Break a Bad Habit

We’ve all acquired bad habits along our life journeys – everyone has
some custom of body, mind or emotion that challenges them. Whether it’s
smoking, staying in an unhealthy relationship, eating or drinking too
much or making bad decisions… it’s time to let go of whatever keeps
us from being our true selves.

If you’ve ever struggled with letting go of a bad habit, you know that the challenges you face can seem insurmountable sometimes, but once you’ve let the habit go once and for all, you often can’t imagine ever having had it in the first place!

Try, try again
Maybe you even gave your bad habit up a couple of times before finally kicking it – and that’s okay. When you come to the realization that there is something that no longer serves you, the tendency is to make a quick break and cut it out without regard for the reasons the habit developed in the first place. By doing this, you run the risk of picking it up again.

Instead, look consciously at your habit. What triggers your desire to do it? Keep a log of the emotional triggers related to the habit, to get a better understanding. For instance, if you started smoking when you were a rebellious teen and are now trapped in an addictive pattern you’d like to be free of, try addressing your original intent and if you decide it no longer serves you, let it go in your mind. Then speak it out loud, write it down… and release it.

Visualize and scribe
Take more time to concentrate inward on how you feel when you think about quitting. Do you feel panic… relief… calm? Pay attention to your reactions. Write them down. Focus on making peace with them. Next, visualize yourself living your life “bad habit free.” Now think about what that feels like. Probably pretty good! Now tell the story of your new, habit free life in your journal.

Set a date
To seriously quit something, pick a reasonable date and commit to it. Then keep in mind that one slip does not mean that you’re a failure – it means you’re learning how to get it right! Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that one bad step puts you back at the bottom of the mountain – it doesn’t! a slip is part of climbing. and you may fall a few more times before reaching your goal.

Regardless of the bad habit that you’re struggling with, remember that you are on a path of learning. Remember to honor yourself throughout the process, and don’t be overly critical. Let go of unrealistic expectations. Look for the underlying reason you are drawn to things. Then accept yourself, flaws and all, as you reveal and let go of the things that no longer work in your life. Good luck!