Bad decisions are a part of growth in life. However, some poor life decisions can create significant issues for you and those around you. Here are several to avoid.
1. Staying In Bad Situations
Moreover, staying in a bad situation because you fear change. This can apply to being in unhealthy relationships to staying at a miserable job because it keeps a roof over their heads and food in their bellies, and the idea of losing that security to try something else scares people.
2. Using and Abusing Substances
An unfortunate number of people choose to try substances every day. For many, it evolves into a substance use disorder, and they will continue to indulge in destructive depths. Substance abuse can easily be broadened to picking up and denying addictive behavior.
3. Obtaining Credit Card Debt
One of the greatest disservices in life is the reality that people are not taught about credit scores, credit card debt, and interest rates. However, when they turn 18, the mail bombards them with credit card offers. It starts a vicious cycle of life-long debt for people who fall victim to the bait.
4. Indulging Excess
Everything in moderation is key to achieving balance and happiness. However, it can be easier said than done. Someone points out that we often forget that moderation applies to passions and positive things. For example, too much food, exercise, or water can be unhealthy and even kill you.
5. Working Too Much
Hustle culture is toxic and widespread. The idea that you must work every waking moment of your day to be successful is a bad choice many people make in life. The only people who will remember all those extra hours you put in at work are your friends and family.
6. Making Big Decisions to “Save” Relationships
Another poor life choice that far too many folks make is deciding on significant life events to save a marriage. For example, believing that having a baby, getting married, buying a home, or even inviting another person into your relationship will save it. They won’t.
7. Not Getting Adequate Sleep
Do you get the recommended seven or more hours of sleep required to maintain your health? If you’re having sleep difficulties, you are not alone.
The American Sleep Apnea Association reports: “About 50 to 70 million Americans have sleep disorders, and 1 in 3 adults (about 84 million people) do not regularly get the recommended amount of uninterrupted sleep they need to protect their health.”
Helpful Reading: 10 Tips to Help Get You Out of Bed in the Morning
8. Neglecting Relationships
Failing to invest time and effort in maintaining relationships with family, friends, spouses, and life partners is a terrible life choice. It can lead to loneliness and a lack of a support system.
9. Having Children With No Means to Support Them
Having children when you cannot support them is a horrible life decision many people make. Support, including money, a village of helpers, and flexible working, make parenthood achievable. Without those three things, it’s an uphill battle. As a former single mother who relied heavily on my father for help, I can attest to this truth.
10. Failing to Invest in Yourself
Failing to invest in yourself is a terrible life decision. Ways to invest in yourself can be learning new skills, exercising, eating healthy foods, getting therapy, traveling, or simply experiencing new things.
11. Sitting All Day
Between remote work, long hours, and binging TV, getting up and ensuring your body is in motion can be challenging. However, it is necessary. A sedentary lifestyle is dangerous and can lead to various health issues, including premature death.
12. Not Taking Care of Your Teeth
Not caring for your teeth is a poor life decision that leads to large sums of money, pain, and having teeth pulled or falling out of your mouth. Unfortunately, people with chronic depression can neglect their dental care. Moreover, dental insurance is typically independent of health insurance, and many people do not or can not afford it.
13. Hosting Expensive Weddings
The wedding business is a cash cow, draining the savings of couples in love and even putting some of them in debt. It is absurd to spend tens of thousands of dollars on one day that means more to you than anyone who will attend and won’t go perfectly anyway. Save your money for a down payment on a home or traveling adventure.
14. Face Tattoos
Mike Tyson may have been the first person I saw with a face tattoo. However, it’s since become mainstream. I’ll never forget waiting on a man with his entire face and bald head tattooed with snake scales and fangs. It’s difficult not to stare. Moreover, I’m from a generation who would deem those tattoos unemployable. So it’s strange to see so many people embracing them.
15. Cheating On Partners
Have you ever been cheated on? It’s not fun and has become commonplace, especially with no-fault divorce laws. The emotional pain and trauma you cause your significant other is never worth it, but thousands, if not millions, of people cheat on their partners daily.
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Elizabeth Ervin is the owner of Sober Healing. She is a freelance writer passionate about opioid recovery and has celebrated breaking free since 09-27-2013. She advocates for mental health awareness and encourages others to embrace healing, recovery, and Jesus.