– Kamala KC
Most of us must have heard that “it requires a minimum of about 21 days habits in a row for an old mental image to dissolve and a new one to jell”. This 21-days’ conventional wisdom was first introduced by Maxwell Maltz, a plastic surgeon in 1950s-which was later changed to other magic numbers like 66, 254 days and other different numbers. Well, no matter what that ideal habit formation number is, our daily routine or habits definitely shape us-both emotionally and physically and in fact most of us do not even realize this early enough and end up being in an emotional distress.
Matter of the fact, sometimes we think we suffer because of theother human being or the circumstances, but in reality, I think, it is the (unhealthy) habits or those sudden changes in our routine that give us misery.
Let me put this in an example. Imagine we continue to stay in touch with a person for 21 days (again any magic number for the habit formation that fits our personality!). This automated routine, voila, becomes a habit. Your body and mind remembers the habits and when the day comes that you have to be away from that habit even if temporarily − with this continued habits in a row, our mind resists. Then it becomes challenging to return back to our previous or to move to a new schedule (meaning without being in touch with that person). As a result of this, we grieve. But, if the loss or separation itself was that agonizing (which for sure it is to an extent), we humans may not be able to live back normally after the separation or the loss. But as we know, with the time, we learn how to move forward after we start the new schedule of being away for another certain days in the row.
So, with habits being this crucial in shaping our lives, should we not be extra mindful of our routines − whether that be whom we meet, what we eat, how we think, and most importantly how we take care of our well-being on a daily basis? Should we not learn to train ourselves in such a way that our habits do not control us, but we control it back? With such formulation of new habits,any day we have to leave that (favorite job), that (wonderful and caring) human being, that home of ours where our heart is or any other habits, it would be less painful and probably even simpler for us to get used to our new routine and follow that magic day habit mantra of ours and indulge in activities/habits that works like a therapy.
That being said, let us all adopt the habits that will ripple our happiness, peace, success and anything that matters to each of us. Let us be aware of our daily habits so we make our lives not only productive, but easier and content.