12 Bad habits every grown woman should avoid

Biting your nails or perpetually over-packing for even the shortest of holidays are pretty obvious bad habits that some of us have. But while we all know deep down that taking thousands of shameless selfies just because your eyebrow game is strong, or eating an entire packet of chocolate-covered peanuts in one sitting aren't great for us, there are a number of bad habits that many women don't even realise are holding them back.

All responsible, mature and bada** women know to keep their behaviour and actions in check, and this is what helps them excel over the rest of us. Here are 12 bad habits you would never see a grown woman who knows her worth doing.

1. Not accepting compliments

Someone tells you your jeans look great? Just smile and say "thanks" rather than waving the compliment away and saying "oh these are so old". Rejecting compliments make both of you feel awkward, which completely defeats the purpose of giving one in the first place. Accept that you're awesome, and relish in the fact that your gym-visits have been paying off.

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2. Not taking your makeup off

It takes two minutes and your skin will thank you immensely. You need to unclog your pores of the makeup, sweat and grime they've collected during the day in order for them to breathe overnight. You'll avoid blemishes, unsavoury pillowcases and premature ageing.

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3. Spending way too much time binging TV shows

It's easy to recline into your comfort zone and treat yourself to some downtime, but if you're coming home and spending all your spare time before bed watching TV shows, you're wasting a good portion of your day that could be spent more productively. Learn a new skill, prepare a healthy lunch for tomorrow or read books instead – these will contribute to your personal growth more than Netflix.

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4. Pretending you have a boyfriend or giving a fake number to reject someone

It's a go-to escape move for many girls, but this "let them down easy" approach is actually pretty mean. You shouldn't have to make up an excuse to say no, and you're both better off if you tell them that you're simply not interested because it might help them realise that their pickup lines suck.

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5. Being afraid to invest

Getting into the stock market, cryptocurrency and property investment might seem scary, and that's half the reason why there's a gender gap in investment. It's proven that men are more confident when it comes to money, but with all the real-time information about how to invest available a mere click away, there's no reason you can't be growing your wealth over the years by investing in some shares.

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6. Ending up in an Instagram-scrolling time warp

Just like watching too much TV – you could be spending your time so much better. The thing with Instagram is that if we spend too much time in that world, we start to lose sight of what it's actually like in reality. Instagram is a perfectly curated world of perfect-looking lives, and it's not healthy to sit and scroll through it for hours.

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7. Not making the first move

If we're fighting for equal pay and women's rights right now, we need to throw out the old idea that only men can approach women to ask them out for a date. Both in the real world and on dating apps – take a deep breath, make the first move, and you'll see that taking romantic risks might be the answer to your previously dull love life.

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8. Not treating your body like a temple

It's no good complaining about your body or what you look like when you don't treat it right. While you've got to accept that everyone and every body is different, all adults should be looking after theirs no matter what. You'll feel so much better by exercising regularly, eating plenty of vegetables and getting enough sleep, even if you do indulge in pastries and cocktail-heavy nights every now and again.

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9. Being too agreeable

Women tend to be more likeable and friendly than men, but while this trait gives us many advantages in life, it can also hold us back. Negotiating salaries or promotions, or putting your foot down with people who are difficult to deal with, will mean you need to stop being obliging and demand what you want.

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10. Convincing yourself 'it's fiiine' in shitty relationships

Many people convince themselves that the red flags aren't there and that they'd be happier in a bad relationship than being alone. But it just means that you're lowering your standards and missing out on the virtues of being single all for the sake of prolonging the inevitable end of your second-rate romance.

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11. Avoiding healthcare professionals

Not getting checkups with your dentist, doctor and gynaecologist might lead to little problems turning into expensive ones later on. It's best to go at least yearly for a check-up to make sure everything is working as it should be.

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12. Mindlessly buying things

There might be some truth to 'retail therapy', but turning into a shopaholic who feels the need to hit the shops after every pay-check is a habit you really need to shake. Not only will you be senselessly wasting money you could be investing elsewhere, but you're also buying yourself emotional baggage with all the 'stuff' you're beginning to hoard and lose track of. Think carefully before making purchases, and don't just buy things for the sake of it.

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Well, are you guilty of any of those? It might be time to take a good hard look at yourself and see what's really holding you back.