Habits

My friend Noffy and I were talking over breakfast today about non-fiction books.  She had purchased Atomic Habits and quickly realized it wasn’t for her so she gave it away.  I realized that I fell into the same trap. I ordered it as soon as I learned about it because I was sure it would change my life.  After a few pages, it found it’s way onto the bookshelf where it still sits. 

Since our conversation, I have put some thought into habits. I have OCD - structured habits can quickly become a prison in my world.  Do this, this and this by this time, or else.  Or else what? Be disappointed in myself. And then I am thrown off for the whole day.  It just doesn’t work for me.

Since I retired, I have found that I do need structure, which is why I bought the book.  All of this is still evolving with me, but what I think I am learning is that I need unplanned structure and balance.  Freedom within structural boundaries.  Where I am still learning what that means, I am relieved that I am able to put into words what I do not want – a list of activities to be performed each day at a certain time or else…

I have decided to put the book in our little library for a wonderfully organized human to whom it will be transformative.

3.14.2023