Bad habits are like a comfortable bed,
easy to get into, but hard to get out of.
A Proverb
Ain’t that the truth! And I would add that
good habits are often hard to get into
and easy to get out of.
In September of 2019 I started the habit of going for a walk every day. Three miles was my goal and I usually accomplished it. Sometimes surpassing it by a mile. It was a bit of a push to get in the habit but I persevered and within a month I actually looked forward to the walk enjoying the scenery and the fresh air and sunshine and even the rain. Well, I didn’t walk if it was raining hard but if it was just drizzling I did.
Then summer 2020 showed up in all its glory. In South Carolina that glory is filled with sun and upper 90 degree temps…sometimes into the low 100’s. Add to those temperatures the 95% or higher humidity and it is difficult to walk several blocks let alone three miles. Even at 7:00 in the morning…or evening. So, in June I started walking a few days a week. Then in July a short, very short walk, a couple of times a week. In August I gave up and stayed home with the air conditioner on proving that good habits are easy to give up.
Then in mid-September I told myself I would get back to my daily walk of three miles. I sometimes did the three miles but most often it was more like two. October, November, and December were hit or miss. More days missed than hit.
Now we are in 2021 and I told myself it was time to get serious about walking again. Well, in the month of January I did a not so great 17 days of three mile walks. I tell myself that it rained a lot, but really no more than usual for January and rarely for the whole day. Yes, good habits once broken are hard to fix. Now it’s February. It’s a short month. If I walk just 17 days it will look better statistically than January.
Developing good habits and sticking to them is a pain in the butt!
Patricia's Place 
Walking is a great habit to get into. I have Rosacea, so says the doc. What a nuisance it is. My walking had to be done before sun-up because sun exposure is a trigger. When the cold weather came, I quit altogether. I really liked walking. It’s a great way to get exercise and meditate as you glide along the way. I tell Rosacea to take a hike, but so far it remains. I am thankful I am otherwise very healthy. I shall not complain. Well, I did, didn’t I? Blessings to you, Patricia…
I have rosacea but haven’t had a flare in quite awhile. I use sunscreen anytime I am out. My main flare cause is spicy food. If I eat anything spicy 2 days in a row I will have a flare. And more than two glasses of wine is a problem. Hopefully, you will learn your triggers and be able to control the flares.
You are so right Patricia. I have learned to set my goals high and then work towards them by increments. At first the idea of not reaching a goal I set right from the get go irked me…sometimes it still does. Some have told me I should not shoot so high. I have learned, though, that no mnatter how high or low I set the goal I never meet it in the beginning. So to my mind it is better to set a high goal and inch towards it than to set it low and still inch towards it.
What you said about restarting was also so true. Recapturing habits put on the back burner (for me it is healthy eating) is soooo hard.
I am not a great goal-setter. I usually just go with the flow, but the walking goal is one I need to work on. I am now retired and less active but I know I must keep moving to be healthy. It’s just so easy to say, later. Somehow later often extends to bedtime. We won’t talk about healthy eating today.
LOL! about the healthy eating! I am also not a great goal setter. I have always been better at going with whatever comes but a friend of mine suggested that if I aimed at nothing I was sure to hit it. At that point in my walk there were several things I felt like God wanted from me (not that I was keen to do any of them mind you…I wasm very controlled by my flesh) So I set goals much to part of my nature’s chagrin. Goal setting has been one of those things I had to do to crucify this too too solid self.
PS I love the heart header. 🙂
😻
Sorry I’m late musing with you Patricia. The week got away from me with the snow, then yesterday I lost my house keys which had me in such an upset, but I did do out and walk.
And as far as, how many miles or how often, remember, it’s what you do that counts, not what you don’t do. Yes, habits are hard to break when they’re bad, and kick start when they’re good. Giving up drinking was a big bad habit I gave up, replacing it with prayer and meditation and Nature to talk to. Love your writing, as always. 🙂
No need to apologize I’m happy to hear from you whenever. Do you still see your friend that you used to write about that would go out drinking with you? When I made a habit to only have one alcoholic drink then switch to Coke a lot of friends seemed to take offense. They sort of drifted away. I thought it weird…I never told them what or how much to drink.
I am working on the walking habit. Not where I want to be but not where I was.😼
I think you mean Camille. I miss our stories, but sobriety seems to agree with me. And your last sentence reminds me of something Joyce Meyer always says; I may not be where I want to be, but thank God I’m not where I used to be. I just love that, and it’s very comforting to just acknowledge where you are, and how far you’ve come. I love how you write…your spare, respect over language inspires me so Patricia, please always know that. Susannah
🙂
I began walking 26 years ago. Thankfully, I walked by the water of Long Island Sound early in the morning. Even on hot, humid days, it was never as bad as SC. I can certainly understand your skipping the walk on those unbearable days. Six years ago we moved to the mountains near Asheville, and we began walking out the front door, down to the creek, and back. Every time we come back from a trip or a pause for an illness, I’m afraid I won’t get started again. As you pointed out, it is so very easy to begin skipping for many reasons or none at all. Do keep on trying. It’s so good for you. I’ll be glad to clap for you every day you walk!
How lovely that you can walk along a creek. There is something so relaxing and refreshing walking along a waterway. I have an errand that must be done today so I will get my walk in. Thank you for the encouragement!
I love knowing that you walk as well Anne. Me too. It’s really the best way to travel. 🙂
You see a lot when you walk, that is if you open your eyes. When I’m talking to John as we walk, my brain seems to use all its power for conversation and notices nothing in the neighborhood. He loves trains, but I’m the one that is one-track minded.
You’re such a punster…that’s a prankster with ready words. 🙂
You just described me. I’m just as bad. It’s so hard to keep doing good things. I’m lazy and always find a way out of walking.
Have a fabulous day and week. ♥
It is just laziness when I don’t go for a walk. I am very good at “I’ll do it later.” Of course, later never comes it just continues on.
I understand you completely.
Do you have the “do it later syndrome”?
In some respects. I do my walk religiously as I have to! After my knee replacements, it’s a must. But there are others good habits that are waiting for me to adapt them.
I admire your fortitude. I know a couple of folks who have had knee replacements and they don’t go for walks because it hurts. Maybe if they did go for walks the pain would lessen?
Thanks Patricia. It is an ongoing process of keeping the knee healthy and walking does that. They should do it slowly at first but then regularly.