Home & Family · Self-Care · TH
31 Days – Create a Habit
At the beginning of this series I talked about makingtime for self-care, I also talked about figuring out how you are
currently using your time so that you are able
to make time for self-care. Now that we
are nearing the end of the month, I want to talk about creating habits.
currently using your time so that you are able
to make time for self-care. Now that we
are nearing the end of the month, I want to talk about creating habits.
I think that habit often has a negative connotation. You want to get rid of the too much chocolate
habit, the sitting down and watching TV habit; but habits can be good as well.
habit, the sitting down and watching TV habit; but habits can be good as well.
I want to make sure that I wake up at least 30 minutes
before my kids every day so that I am fresh and prepared when they come down
the stairs full of energy.
before my kids every day so that I am fresh and prepared when they come down
the stairs full of energy.
I want to make sure that I am exercising and eating well, so
that I have energy to take care of the above children throughout the day.
that I have energy to take care of the above children throughout the day.
What if you could make
self-care into a habit?
self-care into a habit?
Conventional wisdom has always said that it takes 21 days to
make a new habit. I find that to be a
little on the short side – of course I am sure that there are some habits that
take a short amount of time (the aforementioned chocolate), but I feel like
self-care might take a little longer.
make a new habit. I find that to be a
little on the short side – of course I am sure that there are some habits that
take a short amount of time (the aforementioned chocolate), but I feel like
self-care might take a little longer.
I actually found an interesting article that said it would be closer to 66 days in order to make a habit, and I
think that is probably pretty accurate.
think that is probably pretty accurate.
It certainly took me longer than 21 days to realize that
waking up early was a good thing, and that I wanted to continue doing it!
waking up early was a good thing, and that I wanted to continue doing it!
Could you choose one aspect of self-care to work on
throughout the end of the year? This,
the busiest time of year for most people with all the holidays, and general
craziness of school activities, sports, etc.?
throughout the end of the year? This,
the busiest time of year for most people with all the holidays, and general
craziness of school activities, sports, etc.?
I think the key to forming these good and healthy habits is
to start small.
to start small.
Dave Ramsey talks about the debt snowball when you are
trying to pay off debt, start with the smallest debt, pay that off, feel good,
and then move to the next larger.
trying to pay off debt, start with the smallest debt, pay that off, feel good,
and then move to the next larger.
I think that can also apply to habits.
If you start with something small, and really make it a habit, the next habit
will be a little easier. You will
remember that the first habit, while small, was easily accomplished, so you
have a little more confidence with the next habit.
What is one small
change you can start working on today to become a habit in relation to
self-care?
change you can start working on today to become a habit in relation to
self-care?
