It’s never easy to change a bad habit. Many people have tried getting rid of one, they will be successful for a few days or even weeks, but they will eventually go back to it. But this should not be a discouragement, you can still get rid of a bad habit, and here are some tips to help you achieve your goal.
- Identify the underlying cause of that bad habit – the thing about a bad habit is that there is always an underlying reason why you are doing it. For example, you find yourself eating unhealthy meals every dinner, and the reason for that is that you are too tired to cook. If you make changes to your daily tasks, you may have enough energy to make healthy dinners. Other examples could be that your spending habit is tied to your need to prove yourself as successful, your addiction to social media or the internet lets you escape from having to deal with your family. Some of the underlying causes may be painful for you to face, as it would lead you to confront things you do not like about yourself or dysfunctional relationships that need to be fixed. But when you do this, it will be easier to leave a bad habit behind.
- Set a realistic time Frame – goals should always have a time frame, but it should always be realistic. While most people adhere to the saying that it takes 28 days to make a habit, that may not be realistic. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself by giving yourself a short time to get rid of a habit. Allow yourself enough time to adjust. For some, getting rid of their bad habits can cause withdrawal symptoms which may affect their daily life. You can get an expert to help with your bad habits and have them teach you about how to stop smoking or perhaps how to stop drinking alcohol.
- Get a buddy to go through the journey with you – it’s hard to go through a difficult journey alone. Changing a bad habit can be difficult, especially if this habit has been something you are so used to doing for many years, such as smoking for example. A good way to cope with the stress of this journey is to surround yourself with people who are on the same journey with you. If you have access to a support group, that would be a great help. If not, get one of your trusted buddies with you. Even if they do not have the same goal, you can have someone you can talk to when you are having a hard time, and they can motivate you without judging you.
- Cut yourself some slack and celebrate the small achievements – there may be a time when you will fail, where you wake up one day just wanting to have one drink of alcohol or one cigarette stick to more. Cut yourself some slack, not every day will be a success, but it’s important to celebrate small successes so that you will still be motivated to keep going until you achieve your ultimate goal.