Life is meant to be embraced but there are many areas where we hold ourselves back. So that you can cultivate happiness and a sense of purpose, here are the things that you should never deny yourself but, rather, always choose to pursue.
Self-expression shows the world the true you
You have the freedom to express yourself authentically and creatively. Your self-expression shows the world who you truly are and you should never deny yourself the opportunity to showcase the true you. We often hold back out of fear of what people may think, but you’ll be much happier if you just shine.
Many people deny themselves love
Many people shy away from giving and receiving love from others for many different reasons, including low self-worth and past trauma. It’s common to put your walls up high when you’ve suffered a previous heartbreak, but you’re doing yourself a disservice by not letting love in.
Self-care often becomes a low priority
Life gets busy, and when it does, self-care usually takes a backseat. When work schedules get busy and children take up all our time, taking care of your own physical, mental, and emotional well-being drops to the bottom of the list. The National Institute of Health says that self-care plays a major role in maintaining your mental health.
Many people stunt their own growth
It is very common to doubt your own abilities, and this can stunt your growth. Continuously learning, evolving, and striving for personal development helps you grow in life, but many people deny themselves this opportunity out of fear.
Never deny yourself joy
Little moments of pure joy are what make life worthwhile. Finding and embracing joy and happiness in everyday life helps you see the world in a new light. It makes the hard days easier and allows you to be even more grateful for the good days.
Adventure should be embraced
Every day should be an adventure, and exploring new experiences, places, and opportunities is an exciting part of life. Adventure should always be embraced, whether it is traveling to an exotic destination on the opposite side of the world or just your own backyard.
Authenticity should be a core value
In the modern world, so many people hide behind a facade. They deny their authenticity and embark on a lifetime of pretense. Being true to yourself and living in alignment with your unique values is the fast track to happiness. You will never be truly happy unless you are your genuine self.
Connection can be scary
When you have been burned so many times, letting your walls down and inviting people in can be incredibly scary. While it’s undoubtedly difficult to be vulnerable, building meaningful connections with others is what makes life real, raw, and enjoyable.
Passion is the spice of life
Passion is what gives you a little pep in your step and makes the mundane parts of life worth it. Pursuing passion and interests wholeheartedly is a way to be truly fulfilled. There is a famous quote by Leo Buscaglia that says, ‘ A life without passion is not living; it’s merely existing.’
It can be hard to have gratitude
Life gets hard, and it can be difficult to see the positives in all the negatives. However, you should never deny yourself feelings of gratitude. You should always have an attitude of gratitude and cultivate a mindset where you appreciate the blessings in life. Mental Health First Aid says that one thought of gratitude reduces depressive feelings by 35%.
Purpose is necessary in life
Without direction, it is hard to feel satisfied in life, so it is crucial that you never deny yourself a sense of purpose. Discovering a sense of purpose and living with meaning is very important in life. Self-doubt often plays a part in denying yourself purpose.
Forgiveness is difficult
Practicing forgiveness is the only way you will find peace and closure. We are meant to make mistakes in life; it’s how we grow and learn, so you can’t beat yourself up when you make a mistake. You should also forgive others, as holding a grudge is never healthy.
You should have the freedom to make your own choices
We all have the autonomy to make our own choices, but it’s common to deny yourself this freedom due to self-esteem issues. Many people let other people make choices for them, including parents and partners, because they lack confidence in their own decision-making abilities.
Spontaneity is fun
In the modern world, our lives are planned to the very last minute. Every day is so scheduled that we have lost the art of spontaneity. It can be difficult to let go of routine and embrace your spontaneous side. You should never deny yourself the opportunity to have new experiences and take on new challenges without warning.
Acceptance shouldn’t be avoided
When you are consumed by a lack of self-esteem, it can be really hard to feel accepted. Accepting yourself is the first step, and then you can allow yourself to feel accepted by others, flaws and all. When self-worth is low, it can be easy to deny yourself acceptance but you will receive a confidence boost when you allow it.
Don’t deny kindness
A common trait of low self-worth is feeling doubt when people show you kindness. If you don’t feel worthy of kindness, you will deflect, but this is a personal disservice. Never deny yourself kindness. Show yourself kindness and compassion by allowing it in your life.
Embrace play
Never deny yourself the opportunity to be playful, curious, and childlike at times. Psych Central says that play is equally important for adults as it boosts creativity, helps you cope with stress, and enhances your sense of humor. Embrace play; never deny yourself a little fun.
Never shy away from balance
They say you can’t have it all, but you should never shy away from trying to have balance in your life. Striving for balance in all areas, including work, relationships, and leisure, is healthy. It can’t be all work and no play, as this will only negatively impact your well-being.
Dreams are not made to be ignored
You should pursue dreams and aspirations with determination and courage, regardless of any obstacles. Dreams should never be ignored, they mean something and give you direction for your life. Don’t deny yourself the chance to dream, Verywell Mind says you should work to make your dreams reality.
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