Stop These 10 Bad Habits For Personal Growth
Written by Michelle Ong | January 11, 2025
My detox list for the new year to make space for growth—and some ideas to inspire your own.
Becoming the best version of ourselves is a lifelong journey, involving shedding bad habits and creating new, better ones.
The start of a new year is the perfect time to reflect on the past and set goals for the future.
I have been through many cycles of New Year’s resolutions—some successful, others not so much.
Here’s a list of 10 bad habits I have struggled with for years, and I’m determined to tackle them head-on this year.
1. Sticking to the Comfort Zone
“If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done.” – Thomas Jefferson
It’s tempting to stay in what’s safe and familiar, but growth lives outside that bubble.
For me, this meant leaving a role I excelled at to challenge myself in a new job.
While discomfort isn’t fun, I choose it over stagnation.
2. Chasing “More”
“Happiness is not having what you want. It is wanting what you have.” – Rabbi Hyman Schachte
More clothes, more stuff, more tasks—it never ends.
Clutter drains energy and focus.
I’ve started decluttering my wardrobe, my mental space, and even digital chaos like screenshots and photos.
Less is more, literally.
💡Find out why we always want more.
3. Self-Doubt
“Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.” — Suzy Kassem
Public speaking, big decisions, personal projects—I’ve let self-doubt sneak in more times than I’d like.
Meditation, journaling, and mindful reflection help me reframe fear into action.
Accepting flaws and believing in progress, not perfection, is key.
As the saying goes, “It’s not what you are that holds you back, but who you think you are not.”
💡Here’s positive mindsets to embrace and negative ones to let go of.
4. Poor Posture
Long hours at a desk left me with neck strain, back stiffness, and brain fog.
Adjusting my workspace, investing in a proper setup, and moving daily has been game-changing.
Small physical habits have huge impact.
5. Resentment
“Let go of resentment, for it only chains you to the past and prevents you from soaring into the future.”
It’s easy to compare, envy, and hold grudges—but they only weigh us down.
Meditation and journaling help me let go, focus on growth, and celebrate others’ wins without resentment.
6. Procrastination
“Procrastination is the thief of time, collar him.” — Charles Dickens
I love productivity but still procrastinate on long-term projects, like blogging or launching products.
Ask yourself if what you are doing today is getting you closer to where you want to be tomorrow.
I’m learning to break tasks into small wins, so progress feels achievable.
💡Learn helpful tips to combat procrastination.
7. Stress
Overworking is a habit I’m learning to break.
And it doesn’t help that my night owl rhythm is incompatible with rigid 8:30 AM to 6 PM work schedule of my day job.
Sleep disruption, stomach cramps, and brain fog reminded me that rest is part of productivity.
Timers, breaks, and realistic scheduling help me work smart instead of just hard.
💡Learn ways to relieve stress and unwind.
8. Snoozing
Hitting snooze feels good short-term but wrecks mornings.
Especially if you need to get to office by 9 AM.
Sunlight exposure to reset my circadian clock and planning enjoyable morning activities help me rise without dread.
9. Eye Strain
Screens are unavoidable, but neglecting eye health isn’t.
I use timers for break reminders, blue-light filters, and nightly eye exercises to protect my vision while working.
10. Late Nights
Night owl productivity comes at a cost—poor sleep, low energy, and slower recovery.
I aim to start my bedtime routine by 11 PM, asleep by 12 AM.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, 9 PM to 5 AM is the golden sleep hours critical for organ detox and recharge.
Enforcing discipline and making small shifts in tea and sleep habits helped improve my focus, energy, and mood.
Final Thoughts
This “bad habits detox” is about progress—to become more intentional and conscious about spending your energy, time, and attention in the new year.
💡Learn about goal-setting principles, methods, and how to set personal goals.
🌱 Reader Reflection
What bad habits are you ready to detox this year? Start your own list and pick one to tackle this week.
Small steps compound into meaningful change.
