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Why You Should Practice Letting Go of Your Good Habits
There’s a downside in becoming too attached to your life systems
A while back, I noticed that I would become restless — peeved, even — on days that I couldn’t step into the gym. My body craved the workout, but the frustration seemed to be more than that. The routine had become so ingrained that it had become part of my identity.
Going to the gym is, of course, good for me. So are many of the other habits I’ve formed over the years, such as reading, journaling, and aggressively protecting my sleep. But there’s a danger in becoming too attached to the systems we’ve built: We risk losing our freedom.
When we’re not fully free, we set ourselves up for disappointment. A quote from Buddha captures this well: “You can only lose what you cling to.”
I want to be okay with letting things go. So I practice it. Here’s how you can do the same.
- Are you addicted to the gym? A few times a year, consciously decide not to go. Say it with intention: “I’m deciding not to go to the gym today.” If you feel like you need to move your body, go for a hike or do a yoga session in your living room.
- Are you addicted to posting on social media? It sounds obvious, but get off social media for a week. The world…
