We Are What We Repeatedly Do

Here's a quote I've been considering:

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit." ~

Will Durant, The Philosophy of Life

Today, consider: What are the things you do habitually? Are they empowering and strengthening? Or are they weakening?

Some things we know right way don't have a positive impact on our life like drinking too much, eating a pint of ice cream before bed, shopping compulsively, or getting back together with the on-again / off-again ex. These behaviors fill some need at first but generally leave us feeling bad about ourselves.

Other behaviors are more insidious. Maybe you have just one drink a day, you spend a little too much time scrolling through social media, or you catch yourself judging or gossiping about others a little more than you care to admit. These may not have such apparent consequences as the first group, but they slowly chip away at the quality of your life and your potential over time.

Of course, there are positive habits too. Like meditating, journaling, exercising, spending time in nature, and reading spiritually uplifting books. These habits support and inspire you throughout your day.

Our habits truly shape who we become. Not only that but the more we do something, the more we strengthen the neural pathways associated with that behavior. We start to do them automatically. And as you might guess, if we do the same things over and over, we get the same results. So, if there are changes you would like to make in your life – whether it's attracting love, changing your career, or embarking on a healthy lifestyle – start by looking at your habits. 

Often, we think about habits as affecting our health. We want to exercise more, eat more plant-based foods, drink less alcohol, etc. And while habits affect our physical health, they also affect our emotional, mental, and spiritual health. The actions we take directly impact whether we feel at ease, the quality of our relationships, and our joy and creativity (cause + effect = karma). Who we are as a person and our experience of life is a result of our habits. 

This is not a new theory. It has been a key tenet of many traditions like Stoicism and Buddhism for thousands of years. Sometimes – we just need a reminder. 

This last year, I gave up drinking. I never drank excessively, just habitually -  like every single day. I really loved a vodka and soda or a glass of rosé. However, it haunted me that I depended on a drink at the end of every day. I saw my children watching me. I didn't want to be a woman who needed a drink to feel a sense of relief. So, I stopped. Now, I feel healthier, happier, more creative, and more at ease than ever before. But perhaps the biggest boon for me is the freedom from the incessant chatter in my mind wondering when I could reasonably grab a drink. Once my mind was free from the incessant inner-chatter, I could focus it on on more useful, constructive thoughts.

I am also free of the guilt that came with having a habit more persuasive than my inner wisdom. The annoying voice inside goading me to have a drink was finally silenced. In this silence, I found peace and a chance to hear my higher self.

Today, consider who you want to be and practice habits that will help you get there. What practices strengthen you? What habits weaken you? Which ones will you keep, and which ones will you replace?  

Interested in learning more? I created a free daily routine checklist and morning journal with writing prompts and affirmations. You can get it here.