I know I keep banging on about it but taking up life coaching in 2020 had had incredible positive effects on my life. I’ve continued with my coaching into this year and invested a lot of time, money and effort into it to help me grow as a person. Coaching has helped me more than ever to recognize toxic habits I have and learn the appropriate ways in which I can eradicate them from my life.
Photo by Ella Jardim on Unsplash
My current coach, Michelle from Journey To Bliss, has been incredible in getting me to recognize these toxic habits but also not judge myself on them. She’s given me tools and techniques to use in order for me to transform them into something else. Something better. Something healthier. And since the start of 2021, I feel like I’ve made incredible self growth because of it.
It’s important to remember that we ALL have toxic habits. All of us. Me. You. Beyoncé. Nobody is immune to them. And whilst they might vary from person to person, they all do the same thing. And that’s have a negative impact on our mental, physical, emotional, intellectual or spiritual well-being.
We all want to be the best possible version of ourselves. You’d be lying if you said you didn’t. And it’s important to recognize our own toxic habits so we can work to remove them and let them go. And before we even look at the habits you need to kick to the curb, remember there is NO judgment here. Be kind to yourself.
Self care is vital for any self growth work. Because self growth isn’t always pretty. Sometimes it’s messy and upsetting and triggering. I definitely felt all those emotions during some pretty heavy hitting coaching sessions I had last year which left me feeling absolutely drained afterwards.
So now let’s look at 8 toxic habits you need to kick to the curb in 2021!
Constantly scrolling through social media
Let’s start with one that we can probably all relate to, shall we? In this digital age, it is HARD to avoid social media especially when it’s such a vital means of communication (especially during a pandemic!) and many of us work online too. I freaking LOVE social media. But the constant scrolling needs to stop. You have a life away from your phone, remember that.
Selling yourself short
I actually have a little story to go with this point. A while back, I was getting in the bath and usually I love to have a lavish bubble bath with bath bombs and candles but on this particular occasion I was like, “meh I can’t be bothered with all that”. It was pure laziness on my part despite knowing that I love doing it. So I got up off my ass and lit those candles and guess what? It made me feel better.
Working 24/7 and toxic productivity
We are DONE with hustle culture in 2021. This is something I used to struggle with a lot and still do to some degree but I’m getting much better with that balance. Let’s stop glamorizing working until 3am, getting no sleep and running on empty. It’s not healthy. And it’s not going to get you ahead of the game. It’s going to burn you out.
Related read: 10 Time Management Tips You’ll Thank Me For Later
Comparing yourself to other’s online
This is something I STRUGGLE WITH. I know it’s a major toxic habit for me and it’s one that I’m working incredibly hard to beat. And is probably the main thing we talk about in my coaching sessions. This is my biggest and worst toxic habit and good God it’s hard to manage. But if you know, you know. Work on getting this one under control.
Not following your heart
This is something I started doing in 2020 with my blog. I wrote about it more in my post, We Need To Talk, where I mention how I had started doing the same shit as everyone else because they were seeing success with it, even though I absolutely hated it. Lo and behold, as soon as I stopped and started following my heart, I was much happier and was even earning more money.
8 Toxic Habits To Kick To the Curb in 2021:
Not prioritizing your mental health
Especially after the bloody year we’ve had, if you’re STILL not prioritizing your mental health, babe, stop. Slow down. Sit down. Have a cuppa. And tend to YOU. If this is something you struggle with, then these journal prompts for mental health might be a good starting place to help get your thoughts down on paper.
Not being present
This is something else that I’m working to eradicate because I am so SICK of not being present in my every day life. I’m always that person thinking about the past or the future or plans and rarely actually soaking up what I have – which is today. At least, I used to be that person. And trust me, since I started actively being more present in my life, I have been so much happier.
Not investing in yourself
Whether that’s time, money, self care, therapy, a new handbag, investing in yourself and what makes you happy and what your soul needs is SO IMPORTANT. When I bought my coaching for this year, I realised this was the most money I’d EVER spent on myself. And it was so freaking empowering. Remember, you have the best interest rates.
