Maybe you watched the short movie that circulated on the net for a while, with the bear that was taken from the state circus, and brought to the Zărnești national park. This bear, which had lived in the cage for many years, became somewhat free, having at its disposal a very generous space for movement. However, it moves in a small, circular space, similar to the one it was used to, making the same movements it did when it was in the cage. Although it has many hectares at its disposal, it moves only a few meters. It carries with it an imaginary cage and moves in accordance with its limits.
I thought of this bear on the 1st of June, a day off, when I set out to read, trying to not have a schedule, at least for a part of the day; I was surprised to discover that I was still sitting at the desk, and that, even though I put my inbox aside, I was still reading business and coaching books. Although I had decided to take care of something else, to leave the office aside, I went, just like the circus bear, to the places I was familiar with. I’ve only had the office at home for a year – but here’s how easy it is to take the path of least resistance and forget about ourselves, and how hard it is to get out of our routine, to detach from it.
Also, I noticed that when I go to the supermarkets around my area, I can get everything I need with my eyes closed. I now get bored of shopping, sometimes I try changing the stores, just like that, to see something different, but I admit that sooner or later, I fall into the same pattern.
Changing a habit involves intentional concentration and consistency, a plan to follow.
Here are some examples of intentional rhythm breaks that I practice:
I write on blue or black sheets, to get out of the habit of white paper;
I go to the office on different routes (it’s easier now, when I only go once, maybe twice a week);
Meditate; this is something I tried for many years. It didn’t work out; until I did it this year, a few minutes every day, scheduled. It’s been seven weeks. But I find it so easy to fall back to my original state…
What do you do in order to create new, different habits and escape the imaginary cage?
#mindset #perspectives #change #healthyhabits #habits