All of us have addictions, like a heroin addiction, but they have varied effects on different aspects of our life. The internet does not help; in fact, it frequently fuels our compulsive habits. Therefore, it is a good idea to be aware of the most harmful addictions and to have a fallback strategy ready for the addictions you need to overcome. My biggest fight right now is with sweets. I know exactly how dangerous it is for health; it is like poison, and it can even lead to illnesses. However, I find that after a demanding workday, I give in. I am determined to kick my sugar habit, but I obviously need to adopt a different approach.
Let us begin by examining the most severe addictions that everyone of us must conquer in order to lead the finest possible lives. According to John David, “Trying to avoid misery instead of pursuing pleasure leads to addiction. It gets easier to break free when you realize that giving up provides more joy.”
The addiction to taking zero risks
Merely avoiding risks results in poor performance. You will not thrive; you will simply survive if you let fear rule your life. Anything good must involve some risk. Instead of avoiding it, the trick is to understand it and handle it. Keep your plan simple: assess risk on a regular basis and take the necessary action. This realistic approach will change the way you think. Risk should be embraced rather than avoided because it is an inevitable aspect of life. If there is no risk, life becomes boring. You will always be curious about what may have happened if you hadn’t taken chances. Take a chance, since something better could always come along.
Tip: You should increase your luck surface area by taking more measured risks.
The addiction to taking something for nothing
This addiction has been fostered by capitalism and contemporary marketing, which persuades you to purchase unnecessary products while giving the impression that you are getting something for nothing. Black Friday and other similar occasions are a prime example of this cheap culture and can easily entice you. However, “There is no such thing as a free lunch.”
Give up expecting things for free; it is bad for your health. Your thoughts are being affected and twisted. Even worse is asking for discounts; you could be acting very rudely and destroying relationships that could help you solve problems in the future. Consider the scenario in which anyone asked Tony Robbins to drastically reduce his hourly coaching fee from $100,000 to $0.99. Most likely, he would be blocked, disregarded, or ignored forever.
Tip: Concentrate on value, not cost. Concentrate on outcomes. Focus on using money to address problems and consider the return on investment.
The addiction to devices
I came up with the phrase “device impairment.” Tablets, laptops, and phones are hurting us. These machines, which are under the direction of powerful businesses that benefit from their use, have replaced human thought processes with their own. Just go for a walk on the street. A lot of people will be glued to their phones, focusing on screens instead of the faces of those they care about. These devices are designed to keep us addicted by constantly bombarding us with notifications that put their agendas ahead of our own.
You could become so caught up in the virtual world that you lose track of time and become addicted. If everyone is doing it, you might think it is not so bad after all. However, your viewpoint will shift if you let your phone rule your life for an extended period of time. The world around you won’t seem quite as lovely as it does on your smartphone screen.
Tip: You should spend time without your phone. Limit your usage. Avoid using your phone during family time. Instead of using your phone to take family photos, bring a digital camera. Alternatively, purchase a basic phone that just accepts phone calls and has no apps.
The addiction to worship the luxury
We usually post the most memorable moments on social media. We may appear to have a perfect life to others—happy families to raise, successful businesses to run, fancy cars to drive, freedom to travel wherever we like, etc. Let me be clear, though: everything is not sunshine and rainbows. People don’t necessarily have a lot of money, even though they talk about it. The constant feeling that we could accomplish more and have more success never goes away. Yet, for the majority of us, it is not about the flashy goods. Still, there is always someone else who needs help, so it can seem like a never-ending quest. We get into the trap of comparing ourselves to an imaginary ideal when we buy into the belief that we have to live a luxurious life and be flawless.
Tip: You should give up comparing your life to the online highlight reels of others. There are people around you who appear to have it all together, yet they are far from perfect. They may pitch themselves as experts, but in truth, they can mislead you by instilling high standards. Life is a journey marked with challenges such as loss and illness. Accept imperfection; that is where true beauty exists.
