On this blog, I tend to write posts that complement each other. After writing about habits last week, I thought more about how we create and maintain healthy habits. In my research, it’s clear that any type of major habit formation takes time. And during that time, we can become extremely committed to these new habits and the impact they will have on our lives. But it’s important to remember that while it takes time to create habits, they are as permanent as we need them for our mental health.
Although estimated time periods vary, It takes a few months, on average, to form a new habit.. And during that time many changes can occur, not only in our lives but in the world around us. Forming new habits is not easy. It takes discipline and consistency, and sticking with something for many days, weeks or even months.
In that time, our commitment to these habits can become very strong, sometimes too strong. When we integrate newly formed habits into our lives, making them a priority is certainly a good thing. But it’s also important to keep in mind that we can prioritize them in a way that isn’t always helpful for the other habits we’ve formed.
When it comes to our health and well-being, it is essential to find what works for us. And the more we build our toolset, the more we need these things to work together. When I think about the habits I have formed, the most successful habits are those that I have been able to easily integrate into my daily life. But there were also habits I wanted to form that didn’t fit well with my routine. And even though I wanted these things to work, they didn’t. But it is not as easy to accept these changes as you might think.
It may not always seem like it, but our lives change more often than we think. And while we are creatures of habit and routine, I have always found it interesting to think that each day is unique in some way. As much as I have changed (or my life has changed) over the years, so have my habits. Some of the habits I have now are ones I couldn’t imagine having years ago. I am sure that in a few years (or decades) I will have new habits, different habits, that will make up my daily life. But for the first time, I’m starting to make the connection that not only is it necessary, but it’s a very good thing.
Whether my habits are here for a week, a month, or many years, they serve a purpose in my life. They can have a positive impact on my mental health and well-being, especially when I accept them for who they are. We are constantly growing and changing as people, and so are our habits. Instead of being afraid of this change, I will try to accept it as it is. Hopefully, this means that my relationship with my habits and myself will begin to change for the better.
What do you think about your habits? Do they constantly change or do you feel like your habits have lasted for years? Let me know in the comments!
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