3 Things To Do To Change Your Life

The Strategic Llama
February 06, 2023

Number 1: Stop Complaining

Complaining has become such a normal part of society. You hear it everywhere and every day! At school, work, sporting events or even down the local pub.

Complaining is a 0% return on investment so why do people still do it?

First of all let's take a look at why people complain.

Why do people complain?

People complain for a variety of reasons. Some common reasons include:

Expressing frustration
Seeking validation
Social bonding
Habit
Attention seeking
Coping mechanism

It's important to note that complaining can be a normal and healthy part of life, but when it becomes excessive; it can have negative effects on one's mental and emotional well-being. When you're complaining too much you need to truly have a look at what it is you're complaining about and possibly make a change.

Whether it's getting a new job, changing activities in your life and removing yourself from situations

What does complaining actually do to your brain?

Complaining can have negative effects on the brain. It can lead to increased stress levels, which can cause the release of cortisol, a hormone that can have negative impacts on the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory and learning.

Chronic complaining can also lead to increased feelings of negativity and makes it harder to feel positive emotions. Additionally, complaining can activate neural pathways associated with negative emotions, which can lead to a self-perpetuating cycle of negative thinking and also depression.

Yes, complaining can lead to depression. Studies have shown that people who complain frequently may be at a higher risk for developing depression. Imagine just laying in bed all day being depressed and having negative thoughts reoccurring inside of your head all day and all night.

How do we change?

Being self-aware of your complaining is the key to changing!

After reading this, you'll be more aware of your complaining, you'll notice when you are complaining and you'll be able to catch it in the moment.

Being self-aware of your complaining is an important step in being able to change the behaviour. Once you are aware that you complain frequently, you can start to take steps to change your behaviour. One of the reasons this is possible is because self-awareness allows you to recognize the situations or triggers that lead you to complain. Once you are aware of these triggers, you can start to take steps to avoid or manage them.

Once you start to realise you’re complaining in the moment, then you’ll be more aware going into a conversation and trying to keep that conversation more positive. 99% of people do not give a fuck about your life or situation, and don’t want to hear you complain.

Additionally, self-awareness allows you to recognize the negative effects that complaining can have on your mood and overall well-being. This realization can motivate you to make changes in order to improve your mental and emotional state.

Being self-aware can help you to be more aware of your thoughts, feelings and actions.

With consistent practice, self-awareness and self-regulation you'll be able to kick the habit of complaining all together, or reduce it to a very minimal amount to where it doesn't change your mood.

When trying to kick the bad habit start with 1 day of not complaining, then 3, then a week, then 2 weeks and so on. Think of this as a video game!Level 1 - PassedLevel 2 - PassedLevel 3 - In Progress!This makes it more fun!

When others complain to you do not engage in the conversation. Just say something like yeah that's shit, or try offer them advice. Most of the time they just want to rant and not actually make any chances.

Number 2: Walking

Walking can help reduce stress, improve mood, and increase feelings of well-being. It can also improve cognitive function, such as memory and concentration, and reduce the risk of developing conditions such as depression and anxiety.

Walking has probably had the biggest impact on me personally towards mental health. Let’s not forget about the physical benefits of it aswell, but walking is a great way to clear your mind. It always gives you time to listen to your favourite podcast or favourite music, which puts you in a better mood.

Walking always puts me in a productive and motivated mood when I need to do deep work, or just some stuff around the house.

I mainly started walking to benefit my mental health. I always found after a walk I was in such a good head space so I continued to do it. But let’s not forget about the physical benefits either!

Reducing the risk of heart disease.
Increasing bone strength
Improving muscle strength
Weight management
Increasing endurance
Reducing the risk of chronic disease
Improving balance and coordination
Improving sleep
Improving digestion
Enhancing the immune system

With these physical and mental benefits I don’t see why you wouldn’t take 30 minutes out of your day and just go for a walk! It’s literally life changing.

Start small and slowly move over longer and longer walks until you're comfortable with the distance.

Changing Your Phone Screen to Black & White

Firstly, which is very obvious in my opinion, reduced eye strain and fatigue caused by staring at a very bright, colourful screen.

Your phone always puts out blue light while the settings are on colour. Exposure to blue light makes it much harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. You are actually suppose to not go on your phone within one hour of going to sleep.

Here's a short story for you to enjoy.. 3 weeks ago I found myself pointlessly scrolling social media, just going through Instagram wasting time. I thought to myself, what the fuck am I even doing? It was literally boring, I just was doing it because I always just scrolled on social media.

I had heard Denmo mention a week before on his YouTube channel that changing your phone to black and white is a positive move, so I immediately changed my phone settings and locked my phone and put it back into my pocket.

Not long later I got my phone out to check social and my brain realized I had changed my settings to black and white. I went onto Facebook and it was fucking shit, I went on Instagram and it was fucking shit. I then locked my phone and continued with my day.

This happened a couple of times and each time I was on social media less and less. It’s been two weeks now and the difference is amazing.

My daily time spent on Instagram has gone down to about 2 - 3 minutes and never above 5 minutes.

But most importantly I can put my phone down and do deep work, and not get distracted at all. My phone is on silent, and my settings and black and white. Boring as fuck! Nobody wants to look at a phone screen like that.

My mindset has shifted a lot aswell. My phone is no longer a vessel for entertainment, it is a device that I can use to do research, study and content creative work.

You also won't have the bad habit of holding your phone while somebody is trying to have a conversation with you.

Closing Statement

Take these 3 simple life changing activities seriously and watch your potential grow! You can create anything you want in your life but first you have to remove some negative habits first.

Take these things serious and move toward your path to success.