habits... good and bad

We all have habits. Some we find helpful and others we'd rather not have. Maybe we would rather read more or workout more or have a cleaner house. Maybe we want to wake up earlier or go to bed earlier or spend more time meditating. But instead we find ourselves watching TV or scrolling on our phone.

When it comes to breaking bad habits, it's helpful to see how a habit is currently serving us. What is the good intention for that behavior?

Because there's always a good intention. Whatever we do, there's always a reason. Usually it boils down to love, safety or belonging.

So if I wanted to break the habit of coming home from work and parking my butt on the couch to watch TV, it’s helpful to ask myself, “why am I choosing to do that every night?"

And the good intention- maybe I need to unwind after a long day or maybe I am craving a laugh which is why I watch so much Friends.

If we can notice the positive intention, we can decide to do something different to fill that need. If it’s unwinding, maybe I can choose to go to the gym and get the day out of my system. Or if I’m watching TV for the laughs, maybe I can listen to a comedian’s podcast and go for a walk. Maybe I need to be around my own friends more instead.

So what good intention does your "bad" habit have? Let me know. I'd love to cheer you on!