Ever had one of those moments where you want to skip something that’s part of your regular routine? Like morning meditation or tidying your desk at the end of the day.
While we do sometimes need a system reset, it’s important to be aware that when we skip a regular activity even once, re-establishing our set pattern is that much harder.
Initially, the mind is effective at telling us that missing one day is no big deal. Go ahead, skip reading that book today. Watch something on Netflix instead. The book will still get finished…eventually.
But when we agree to this, picking up the book is harder than when we first made the commitment to read more. This is because the establishment of the routine was the result of high motivation or an overwhelming desire to change the current situation.
Once a habit is created, it relies on regular repetition, rather than motivation, to continue. When you stop the repetition though, you’ll need to find motivation to begin again. And summoning this up can be challenging!
So before you let one day of not removing your make-up turn into a regular practice of going to bed with a full face, consider these questions:
- Why do I do this activity? What is it helping me achieve?
Without your activity goal in mind, it is always that much harder to get something done.
- Rather than skipping it entirely, could I do the activity for a shorter period of time today?
- Why do I need this break?
- If I take this hiatus, when will I get back to regular service?
Keep in mind that skipping something once is considered a pause, two times is a breather and three times is establishing a new pattern, that's much different from your old one.
Reviewing these questions and your honest answers may be just what you need to stay on track.
However, sometimes, your answers will conclude yes, you really do need to miss lunchtime yoga today. And you'll determine that you’ll go to class on Saturday instead, When this happens, embrace your decision and enjoy the freedom! Don’t get down on yourself about the considered choice that you’ve made. Let skipping your regular activity do what it should do: reset your enthusiasm for your routine.
Summer is a season where it’s easy to get out of regular pace due to all kinds of changes from end of school to holidays and everything in between. June to August can often feel like a time where everything is disrupted. However, knowing that the mind enjoys routine and remembering why we’ve established our good habits to begin with can help to keep us on track during this time.
What routines keep you on track? How do you deal with a break?