Getting rid of bad habits: Going cold turkey

I was wondering where the term "going cold turkey" came from and discovered interestingly enough that it comes from the drug slang for people needing to stop using heroin. Nowadays it is a term used "to suddenly and completely stop doing something, esp. a bad habit" (dictinary.com)

Bad habits, those things we don't think we have - until we try and stop doing them.

Someone once said it takes 30 days to break a bad habit. I have no idea who created that myth, truth be told, you don't break bad habits, you overlay new habits over the top. Slowly and surely the new habit takes over from the old one. Unless you can go "cold turkey" that is, and depending on what habit you are trying to break you may be able to do just that. However, most people I know struggle with the cold turkey approach, so overlaying a new habit over the old habit may be the way to do it for you.

Now, a word of caution - these new habits could be good or bad.

You decide to swap the gym after work for a beer with your friends - just this once, is a lot easier than deciding to swap the beer with friends after work with going to the gym ... well it's hot / wet / i've had a hard / bad day / I deserve a break

When you are trying to create the habits that you do want, remember that it will take time AND a lot of practice with deliberate thinking on your part before they become second nature (ie a habit). Once you have them though, it can be like removing impacted concrete with a tooth pick, which is why they are so hard to get rid of once they are established.

    What new habits would you like to create?
    Which of your old habits would you like to get rid of?

What steps can you take today to overlay a new habit over an old one that is no longer serving you?

    Instead of having a cigarette I will go for a 10 minute walk
    Instead of a bar of chocolate I will ...
    Instead of a glass of wine with dinner I will
    Instead of watching the television while I am doing my homework I will listen to music
    Instead of playing games all night I will switch everything off at 10pm and create a new nighttime routine, that way I will get the sleep I need ...

Repeated action over time = new habits

But the question is, are you will to take the steps to achieve them?

Let me know ...

With many thoughts

Elle

p.s. for those celebrating Australia Day, stay safe and enjoy the festivities
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