Living a more conscious life is about making choices that align with your values.
It’s also about letting go of some of the behaviors that might be holding you back.
As you can see, living consciously is about making thoughtful, deliberate decisions, rather than simply reacting to your surroundings.
Now, if you’re ready to embark on a journey of self-improvement, here are 8 behaviors you need to let go of.
Are you ready to make some changes? Let’s get started!
1) Living on Autopilot
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 requires you to be fully aware and present in the moment.
This means actively participating in your life, rather than just letting it happen to you.
As you can see, it’s easy to fall into the trap of living on autopilot, especially when life gets busy.
I get it.
But this is 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 put the brakes on autopilot.
Start by paying attention to your daily routines and habits. Think about 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 hurt our physical health, it also affects our mental and emotional health.
During those periods of constant work and little rest, I noticed that I was more stressed and less focused.
My relationships suffered and the quality of my work deteriorated. 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 just pour from an empty cup. You need to take care of yourself first before you can take care of others or your responsibilities effectively.
So if you’re in the habit of neglecting self-care, it’s time to say goodbye to this behavior.
Start prioritizing your health and well-being. Trust me, this makes a huge difference in how you live your life consciously.
3) Overconsumption of Digital Media
The average person spends over 6 hours a day online.
That’s almost a quarter of our daily lives spent on digital platforms, scrolling through social media, watching videos, or binging on TV series.
It’s crazy, right?
While technology offers us many benefits, overconsumption of digital media can take us away from living a conscious life.
It can trap us in a vicious cycle of constant distraction and instant gratification, preventing us from being fully present in our lives.
Living consciously means being aware 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’s time to reevaluate your digital habits.
Consider setting limits on screen time and engaging more in activities that allow you to be fully present.
4) Ignore Your Intuition
We all have an inner compass, a gut feeling, that guides us along our path.
However, in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it’s easy to ignore that intuition and instead make decisions based on outside influences.
The truth is, that ignoring your intuition can lead you off a path that truly aligns with your values and desires.
It can disconnect you from yourself and leave you feeling lost or dissatisfied.
Living consciously will only happen if you tune in to your intuition and allow it to guide you.
In other words, trust yourself and make decisions that align with who you are and what you truly want.
So if you’re in the habit of ignoring your intuition, it’s time to change.
Start by paying attention to those gut feelings. It is your inner compass that leads you towards a more conscious life. Listen to it, trust it, and let it guide you on your path.
5) Clinging to Negativity
Life isn’t always sunshine and rainbows.
We all face difficulties and pain.
But holding on to negativity from past experiences can cloud your present moment and future potential.
Now, I know how easy it is to get caught up in a vicious cycle of negative thoughts and emotions.
But holding on to negativity can prevent us from living fully and consciously. It can rob us of our happiness, peace, and potential for growth.
Living a more conscious life involves choosing to let go of negativity. This involves acknowledging your negative feelings, but not letting them define you or your life.
Don’t get me wrong—it’s not about ignoring your feelings or pretending that everything is okay.
It’s about accepting what happened, learning from it, and then letting 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 extremely unhappy.
Despite this, I resisted the idea of change—it was too scary and uncertain.
But here’s what I’ve learned: Change is inevitable. It’s a part of life.
And in change, we often find growth, new opportunities, and even happiness.
Resisting change keeps us stuck in the past and prevents us from moving forward.
It prevents us from living a conscious life—a life that aligns with who we are and what we truly want.
So if you’re resisting change, it’s time to let go.
Remember that every ending is a new beginning, and every change is a step toward living a more conscious life.
7) Comparing Yourself to Others
In a world where social media often showcases the best parts 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 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 accomplishments and progress, without equating them with the accomplishments of others. Understand your value and don’t let someone else’s journey diminish yours.
8) Neglecting the present moment
The present moment is all we have.
However, we often find ourselves either dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, missing out on the beauty of the present.
Neglecting the present moment can lead to a disconnected life, where you are physically here but mentally somewhere else.
It’s like watching your life pass by without truly living it.
On the other hand, living consciously means appreciating each moment as it comes, and being fully engaged and present.
Learn to love life, with all its flaws and imperfections. This alone will get you much closer to living a conscious life, trust me.
Final Thoughts: It’s All About Choice
The journey toward living a more conscious life is highly 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 fixed. They are shaped by our choices, and we have the power to change them if they no longer serve us.
Saying goodbye to these eight behaviors is a start toward living more consciously. It’s about being present, appreciating self-care, embracing change, trusting your intuition, and letting go of negativity, comparison, and overconsumption of digital media.
Remember, living consciously isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being aware, making intentional choices, and constantly striving for personal growth.
As you embark on this journey, remember Thich Nhat Hanh’s words: “The present moment is full of joy and happiness. If you pay attention, you will see it.” So take a deep breath, embrace the present moment, and make the decision to live a more conscious life.
