I choose my habits. Do you? I bet you do.
Has it ever happened to you that you had taken up a habit of meditating or doing yoga or other kind of exercises daily for many years and suddenly something happened in your life and you skipped a day or two?
Then all of a sudden you stopped doing it altogether for many months or years and you look back and think what happened, why did I stop?
It has happened to me many times with meditation, qigong, flow60 exercises, resistance stretching, pilates, yoga, writing, journaling, painting, walking at least 45 minutes daily and taking supplements, specific foods, juices, smoothies and maybe even more things.
Why did it happen in the first place?
Only habits can replace habits
I guess life got in the way, an illness, an especially stressful time, a hospitalization, lack of equipment, a thousand excuses can come up that are a reflection of some inward resistance.
Why did we start doing the habit it in the first place? Do we know?
What did we get from doing it?
What are the consequences of stopping doing it?
Have we thought about that?
I choose my habits
I have just gotten back to doing flow60 exercises and resistance stretching. I stopped doing them because I was taking care of my dad that needed assistance 24/7 and I was the only caregiver.
I was drained and had very little time for me. I could have modified the time and amount of exercises I did, spread it out and adapted it to my needs but instead I skipped a day, then another day, then a few days and then I lost momentum and forgot about it.
Then when I finally had to take my dad to an elderly care home and thus had time again for me I did not take it up again.
It took me almost 9 months to realize that I needed to take it up again because of the peace it gives me, the benefits it has for my physiology and emotions.
Why did it take so long, you may ask? Have you ever heard of procrastination?
Overcoming procrastination
I replaced those habits with other habits. I do choose my habits. I thought about returning to those habits for a long time, but I kept waiting for the right time, for when I would feel like it.
My attention and focus went somewhere else. I had no clear vision of why to start doing it again and then all of a sudden I started doing it again.
I just decided to choose my habits and took action on the mantra “do it now” that I repeat many times daily.
Our habits are something we choose. It takes 90 days to instill them so they start running on autopilot.
That means that the subconscious gets on board with them. And then it is all about becoming conscious of the changes that happen in our lives and how to navigate them.
Do we want to keep in place the habits we have or do we want to change them. It all depends on our goals and our desire to reach for our goals instead of refusing the call to go on our heroes journey. You can do it. Just say to yourself, “I choose my habits.”
Most of these lessons came to me through the Master Key Experience course, a deep dive on learning to master your habits to master your life. Join us for the next session by signing up here. Scholarships only, you can’t buy in!
Habits do tend to rule our lives. Thanks for encouraging the awareness, Benjamin. This is great information.
Show me the habits I’ll show you the person ! great comment
Yes, keep doing the good habits. I love your persistence.
I agree it really helps me to persist when I see you guys working so hard to improve mahalo for sharing Karen
There is so much clarity in this blog, thank you, Benjamin.
I agree, procrastination is an absolute downer.
I’m so glad to hear that you have found peace again getting back into your good habits.
They are the best!!
Do they have that saying down unda – ‘you’re a peach’ in America it mean you are the greats lady under the sun and you are – great comment so enouraging 😍
Benjamin, thanks for this challenge to review how our newer habits are working out in the longer term of a changed life. It makes sense that tweaking habits as time goes on can create a better life. But it’s important to persist.
Your point of view is always so refreshing for me. You see things in a way that I envy lol and you’re very kind about sharing it, which is a blessing to us!
Benjamin, you are absolutely right about that each one of us choose our habits whether they are good habits or not so good habits. Isn’t it wonderful to realize this truth that we can choose and control our thoughts and habits that build our life and our character.
So simple and no so easy lol – its an honor watching you grow Esther! love you! mahalo for commenting – #peacefulwarrior
This is such a powerful reminder, Benjamin! 💛 “Our habits are something we choose.” -Knowingly or not, we still choose! Ninety days can change everything — because once the subconscious accepts the plan, the habit becomes you. I love how you framed that! Encouraging, relatable, and so real. Thank you for reminding how momentum returns the moment we choose again. 🌟 #DoItNow
It is a great reminder, Stephanie I feel the same way. When I see you guys out here working hard to make your lives better and happier, is thrilling! It makes me want to do better too mahalo for sharing!
Excellent! I am just getting back to those valuable habits I learned in the Master Key Experience after a brief hiatus. I take this as encouragement:)
Is she back! Could Spain handle your great attitude LOL – Mahalo Arlene for commenting you’re truly amazing
Thanks Davene! It turns out that Spain (at least the Camino) is full of fabulous positive people!
Wow, Benjamin, can I identify with what you wrote here! I chose the habit of never finishing or sticking with a habit that was good for me. I still do lol it ain’t easy being human – love this and it gave me peace so Mahalo my guy!
This is one of those things that just drives me crazy! So simple to replace the good habits with lazy day or two…. Why so hard to go the other way? Time to make the undesirable, desirable!
The “do it now” mantra is gold! Thank you for the reminder that we choose our habits, even amid chaos. Thank you Benjamin!
The ability to choose your habits is truly an evolution from what most believe….
Only a habit can replace a habit! Love that…
Benjamin, your blog is calm, clear, and full of quiet strength. Thank you for gently reminding us that it’s okay to pause and begin again. Your peaceful way of sharing your journey helps others feel safe to reflect too. I appreciate your honesty—it brings comfort and encouragement without pressure.
Benjamin, I SO appreciate your being so candid. You are definitely not alone in this struggle with the in-and-out of habits! And I agree with you–I have learned/experienced SO MUCH about habits through the Master Key Experience. It’s the very best training about habits IMHO.