If you have been playing along at home and you read Simple Hacks To Help You Build New Habits, you are now on your way to get the new habits formed. And, if you are blogging away with us in the Ultimate Blog Challenge, you are into your 3rd day of the new habit! Great job! At this point, you are on your way to a strong foundation.
Did you know they say it takes 21 days to create a new habit? 21 days! 3 weeks! That’s kind of a weird idea though, isn’t it? It doesn’t seem like it takes that long to form a bad habit. And sometimes no matter how hard we try it seems that it takes us a lot longer to form a new habit. Well, for me, that is!
So how long does it really take to create a new habit? The answer is… well, that it depends.
It depends on your mindset and it depends on how big of a change it is from what you are doing now.
If it is your habit to eat a bowl of ice cream at night and you switch from regular ice cream to a low sugar frozen yogurt version, it’s probably not going to take you very long to make that new habit.
However, giving up ice cream altogether though or cutting out all sugar, on the other hand, might take a lot longer. (By the way, I was on a sugar detox for 4-weeks… talk about a tough habit to break or create… Yikes! But I digress…)
So when we ask the question about how long it takes to create a new habit, what we really want to know is how long do we have to tough it out before it gets easier?!?! Is there a light at the end of the tunnel where we don’t have to try so hard anymore?
In other words, when will this new behavior become automatic? How long do I have to endure the pain I am going through to break an old habit or form a new one?
While it will be different from one person to the next and even from one habit to the next, there are a few things to keep in mind:
It’s easier to make a new habit than get rid of an old one.
Be prepared to work a lot harder to give up checking your email every 2 minutes or snacking late at night. Whenever possible, try to replace an old habit with a new one. For example, if you’re wanting to give up coffee, brew a cup of herbal tea in the morning and throughout the day when you would usually reach for your cup of Joe.
Habits will form faster if you stick to the same time and environment each day.
Instead of going for a walk whenever, keep your sneakers next to the door and schedule your walk every day at 6 pm, right after dinner for example.
A constant reminder of why you’re trying to change your behavior is also helpful.
Remind yourself every day that you’re exercising so your body stays strong and you can go play with the kids or grandkids in the yard. Or put up a picture to remind you that you’re making frugal habits so you can one day purchase your dream home.
Keep your reason why you’re changing front and center and then be prepared to stick it out.
Yes, it will take some time to make new habits and replace old ones. But it will be well worth it in the end.
Are you trying to break a bad habit now? Or how about create a new one? Leave a comment below
I’m trying to change my habit of playing games whenever I’ve free time with blogging. It has been quite tough, but I am not giving up. It helps to remind myself I am doing this to be a better writer.
Thanks for the tips. I need to set a fix time to work on this everyday
Once in my calendar, I find it hard NOT to do. You got this, Ivy!
For me, starting a new habit is like a challenge. When I started my healthy eating plan, it only took me about a week to get into the habit of my new way of eating healthy. That was over a year ago and I’m still following it.
That is great! For me, healthy eating is all about the preparation and having the right foods in the house.
Love this article – I am currently trying to get more regular activity in – specifically walking (because it’s the simplest). It still hasn’t happened, but I think if I just get up, get dressed and walk out the door in the morning, that might make it stick (rather than finding 20 other things to do first!)
Putting on your walking shoes is the hardest. So tell yourself, “I am just putting on my shoes/sneakers.” And once they are on, you may think, “Well, I have them on… I may as well at least go outside to the sidewalk.”
Once you are out at the sidewalk, “Here I am, I may as well go to the end of the block…” etc. etc. etc.
Keep it up, Patricia!
Boy, did I have some bad habits I had to break! I gave up sugar (well, not 100% gave up) and I recently cut out caffeine completely. I did what you suggested…replaced caffeinated coffee with herbal tea, which I absolutely love during the colder months. What was the hardest habit to stick with was to exercise again. It sure was hard and painful at first, but now that I have been active for four months now, it does get easier and I’m stronger than ever for it. No more joint pain or sleepless nights. Exercise for your health and you’ll see the benefits of it. Great article!
That is amazing! As with any ‘bad’ habit (or good habit for that matter), you need to WANT to break/change that habit. I dont think I can give up coffee – I like it too much!
Nicely done, Alehta!
Excellent advice!
Thanks, Mary Ellen.