So: why is it soooo hard to form good habits, and so EASY to lapse into bad ones?? Doesn’t it seem that good intention ought to count for something??

Sheesh.

I’ve been back on the recumbent bike since New Year’s. And each day remains a bit of a struggle to figure out just when I’m going to cycle. Not as bad as it was the first days, but still not like brushing my teeth. I want exercise to be like brushing my teeth! Something I just DO.

And that is NOT what it’s like. It’s more like… Remembering you need a check-up this month. Or, changing the smoke alarm battery (which, since my alarms are connected to the electrical system, I don’t even have to do!).

I like this image, where habits are like Legos. Well, I don’t really like it; I just think it’s more accurate. Especially if you factor in the time it takes. Good habits are verrry hard Lego projects (like the StarWars glider we bought my adult son for Christmas… :)), that take FOREVER. Bad ones? Duplos. BIG blocks that are easily manipulated into huge edifices.

I wish meditation was a Duplo project. Instead of the curling post-it note on my desk drawer, reminding me I have NOT meditated today. Sigh… I wish it built quickly and easily, meditation. Note to self: buy meditation Duplos…

And yes, I know all about cue/ routine/ reward. It’s the whole ‘routine’ thing that eludes me…

Beginner’s heart is hard, you know? It’s not like we don’t know what works. It’s the doing. So here’s to all of us and our New Year’s resolutions. Hoping we find that routine.