Breaking Bad Habits (And No, Not the TV Show)

Adapted from James Clear's article: How to Break a Bad Habit

Let's face it - we all have those pesky habits we'd love to kick to the curb. Whether it's doom-scrolling until 3 AM or eating an entire pint of ice cream while watching Netflix (not that I'm speaking from experience or anything...), bad habits can really mess with our lives.

Why Do We Have Bad Habits?

Two main culprits: stress and boredom. Think of them as the dynamic duo of destruction. When we're stressed or bored, we tend to do whatever gives us quick relief - even if it's not great for us in the long run.

The Golden Rule: Replace, Don't Erase

Here's the thing - you can't just delete a bad habit like it's a questionable social media post. Your habits, even the not-so-great ones, serve a purpose. The key is to replace them with better alternatives that serve the same purpose.

How to Break Free

Find Your Substitute: If you stress-eat cookies, maybe try stress-walking instead. Your waistline will thank you, and your local park might become your new best friend.
Dodge Your Triggers: If Instagram is your kryptonite, don't keep it on your home screen. Out of sight, out of mind (mostly).
Buddy Up: Everything's better with a friend - even breaking bad habits. Find someone who also wants to stop procrastinating/smoking/[insert bad habit here], and tackle it together.
Plan for Stumbles: Nobody's perfect - we all fall off the wagon sometimes. The trick is getting back on quickly, preferably before the wagon gets too far away.

The First Step: Awareness

Start by simply noticing your habit. When does it happen? How often? Where are you? It's like being a detective in your own life story, minus the cool hat and magnifying glass.

Remember: Breaking bad habits is more marathon than sprint. You might trip up a few times, but keep going. After all, even Batman had to practice before he got good at the whole superhero thing.

P.S. No bad habits were harmed in the writing of this article (well, maybe a few).