Getting rid of old habits and learning new.

Tweet

Whenever we make the effort to free ourselves of an addiction or a habit we no longer want, we are often surprised to find ourselves missing the old pattern as we would a familiar friend. This feels strange at first, because we think we should instinctively move towards that which is good for us. And yet, it makes a lot of sense when you consider that we humans are creatures of habit. This is why we tend to lean towards people and places—and patterns of behavior--that make us feel comfortable. Therefore, many of the habits we form are not conscious and are based instead on learned behavior from role models who were not always making the healthiest decisions. A lot of addictions begin as a way of avoiding feelings that are very uncomfortable, so it makes sense that stopping the addiction means, for a time, a fair amount of discomfort. The same is true of habits that we have developed over time. Just knowing that it is going to be hard, and having compassion for ourselves as we work through the process, can help us make it when we feel the urge to give up. It’s also helpful to remember that in time we will develop new and healthier patterns, and the longing for the old ones will disappear. Eventually, we will automatically reach for things that are good for us, and the longing for positive change will help to form new habits, that are more in line with our present thinking. The only way to get to this new place is to endure a time of difficulty, which is a challenge we can confidently handle, if we remember that it will lead to the change we seek in our lives. Our bodies, hearts, and minds always need time to adjust to a new way of doing things, but they will adapt, and even become our allies, if we learn not to quit. We all have habits that we would like to be rid of, this may be a good time to work on it.