If you want to be a more easygoing person, say goodbye to these 9 behaviors

Becoming an easygoing person isn’t just about having a relaxed attitude—it’s about simplifying your life by shedding the habits that add unnecessary stress.

Hi, I’m Lachlan Brown, founder of Hack Spirit and a mindfulness enthusiast.

Transforming into an easygoing person requires a conscious shift in how you approach everyday challenges.

In this article, we’ll explore nine key behaviors to leave behind if you’re striving to live a more relaxed, stress-free life.

Small changes can lead to big transformations, so let’s dive in and take those first steps together.

1) Overthinking

One of the barriers to becoming an easygoing person is overthinking.

As a mindfulness enthusiast, I can tell you that overthinking is a habit that can drain your mental energy and rob you of the ability to enjoy the present moment.

We all do it. We replay past mistakes in our heads, worry about future problems that may never happen, and create stress out of hypothetical scenarios.

The problem is, overthinking rarely leads to positive outcomes.

Instead, it often results in anxiety, stress, and even insomnia.

So, if you aspire to be more easygoing, saying goodbye to overthinking is an essential first step.

Saying goodbye to overthinking doesn’t mean ignoring real problems or concerns, it means focusing on solutions rather than dwelling on problems and learning to let go of things you can’t control.

Let’s take the first step towards being more easygoing by reducing the habit of overthinking.

2) Perfectionism

Another behavior that can prevent you from being easygoing is perfectionism.

Perfectionism isn’t about doing your best, but about setting impossibly high standards for yourself and feeling miserable when you don’t meet them.

I remember a time in my life when I was constantly striving for perfection. Whether it was my work at Hack Spirit, a yoga pose, or even a simple home-cooked meal, it had to be perfect. The result? Stress, disappointment, and a constant feeling of inadequacy.

But over time, I realized that perfection is an illusion. It’s an unattainable standard that only leads to stress and anxiety.

So, I started to let go of my perfectionist tendencies. I started to accept that making mistakes is part of being human, and that it’s okay to be flawed.

I began to embrace progress over perfection. And guess what? Not only did I become more easygoing, but I also became happier and more satisfied with my life.

3) Negative self-talk

Negative self-talk is another behavior that goes hand in hand with stress and anxiety. It’s those little voices in your head that tell you you’re not good enough, smart enough, or attractive enough.

But here’s the thing: Your brain believes what you tell it.

Research in the field of neuroplasticity has shown that the brain is like plastic – it can change and adapt.

The more you engage in negative self-talk, the more your brain starts to believe it and reinforce those neural pathways.

In contrast, positive self-talk can rewire your brain to think positively and reduce stress levels, making you more easygoing.

So, if you want to be more easygoing, say goodbye to negative self-talk.

Replace those harsh inner voices with positive affirmations and constructive feedback to yourself.

4) Attachments

In Buddhism, we often speak about the concept of attachments and how they can lead to suffering.

Attachments in this context refer to clinging onto ideas, people, material possessions or even certain outcomes.

It’s this clinging that often creates stress and prevents us from being easygoing.

I delve deeper into this in my book “Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego“. I discuss how Buddhism teaches us to let go of our attachments and live in the present moment.

You see, when we’re attached to something, we live in fear of losing it.

This fear creates stress and robs us of our peace of mind.

However, letting go doesn’t mean not caring about things or people.

It’s about understanding the impermanent nature of life and not letting our happiness depend on external factors.

To learn more about this life-changing concept, consider checking out my book “Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego“.

It’s packed with insights and practical tips on how to live an easygoing life by embracing Buddhist teachings.

5) Comparing yourself to others

The rise of social media has made it incredibly easy to compare ourselves to others. We see their highlight reels and start to feel insecure about our own lives.

I’ve been there, scrolling through my feed, feeling like everyone else is living a better, happier life than mine.

But the truth is, comparison is a trap.

It robs you of joy and makes you forget about your own achievements and blessings.

Each one of us is on a unique journey with different starting points, paths, and destinations.

Comparing your journey to someone else’s is like comparing apples and oranges.

Learning to appreciate your journey, with all its ups and downs, is a step towards becoming more easygoing.

Celebrate your achievements, learn from your failures, and focus on becoming the best version of yourself.

6) Always saying “yes”

You might think that being easygoing means always agreeing to everything and never saying no. But that’s a misconception.

Being easygoing doesn’t mean becoming a doormat or overburdening yourself with commitments you can’t handle.

It means knowing your boundaries and being comfortable with setting them.

Saying “yes” to everything can lead to burnout and resentment.

It can also prevent you from having time for yourself and the things you genuinely enjoy.

The key is to understand that it’s okay to say “no”.

It doesn’t make you a bad person or less likable. In fact, people often respect those who can set boundaries and manage their time effectively.

7) Holding grudges

Holding onto grudges can prevent us from being easygoing.

When we hold onto past hurts, we carry the weight of those negative emotions with us.

This burden can affect our mood, our relationships, and even our health.

But here’s the important part: forgiving doesn’t mean forgetting or condoning the wrong behavior.

It simply means letting go of the anger and resentment that is holding you back.

So, if you want to be more easygoing, practice forgiveness. Let go of past hurts and focus on the present.

You’ll feel lighter and more at peace with yourself.

8) Over-scheduling

In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to fall into the trap of over-scheduling.

We’re constantly chasing deadlines, attending meetings, and juggling multiple tasks at once. I know this all too well from running Hack Spirit.

But here’s the thing about over-scheduling: It leaves little room for relaxation and spontaneity, which are key ingredients to being easygoing.

If you want to be more easygoing, try to avoid over-scheduling your life.

Leave some room for relaxation and spontaneous activities.

So go ahead, clear up some space in your schedule.

You’ll be surprised at how much more relaxed and easygoing you can be when you’re not constantly racing against the clock.

9) Ignoring self-care

The most important thing to understand when it comes to being more easygoing is that it starts with self-care.

Self-care is not just about pampering yourself or indulging in guilty pleasures, it’s actually about taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional health.

Ignoring self-care can lead to burnout, stress, and even health problems.

On the other hand, prioritizing self-care can help you become more resilient, happier, and yes, more easygoing.

So make a commitment to take care of yourself. Listen to your body and give it what it needs.

Treat yourself with kindness and compassion.

Final thoughts: It’s a journey

Becoming more easygoing isn’t an overnight transformation. It’s a journey of self-discovery and personal growth.

It involves understanding your behaviors, reflecting on them, and consciously making an effort to change them.

From letting go of overthinking and perfectionism to embracing self-care and setting boundaries, each step you take brings you closer to becoming a more easygoing person.

And remember, it’s not just about changing behaviors but also about shifting your mindset.

In my book, I delve deeper into how Buddhist teachings can help you cultivate an easygoing mindset.

Whether it’s letting go of attachments, living in the present moment, or practicing mindfulness, these teachings can provide valuable insights for your journey.

But no matter where you are in your journey, know that being easygoing is ultimately about finding peace within yourself, accepting yourself as you are, embracing life with all its ups and downs, and finding joy in the simple things.

So here’s to your journey towards becoming a more easygoing person.

I hope the insights in this article and in my book “Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego” will guide you along the way.