Learn How to Glow Up Mentally Right Now

Have a mental health glow-up with these easy tips

There’s a lot of talk about how to glow up physically, but today, I’d love to tell you how to glow up mentally. Or at least how I did it.

And it’s relatively easy. For me, glowing up mentally means getting rid of all those unhealthy mental habits that are preventing me from living my unlimited, powerful life. This is also known as improving yourself mentally and emotionally, aka becoming a better version of yourself.

What does it mean to glow up mentally?

Glowing up mentally means improvement in your mental and emotional well-being. This includes increased self-awareness and self-esteem, improved mental health, focusing on personal growth, and a more positive outlook on life.

The process of a mental glow-up entails a variety of self-care practices. Some of these practices include therapy, mindfulness, and self-reflection.

You should also confront and overcome negative thoughts and behaviors and cultivate a more positive mindset.

A critical component of mentally glowing is developing a growth mindset. This means viewing challenges and setbacks as opportunities rather than failures.

This means you’re willing to try new things and take risks, even if it means stepping outside of your comfort zone.

It’s also important to practice self-compassion and kindness toward yourself instead of constantly criticizing and blaming yourself. Learn to recognize and manage negative self-talk and replace it with positive affirmations. Then, you’ll be on your way toward a healthy lifestyle.

What happens to you when you have a mental glow-up?

There are numerous reasons why you should strive to improve yourself in this manner:

• You’ll be more resilient and capable of dealing with stress and hardships.

• Better mental and emotional health can lead to more satisfaction and happiness in everyday life.

• Improving your mental and emotional well-being can lead to improved physical health, as many physical health issues are closely linked to one’s mental and emotional well-being.

• Surrounding yourself with supportive and positive people can lead to a more fulfilling and enjoyable life.

• Being compassionate and kind to yourself can lead to increased self-esteem and self-worth.

• Setting and achieving personal goals can provide you with a sense of direction and purpose.

• Being more confident can lead to improved communication and more successful interactions with others.

Basically, glowing up mentally means striving to be the best version of yourself at all times, which can lead to a more fulfilling and satisfying life.

I know you’re really eager to start reading, so without further ado, let’s get started.

This post may contain affiliate links. That means that if you click on a link and purchase something I recommend, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Now I’m going to show you how to have a mental glow up

1. Stop postponing your goals

Want to buy a house? Have children? Write a book? Get a higher education? Make a turn on the career ladder? Learn to play a musical instrument? Want to make a gourmet dish? Want to try diving?

Are you thinking of starting your own company or becoming an employer? Get started today. It’s so easy to put things aside and think that one day you’ll do them. But the truth is that in your thirties and forties, time begins to fly faster and faster.

Set goals in all areas of your life and make a plan for achieving them in the long run. Trust me, your hard work will pay off.

If you’re looking for good habit trackers to help you on your journey, I recommend you try this inspirational habit tracker and goal board. I also really like this habit tracker-calendar which is guaranteed to help you achieve your goals.

2. Stop criticizing

Don’t criticize things, events, or people who are different from you. My personal experience tells me that we’re all different but also similar. We all want to be happy. We all want to love and be loved. We all want to be understood.

Perfection doesn’t exist, and it’s pointless to be too critical of yourself or others. Criticism is usually very negative and evaluative. Instead of pointing out mistakes, focus on noticing and highlighting good qualities. Look for the beauty around you and learn to see the good in the bad.

3. Stop working overtime

Whenever possible, leave more time for yourself and forget about working overtime at work. Studies say that constant overtime is detrimental to a person’s mental health.

To avoid overtime, try to be more productive while working and stop doing unimportant things like wandering around on social media.

4. Stop avoiding change

Change is an important part of life and personal development and shouldn’t be feared. If we’re afraid of change, we will prevent new, good things from coming to life. In order to move forward and develop, it’s often necessary to give up old things.

So take advantage of these positive changes to make your life better. Changes are good. Changes help you move from point A to point B. Changes develop your life and your surroundings. Follow the changes with confidence.

