comparing yourself to others can be mentally exhausting and can lead to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and depression. It can also create unrealistic expectations and put unnecessary pressure on yourself, leading to burnout and physical health issues.
Accepting and embracing your unique qualities and strengths can lead to a greater sense of contentment and inner peace, allowing you to live a more fulfilling and healthy life. Stop comparing yourself to others. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
18. Perfection
Letting go of the need to be productive and perfect all the time can help you develop a healthier and more balanced approach to life. Perfectionism is a trap that can leave you feeling like a failure even when things are going well.
Accepting your imperfections and giving yourself permission to rest and recharge can lead to greater happiness, creativity, and overall well-being. It’s also important to prioritize self-care and recognize that taking breaks and making mistakes are normal. You’ll achieve a much greater peace of mind.
19. Overthinking
Overthinking can be a major obstacle to peace of mind and happiness. When we constantly analyze and ruminate on past events or worry excessively about the future, it can lead to a state of mental exhaustion and anxiety. It can also prevent us from being fully present in the moment.
Overthinking can also lead to negative self-talk and self-doubt since we second-guess our decisions and actions. In order to achieve peace of mind and happiness, it is important to learn to recognize when we are overthinking and to develop strategies to quiet our minds and focus on the present.