Hey, queen! Summer is just around the corner, and if you want to step into the season feeling like your best self, there’s no better time than now to unlearn habits that are holding you back. Whether you’re constantly stressing over things you can’t control, comparing yourself to others, or just getting stuck in unhealthy routines, we all have habits that need to be broken. By the time summer hits, you’ll want to feel lighter, freer, and more empowered. So, let’s dive into these 12 habits to unlearn before summer—and trust me, you’ll be feeling good in no time.
This guide is packed with practical, real-life advice that will make a difference in how you feel physically, mentally, and emotionally. Plus, we’ve got some affiliate product suggestions to help you along your journey!
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1. Stop Overthinking Everything: Trust Your Instincts
Overthinking is a habit that can take a major toll on your mental health. If you’re constantly second-guessing yourself or stressing over every little decision, it’s time to let go of that habit. Life’s too short to be paralyzed by “what-ifs.”
How to Unlearn It: Practice trusting your gut. Next time you face a decision, give yourself a time limit to make a choice—say, 10 minutes or less—and stick to it. Your intuition knows you better than you think!
Grab a guided journal like the BestSelf Journal to help you make clearer decisions and break free from the cycle of overthinking. It includes prompts that encourage self-reflection, clarity, and action!
2. Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
Social media can make it feel like everyone else has it all together, but remember—what you see online is often just the highlight reel. Constant comparison only leads to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt.
How to Unlearn It: Instead of comparing yourself to others, celebrate your unique journey. Unfollow accounts that make you feel less than amazing and follow those that inspire and empower you. Your path is yours, and it’s okay to move at your own pace.
Try Femmecology, a self-love workbook that helps you embrace your individuality. It’s a great tool for reprogramming those negative thought patterns and focusing on your own growth.
3. Stop Procrastinating: Get Things Done
We’ve all been there—putting off tasks until the last minute, only to feel overwhelmed and stressed out. Procrastination can become a nasty habit that affects your productivity, self-esteem, and overall well-being.
How to Unlearn It: Break your tasks into smaller, manageable steps, and start with the easiest one first. Reward yourself after completing each task—whether it’s a break, a treat, or watching your favorite show.
Invest in a Time Cube Timer to help you stay on track. This simple tool helps you manage time by breaking down tasks into blocks, making it easier to stay focused and productive.
4. Unlearn Perfectionism: Embrace Imperfection
Perfectionism is one of those sneaky habits that can stop you from starting anything at all. Waiting for the “perfect” moment or outcome often means you end up doing nothing. Newsflash: nobody's perfect, and that's okay!
How to Unlearn It: Set realistic expectations for yourself. Understand that mistakes are part of growth, and every attempt is progress. If things don’t go as planned, it’s a lesson, not a failure.
The Self-Care Journal by The Calm Collective can help you practice letting go of perfectionism. It offers mindfulness exercises that encourage self-compassion and acceptance.
5. Unlearn the Habit of Constant Busyness: Slow Down
In today’s world, we’re always on the go. Constant busyness might seem like productivity, but it often leads to burnout, stress, and lack of fulfillment. You don’t need to be doing something all the time to be valuable.
How to Unlearn It: Start scheduling time for rest. Make it a priority to take breaks throughout the day, whether that’s a 10-minute walk, a power nap, or simply sitting in silence. Your productivity will actually improve when you take care of yourself.
A cozy weighted blanket can help you relax and sleep better, especially if you’re feeling overworked. This one has incredible reviews for improving sleep quality and reducing stress!
6. Unlearn Toxic Positivity: Embrace Your Emotions
Toxic positivity is the belief that you should always be happy and positive, no matter what. While optimism is important, denying or suppressing negative emotions isn’t healthy and can lead to emotional burnout.
How to Unlearn It: Allow yourself to feel all emotions—both good and bad. If you’re sad, angry, or frustrated, honor those feelings. It’s okay not to be okay sometimes. Practice expressing your emotions in healthy ways, such as journaling, talking to a friend, or even seeking therapy.