5. Stop labeling

Don’t put a label on everything or every person you don’t understand. Open your mind and be understanding. People and events around us are sometimes incomprehensible to us, but that doesn’t mean that they are wrong or that they should be called strange or unworthy.

This advice plays a huge part in learning how to have a mental glow-up because, by labeling, you can leave a lot of interesting things out of your life. You must let go of your prejudices and never treat people on the basis of certain beliefs that may not be true.

6. Give up the idea that you’re always right

There are many people who can’t stand the thought of being wrong. They think they’re always right. Many are even willing to break relationships and cause stress and anxiety for themselves and other people. It’s not worth it.

Whenever you have the desire to prove that you’re right, think, “Do I prefer that I’m right in every case, or do I prefer to be a nice person?” What’s the difference? Is your ego really that big? Be able to suppress your ego if necessary.

If you think that your opinion is always the right one, stop that kind of thinking. Trust me, this attitude breaks relationships and makes you lonely. It’s best to be able to find a compromise and, if necessary, admit your mistakes.

7. Stop being in the comfort zone

Of course, sometimes taking a risk pays off and sometimes it doesn’t, but if you’re never willing to take a risk, your life will eventually become predictable and boring.

On the contrary, taking thoughtful risks from time to time can provide you with a strong energy that’ll give your life real meaning again.

Participate in my practical 30-day comfort zone challenge to finally push your limits.

8. Stop blaming

Give up your desire to blame others for what you are or what you are not, what you feel or what you do not feel. Stop being powerless and take responsibility for your own life.

You can’t blame anyone else for your troubles. You control your own life and are responsible for everything that concerns you. Often, people are their biggest enemies, but they just don’t understand it.

9. Stop self-pity and self-criticism

Stopping self-criticism is also an important part of learning how to mentally glow up. A lot of people do too much with their negative, self-critical, and self-destructive stories. Don’t listen to and don’t believe your negative thoughts; you are definitely a better person.

Don’t despise yourself. Studies have shown that a person thinks about 6-7 thoughts per minute. When something goes wrong, we tend to despise ourselves and say very mean words about ourselves. But what you say to yourself can affect you.

Try to forgive yourself and praise yourself for your good achievements. When you make a mistake, don’t beat yourself too hard. Calm down and tell yourself that everything will be fine.

Here are three really good book recommendations:

1. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
2. Upgrade Your Life: Develop Mental Toughness, Break Bad Mental Habits and Train Your Brain for Success and Happiness
3. Badass Habits: Cultivate the Confidence, Boundaries, and Know-How to Upgrade Your Life

10. Stop remembering bad things

If you constantly think about how bad a life you’re living and how meaningless a person you are, you’ll attract even more negativity into your life.

In order to be happy, you have to start thinking about positive things and instill only good things in yourself. When you change your thinking, you will see that things will change for the better.

11. Stop whining and moaning

Give up your constant desire to whine about people, situations, and events that make you unhappy, sad, and depressed. If you don’t allow them to do so, no one, no event, and no thing will make you unhappy.

Your feelings are not evoked by these events or people but by your own chosen thoughts about them. Don’t underestimate the power of positive thinking.

When you whine, you focus on the things in life that you don’t like. But it only worsens these problems and makes you unhappy. It’s important to focus on the good things that make you smile and make life more positive.

What do you gain if you voluntarily make your life, your situation, and your feelings worse? Stop whining. It will exhaust you too. You don’t want to be unhappy, do you? Always try to focus on the positive!

12. Give up being stuck

This advice is pretty hard to follow. We all have some things, people, and events that we stick to and that are hard to give up. These could be past events, a former sweetheart, or material items.

However, there is no point in holding onto anything. Life is a movement. Stagnant water usually stinks and loses its positive effect and energy. The same applies to life.

