What is it called when you can't break a cycle you are in? When I say this I mean, in my adult life I will always set out to do new things. For example, take brand new vitamins for health or other forms of experimenting with new things and then I'll slowly but surely revert back to my old ways. I won't even realize I have reverted back at times but I always do in everything I do.
If this is called something what has anyone done to get past it?
cole1jones you’re simply asking about the aspects of what is commonly known as habits.
The basal ganglia of the brain is where habits are made also things like pattern recognition. habits have 3 parts, the first is the cue or trigger, then comes the actual meat of what your habit is. the end is the reward.
your decisions are in a total different part of the brain the prefrontal cortex. when you perform your habit more and more automation ensues. a habit is hard to stop because of the prefrontal cortex continuing to be more automatic and gradually isn’t even necessary. full blown habit and you have freed your mind to do other things while still performing the habit. the brain resists change naturally. The basal ganglia has taken over.
to change your automatic routine you have to replace your old routine with a new one. small steps. begin with different cues change the cue then change the environment wake up your prefrontal cortex. gradually a new habit has taken over.
It takes time. google breaking habits.
Howdy Cole1jones. I think that a lot of people really like the "Atomic Habits" book. I think my best takeaway from it is just to spend two minutes a day on what you want to establish as habit. I also like to rearrange the furniture in my house to jar myself out of ruts a little bit.
Do you feel like you try these new things long enough to see if they help with changes or you revert back before you can decide? Accountability buddies might help☮️
Changing the furniture is great. changing anything about the cue and habit is key. environment especially.
Thank you. I usually revert back before I can decide.
To second, LoveforAll41's comment, I think James Clear, who wrote Atomic Habits has a lot of really good advice on starting new habits and getting them to stick. Most of the information included in his book he also posted for free on his blog. This post: "How to Stick With Good Habits Every Day by Using the “Paper Clip Strategy”," in particular may be helpful for you. jamesclear.com/paper-clips
I don't like Jeff Bezos or Amazon, but I bought Atomic Habits as an ebook through them. The book has sold over 15 million copies and is widely available. First chapter is also available for free on his website.
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