Bad Habits

“I have got to lose 10 pounds before we go on our cruise next month.”   “I will start saving money for retirement, right after I pay off my car.”   “I will quit smoking right after my busy season at work is over.”

We all have things we want to do for ourselves.  We know all the reasons why we should do them. So why don’t we?  Let’s talk about it.  Let’s talk about you.  You consider yourself a pretty together person.  You work hard.  You consider yourself a fairly strong person.  So why can’t you tackle that one thing that’s been nagging at you?  You know it’s good for you.  You know all the reasons why you should do it – quit smoking, stop eating sweets, save more money, exercise more, stop after one glass of wine, etc.

But when’s the last time you thought about why you do that “bad thing”?  Because there are reasons – simple ones like “I like chocolate – it tastes really good.”  And there are more complex reasons like “if I look better, maybe men will start noticing me, and I am afraid of the attention,” or “smoking gives me an excuse to walk out of the office a few minutes every few hours, and I need to get out, because I hate my job.”

So you are supposed to do this good thing and break this bad habit or pattern.  But there are valid reasons that you have these habits.

Sit down and write out:

• Why it would be good to quit…
• Why it would not be good to quit…
• Why it would be good to keep doing…
• Why it would not be good to keep doing…

These are different lists – I promise.  Take your time.  Nobody but you is going to see this list.  Take a few days, if you need it.  Be honest with yourself.  Is it worth it?  What “good habit” can you substitute to solve the reasons why you have that bad habit?  Most people need a substitute – it’s why people who quit smoking often gain weight!  It may be yoga or breathing techniques or unraveling the root of the issue.

You may decide it’s not worth it, you’re not ready or you are going to cut back but not quit.  Maybe you can learn to be okay with those extra pounds.   Perhaps you’re able to commit to 2 cigarettes a day instead of 8.

It’s your life.  It’s your decision.  It’s your commitment.