It’s often our fears that cause us to become stuck on certain issues. Pure love is what helps us give up. If you love selflessly and purely everything that surrounds you, then you trust and are ready to give up, and you will not hold onto things.

If you let go of everything, there is a greater chance that new and interesting things, people, or events will appear in your life.

13. Give up control

Be prepared to give up control of everything—of what’s going on around you, situations, and people. Whether you want control over your family, your co-workers, or whoever, give it up; let them be the way they are.

Let everything and everyone be as they are, and you will see how much easier life is. It’s important to distinguish between things that can be controlled in life and things that can’t be controlled.

You can change yourself, your thoughts, your feelings, and your behavior. But there is nothing else you can control.

For example, you cannot change the weather, your parents’ beliefs, or friends who gossip. If you try to control other people’s behavior, you will only be disappointed. Just focus on yourself, and everything else will fall into place.

14. Stop setting unrealistic expectations

If you stop setting unrealistic expectations, you’re already doing something to glow up mentally. Let me elaborate on that.

You’ve just finished writing your first book, and you expect to be successful right away. But this won’t happen. Do you expect your partner to remember the thirteen-and-a-half-month anniversary of your first vacation together?

Do you expect others to read your mind? You understand where this story is going, right? The thing is, if you don’t set unrealistic or unlikely expectations in life, you won’t be as disappointed as you are now.

15. Give up your limitation-based beliefs

You have determined what you can and cannot do, what is possible, and what is impossible. Give up all these boundaries you have set for yourself, get rid of them, and live freely.

16. Stop living according to other people’s expectations

Too many people live lives that are not their lives. They live according to what others expect of them; what their parents want, what their coworkers want, what their friends want, what a loved one wants, what politicians want, and what teachers want.

They ignore their inner voices, the voices that express their desires. That’s not right. It leads to stagnation and stress. This is where diseases and problems begin.

Live according to your own inner feelings. Listen to your heart. Don’t let other people’s opinions interfere with your journey and life. Life is short; we only live it once; let’s enjoy it exactly the way we want.

You are a special person, and no one can replace you. Too many people live their lives to make other people’s lives better but neglect their own well-being. It’s important to prioritize your interests and needs and then start thinking about other people.

17. Stop with all those excuses

Pack them up and send them away; tell them they’re fired. You don’t need them anymore. Very often, we limit ourselves to our excuses for why nothing can or should happen.

Instead of growing and developing, we stand still and stick to our old beliefs. Forget all these excuses, because 99% of them are not true. Every now and then, people look for excuses for not doing something.

But it wastes energy, and in reality, you’re just avoiding the things you want or should do but just don’t dare. Learn to decide for yourself and stick to your plan.

18. Stop leaving old friends

Keep your friends. Choose friends who appreciate you, who challenge you, and with whom you enjoy spending time. Feed them and take care of them. Laugh with them and do stupid things with them from time to time. Contribute to your friends’ lives and help them enjoy life. Stay connected.

19. Stop bad sleeping habits

How to glow up mentally? Sleep well. Yes, you read it right. A dark room and proper darkening curtains like these ones keep the light that comes in away from the bedroom.

Also, don’t use smart devices or computers before going to bed. Go to bed at the same time every night and get up at the same time every morning.

20. Give up your past

It’s certainly difficult to do this because what has been has already been, and we can’t forget that. The past looks much clearer and more understandable, while the future seems uncertain and unexpected.

But the present moment is the only thing you have now. If you are in that moment thinking about the past, you will stick to it. In this way, you lose valuable time in the moment, and your dreams for the future will not be realized.

Enjoy the moment, be in the moment, and dream of tomorrow. Life is a journey. Make this journey enjoyable. People still like to say that in the old days, the grass was greener and the sky was bluer.

However, this way of thinking doesn’t affect the present and the future well.

If you’re focused on the past, it will hinder the future. Do yourself a favor and say goodbye to the past. Living in the past will only lead you away from your current life.

Yes, there is much to learn from the past. So, learn from past mistakes and success stories and use them to improve the present and the future. You need to find a way to make the present as enjoyable as possible.

