We all have them. Habits that we can't
seem to stop. For me, it's a very nice combination between brutal
procrastination, and a smattering of nail-biting and crippling
self-doubt. They leave me feeling wounded, grumpy, sluggish and exhausted. Bad habits, whether they are physical, spiritual or
mental, bring the brilliant people we should be down in to the most disgusting pit of mental goo you can imagine.
Yet somehow we take comfort in the fact that they've become something familiar – you feel awful, but at least the habit is still there. The habit, like a delicious thanksgiving dinner, is something you can expect, something you can relish in. The habit is the part we crave, not the bad part. Yet when we let them take us over, there is little else we can imagine, enjoy or even experience other than those bad habits. Bad habits, though, are much easier to start than good ones.They simply show up at your doorstep, while all the good ones hide out in the forest, waiting for you to go out and find them.
Yet somehow we take comfort in the fact that they've become something familiar – you feel awful, but at least the habit is still there. The habit, like a delicious thanksgiving dinner, is something you can expect, something you can relish in. The habit is the part we crave, not the bad part. Yet when we let them take us over, there is little else we can imagine, enjoy or even experience other than those bad habits. Bad habits, though, are much easier to start than good ones.They simply show up at your doorstep, while all the good ones hide out in the forest, waiting for you to go out and find them.
The good news is that bad habits are
quite easy to break. Here are 10 surefire ways to start getting
yourself out of the awful cycle these things can put you in.
STOP AND THINK
Whenever you find yourself slipping in to a negative pattern (habit), stop for a second and ask yourself the golden question: “Why do I feel this way?” Really give yourself time to think about it.You'll end up not only getting closer to the root of the problem, but usually through getting your mind to focus intently on something else, the need for the habit will fade away.
Whenever you find yourself slipping in to a negative pattern (habit), stop for a second and ask yourself the golden question: “Why do I feel this way?” Really give yourself time to think about it.You'll end up not only getting closer to the root of the problem, but usually through getting your mind to focus intently on something else, the need for the habit will fade away.
BREATHE
Inhale and exhale for as long as you want or need. Repeat as necessary. Want something more specific? Here's a good exercise to try.
Inhale and exhale for as long as you want or need. Repeat as necessary. Want something more specific? Here's a good exercise to try.
RITUAL
Sometimes you have to fight fire with fire. Rituals are certain habits that have particular meaning to you. Yes, we could consider bad habits rituals, but I'm hoping you can think of some rituals more encouraging and less destructive than those. They can be as simple or as complex as you want – for me, I have a glass of tea EVERY morning. No excuses. It helps me feel refreshed, awake, and present, and starts my day off on a positive note.
Sometimes you have to fight fire with fire. Rituals are certain habits that have particular meaning to you. Yes, we could consider bad habits rituals, but I'm hoping you can think of some rituals more encouraging and less destructive than those. They can be as simple or as complex as you want – for me, I have a glass of tea EVERY morning. No excuses. It helps me feel refreshed, awake, and present, and starts my day off on a positive note.
MOVE
Sometimes we just need to change our situation. I find that a lot of times my negative thought patterns emerge when I'm sitting down, or when I'm doing very little (or both). The best thing for these situations is to stand up and move. Whether it's to the kitchen, to a friend's house, or to get groceries, a change in your environment and altitude can really lift the spirits.
Sometimes we just need to change our situation. I find that a lot of times my negative thought patterns emerge when I'm sitting down, or when I'm doing very little (or both). The best thing for these situations is to stand up and move. Whether it's to the kitchen, to a friend's house, or to get groceries, a change in your environment and altitude can really lift the spirits.
FRESH AIR
Open a window. Even better, take a walk. Somehow, when we allow stale air and a stagnant environment to surround us, we begin to become stagnant ourselves, giving us ample opportunity to partake in our negative patterns. A little fresh air can work wonders on a stuck mind.
GRATITUDE
Sit down and write out as many things you can think of that you are thankful for. Now go back and write why you're thankful for each one. Every time you find yourself sinking in to your regular patterns, do this exercise for as long as you can. Or, as an alternative, find something in your direct environment, or something that's on your mind at the moment to be thankful for. Turn whatever is triggering your negative feedback loop and turn it in to something you're thankful for. Gratitude is absolute magic.
Open a window. Even better, take a walk. Somehow, when we allow stale air and a stagnant environment to surround us, we begin to become stagnant ourselves, giving us ample opportunity to partake in our negative patterns. A little fresh air can work wonders on a stuck mind.
GRATITUDE
Sit down and write out as many things you can think of that you are thankful for. Now go back and write why you're thankful for each one. Every time you find yourself sinking in to your regular patterns, do this exercise for as long as you can. Or, as an alternative, find something in your direct environment, or something that's on your mind at the moment to be thankful for. Turn whatever is triggering your negative feedback loop and turn it in to something you're thankful for. Gratitude is absolute magic.
MAKE A LITTLE CHANGE
From the way you do your hair, to which light you turn on at night; from how you brush your teeth, to the colour of your kitchen table – a little change can make the biggest difference. When we allow new things to happen in our lives – even the smallest of things, we allow new energy in. And that is key to forgetting about the negative habits we fall in to. When you feel stuck, make a tiny little change (or a big one – whatever you like) and see how it changes the way you feel.
There you go. Hopefully one of these (or all) will help you to get yourself out of the mental goo that negative patterns create.
From the way you do your hair, to which light you turn on at night; from how you brush your teeth, to the colour of your kitchen table – a little change can make the biggest difference. When we allow new things to happen in our lives – even the smallest of things, we allow new energy in. And that is key to forgetting about the negative habits we fall in to. When you feel stuck, make a tiny little change (or a big one – whatever you like) and see how it changes the way you feel.
There you go. Hopefully one of these (or all) will help you to get yourself out of the mental goo that negative patterns create.
1 comment:
Great post, and very insightful and useful tips! This is what sometimes I tend to forget especially for the habit of being on the computer too much. That is one habit I need to work on changing. Like you I always like to reflect on my habits and work on seeing the positive in them as there is always a lesson present in these experiences.
Wonderful blog, and will be following you from now on. :)
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