The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
I was told years ago it takes 28 days to form a habit. (A reason for rehabs and 28 days). I never tested it out with active commitment. But I am going to try now. When I miss a day I'll start again. So I'm one day in (again, lol). The 28 day habit I'm trying to form is self care by going to bed before 10.30 pm and rising at 5.30 am. I realise this may be a simple task for many people but its one that eludes me, something I wish to change, and a difference that brings a lot of gains to my life. today is already flowing so much better.
Good luck aquamom. I do understand the difficulty in getting to bed early as I can't get to bed before 1:30 AM every day.
I do believe that 28 day timeframe is pretty accurate. I stopped smoking, increased my exercise by 15 additional minutes a day and I see that although it required more discipline and concentration for the first 20 some odd days it now is a routine. I can't
I find being accountable helped me to stay on task. I'm glad that you connected here and shared your process.
WOW....i have a list of bad habits....i'll be practicing till the end of man kind,LOL...gonna decide which i work on first....... i know exercising is a habit....i do it w/out almost, thinking about it....i think at first i had to kinda work on it, but now i just do it.....
i have heard 30 days to change your mind, so 28, yea, sounds sensible.....gonna try this
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Live and let live and do it with peace and goodwill to all!!!!
Great plan in place! A 28 day challenge to yourself to get more rest. Now that sounds like a really good habit to develop. Reminds me of "First things first" and "Easy does it."
Something that I thought about when I re-read your thread is the choice you are making to work only on developing only one new self-care habit - and probably one of the most important for now. When I first started recovery work in earnest, I tried to change everything I saw was an issue for me all at once. I ended up feeling overwhelmed and unable to do much at all. Then, somebody showed up and suggested I just work on one issue at a time starting with the one that made the most sense at the time. That was do-able and not overwhelming.
Your choice to work on only one self-care issue for you is wisdom shared. Thank you for that.
-- Edited by grateful2be on Thursday 15th of January 2015 09:07:42 AM
Thank you for the support! Its day two. Odaat also kicks in but its so nice to add days. Lying awake at night thinking about garbage has been such a long long habit. Reading a novel all in one go also a guilty pleasure, but thankfully I've already powered through doctor sleep, revival, and most recently, the girl on the train. I've also added drinking water and exercise to the new morning routine. Not so long ago I did a mini triathlon. Now I'd be hard pressed to walk up the hill! Progress, not perfection.
Thanks for this I was wondering when my new year's resolution of no coffee or soda would finally kick in. Finally got rid of the headaches and know I was addicted hence stopping it. Getting healthier everyday! Thanks for this post!
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Sending you love and support on your journey always! BreakingFree
Al-Anon/Alateen Family Group Headquarters, Inc. 800-344-2666
" Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional."
"Serenity is when your body and mind are in the same place."
Hey good luck with this, I can't even fathom keeping "normal" hours, I can understand what a challenge it would be!
I think the 28 days concept is good, it's motivating to have a bit of a countdown on a new "lifelong" habit too.
Yay for you
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If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see? (Lewis Caroll)