Something that is done often becomes a usual way of doing that thing. This is called a habit. Habits are those things done so often we do not give a second thought to what we are doing. Habits are found in every area of life. They make up our thought patterns, mannerisms, ways of speaking, daily routines, and daily choices. When I think of habits, I always come back to the passage addressed in Ephesians chapter 4, which explains the principle of putting off and putting on. After first learning this concept in my early twenties, it revolutionized how I approached my life. In the spiritual sense, we are to put off sin and put on righteousness. If I only focus on putting off sin, without replacing it with something, I will go right back to sin. However, if after I recognize my sin, I turn away from it, and then put on what is right, I will become more consistent in doing what is right.
We all find ourselves with bad habits that need to be put off. Bad habits can be addictions or continual temptations that prevent us from living a more productive, fruitful, and quality life. The first step in building good routines is to identify the bad pattern. Do not harp on any bad habits or beat yourself down. Once you recognize what you should not be doing, you can then identify what good habit you could do instead. Lastly, start taking steps to consistently make it possible to choose the good habit over the bad.
For example, if you find yourself spending too much time on your phone, take note of the times you tend to spend on your phone the most. Is it after the kids go to bed, on your lunch break at work, or whenever you hear your phone “ding?” Many of us often fall into this temptation because we are bored, or we want to be entertained. Turn down the volume on your phone so you will not hear it ring, or put it in another room. What could you do instead of being on your phone? Find a good book you enjoy. Make sure to have it easily on hand for those times you would find yourself scrolling on your phone. You could use those times to have good conversation with those around you on your lunch break or at home. Once you start associating the bad habit of being on your phone too much, with the good habit of starting a good conversation with your kids or learning something in a book, it will be easier to maintain.
You have to take steps to make it easier to choose good habits. If you struggle with eating healthy, you can stick to a list while shopping for your groceries. If you do not buy unhealthy snacks, then you cannot reach for them when you are at home! Just avoid shopping while you are hungry! You can also find something you enjoy to replace the chips, cookies, and other unhealthy snacks. You could make a yummy fruit salad if you enjoy sweet things. You could even make a dessert using a better sweetener like honey or monkfruit.
Some habits are easy. Some are very difficult. If it seems overwhelming, or you have a lot to work on, make a list of bad habits that you can see in your life. Some might be spiritual in nature. Others might be physical such as, replacing chips with nuts or soda with water. Make your list and then write one good habit that can replace the bad habit. From that list, work gradually through it one by one, as you are able, until you have built a habit of developing good habits! It takes time though! Give yourself 3-6 months before you start to notice overall improvement in your daily patterns
Habits can be our downfall or our success to building productive routines, and beneficial choices in our daily living patterns. Build your life up as opposed to tearing it down. While the effort to replace habits can be difficult, the long term rewards will by far outweigh all you have put into it. Enjoy the challenge. Enjoy the rewards!
Yours Truly,
Samantha
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