The Five Minute Journal is a great tool for helping you process emotions without forcing yourself to be “positive” all the time. It’s designed to foster gratitude, mindfulness, and self-reflection.
7. Let Go of People-Pleasing: Set Boundaries
Do you find yourself saying “yes” to things just to make others happy, even if it’s draining you? People-pleasing is an exhausting habit that leaves little room for your own needs and desires.
How to Unlearn It: Practice saying “no” when you need to. Setting boundaries is an act of self-love. You don’t need to explain yourself or apologize for wanting time for yourself.
The Boundary Boss book by Terri Cole is an excellent resource for learning how to set and enforce healthy boundaries. It’s packed with practical tips and strategies to help you take control of your personal space.
8. Unlearn Self-Doubt: Believe in Your Strengths
If you’re constantly doubting yourself, it can be hard to take action or feel confident in your abilities. Self-doubt can hold you back from pursuing your dreams and living your life to the fullest.
How to Unlearn It: Start by affirming your worth daily. Use positive affirmations to shift your mindset and focus on your strengths. Keep a list of things you’ve accomplished or qualities you love about yourself, and refer to it when you need a boost.
Try a daily affirmation deck to remind yourself of your worth and power. This deck features positive messages to encourage self-love and confidence every day!
9. Stop Avoiding Your Finances: Get Financially Empowered
Money is one of those topics we all know we should be more mindful of, but it’s easy to avoid dealing with finances, especially when things are tight. However, being financially irresponsible can affect your peace of mind and your future.
How to Unlearn It: Start by facing your financial situation head-on. Track your spending, create a budget, and set realistic financial goals. Take baby steps, and you’ll start feeling more in control.
A budgeting app like YNAB (You Need A Budget) is an amazing tool to help you take control of your finances and make smarter money decisions. It’s user-friendly and helps you prioritize savings!
10. Let Go of Toxic Relationships: Surround Yourself with Positivity
Not all relationships are worth keeping, especially those that drain your energy or bring negativity into your life. Holding on to toxic friendships or romantic relationships can affect your well-being and prevent you from thriving.
How to Unlearn It: Evaluate the relationships in your life. Do they support your growth? Do they make you feel valued? If not, it might be time to distance yourself from toxic people. Focus on nurturing relationships that lift you up.
The Attached book by Amir Levine is a great resource to understand your relationship dynamics and how to recognize unhealthy patterns.
11. Unlearn the Fear of Change: Embrace New Opportunities
Change can be intimidating, especially when it’s outside of your comfort zone. However, change is often necessary for growth and can open up new opportunities in your life.
How to Unlearn It: Shift your mindset by viewing change as an opportunity for growth. When faced with a decision that involves change, ask yourself, “What’s the worst that could happen?” and weigh the risks vs. rewards.
12. Unlearn the Need for External Validation: Trust Yourself
Constantly seeking approval from others can make you feel like you’re never enough. Seeking external validation is an exhausting habit that keeps you from fully embracing your authenticity.
How to Unlearn It: Practice validating yourself. Celebrate your wins, big or small, without waiting for others to acknowledge them. Trust that you are worthy, even if no one else affirms it.
Conclusion: It’s Time to Unlearn and Unleash Your Full Potential
Summer is just around the corner, and there’s no better time to start unlearning these habits that no longer serve you. As you break free from the past and embrace new, healthier ways of thinking and living, you’ll start to feel more empowered and ready to tackle anything life throws at you.
By making small adjustments to how you think and act every day, you’ll be more in tune with yourself and prepared to thrive as the weather warms up. So, grab those tools, take control of your habits, and get ready to step into summer like the amazing, confident person you are!
Ready to Start Unlearning? Take Action Today!
Let this be the moment you decide to make real change. Pick one habit to start unlearning today—take it step by step, and before you know it, you’ll be living your best life. Stay positive, stay confident, and don’t forget to treat yourself along the way! 🌟