Habits I Stopped Glorifying

For a long time, I wore certain habits like badges of honor. Hustling harder. Pushing through exhaustion. Doing things the “right way,” even when it wasn’t right for me. These habits got praised in the workplace, applauded in friend groups, and reinforced on social media.

But somewhere between juggling family, work, and trying to have an actual life, I realized something: the habits I was glorifying weren’t actually serving me. They weren’t making me more productive, more fulfilled, or more successful — they were just making me tired, overwhelmed, and sometimes resentful.

So, I’ve slowly retired them. And in their place, I’ve adopted new habits that feel lighter, more sustainable, and (ironically) actually make me more effective.

Here are the habits I stopped glorifying — and what I’m choosing instead.

1. Being busy

What I used to think: If my calendar was packed, that meant I was important, in-demand, and productive.

The reality: Being busy often just meant I was distracted, overcommitted, and unavailable for the things I actually cared about.

What I do instead: I aim for a spacious calendar, where there’s room to think, create, and rest. Now, I measure my days less by how much I checked off and more by whether I had the energy for what mattered.

2. Late nights and little sleep

What I used to think: Burning the midnight oil was a sign of commitment and drive.

The reality: Exhaustion doesn’t equal excellence. It just meant I was working twice as long to do half as good of a job.

What I do instead: I prioritize sleep like it’s part of the workday. Because it is. When I’m rested, I show up sharper, faster, and with more creativity than I ever could at 2 a.m.

3. Saying “yes” to everything

What I used to think: Being agreeable and flexible made me more likable and dependable.

The reality: Saying yes to everyone else was really me saying no to myself, over and over.

What I do instead: I practice unapologetic no’s — with kindness, but with boundaries intact. I’d rather do fewer things well than be half-present everywhere.

4. Multitasking

What I used to think: Doing five things at once was the ultimate productivity hack.

The reality: Multitasking was just me giving partial attention to everything, which left me feeling scattered and unsatisfied.

What I do instead: I single-task as much as possible. Time blocking, phone on do-not-disturb, one tab open at a time. It’s less glamorous, but infinitely more effective.

5. Being “always on”

What I used to think: Responding instantly and being available 24/7 meant I was professional and dedicated.

The reality: It meant I had no boundaries and no space for myself. It also taught other people to expect me at their convenience.

What I do instead: I set communication boundaries. I check messages at specific times, and I remind myself that being available all the time isn’t a requirement — it’s a recipe for burnout.

The Bottom Line

The habits we glorify often come from cultural noise — hustle culture, social media highlight reels, or what other people value. But the truth is, you don’t have to keep them if they don’t work for you.

When I stopped glorifying these habits, I noticed something: I didn’t lose progress. I gained peace. And with that peace, I finally had the clarity and energy to make real progress on the things that actually matter to me.

Sometimes the most powerful upgrade isn’t in doing more — it’s in choosing differently.

Next step: Want to map out the habits that are actually supporting you (and the ones that are secretly draining you)? Grab my Life Audit Workbook — it’s designed to help you spot these patterns and make aligned changes without the guilt.