The addiction to the parasite culture
I feel so motivated right now. I have something that I lately thought of. A parasite culture consists of being addicted to negativity, fascinated with the news, and heavily involved in politics. It is similar to being thrown into The Hunger Games; all you can focus on is the latest horrific incident rather than fighting for your life. A new disaster, a new concern, and a new need for help arrive every day. You become kind of a parasite as a result. You take in all the negativity like a sponge and thrive on it. Then you transmit that negativity like it is infectious, subconsciously around.
Tip: The news does not necessarily represent what is going on in real life. Instead of getting caught up in all of the drama, how about we focus on what is truly important? Channel your fury into action in your own life. Nobody ever achieved great success by watching the news or worrying about politics.
The addiction to trading your obsessions
I met a mother of three a few days ago. She revealed that she was hesitant to write because she was happy with her existing circumstances. In reality, she merely works at her job to make ends meet; she is not enthusiastic about it. Yes, she does have a few genuine interests, but she ignores and tries not to think about them. When she retires, perhaps she will pursue those hobbies again. For now, they are stashed away. It took a lot of questioning before she finally acknowledged having serious regrets. It turns out that she has been hiding deeper worries from her employer, which are harder and harder to ignore. It seems like there is a limit to how long you can fool yourself. A job can certainly keep you occupied for a while, but if it consumes all of your time, you are not giving yourself enough alternatives. And let us face it: regrets cause far more pain than failure or rejection.
Tip: You should prioritize your obsession before going to work. Did you notice that I did not say anything after work? This is because you will be less energetic after work. Use the most energetic part of the day to work on your main project or obsession.
The addiction to drowning in comfort
You have several options at your disposal if you wish to escape facing the difficulties of life. You can watch TV, play video games, use prescription drugs, get hooked on Zoom calls in the metaverse, eat junk food guilt-free, and join the echo chambers of Twitter to connect with other people while feeling sorry for yourself. These pursuits have the power to envelop you in a cozy bubble, providing you with a cushioned existence among the chaos of contemporary existence. What is the best thing, then? It is by no means rare. Why? Because it seems like everyone is doing it. Comfort has taken center stage as society becomes more complex. Meanwhile, analysts in mainstream media purposefully push you to remain in these comfortable conditions in order to make money on your attention with advertisements and pseudo-educational content.
Tip: Friends who have the courage to take risks should be your kind of people. A great example are fitness enthusiasts. These days, nobody works out casually at the gym—everyone is always looking to get better. You may grow and step beyond your comfort zone by surrounding yourself with people like these or by signing up for a mastermind group.
The addiction to wait for the “right time”
The idea of the future has become a source of obsession for many, much like their favorite drug. Desperate for “someday” and “one day,” they constantly postpone their daily responsibilities. They assign their responsibilities to their future selves rather than taking on them now. They seem to be assigning their problems to a mythical person who bears their name but exists in a different era. You will agree that the movie Past Lives is about a love story that never actually happens if you have watched it. The main characters think that their only chance to be together is in a different life, perhaps as lovers. This idea might sound impractical, but it is not unlike those who keep pushing their objectives into the far future. However, the future is not real at all. “Someday” is not a real thing. It is time to stop living in a fantasy and face reality.
Tip: You ought to stay focused on the here and now. Make a decision as soon as possible or postpone it until later. Anything that is not essential should be put away to prevent distractions. When someone promises to do something “someday,” proceed with caution. They are only avoiding commitment; they are not reliable.
The addiction to saving money
Saving money might become a secret obsession. We may unintentionally save money because we become overly careful out of fear of unexpected expenditures. The addiction to saving money can be hazardous, as traditional financial education informs us. Saving money is similar to playing defense, while investing is similar to playing offense. If all you do is save, taxes and inflation can eat away at your savings. On the other side, having a growth mentality entails using your money as a resource to earn more money and extend your financial options.
Tip: You should invest more money than you save. Save by investing in tangible assets that are resistant to inflation, rather than seeking financial advice.
Sana Ahmed Khan is a life coach and author of multiple books from Islamabad, Pakistan. As a certified life coach and author, Sana is keen on helping women from all walks of life. Sana empowers you to overcome self-doubt, find balance, and become your best self through her guidance focused on mindful living, social skills, and personal development.
