Habits and the Pandemic

How are you doing with your New Year's resolutions? Did you even make any? This was the first year that I can remember where I did not sit down to make any. It's as if this New Year's Eve came and went with no special excitement. I guess that is how it has been for many of us this year.

Being home since March 13 has been so strange. Some people used the time home to start new habits and new hobbies and have likely kept up with them. What is it about forming habits and then breaking them? How long does it really take to form a habit? I remember learning that it takes 21-28 days, and then if you break the habit before then, the cycle begins all over again. I have also read that it takes about 2 months and even up to 254 days for a habit to be fully formed. It's been about 300 days since working from home. Boy, did I blow it. I had the chance to form some great habits, other than sleeping in, of course. I mean, with a 30-second commute from my bedroom to the dining room, I was not counting on a lot of traffic.

Instead of beating myself up over the habits that I did not form, perhaps I need to look at the positives. I did take up yoga during the first few months at home. I may have not practiced daily, but the foundation has been really great for my mind and body. I had to take a break from the yoga while healing from another breast reconstruction surgery, but I did ease back in when able to. So, I guess, while it is not a daily habit, it is a part of who I am now. I resumed running (in the nicer weather, of course). I may not be as consistent as I want to be with running, but it is a part of who I am now too! I have also found that juicing has become a new part of my daily routine. I should probably give myself a little more credit for forming habits.

I firmly believe that, for me, forming habits take a lot of self-reflection. Others seem to develop habits so well and, from my perspective, it is easy and natural. Maybe it is not. Maybe you have to work hard at keeping your good habits. I wonder if the pandemic has made it harder for some to maintain good habits. Many of us have been stuck at home and perhaps not motivated to cook, clean, read, or take up a new hobby. There is no precedent for this in our modern world. We have all had to adapt in some way. This has not been easy for so many.

On New Year's Eve, I was reflecting on how awful 2020 was. Our world was turned inside out and we all had to figure out a "new normal". For me, 2019 was no walk in the park either. It was a year of adolescent turmoil and many, many stressful experiences. I guess, in a way, 2020 was a way for us to breathe, which we found hard to do during most of 2019. When I think about the possibility of 2020 being somewhat of a gift, I feel very guilty about all the awful losses that so many have had to endure. Maybe, then, I am one of the lucky ones. Then, Adam, in all of his 16-year-old wisdom, shared how 2020 was not awful for him at all. He pointed out that he now has his confidence back, is gaining more control of his life, and has found that working out and eating healthier is best for him. He has been setting goals for himself and his grades have never been better. After his 2019 year, he earned this! So, through the eyes of a child, I am reminded of the hope that life has to offer.

Does this mean that I am going to be forming all these habits and developing new hobbies? Probably not. However, I can say that I have made positive changes and have set some goals of my own. Writing more is one goal that I am currently working on. Another is to complete a Yoga with Adriene 30-day journey in 30 consecutive days. Each morning, I will do my best to hold onto the good habits that I have already formed and each evening, I will be thankful for the day's events. Pretty soon we will be back to early commutes, fighting for parking, and running ourselves ragged with a full schedule. For now, I will appreciate the time and be thankful for each moment.

Thanks for listening! xoxo