We all want to become the best versions of ourselves at every stage of life and continuously strive for perfection. And while ‘perfection’ is merely a hoax, one can still work on becoming better — and eventually, the best version of themselves.
Yeah, that’s not just an overstatement — you can do that!
But growth is not just about picking up new habits or setting goals. Sometimes, it’s more about what you let go of. Like your thoughts, patterns, or even people that silently hold you back without you even realizing it.
You unlearn old behaviors to learn new ones — the ones that are actually good for you and your physical and mental well-being. And that, my friends, is the highest form of learning.
So, becoming your best self is not about being perfect. It’s about becoming lighter, freer, and more in tune with what truly matters to you. And that usually means dropping the baggage.
So, let’s get started….
1. Let go of the need to please everyone
Alright, we need to get this injected into our veins.
You cannot please everyone, so stop trying!
You can’t be everyone’s favorite person. Not everyone will be happy with you as you grow, achieve your goals, or simply choose to live life on your own terms. There will be people who won’t be satisfied — and that’s okay.
Really, let them be.
Because trying to please everyone will only leave you drained and unhappy with yourself. No matter what you do, there will always be someone who doesn’t get it, who doesn’t like you, or who thinks you are doing it all wrong.
So why bother?
The truth is, people’s opinions are based on their own lens — their upbringing, beliefs, and insecurities. And if you keep changing yourself to fit into everyone’s boxes, you will eventually lose sight of who you really are.
2. Enough with the self-doubt
It needs to GO!
Seriously, how long are you going to keep questioning yourself? The little voice in your head that keeps saying “you are not good enough” — it needs to shut up now.
Self-doubt does not protect you; it just holds you back. It stops you from applying for that job, speaking your mind, taking the next step, and especially fully believing in your own worth.
The thoughts that keep crawling back into your mind and holding you back are, most of the time, not real. They are either just old fears, past failures, or things people once said to you that you never really let go of.
And the more you listen to those negative thoughts that keep you doubting yourself, the more you start to believe them, like it’s some universal truth.
Spoiler: it’s not.
Keep reminding yourself about all the times you thought you wouldn’t make it, but you did. You overcame the struggles and managed to solve your problems.
Tell yourself that you are still here, learning, growing, showing up. That’s enough proof that you are capable of doing things. So, stop doubting your every move and start trusting yourself a little more.
3. Let go of toxic comparisons
Nowadays, when almost everyone has access to different social media platforms where people post their well-curated, close-to-perfection, aesthetic photos and happy videos of their fancy lifestyle, it has become so easy and natural for people to keep comparing themselves with others.
What they are eating, how they are living, if somebody is going on a fancy vacation or checking an item off their bucket list — we see everything and follow this very toxic pattern of constant comparison.
It’s not healthy. Nope!
You see people doing things you haven’t, looking better than you, or living a life that seems way ahead of yours. Suddenly, you feel like you are falling behind.
But here’s the truth — people only post what they want you to see. What they don’t show? The mess, the failures, the bad days. So, you are not behind. You are just on your own damn journey, and that’s totally okay.
Every time you start comparing yourself to someone else’s “perfect” life, you steal your own joy. Don’t let their highlight reel make you feel less. Focus on YOUR path. Your growth. That’s where the real magic happens, not in someone else’s feed.
4. Drop the “I’ll be happy when…” mindset
How many times have you told yourself, “I’ll be happy when I get that job… when I lose weight… when I finally move out… when I find the right person…”?
We all do it. We keep putting our happiness on hold like it’s something waiting for us on the other side of an achievement.
But here’s the truth — if you can’t find little moments of peace or joy where you are now, you won’t feel any different in the next phase either. Because, accept it or not, you’re living in this loop of wanting more and chasing the next best thing that you don’t even get to enjoy the stuff you already have.
You have a decent job? You want a higher-paying one. You have a nice car? You want the luxury one your friend has. You have a cozy apartment? But you don’t cherish it and want an even bigger one.
Well, folks — get your facts straight. You’ll never be able to live a happy and content life if you keep doing this.
Because reaching that next milestone is not magically going to fix everything. You’ll just move the goalpost again and keep chasing. On and on. The chase for more never stops.
I’m not saying you shouldn’t want more from life — wanting to grow and achieve is great, and everyone should. But not at the cost of ignoring what’s already good in your life.
Celebrate the now, even if it’s messy, even if it’s not perfect. Let go of the idea that your life needs to be a certain way before you’re allowed to be happy. Live. Live in the now!
Leave A Comment:
Do you agree that becoming your best self starts with letting go of what no longer serves you? I’d love to hear what you think or what you’ve had to let go of in your own journey.
