Habits… Breaking the Old Ones and Making the New Ones … Mindfully!

Ok - we are into November and with the festive holiday season fast approaching and New Year’s glittering on the horizon, many of us are tempted to make those bold resolutions we're infamous for abandoning by February. Why? Because simply willing a habit into (or out of) existence often doesn't suffice. But what if I told you mindfulness could be your secret weapon in the battle of habit formation and dissolution?

Why New Year's Resolutions Often Fail:

Resolutions typically fail not due to a lack of intent, but because of a lack of sustained awareness. We’re pumped with motivation in the beginning, but as the initial enthusiasm wanes, we often revert to old patterns. Instead of setting ourselves up for potential failure with lofty resolutions once a year, we should focus on continuous, mindful reflection and growth.

Mindfulness and Habit Formation:

1. Awareness: Before we change a habit, we must first become keenly aware of it. Mindfulness helps us notice triggers and patterns that often operate on autopilot.

2. Acceptance: Instead of getting frustrated with ourselves, accepting where we are in the process is crucial. This doesn’t mean resignation; it means understanding and forgiving ourselves, laying a compassionate foundation for change.

3. Intention Setting: Rather than being vague (“I want to be fit”), set clear, actionable intentions (“I will walk for 20 minutes every morning”).

4. Repetition with Reflection: Every time you engage in the new behavior, do so mindfully. Celebrate small wins and reflect on setbacks without judgment. This iterative process of doing and reflecting creates a feedback loop, making habit formation more organic.

Tips for the Upcoming Holiday Season:

- Stay Present: The holidays can be a whirlwind of events and emotions. Use mindfulness to stay grounded, appreciating every moment.

- Re-evaluate Habits: As the year winds down, take a mindful inventory of habits you want to cultivate and ones you'd like to leave behind.

- Prepare for Change: If you're contemplating a significant change in the New Year, start the groundwork now. Use the holiday season to research, plan, and set the stage for your 2023 journey.

In essence, while the allure of New Year's Resolutions is undeniable, true change requires more than a date on the calendar. It requires awareness, intention, patience, and above all, mindfulness. Let this festive season not just be about gifts and celebrations, but also about the gift of self-reflection and the celebration of growth.

Train hard, breathe easy,

Jon Macaskill

Frogman Mindfulnes s and Men Talking Mindfulness

P.S. Remember, the beauty of life lies not in never falling, but in rising mindfully, every single time.