Learning To Let Go of Unnecessary Thoughts

Michael Bonnell
Sep 2, 2018 · 3 min read

HOW TO LET GO OF UNNECESSARY THOUGHTS

Part of me has always wanted to be bigger and better. Not bigger and better in my own eyes, but bigger and better in the eyes of others. A lot of my life growing up was based around the thought that in order to be happy in life, I had to be accepted by others. I used to think that happiness came from having anything and having everything. You know, having popularity, having success, tons of money, and just having more. The truth is, it wasn’t until I started to let go of unnecessary thoughts that I started to find happiness in my life.

It was the unnecessary thoughts of living for others instead of living for myself that would constantly bring me down. They left me feeling depressed, hopeless, and worthless. My life wasn’t about being the best me that I could possibly be, it was about being the best that others wanted me to be. Everything that I did, I did it solely for the approval of others. The way I dressed, the way I acted, the way I looked, and how I treated others was based around trying to impress people that judged me.

So what changed? What finally helped me to let go of unnecessary thoughts? Well to be completely honest, it was the thought of wasting my life. The thought of dying with regrets is what truthfully helped me to let go of unnecessary thoughts. Did I want to be remembered as someone who followed others, or someone who led and inspired others? I mean, I am blessed beyond belief. I have everything that anyone needs in order to be happy. But I was blinded.

For some reason, it never resonated with me before. I used to believe that happiness was extrinsic. I thought that money, fame, success, and riches are what brought happiness to people. Little did I know, I would spend years of my life chasing thoughts that will never bring happiness to anyone. I was doing exactly what I feared. I was wasting my life.

Instead of living for others, I now live for myself. I don’t need the approval of others to be happy. Those people that judged me before, they are going to judge me no matter what I accomplish in life. Now, I surround myself with those who are going to encourage me, and those who are going to pick me up when I am down. Those are the people that we all need in our lives.

I know that I say this a lot, but I only say it because I feel that it is incredibly important. If you want to find happiness in your life, you need to quit living for others. This is your one chance at life. Think about it, you will never get another opportunity to live again. Are you really wanting to spend your life living by the judgement of others instead of living to become the person that you want to become?

Whatever it is that you want to achieve in life, you can achieve it. Nobody can tell you that you need to do something, and nobody can tell you that you can’t do something. You have to believe in yourself, and you have to live for yourself. Your life is way too short to live with negativity and focused around the judgment of others. Find whatever it is that makes you happy in life, and follow your dreams. Live for you, and let go of the unnecessary thoughts of living for others.

Michael Bonnell

9/1/2018

Previous Post: Get Up and Get It Done: You Can Do Anything


Originally published at michael-bonnell.com on September 2, 2018.

Michael Bonnell

Written by

Daily blogging for 500+ days about Self-Improvement and Personal Growth. Also an avid explorer. Striving to be the best that I can be. www.michael-bonnell.com

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