Do you feel stressed out, burdened, or apathetic about your life? This sense of ennui might not be all in your mind: The term languishing may describe your current state. To pull yourself out of the rut, check out this list of things you need to stop doing immediately and you'll see a huge improvement in your personal life.
1. Ignoring Your Needs
Whether you're a burnt-out college student or a frazzled parent of young children, you're probably familiar with the concept of putting your needs last. You might think you don't have time for "me time", but you probably have at least fifteen minutes every day where you can stop, take a breath, and do something you enjoy.
Watch an episode (or half an episode) of your favorite TV show, eat some chocolate, meditate, take a long shower, or simply wake up earlier than the rest of your family to enjoy your coffee in silence. Your body and mind will thank you for the decrease in stress hormones.
2. Working at a Job You Hate
You might not tie your dread of Mondays to hating your job. Life is too short to hold an unfulfilling role for years on end. Polish your resume by proofreading and using a resume builder that will give you access to numerous templates and images.
Perhaps your career no longer interests you, or maybe you want to move from a series of dead-end jobs. If you wish to go to school to change careers, consider investigating accredited online programs that allow you to complete classwork asynchronously while you hold down a full-time occupation. A WGU MBA, for instance, will set you up for success in the business world.
3. Holding Onto Negative Relationships
A major source of your stress could be one or more of your relationships. Examine your close friendships: Does one of your friends expect you to be his or her on-call therapist while offering nothing in return? Does someone who claims to be your best friend frequently talk about you behind your back? If you cannot resolve your differences, it may be time to let the relationship go.
You should address issues in your romantic partnership, if you have one, as well. Does your long-term partner want kids, but you aren't ready? Do you want to live in drastically different places in the future? If you truly love each other, it may be time to have some important conversations. If the relationship feels temporary and unfulfilling, you may be better off single at this point in your life.
4. Not Paying Attention to Your Appearance
Even if you work from home and don't have an excuse to "dress up" on a daily basis, your life doesn't have to consist of sweatpants and boring t-shirts. Embrace your true style when you accessorize with unique belts, earrings, and bracelets, or go for a more minimalistic look by simply upgrading your casual wardrobe to higher-quality blouses, pants, or dresses. You don't necessarily need a ton of makeup to look your best, either. According to dermatologists, creating a better skincare routine when you are younger can lead to lasting results as you age.
These tips will help you feel better about yourself and your personal life quickly, but there's no one-size-fits-all treatment for happiness. Look for more areas where you can stop getting in your own way and start fulfilling your wishes for your own life.
Article written by Lesile Campos of Well Parents