Amidst this lockdown, I'm sure you have plenty of time in your hands now to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Juggling between a routine of online classes, getting a good night’s rest, and me-time. This routine becomes a habit of ours. Or does it?
Emotion who?
People tend to go out of their way to do something fun and productive, not adhering to one fixed routine. It is indeed difficult to make time that allows us to indulge in a habit, mainly because our emotions play a big role in forming a habit.
Being a fickle-minded person, I often jump from one thing to another, and because of that, I get sidetracked. From fixing a healthier sleep schedule to reading more, the list never ends. If you're like me, having too much in hand can make it overwhelming and at the end of the day, the list is put aside. This is where everything goes south!
Perhaps merely wanting to have a healthier lifestyle may not be the best push factor for me.
Find your light!
Photo by Shun Wei on Instagram
While spending more time online, it made me feel like I have to learn a new skill. Coming across talented artists while spending time online has encouraged my habit of drawing more. Now pause, what makes you happy?
A book that I’ve been reading, titled 'Tiny Habits' by BJ Fogg, inspired me to always start small when achieving a goal, whether big or small. Developing a habit can be a delicate process, it is important to not burn yourself out when starting fresh.
The title of his book says it all, tiny habits. But to what extent is 'tiny' tiny? His definition of tiny is as though little to no effort is put into it. Let’s say you want to read more, by starting small, you can literally read as little as a paragraph a day. For me, it can be as simple as doodling around my notes as a kick start. The key here is to not make it a burden for yourself, so that you don’t become disinterested quickly.
Boon and Bane
Although this method takes time, it is simple, and you get to achieve your goals progressively. Hey, achieving something small is also a win for me. On the plus side, it also makes almost anything more enjoyable since you wouldn’t be rushing it.
Photo by Shun Wei on Instagram
Looking at it in the long run, building a relationship with the habit is key. Repetition alone does not build a habit, emotions do too! As a person who easily slacks off, I find this method efficient. It helps you relearn and have new discoveries in your field of interest. As they say, practice makes perfect!
By: Shun Wei