[…] 8 Toxic Habits To Kick To the Curb In 2021 […]
I’m guilty as charged of all the above 🤭
Uh oh!
I struggle with comparing myself to others, I often feel like I am never good enough. I hope to work on that this year and ignore that feeling
It’s a very common feeling – don’t worry!
I love this post! Especially about not hustling in 2021, I felt that was what I needed to do but it’s not about that. It’s about being smart and doing what I like most. Also, being in the present. I find it difficult to not focus on the future instead of resting in where I’m at right now. Thank you for this post.
Thank you 🙂 Yesss working smarter, not harder!
Excellent post! I am going to come back and read this one again! 🙂 Such great reminders!
Thank you 🙂 x
I am so guilty of selling myself short and I scroll through social media far too much – even more so since the pandemi began. This is a great list!
Thank you. Hope you can look into those!
There’s definitely a fair few on the list I need to work on! I really would like to invest more time for myself, I’m so bad at doing that. I always try to work hard 24/7 and end up feeling exhausted or overwhelmed about everything. I really want to use this year to work on myself and do things that I enjoy. Great post Jenny, feeling quite inspired to get started now!! x
I’m so glad!!
Thanks for sharing, all these habits are quite hard to break, I’m trying to think more in the present but that is hard when you have to make plans for the next day about food etc
I think that’s totally okay. You don’t need to be present every second of the day! As long as you’re finding those moments throughout the day, that’s perfect!
I definitely need to work on some of these this year! I’m so bad at just endlessly scrolling on social media, I know I’m doing it but just can’t stop for some reason. I definitely want to stop comparing myself to others too, it’s something I’ve got better at over the years but it’s a hard one isn’t it! xx
Tiffany x http://www.foodandotherloves.co.uk
It’s definitely a hard one to crack! It takes time but keep at it 🙂
This was a great read! It certainly has made me think about all the things I am doing at the moment… especially the things I need to stop! #ThanksForPosting
You’re welcome glad you enjoyed!
These are amazing habits. I am guilty of a number of these. I rarely compare myself to others, I feel like I am good enough, and I am the best thing that has ever happened to me. Tho I am human, and there have been times when I found myself comparing myself to others, it is something I rarely do and whenever I find myself comparing myself to others, I remind myself of the fact that I am one of a kind and my journey is different from every other person’s journey. I really need to work at prioritizing my mental health and reducing how much I use social media. I am always scrolling through social media. Oh! how my eyes have found themselves glued to a laptop screen haha. I really want to learn to reduce my social media usage as I am pretty much always on social media (twitter especially) which is bad! For some reason I love your blog and I love how you write too. Keep it up x!
Thank you. It’s great that you’re so comfortable with yourself but important to remember that we are human and those feelings of comparison will crop up from time to time!
Definitely comparing myself to other’s online! I know it’s not rainbows and sunshine on the other side but the internet has a way of portraying things that way. Or maybe it’s our perception. Athough I have a long way to go, I have started working on this particular aspect so that I don’t feel so negative anymore.
It really does. And I think it’s a bit of both!
Yes! I love all of these, but especially the toxic productivity one. Its such a hard mindset to get out of.
It really is!
I think it says a huge amount that this felt like a tick list of things I do, rather than things I shouldn’t be doing.
Such great advice, I spent a lot of time a few years ago removing the toxic people from my life and it was so beneficial so I really need to work on these toxic habits x
Ah sorry Claire! Hopefully this helps though and encourages you to change a few things going forward!
Spending too much time on social media has become a vice again for me, alas. I was doing pretty well all throughout 2019 and the start of 2020, but I spent far too much of my day scrolling after the pandemic settled in. I’ve finally gotten a bit better about it so far in 2021, but there is certainly room for improvement! :’) x
Definitely don’t beat yourself up about that! Think we all fell into some bad habits during the pandemic x
There is nothing good about negativity except that it perhaps helps us appreciate positivity and wellness in emotional, physical, and mental wellbeing more. I connect most with your thoughts on following your heart; that is something I have to do to love writing. Loving what I do also helps crowd out the temptation to compare myself to others. 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
Following your heart is so important!
