If you want to live a more conscious life, say goodbye to these 8 behaviors

Living a more conscious life is about making choices that align with your values.

It’s also about saying goodbye to certain behaviors that may be holding you back.

You see, to live consciously means to make deliberate, thoughtful decisions, rather than simply reacting to circumstances around you.

Now, if you’re ready to embark on this journey of self-improvement, there are 8 behaviors you need to let go of.

Are you ready to make some changes? Let’s get started!

1) Living in autopilot mode

We all have habits and routines that we follow without much thought.

It’s like we’re on autopilot, going through the motions without really being present.

Living a conscious life, however, requires you to be fully aware and present in the moment.

It means actively participating in your life, rather than just letting it happen to you.

You see, it’s easy to fall into the trap of living in autopilot mode, especially when life gets busy.

I get that.

But it’s a habit that can prevent you from truly experiencing life and making conscious choices.

So if you want to live a more conscious life, it’s time to hit the brakes on autopilot mode.

Start by paying attention to your daily routines and habits. Reflect on why you do what you do and whether it aligns with your values and goals.

2) Neglecting self-care

I’ve been there – working long hours, skipping meals, and sacrificing sleep to meet deadlines.

I thought I was being productive, but in reality, I was neglecting my own needs.

When we’re busy, it’s easy to put self-care on the back burner.

But here’s the thing – neglecting self-care doesn’t just harm our physical health, it also affects our mental and emotional wellbeing.

During those periods of constant work and little rest, I noticed that I was more stressed and less focused.

My relationships suffered and my work quality declined. It was a wake-up call that made me realize the importance of self-care in living a conscious life.

Living consciously means being aware of your own needs and taking steps to meet them.

It’s about understanding that you can’t pour from an empty cup. You need to take care of yourself first before you can effectively take care of others or your responsibilities.

So if you’re in the habit of neglecting self-care, it’s time to say goodbye to that behavior.

Start prioritizing your health and well-being. Trust me, it makes a world of difference in how you live your life consciously.

3) Overconsumption of digital media

The average person spends over 6 hours per day online.

That’s about a quarter of our everyday lives spent on digital platforms, scrolling through social media, watching videos, or bingeing on TV series.

Crazy, right?

While technology does offer us numerous benefits, overconsumption of digital media can lead us away from living a conscious life.

It can trap us in a cycle of constant distraction and instant gratification, preventing us from being fully present in our lives.

Living consciously means being mindful of where we invest our time and energy.

It’s about choosing activities that contribute to our growth and well-being, rather than mindlessly consuming digital content.

If you find yourself constantly glued to your phone or computer screen, it may be time to reassess your digital habits.

Consider setting boundaries for your screen time and engaging more in activities that allow you to be fully present. 

4) Ignoring your intuition

Each one of us has an internal compass, a gut feeling, that guides us along our path.

However, in the hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s easy to ignore this intuition and instead, make decisions based on external influences.

The truth is, ignoring your intuition can lead you away from the path that truly aligns with your values and desires.

It can disconnect you from yourself and make you feel lost or unfulfilled.

Living consciously won’t happen unless you tune into your intuition and allow it to guide you.

In other words, trust yourself and make decisions that resonate with who you are and what you truly want.

So if you’ve been in the habit of ignoring your intuition, it’s time to change.

Start by paying attention to those gut feelings. They are your internal compass leading you towards a more conscious life. Listen to them, trust them, and let them guide your way.

5) Holding onto negativity

Life isn’t always sunshine and rainbows.

We all face hardships and heartaches.

But holding onto negativity from past experiences can cast a shadow over your present moment and future possibilities.

Now, I know how easy it is to get stuck in a cycle of negative thoughts and emotions.

But clinging to negativity can prevent us from living fully and consciously. It can rob us of our joy, peace, and potential for growth.

Living a more conscious life involves choosing to let go of negativity. It involves acknowledging your negative feelings, but not allowing them to define you or your life.

Don’t get me wrong – it’s not about ignoring your feelings or pretending everything is fine.

It’s about accepting what has happened, learning from it, and then letting it go.

It’s time to say goodbye to negativity. Embrace positivity, hope, and the endless possibilities that life has to offer.

6) Resisting change

There was a time when I found myself stuck in a job that no longer fulfilled me.

I was comfortable but deeply unhappy.

Despite this, I resisted the idea of change – it was too scary, too uncertain.

But here’s what I learned: change is inevitable. It’s a part of life.

And often, it’s in change that we find growth, new opportunities, and even happiness.

Resisting change keeps us stuck in the past and prevents us from moving forward.

It blocks us from living a conscious life – a life that’s aligned with who we are and what we truly want.

So if you’re resisting change, it might be time to let go of that behavior.

Remember, every end is a new beginning, and every change is a step towards living a more conscious life.

7) Comparing yourself to others

In a world where social media often showcases the best aspects of people’s lives, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison.

However, comparing your journey to someone else’s can lead to feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction.

Ultimately, everyone is on their own unique path, with different experiences and timelines.

Comparing yourself to others is like comparing apples to oranges – it simply doesn’t make sense.

Learn to recognize and celebrate your own achievements and progress, without weighing them against those of others. Understand your worth and don’t let someone else’s journey diminish your own.

8) Neglecting the present moment

The present moment is all we truly have.

Yet, often, we find ourselves either dwelling in the past or worrying about the future, missing out on the beauty of now.

Neglecting the present moment can lead to a disconnected life, where you’re physically here but mentally elsewhere.

It’s like watching your life pass by without truly living it.

On the other hand, living consciously means cherishing each moment as it comes, being fully engaged and present.

Learn to love life, with all its imperfections and flaws. That alone will take you much closer to living a conscious life, trust me. 

Final thoughts: It’s about choice

The journey towards living a more conscious life is deeply personal and unique to each individual. It’s about making intentional choices that align with your values, goals, and desires.

One key realization is understanding that our behaviors are not set in stone. They’re shaped by our choices, and we have the power to change them if they no longer serve us.

Saying goodbye to these 8 behaviors is a start towards living more consciously. It’s about being present, valuing self-care, embracing change, trusting your intuition, and letting go of negativity, comparison, and overconsumption of digital media.

Remember, living consciously doesn’t mean being perfect. It means being aware, making deliberate choices, and continually striving for personal growth.

As you embark on this journey, remember the words of Thich Nhat Hanh: “The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.” So take a deep breath, embrace the present moment and make the choice to live a more conscious life.