Let’s cut right to the chase, shall we? These are pretty groundbreaking… things I (imperfectly, but valiantly) try to fight off… an effort to feel joyful, free, and light-hearted.

Complaining

It brings you down. It brings other people down. Complaining casts a shadow on just about any moment, don’t you think?  Maya Angelou said this, “What you’re supposed to do when you don’t like a thing is change it. If you can’t change it, change the way you think about it. Don’t complain.”

Negative self-talk

Sometimes we are our own worst critics. And majority of the time, what I’m worrying about (a bad hair day or forehead zit), other people don’t even notice. So instead of beating myself down, why not build myself up? Why not preach positive affirmations to myself? Why not remind myself of God’s beautiful and powerful promises, my identity in Him, and His love for me? Boom.

The need to be perfect

This one gets me. If you’ve read my blog for a while, you know perfectionism is something I personally combat on the reg. The need to be perfect is like a tight grip on your hands that keep you from dancing through life; it’s a cycle that continues on and on. Perfectionism cannot be attained. But greatness, or doing our best? Absolutely. I try to challenge myself to support others in doing their best, and me focus on doing my best. Because they are bound to be very different. And it’s freeing.

Dwelling on the past

The Enemy likes to use the past to distract and discourage us. He likes to make us feel like we are only what we did yesterday, not what we have the hope to be today.

The need for other’s approval

This, like the need to be perfect, is a trap that is far too easy to fall into. It also zaps us of any real joy in any given moment. If we’re constantly anxious over what others are thinking or believing about us, we can’t focus on anything else. We can’t focus on what we genuinely enjoy, our passions, or pay close attention to the person sitting across from us, and what they are saying.

Agree to these things? Would you add anything else to this list?

PS – that’s my great friend Lauren up there. Isn’t she cute? This was one of the fun shots we got during her graduation photoshoot.