Habits – we all have them. In a perfect world, all of our habits would be positive, but most of us probably have a bad habit or two that we wish we could change.
Reversing a habit often comes with implementing another. Whether it’s adopting a healthy lifestyle, making time for yourself, or simply cutting yourself off from toxic people and negative vibes, it all comes down to breaking old habits and forming new ones. But before you can form a newer, more positive habit, you must first recognize and assess its negative predecessor, which leads to the question: How long does it really take to break a bad habit?
According to Manhattan-based licensed therapist Risha London Nathan, there are different schools of thought when it comes to breaking habits. “There are those who think that if you do something different for a certain number of days, it becomes ingrained and is then set for you,” she explains. “And [then there are] those who believe that changing behaviors and habits come from shifting your subconscious thought first.” As a therapist, she admits to being more aligned with the latter.
The general consensus is that it takes 21 days to break a bad habit. “While this may be true, the only thing that will maintain that change is if there’s a real shift in the thoughts and feelings around it,” she explains. That’s because when you shift your subconscious, it helps you navigate and demolish limiting beliefs.
So the next time you find yourself face-to-face with feeding your bad habit, close your eyes, take a deep breath, step back, and listen to your own story. After you’ve given yourself that bubble of self-reflection, open your eyes, exhale, and step forward into fresher, healthier, and ultimately happier habits with these five tips:
Start today
“It’s really easy for people to think about changing habits tomorrow, next week, or sometime when they’re ready,” Nathan explains. “The people who make changes are the ones who get up and do something different at that moment.”
Change your mindset
“Stop unwanted patterns and limiting beliefs by changing your mindset and bringing awareness to feelings,” Nathan instructs.
Be consistent, not harsh
“If you’re shaming yourself instead of just getting up and trying again, stop right there,” Nathan says.
Start small
“People get lost when things and goals become too big,” Nathan explains. “Deal with today. Deal with just this moment. Do something with that. Don’t worry about one thousand tomorrows.”
Give yourself love
“The more you love and take care of yourself, the more you crave and keep healthy habits,” Nathan encourages.
xx, The FabFitFun Team
What are some habits you’re trying to break? Weigh in on the comments below!