Oh my god. All of these are me. Reading this has certainly been a bit of an eye opener and now I’m thinking ouch, what am I doing? Guess now it’s time to try and do something about these, but wow, thank you!
Haha you’re so welcome!
Constantly scrolling through social media is definitely a habit that I’ve realised I’ve gained over the past year so I’ve started using the forrest app and being more conscious of how I’m using social media instead. I’m also trying to start to prioritise my mental health too
I’ve heard so much good things about the forest app!
Great post! It’s so important to not overwork, to stop comparing and stop being on social media (I’m way too guilty of this one) – I really enjoyed this xx
Thank you 🙂 x
Such a fab post! I definitely need to stop mindlessly scrolling! I always say “I don’t have time!!” but then I spend an hour scrolling on Instagram…
Hahaha it’s so obvious when we think about it, isn’t it? Course you have time, you’re just wasting that time by doing pointless things like scrolling!
Hustle culture and toxic productivity is definitely one that I’m trying to leave behind! Even other than it being pushed on everyone on the internet, I am generally someone who runs on productivity highs and often have to force myself to take a break in order to not burnout. I really need to re-evaluate what I consider productive and if it is actually making me happy.
Lovely post, Jenny!
Sumedha | the wordy habitat
Oh I agree. I’m incredibly productive and work driven and it’s great but I know where my limits are now. It’s the toxic productivity crowd on socials that do my head in!
I have certainly been guilty of comparing on social media! But I got rid of Facebook and Instagram as I didn’t need it.
I think we all have!
Love this Jenny! All these points are spot on!
Thank you 🙂 x
I love this post Jenny! These are all habits that we definitely need to let go of, but not following your heart really hit me. So many times I have put what I want on the back burner for the sake of others, promising I will revisit those dreams and desires later on. Unfortunately later never seems to come. This post reminding me of all those things I let go. Time to start revisiting them. Thanks so much for this!
Thank you 🙂 Yes! I’m SO glad to hear that <3
All of these I think are equally important. I find especially that comparing myself to others online is so easy to do, yet it is so pointless. Because it doesn’t get us anywhere, and these people are only showing the very “best” things happening in their lives.
I totally agree. Too easy but yes pointless!
These seem so obvious when written down but we’re all so guilty of doing at least one of them!
Good for you for recognising and trying to grow from it! 💕💕
Haha I know right. Oftentimes we just don’t realise it!
One positive from this whole pandemic is that it’s forced me to be present. As a society we can be quite scared of stopping or slowing down
I’m so glad to hear that and totally agree!
Yes!! I am guilty of so many of these. Especially social media scrolling its becoming an obsession lately (I blame a pandemic and starting a blog 🤣) I am also really bad at not being present in the moment. I find myself thinking about what I should be doing/planning in my head when I should just be appreciating what I am doing at that time. Thanks for bringing this back to the forefront of my mind!
Great tips! I definitely agree with you, its social media addiction but it also take time from doing other important things!
Exactly. There are much more important things than social media!
The idea of letting go of toxic productivity and hustle culture is one that I’ve been working on throughout 2020 and into 2021. With everything being cancelled, I was forced to suddenly have more ‘down time’ which made me realize that I’m happier overall and more productive during my work hours when I’m taking that time for myself. This realization has led to a significant change in my life and I really do encourage everyone else to explore it!
I’m so glad to hear that. I had that exact realization really. I’ve been working less but being more productive AND earning more money because I’m happier. Funny right?
Great topic. I’m sure we are all guilty of a few of these. I’m trying so hard to be more present this year.
Oh we totally are!
The one that gets me every time is falling into the trap of working all the time. COVID combined with working from home has really thrown out the whole work life balance for me.
My goal this year has been to get this all in line.
Loved reading this post and thank you for sharing.
Oh for sure something that’s taken it’s toll!
I really think you’ve nailed this! During the pandemic, it is harder then ever for me to look at social media where others are posting nice dinners out or get togethers. I live in a high risk household and these are a definite no for us. I will definitely follow your recommendations.
Thank you 🙂 I agree, social media is doing my head in right now!
