Fair enough.
Most of my clients believe habits are optimal, but the idea of taking them on is met with resistance. Between work, volunteering, parenting, and trying to schedule time with friends, habits can feel daunting.
Let's keep it real. There is an absolute “should culture" around habits. They're like shiny objects that everyone applauds as they check boxes and collect gold stars. Heck - Atomic Habits (by James Clear) has sold over nine million copies.
But the reality is, there are some serious pitfalls with habits.
For one, they're a breeding ground for perfectionism and can foster a fear of failure. In an effort to live each day to the full, we sometimes take on habits that are unrealistic to begin with. We fall short of our goals, get defeated, and then give up almost entirely.
For two, we don't even know what habits we genuinely enjoy. We are so used to listening to the noise of our culture, the media, and what other people are doing, that we don't actually take the time to discover what works for us.
In Think Like a Monk, author Jay Shetty writes:“When we tune out the opinions, expectations, and obligations of the world around us, we begin to hear ourselves.”
PREACH, Jay.
When is the last time you slowed down to hear yourself?
This month I invite you to get real about your individual needs. Consider asking yourself:
Which habits are bringing me the most peace right now? What do I need to let go of in order to free up room for the good?
Then, limit your favorite habits list to no more than three things. These should be things that feel the most important to you at this stage in your life.
My current favorites list includes:
1. Daily movement (even if it's a 10 min walk with my dog)
2. Keeping my fridge stocked with healthy food options
3. Leaving my phone charged in the bathroom before I get in bed
If you tackle this activity, I'd love to hear what you land on. Reply to this email to say hi and share your three favorites with me. I do insist.