21. Stop waiting for some sign

Stop waiting for a sign that will tell you what to do with your life and current problems. This sign may or may not come, so you should always take your life into your own hands if you want to change anything about it.

Waiting for the “right” signs may seem romantic, but as harsh as it might seem, you’re just trying to apologize for your inability or unwillingness to act.

22. Give up your fears

Learn to get rid of your fears.

Fear is just an illusion; it doesn’t really exist. You created it yourself. It’s stuck in your mind. Correct your internal thoughts, and the fear will vanish.

Learn to meditate. The list of benefits from meditation is endless. Meditation takes little time, but it changes a lot in your life and the lives of the people you love. And compared to ten years ago, the amount of scientific research on meditation has multiplied.

Give up the fear of change. Don’t be afraid of new situations that are unfamiliar to you. You think too much, you fear too much, and you don’t even give yourself a chance to develop and be happy. Take on new challenges.

23. Stop collecting things and start collecting memories

We consist of a set of experiences experienced in a lifetime. Start collecting memories instead of things. There’s no need to wake up in your fifties and realize that you have wasted your life on things. Memories don’t fall apart, their price doesn’t decrease, and they won’t be destroyed by fire.

24. Give up your desire to impress others

Don’t try desperately to please others by trying to be someone you really are not. It doesn’t work that way. From the moment you decide to be yourself and take off your mask, you embrace your true nature, and from that moment on, people will come to you effortlessly.

Stop comparing yourself to others. When you turn fifty, you don’t care what others think of you. Find your path. Be strong.

25. Drink plenty of water

Staying hydrated is key to maintaining a healthy body and mind. Drinking enough water helps your skin glow by keeping it hydrated, and it also improves brain function. Aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water per day to keep your body and mind functioning at their best.

26. Get enough sleep

Getting enough rest is essential for optimal mental and physical health. Establishing the best ways to ensure you get enough sleep can help improve brain function, boost energy levels, and enhance your overall mood. Aim for at least 7–9 hours of sleep each night to feel your best.

27. Establish a skincare routine to get a physical glow

Taking care of your physical appearance can have a big impact on your mental well-being. Establishing a beauty routine that includes using skincare products that suit your skin type, such as face masks, can help you achieve a healthy glow.

A skincare routine can also be a form of self-care that can boost your self-confidence and self-esteem. Taking care of your skin plays quite a huge part in your glow-up process.

28. Exercise on a regular basis

Even if you have a busy schedule, incorporating regular exercise into your daily routine can have many benefits. Physical activity helps boost energy levels. It’s one of those healthy habits that can improve your mental well-being. It can also give you a natural glow by improving blood flow to the skin.

29. Eat nutritious foods

What you eat has a big impact on your mental and physical health. Eating a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and other nutritious foods can boost your immune system, enhance your mood, and create daily habits that contribute to your overall mental glow-up.

Make sure to prioritize healthy foods in your daily diet and avoid junk food as much as possible.

30. Get rid of toxic people in your life

One of the most important parts of your glow-up is getting rid of toxic people in your life. Negative people can have a profound impact on your emotional and mental well-being.

Whether it’s a family member or a friend, cutting ties with negative people can make a huge difference in how you feel about yourself and your life.

When you surround yourself with toxic people, you may find that their negativity affects your own emotions and behavior.

This can lead to feelings of negative emotions and low self-esteem. It’s important to prioritize your own mental well-being by surrounding yourself with people who share your core values and uplift you.

Letting go of toxic relationships can be difficult, but it’s a great way to create space for positive relationships and inner self-growth.

When you eliminate negative people from your life, you make room for positive influences and can focus on developing healthy relationships that align with your values.

How to glow up mentally (trust me, it’s not that hard)

This is it for the mental glow-up checklist that helped me mentally glow up. Which unhealthy mental habits are you going to quit after reading this post? I’d love to hear your thoughts!