Habits are regular behaviors or practices that can be difficult to change. A habit becomes automatic after repeating the same actions over time until they are stored in our subconscious mind, which influences our actions and feelings without us being fully aware of it.
Habits can show up in various ways. We might use the same words when we talk (a verbal habit), pull our phone out of our pocket (a physical habit), or consistently think in the same way about certain subjects (a mental habit). When we have habits we want to change, we can do so by increasing our awareness of them.
Mindfulness is crucial for habit change because we can only make changes in the present moment. Our actions occur now, so understanding this moment is essential.
Awareness can be noted in our surroundings. If we ask ourselves about what is happening around us right now, we can awaken our awareness.
The more questions we ask about our physical environment, the more we can understand what is going on at the moment, which helps raise our awareness.
Being detail-oriented enhances this process. For instance, if we are in a park and see a couple talking on a bench, we can wonder about their body language, the nature of their conversation, whether they seem engaged, bored, or if anyone else is listening.
This exploration can go on indefinitely, but it’s important to relate these observations to our own lives.
To become more aware of ourselves and our habits, we can ask questions about our movements, motivations, and the reasons for our surroundings. The clearer we are about our environment, the easier it is to break free from our habits.
Shifting from being indifferent to being curious can make a significant difference. Next, we can explore some techniques to enhance our awareness and create opportunities to change our habits.