Well, that didn’t work. Entering into the new year meant that I reinstalled some good habits to help reach my goals, said goodbye to some old habits that weren’t really serving me well anymore, and replaced those old and bad habits with new one’s that would help me get where I wanted to go.
This method of replacing the old and bad habits works really well since it’s a thousand times harder to just stop doing something than it is to replace the bad habits with something else. However, in the last few months I have found something interesting along the way, at least as far as I’m concerned.
I have discovered that if I don’t keep up the good habits that I replaced the bad habits with, I will fall right back into the bad habits!! What the heck! I seriously thought it would be harder to fall back than that, however, it makes sense since I was living with the bad habits far longer than the good ones.
For instance, I took up journaling every single day, it helps me keep the creative thought flow coming easily and to stay on track in a lot of other areas in my life. However, if I go a few days without journaling I find that I am not as creative in some ways, not as social, and more likely to slide on other good habits I installed as well. What a useful, but kind of disturbing discovery!
If I slide on diet and eat out more, then I don’t feel as well, so I tend to not exercise as much which leads to not sleeping as well and it’s a real domino effect all the way around. If I slide on unpacking and organizing, then I slow down in other areas, start finding myself distracted and don’t get near all the things done that I should have.
I am a real promoter of vision boards, goal setting – both long and short-term, to do lists, and learning to celebrate the accomplishments and milestones along the way, but even people of this same mindset stumble now and then. There was a time in my life when I would have beat myself up for getting off kilter, but encouragement and inspiration goes so much further than making myself feel guilty or feel like I failed in some way. We are all human, and all it takes is figuring out where we are right at this moment, making a few minor adjustments and then getting back on track – no guilt required.
Cherry Coley ©
Related articles
http://blog.modernest.com/2012/04/08/vision-boards-intentions-and-walking-on-fire/
http://thinkcoffeemedia.com/2012/04/15/10-tips-for-a-great-life/
SpilledCookies 
Even coaches need coaching – the daily work is truly a spiritual journey as much as a life discipline. Success always seems to come at a crossroads of consistent work and opportunity.
Very true, without support, reaching goals and making life changing decisions that last, is so much harder! Consistency, self discipline, and support are key. 🙂 Thank you for your input!!
It happens to the best of us. All we can do is wake up and try the good habit again. I know exactly what you speak of.
Thanks, Shian! I agree, but it helps to know that it happens to everyone. It makes it that much easier to get up and keep going. 🙂
One day at a time, Cherry. One day at a time.
Thank you, Ray. It’s all we have anyway.
I’ve been though this many times, especially with old emotional patterns or worn out behaviors that no longer serve me yet are so automatic I slip back even when I have a new pattern I think is replacing it. Honestly, sometimes I think the old and new pattern operate side by side. We’re all a work in progress.
I think maybe you’re right. I think I will always be in progress, but that’s okay,. Thanks, Katrina
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Changing habits is hard. I read yesterday that it takes an average of 66 days to create a new habit. I think it takes longer. 🙂
I began journalling with “The Artist’s Way” technique, fabulous for creativity.. but again easy to slip out of if left for a few days. All we can do is get back on the path when we stray. It’s all about the journey. I agree that guilt and shame are not productive, if beating ourselves up worked the world would be a very different place.
Thank you for the pingback! (dances around living room with joy) You have a really nice site here. I will come see what you’re up to when I can!
I started with the same technique! The morning pages really do work. It is easy to let it go, but I took some of that pressure off by just doing it whenever I got the chance instead of having to do it a certain time of day. i think you might be right – much longer than 66 days. You’re welcome for the pingback – saw you on my blogroll and checked out your blog. Glad I did!.
I find vision boards really useful too! Thanks for following 🙂
Your welcome! Love your blog!
Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon everyday.
It’s always helpful to read through articles from other writers and use a little
something from their sites.