Why Habits Are Important

Posted on Jan 10, 2016 | 5 comments

It’s that time of year again! You know, the beginning – a new year! Time for a fresh start where anything is possible.

January is the time of year that I always review our habits, both old and new. It is the time of year that we, together as a family and individually, decide if any changes need to be made.

It was when my children were babies that I realized just how important my habits, and theirs, were to the quality of our life.

I was having one of those frustrating days – every parent knows them. The kids are whining and fighting with each other, dinner is taking a bit longer than you thought it would, the laundry machine is beeping to be changed, the dishwasher is full and needs to be emptied and reloaded, there is a crushed cracker on the floor that needs to get vacuumed up, a funny smell is coming from that wet spot on your shirt that you have not had a second to change out of and… Shall I continue?!

As I was just about to blow, a thought occurred to me.

I was in charge.

This was all happening because of how I ran my day, or more honestly, just got through my day. I was well on my way with my food revolution, this day I realized it was time to re-think our actions. I was waking up and just dealing with what came at me instead of taking the bull by the horns and making things happen. My habit was to just react to situations instead of to be organized and conscious. This needed to change.

This day really showed me that happiness IS a choice, just as our habits are also a choice. That certain things were triggering habits in me that were not healthy or good, but I was never aware of them.

I just needed to be conscious of them.

What are habits?

Wiki’s definition is: A habit is a routine of behavior that is repeated regularly and tends to occur unconsciously.

You mostly hear people talking about the bad ones – like smoking (gross), alcohol, video games etc.

But there are lots of great habits too. And if you want to succeed, it is imperative to learn about habits and how to choose healthy ones. Further, if you want your children to succeed, than you must teach them the same.

Why are habits important?

Habits are the things that guide us through our day. Our habits dress us, feed us, entertain us and can keep us healthy.

Our habits define us. Our habits are how we can let the world know who we are.

As soon as I realized this a light went on for me. I made a list of how my day usually went down, each action and reaction. From this I noticed all sorts of behaviors in myself that were not healthy, that I did not like.

So I changed them. Slowly.

And I noticed change not only in my kids but in my husband as well.

It took time, but changing my habits led to my family changing theirs which ultimately led to our happiness and success as a family unit and individually.

Can Habits be changed?

Yes! Writing down your current daily actions is one of the best ways to begin to get to really know yourself. By identifying your daily habits, you get a very clear vision of who you are. This will allow you to begin to change your habits.

Just be sure to take it slow, but more on that next week!

Step 1 to Easily Change Your Habits

Step 1 to changing habits is to really learn everything there is to know about yourself – and learn to love them, each aspect of yourself. You are worth it and a good person.

Make a few lists, in writing. First write down your daily habits from wake-up to sleep times. Second write down everything you love about yourself. Third write down all of the things you would like to accomplish in the next month. Take the week to really think about these things.

I will be discussing habits for the next 4 Sundays so be sure to check back next week to learn how I actually changed our family habits (and my own!).

Malibu Mama Loves Xx

#SuperSoulSunday

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