Setting Good Habits for Bad

Habits - part II

https://jamesclear.com/how-to-break-a-bad-habit

Yes, I have been developing bad habits with isolation. Basically, I’ve just become slovenly - who is going to see me in my pajamas?  Who is going to see that my hair is long?  Who is going to see the dirty dishes in the sink?  Who is going to see that my bed isn’t made!!  And are the snack police going to come around and slap my wrist for snacking too frequently?  (In reality, it might be my doctor pointing out that I’m putting on some weight!!!)

 

So, I’ve been looking at how to break a bad habit and create good habits!!!

 

From the article:

“Bad habits interrupt your life and prevent you from accomplishing your goals. They jeopardize your health — both mentally and physically. And they waste your time and energy.”

 

The author suggests bad habits come (generally) two sources:  boredom and stress.  I agree with the author on my current bad habit development - especially the boredom factor.  He suggests that idle Internet browsing and time-wasting (who me???) are really boredom factors.  

 

The author also suggests that instead of just stopping a bad habit, we have to replace it.  Let’s say I was a two-pack a day smoker - I need to replace that with something.  Maybe every time I feel like smoking I could eat a peanut (or a candy).  Or … do five squats and thrusts. [The candy can become a bad habit in substitution - as a previous-smoker can become obese).  

 

Maybe I have to replace a bad habit with something positive.  If I make my bed, I can accredit my account (just a tally on a taped-up piece of paper with say 1 mark.  If I wash the dishes promptly, I get another mark.  Likewise, with enough substitutions and when I reach a certain point, I can reward myself with some shopping (like the red dress I saw online).

 

*****

Cut out the triggers

If I am writing this blog or another writing document and feel like a snack, I can have a glass of unsweet iced tea.  It can satisfy me and be a better substitute for a calorie-filled snack.

 

I have tried to put the peanut butter up higher in the cupboard.  Maybe I need to throw it out, and make sure I don’t buy anymore!!  I am frugal (cheap) - and throwing out good peanut butter is against my nature, but gaining weight is also against my nature.  I need to decide if the solution is better than the problem.  

 

*****

Let somebody know

If I can try to stop a bad habit on my own, and I slip, so what.  But if I let a good friend know, they can hold me accountable.  They can ask me directly “Did you nap more than once today?” and I could lie (and they probably could tell I was lying and “hold my feet to the fire”.  Or I could tell the truth.  If (truthfully) I say, “I took three naps today”, my friend could give me “that look” (that implies that it isn’t quite okay).

 

Likewise, this same friend is probably the person who has been to my apartment the most and if she stopped by and asked “Do I need to check your sink to see if you did your dishes and see your bed to see if it is made”, I am sure I would have done it!!  

 

*****

Visualize success

 

I can visualize that I step on the scale and it is wonderful.  I’m at or under my desired weight.  I can visualize walking into my apartment and not being embarrassed that it is a mess.  

 

*****

There are other ways to break out of bad habits.  I tend to be visual and I like charts - where I can put an “X” in a spreadsheet printout if I succeeded with an activity.  

 

*****

One last idea for me for today.  Change can be tough.  One approach is to put enough “pain” in the bad habit: and enough “gain” in the good.  That can be (as before) with a bonus (like the new dress) or being able to hold my head up high and say, “I DID IT”!!!

 

*****

So, starting tomorrow (see how I did that?) I’m going to have a chart by my bathroom mirror that I can fill in at night about my snacking, my cleanliness, my appearance, and the other bad habits I’ve let slip in during this time of quarantine/isolation.  

 

And … my friends, if you want to drop me a note in a month asking, “Karen did you stop your bad habits?” that might help me too!!!  [And, likewise, if you want me to help keep you on track for the habits you have picked up in this situation, ask me to be an accountability partner for you!!!}

 

Thank you for bearing with me!!

 

Hugs!!

 

Karen