Comparing ourselves to others is such a mentally exhausting thing to do. Though, sometimes I do check out other people’s sites to see what I can be doing differently. I definitely try not to let it get me down if I’m not growing as fast as them or getting as much traffic.
Ang | https://loseweightwithang.com
There’s definitely a fine line between comparison and taking inspiration!
Listening to others telling me how and what I should do with and to my business while they absolutely have no clues of what I do or my niche is. I try to be polite and explain but the death ear is astounding. Learning how not to justify my business and ignoring them has started, struggling but doing it.
Thank you for another great article.
Oh my gosh HOW ANNOYING!
Not comparing yourself to others is one I definitely need to work on, it’s such a difficult habit to kick to the curb! I love all these other toxic habits you’re going to kick out in 2021 Jenny! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
It really is! But you don’t need to compare, you’re amazing! xxx
You are completely right, stay far from the phone is a good tip of advice
Thanks for sharing
https://uncuaderno4cero.wordpress.com/
Haha it sure is!
If work has no boundaries, it is really toxic. Life is not about working all the time. For sure work doesn’t stop, but we can put some brakes and do something worthwhile…for ourselves!
I totally agree and it’s taken me a long time to figure that out!
These are definitely some of my toxic traits I need to stop doing as well. Especially scrolling through social media as much. I am trying to limit my time with that here lately. Thanks for sharing this awesome post!
Try using a screen time app! It’s amazing!
For me, it’s not being present. I think too much about the future. Sometimes I forget to count my blessings. Thank you for sharing this.
I hope this has reminded you to take a moment today and count those blessings!
I spend so much time scrolling through social media and really do need to stop, it’s one habit I’ll be working to stop this year. I think maybe putting my phone in another room for an hour or two may help while I’m working. Great post, Jenny!
Samantha | https://samanthajblogs.co.uk
It’s an easy fix! But yes, definitely a hard one to crack. Good luck!
I loved your article. I’m gonna definitely fight Selling myself short.
Thank you 🙂
I always sell myself short- and I’m trying to stop! I think it’s so important to believe in your own abilities, and recognise that whatever you’re doing is good and you should take pride in that- and not sell yourself short to others 🙂
Absolutely! I hope you stop doing that with yourself because you’re amazing!
Aw thank you Jenny 🙂
“Working 24/7 and toxic productivity” Gosh, this really hits me. I’m a type of person who really works like, a LOT. I’m glad that I’m learning to actually cut that toxic habit off. It’s so important to be aware of these habits in order to stop doing it over and over again. Thank you so much for sharing this. 😊
Haha glad that one resonated! 🙂
Ugh lately I’ve been feeling less than present, so this might be a good one to focus on, and social media really has something to do with it I think. Great list!
Oh for sure social media has something to do with it!
I have recently started leaving my phone in another room and locking it away from me. Some days, I’d be scrolling and scrolling endlessly and end up feeling horrid.
However, when I remove my phone from my vicinity, I crack on with work with full concentration, I’m happier and I’m less worried about what I could be missing!
It’s toxic for sure. This summer, I’m hoping to do this more and read more books instead!
Rosie
Yesss Rosie! Hope you keep that up! x
I think I am guilty of a few too many of these habits. I need to stop spending so much time on social media, learning to switch off and not comparing myself so much to others. Thank you for sharing this!
Tash – A Girl with a View
You’re welcome 🙂 x
Great post! Surely this year i will need to work on stop comparing to others and invest more on my well being!Thank you for sharing x
Thank you 🙂 Sounds like a plan!
Wonderful post Jenny. These days I successfully tried to stay away from phone for long time and it helped me a lot.
Thank you 🙂 Glad to hear that!
You are welcome Jenny 👍
Saving this one, it’s a great post!
Thank you!
My biggest one is watching YouTube!!! I waste so much time watching tips, at least reading your post is a more productive alternative, reading is good mental exercise. Oh I sell myself short I will stop that. This is a lovely post and I have written some of your points in my journal. Thank you.
Reading is a great mental exercise. YouTube can be an excellent resource if used right!