Happiness is something we all strive for, but it can sometimes seem like an elusive feeling that we’re always chasing and never quite able to achieve.  In my work as a Counselor in Virginia Beach, I consistently discover similarities in clients’ behaviors that prohibit them from experiencing true happiness in their lives. After working together to reduce these behaviors, my clients are repeatedly successful in unlocking the happiness they desire.

Below are three things to eliminate from your life to feel happy right now.

1. Comparing yourself to others.

Theodore Roosevelt said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” When you get into the habit of measuring your worth by comparing yourself to others, contentment with your own life will be increasingly difficult to find. Your path is one-of-a-kind and cannot accurately be measured in comparison to anyone else’s journey. Next time you find yourself feeling envious of someone else’s life, give yourself a gentle reminder that their story has nothing to do with your own.

2. Living in the future.

All of us have used the phrase “I’ll be happy when…” at some point in our lives. Maybe it was finishing school, a big project at work, going through a divorce, or just a period of time we thought we needed to get through before we could truly be happy. With this type of thought process, there will always be some sort of obstacle standing in the way of happiness. You will always want more, that’s part of human nature. The key to creating happiness now is by training your brain to live in the moment and be grateful for what you already have instead of living for the possibilities of the future.

3. Negative self-talk.

Many people aren’t aware of the constant negative chatter going on in their head that can significantly impact their perspective and overall mood. When the voice in your head is constantly telling you that you’re not good enough, smart enough, pretty enough, strong enough, wealthy enough—you’ll eventually start to believe it. Cultivating awareness surrounding negative self-talk and changing it into more positive, self-affirming statements is crucial for creating happiness in your life.