Missing Our Old Habits

Missing Our Old Habits Sometimes when we break a habit or addiction, we find ourselves missing it like a dear friend. Whenever we make the effort to free ourselves of an addiction or a habit we no longer need, we are often surprised to find ourselves missing the old pattern as we would a familiar friend. This sounds counterintuitive, because we think we should instinctively gravitate toward that which is good for us. And yet, it makes a lot of sense when you consider that we humans are creatures of habit. This is why we gravitate to people and places -- and patterns of behavior -- that make us feel comfortable. Therefore, many of the habits we form are not conscious and are based instead on learned behavior from role models who were not always making the healthiest decisions.  Most addictions begin as a way of avoiding feelings that are extremely uncomfortable, so it makes sense that stopping the addiction means, for a time, a fair amount of discomfort. The same, of course, is true of habits that we have developed over time that we are ready to release. Just knowing that this is hard, and having compassion for ourselves as we work through this process, can help us to stay the course when we feel the urge to backtrack. It's also helpful to remember that in time we will establish new, healthier patterns, and the yearning for the old ones will disappear. Eventually, we will instinctively reach for things that are good for us, and the longing for positive change may form the basis of a new habit. The only way to get to this new place is to endure a time of difficulty, which is a challenge we can confidently handle, if we remember that it will lead to the change we seek in our lives. Our bodies, hearts, and minds always need time to adjust to a new way of doing things, but they will adapt, and even become our allies, if we remain true to our vision of a new way. [PRINT]( [SAVE]( [DISCUSS]( --------------------------------------------------------------- DailyOM Course Spotlight [Toned Inner Thighs in 13 Days]( by Sarah Rector Did you know that thighs are a common area of the body that people, especially women, want to tone up? But, thigh muscles can be difficult to build strength in without adding bulk, because lower-body exercises usually use weight-resistance and not everyone is chasing that result. The good news is, there are fun and effective exercises that will strengthen and lengthen your thigh muscles, without any additional visible mass! Led by fitness trainer Sarah Rector, you will be guided through a series of movements designed to activate and sculpt the entire thigh area, creating long and lean legs from your hips to your knees. All you need is 15 minutes a day for 13 days to see and feel a big difference! [Learn More]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Top 10 DailyOM Courses 1. [Cardio Dance for Healthy Hips]( 2. [Assert Yourself Without Isolating Others]( 3. [Shedding Your Menopausal Middle in 10 Days]( 4. [A Year of Writing to Uncover the Authentic Self]( 5. [You Are What You Think]( 6. [The 2 Week Fascia Miracle]( 7. [10 Day Booty Core]( 8. [21 Day Plant-Based Plan for a Lighter, Happier YOU!]( 9. [Hold Your Own During Control Dramas]( 10. [Chair Yoga for Healing, Strength and Mobility]( New Courses • [Moving On From Destructive Relationships]( • [Overcoming Meaninglessness]( > [More Courses]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Home]( | [Inspiration]( | [Courses]( | [Horoscopes]( | [Gift Shop]() [Email Settings]( | [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Help/FAQ]( © 2019 DailyOM - All Rights Reserved No portion of this site can be reprinted without express permission. Subscribed as {NAME}[at]gmail.com (1276706) [1]