Creating a Habit
In case you didn't read my Change One Thing post, I decided to change one thing this year (not really a resolution, but an alteration of one specific thing) instead of my usual unfocused attempt to change everything I don't like about myself or my habits.
So here we are two weeks in, and I'm still doing my one thing. So far, it's great. I'm not unhappy with my choice, I've been able to keep it up without any problems, and I don't regret at all changing this one thing. (Very different from previous years when I've tried to do too many things at once.)
But, I wonder, how long do you keep up a change before it stops being a change and becomes a habit?
Wiki says habits are "routines of behavior that are repeated regularly and tend to occur subconsciously. I think I'm basically there really -- I tend to just go about my business, and my one thing only pops into my head very occasionally.
But I never set out to make my one thing something that I did forever. It was always intended to be just temporary. In fact, I set myself a goal of one month. However, honestly, right now I feel like I could continue past the initial month. I feel better in myself for this one thing, I don't miss my previous behaviour, and I'm truly thinking to myself, "Should I just carry on?"
The hitch is, I know my husband doesn't agree. He hasn't said as much, but just from his mannerisms and change in mood I can tell that he isn't finding it so easy. (Although we both agree it's easier when we change the same thing, and focusing on the one thing is easier than trying to do many. If you're on the 'same page' as a couple, it just reduces temptation and bolsters your commitment to carry on because someone else is depending on you to keep on the 'straight and narrow' as well.) So if this did become a habit for me, what would that mean for him?
Time will tell. For now I'm grateful that my change in behaviour isn't feeling difficult and that I've got nearly two weeks under my belt without a problem.
And truly, my one thing is starting to feel like it's sneaking up on being a habit...
About Me
Leanne BennettI'm an American living in England, married to a Brit and the mother of three children. I work for the local council, building and maintaining servers and networks for primary schools.
I think my background, my citizenship, my experiences and my location give me a unique take on life. Herein are my musings on such...
