{"id":34919,"date":"2018-05-31T12:11:30","date_gmt":"2018-05-31T09:11:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lifeadvancer.com\/?p=34919"},"modified":"2018-05-31T12:11:30","modified_gmt":"2018-05-31T09:11:30","slug":"living-in-the-past","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lifeadvancer.com\/living-in-the-past\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Signs That You Are Living in the Past without Even Knowing It"},"content":{"rendered":"

How can you move forward when you\u2019re living in the past? You can\u2019t, and sometimes you don\u2019t even understand what you\u2019re doing. However, there are ways to catch onto this negative habit.<\/h2>\n

I catch myself living in the past when I think about my childhood. I also recognize this bad habit<\/strong> when I think about all the positive experiences gone by, especially when the present circumstances aren\u2019t so inviting. It\u2019s easy to escape to a place where you\u2019re living in the past, but it\u2019s not healthy<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Understanding the signs<\/h3>\n

The truth is, the past can damage the future<\/strong> if you focus on those things. Unfortunately, we have been taught to live like this, and even our genetics may play a part in our mindsets concerning this area.<\/p>\n

In case you\u2019re wondering, there are ways to tell if you\u2019re living in the past. You will recognize these indicators<\/strong> by how you react to certain situations.<\/p>\n

Here are a few signs that you truly are living in the past.<\/h3>\n

1. Holding onto childhood, good or bad<\/h4>\n

If you often find yourself reminiscing about your childhood<\/strong> then you could be living in the past. This works whether you are thinking of bad or good experiences. If you suffered from a traumatic childhood<\/a>, then you could be rehashing those old insults and wounds<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

On the flip side, you could be forgetting present life in favor of your fleeting childhood happiness. Either way, you are denying reality and not facing the present as it is. Let go of the past experienced with childhood and embrace the present adult life.<\/p>\n

2. You\u2019re blaming yourself for everything<\/h4>\n

Have you noticed how often you say that you’re sorry? If you notice that you\u2019re using apologies like breaths then you are saying sorry way too much. This may be coming from a place of unforgiveness<\/strong> for yourself.<\/p>\n

There can be many things which cause this sort of unforgiveness where you seek to apologize at every turn.<\/p>\n

Whatever it may be, it should be put away for good. Just like everyone else, you deserve forgiveness<\/strong> and a second chance, no matter what has happened in the past.<\/p>\n

3. You are a bitter person<\/h4>\n

Bitterness can only come from past experiences<\/strong>, as the word is derived from this influencer. Bitterness comes from failures and hurts which have not been resolved. It starts with sadness and anger but then grows into something more powerful over time.<\/p>\n

Maybe a love interested left you for another, or you lost your job in unfair circumstances<\/a> \u2013 whatever the case, bitterness can seep in and slowly destroy your life<\/strong>. It will start with taking you back to the past over and over, reliving how it all went wrong.<\/p>\n

4. You compare everyone and everything to the past<\/h4>\n

When you\u2019re living in the past, you will compare<\/strong> what you have now to what you\u2019ve lost. Maybe what you have now is not good enough or strong enough as what you gave up. Well, then again, what you have now may be better and you just don\u2019t know it yet.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, maybe your past was horrific<\/strong> and you\u2019ve started to see the red flags again, pointing toward the same devastation. The truth is, you\u2019re not always right about these things and making comparisons is hurtful.<\/p>\n

You simply cannot base your present circumstances on what happened in the past<\/a>. Sometimes, it\u2019s just a different story no matter how similar it may seem. If you are making comparisons<\/strong>, you are definitely living in the past.<\/p>\n

5. You are terrified of change<\/h4>\n

Living in the past makes us scared to change<\/strong> things in the present. Even positive changes are frightening. If you notice yourself cringing away from a different job or moving to a different location, then it could be because of the past and its hold on you.<\/p>\n

You have to learn to let go of the past and understand that nothing really stays the same<\/strong> forever. It\u2019s just how life operates.<\/p>\n

6. You are vengeful<\/h4>\n

Although, for the most part, humans aren\u2019t evil beings, we still seek revenge at times. One indicator that you might be living in the past is when you start to plan vengeful actions<\/strong>\u00a0on those who\u2019ve done wrong to you. If you cannot let go of a bad experience with a friend or family member, then you cannot move on.<\/p>\n

This places you firmly in the past waiting for retribution. This is another incident where forgiveness is beneficial<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

7. You suffer from low self-esteem<\/h4>\n

Low self-esteem<\/a> comes from something that occurred in the past. It derives from not feeling good enough or attractive enough according to societies standards. If you\u2019ve failed to move past these feelings<\/a>, then you could be trapped in the past<\/strong> where they started.<\/p>\n

Take a look at yourself and try to understand where your feelings of low self-esteem originated.<\/p>\n

\"Stop<\/p>\n

Stop living in the past and embrace the future<\/h3>\n

I know it\u2019s easier said than done<\/strong> sometimes, but it is the key to healing. Until you accept things for how they are in the here and now, you will not be able to let go of those demons.<\/p>\n

The past may be dark and it may seem to have a stronghold on your life, but you are stronger<\/strong>. Never forget this and never stop trying!<\/p>\n

References<\/strong>:<\/p>\n