On average, it takes about 21 days to break or form a habit (HABIT, not addiction--drugs and other chemicals deal with an entirely different part of the brain; not to mention the brain damage etc., thus taking a few extra steps, and more time)
But-taking your average Joe with your average habits--21 days.
Another fact, when we decide or not decide to do something, we often look at the amount of effort we perceive it will take to do whatever it is we are debating on. For example, if you are thinking about doing a craft, you might decide not to do the craft because it would involve going to a particular room, getting the supplies out, cleaning up, etc.
Look what we, as a culture, default to doing--tasks that take minimal effort.
Sit on sofa, turn on TV. Took about 3 seconds. Check Facebook/Twitter/Etc.. Almost instant on a smartphone or computer. Surf the internet. Seconds.
Our brains like the path of least resistance, so the TV watching is pretty tempting because it takes a lot less effort to do so. But if you really think about it--the craft would probably result in more happiness despite the fact that it takes a lot more effort (that is, if you enjoy crafting).
While this all seems like common sense, it didn't really occur to me until yesterday. Haley was napping and I actually had some spare time on my hands. Actually. HAD. spare.time. That is such a novel idea.
So I had three choices.
1.) Read more of my book (which would involve--finding my book, finding my glasses, and finding a comfortable place to read)
2.) Do a craft project I had in mind involving a hot glue gun and some hemp string (which would involved going all the way down stairs, getting in the closet, coming back upstairs, and then preforming the task)
3.) Facebook/ social media/ internet surf.
My initial reaction was to reach for the computer. After all, I was already sitting in the chair to which the laptop was right in front of my face. Effortless.
But I stopped myself. I am not sure why. And I thought to myself--yes, this is an easy and effortless option, but is this REALLY what I want to do with my precious time? Is this something that is going to make me feel happy and accomplished? Not really.
So then I decided to take the journey downstairs to get my crafting supplies out to do a project. In the limited amount of time I had, I was able to finish my project and make an ankle bracelet. And I felt something so much deeper than the alternative option could have offered me.
And so I thought to myself, I need to make choices like this more often. I need to change my HABITS.
So I have decided, instead of having all my passwords saved in my computer so I can mindlessly jump from social media to social media--I have to take the time to type in the password (which I have also changed so it makes me stop and think about what I am typing in). An extra step. Same with my phone. Instead of just having my Facebook app out and running all the time, I now have to sign in--making that a conscious choice-- not just a mindless action I might default to in a minor lull in the day.
I want to change my habits. I want to read more. So instead of having my laptop out and available, I am going to replace it book. Instead of spending my spare time doing something mindless, I am going to craft and do things that actually make me feel good.
21 days to a new habit...what new habits do you want to break or create? It could change your life....
But-taking your average Joe with your average habits--21 days.
Another fact, when we decide or not decide to do something, we often look at the amount of effort we perceive it will take to do whatever it is we are debating on. For example, if you are thinking about doing a craft, you might decide not to do the craft because it would involve going to a particular room, getting the supplies out, cleaning up, etc.
Look what we, as a culture, default to doing--tasks that take minimal effort.
Sit on sofa, turn on TV. Took about 3 seconds. Check Facebook/Twitter/Etc.. Almost instant on a smartphone or computer. Surf the internet. Seconds.
Our brains like the path of least resistance, so the TV watching is pretty tempting because it takes a lot less effort to do so. But if you really think about it--the craft would probably result in more happiness despite the fact that it takes a lot more effort (that is, if you enjoy crafting).
While this all seems like common sense, it didn't really occur to me until yesterday. Haley was napping and I actually had some spare time on my hands. Actually. HAD. spare.time. That is such a novel idea.
So I had three choices.
1.) Read more of my book (which would involve--finding my book, finding my glasses, and finding a comfortable place to read)
2.) Do a craft project I had in mind involving a hot glue gun and some hemp string (which would involved going all the way down stairs, getting in the closet, coming back upstairs, and then preforming the task)
3.) Facebook/ social media/ internet surf.
My initial reaction was to reach for the computer. After all, I was already sitting in the chair to which the laptop was right in front of my face. Effortless.
But I stopped myself. I am not sure why. And I thought to myself--yes, this is an easy and effortless option, but is this REALLY what I want to do with my precious time? Is this something that is going to make me feel happy and accomplished? Not really.
So then I decided to take the journey downstairs to get my crafting supplies out to do a project. In the limited amount of time I had, I was able to finish my project and make an ankle bracelet. And I felt something so much deeper than the alternative option could have offered me.
And so I thought to myself, I need to make choices like this more often. I need to change my HABITS.
So I have decided, instead of having all my passwords saved in my computer so I can mindlessly jump from social media to social media--I have to take the time to type in the password (which I have also changed so it makes me stop and think about what I am typing in). An extra step. Same with my phone. Instead of just having my Facebook app out and running all the time, I now have to sign in--making that a conscious choice-- not just a mindless action I might default to in a minor lull in the day.
I want to change my habits. I want to read more. So instead of having my laptop out and available, I am going to replace it book. Instead of spending my spare time doing something mindless, I am going to craft and do things that actually make me feel good.
21 days to a new habit...what new habits do you want to break or create? It could change your life....
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