Stop Doing What Doesn’t Work
On my drive home yesterday, I pulled into the Hardee’s drive-through to get myself a Diet Coke. While I waited in line – ever so patiently – I debated whether I wanted to flip a U-turn out of the drive-through and drive on home. This is a constant debate I have with myself.
You need the Diet Coke.
No you don’t. You never used to drink soda as often as you do now. Knock this sh*t off.
But it’s a nice treat for you.
You’re not a puppy. You don’t need a treat.
Eventually, I reached the pick-up window and I happily paid $1.26 for my soda and drove on home. While sitting on the couch to enjoy my pop (<— You know I’m adapting to eastern TN when I use the word ‘pop’ instead of ‘soda.’), I thought about how this drive-through detour has become a habit of mine. A habit that I don’t particularly like.
It got me thinking about a few other things that I do that end up driving me crazy.
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1. I don’t use my keyholder.
It takes an extra 5 seconds for me to hang it up. Instead, I throw my keys down wherever it is most convenient for me at the time and then spend 15-20 minutes looking for them when it’s time to go.
2. I overuse my over-the-door hook.
I never hang up my clothes in my closet when I get home. I simply place them on the back of the door until it’s too full. Then, when laundry day comes, I’ll grab them off the door and shove them in the bag to be washed.
3. I eat while I cook.
While we’re prepping dinner, I’ll snack on all the ingredients. Not only does this limit the ingredients we need for dinner on occasion, it also spoils my appetite and makes the meal less enjoyable.
4. I’m an app flipper.
Sometimes, I will mindlessly open up my phone and go through each one of my social media apps without intending to do so. It’s just become a habit. And I catch myself doing this time and time again.
5. I leave things on my coffee table and dining table for DAYS. Sometimes even weeks.
When I get home from work, I pile my mail, my notebooks, my planner all onto the table. Whatever is in my arms when I walk in the door gets placed on the table. Eventually, we have to clear it off to eat dinner. So, naturally, I just place all the things on an unused chair.
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These habits aren’t entirely self-destructive. Yet, they make life a little less convenient and enjoyable in the long-term. My vision for 2017 was to tune into my body and mind and think about what I need to make myself a little happier. I know what isn’t working. So I need to stop engaging in these bad habits and think of alternatives that’ll bring long-term happiness.
Question of the Day:
- What’s one thing you do that you don’t like?
Regarding soda. I’m in New Jersey and we can it soda here. I lived in New Hampshire for 2 years and they call it pop.
I can relate to every one of these habits. That’s so funny. It seems so convenient to do them in the moment. And such a pain in the butt when I’m looking for my keys or mindlessly scrolling through apps. Here’s hoping that we both can eliminate these in 2017.
I don’t eat while I cook but I do enjoy a glass of wine!
I’ll admit I snack when we cook then don’t want to eat dinner.. Haha and flip through my apps. Hoping I can focus a little better this year 🙂
“You’re not a puppy” that made me laugh! I constantly tell myself I’ve earned a treat. That’s for sure one I need to stop.
I am famous for sitting down to work on one thing, and getting distracted by the internet for an hour. I need to work on my productivity.
A great guide and view of things you wanna quit! I have a few of these in common… wow great idea! It’s opened my eyes on how many things I’d like to change. Thanks!
Sometimes I told myself “hey you should work now” but I ended up hybernating on my bed while watching movies 🙂
Not a good habit.
All really relatable things that we all do… I know I do. I am trying to also be more mindful of what I do that isnt really a smart idea in the long run. Trying to improve that to be more efficient and positive with my time.
I do need to stop some bad habits. But wanting a Diet Coke isn’t one for me. It’s what keeps me friendly. I need it in my life to function.
Great challenge in this post. It is good to stop and consider what in our lives isn’t working! Thanks for sharing 🙂
As the saying goes, ‘The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results’!
Most of the time I’m snacking while I cook and then I’m full by the time I’m done cooking the meal.
This happens to me too. I also like to give tastes to whomever is passing by in the kitchen from the family. I guess we never learn.
Bajajajajja “you are not a puppy” I totally agreed with you not body need to drink soda, it is not healthy for you.
Great to read this, that you want changes. All the best, change is necessary to break the monotony of life, but all should be in the right direction.
This one totally hits home for me and I am guilty myself of doing a lot of these. Especially the eating while I cook. Oops. My guilty pleasure is Dunkin’ Donuts coffee… I tell myself it’s just coffee and it’s not THAT bad for you but I usually get a flavor that’s probably loaded with more sugar than I need.
Le sigh. It’s a constant battle!!
Hope you have a great weekend, my sweet! <3
It’s so important to be aware of habits, whether good or bad that way you can better improve on yourself and make a happier life for yourself!
I’m really happy that a few things don’t work you let go. I really need to apply this on myself.
I use, “I deserve a treat” way too much. I love your response of “You’re not a puppy. You don’t need a treat.” Going to remind myself of that next time.
Totally me! I have gotten better but still need to work on it.
Thanks,
Jackie
We all develop these little bad habits without realizing it. They may not seem like a big deal, but kicking a couple bad habits makes such a difference!
The entire time I was reading this post I was thinking, did I write this? Ha – this is all so me!
Happy Friday, dear xxx
LOL its so funny how we set small rules and then break them because we tell ourselves excuses. I need to work on breaking some of my habits too!
At least you have made the list, are aware of it and now want to change it. First steps to success. Always give my clients this list 🙂
I do all of these things, you aren’t alone 😀 . I’m the worst about piling stuff on the tables and leaving it there.
I can definitely relate to these habits; I do most of this! I drink soda, leave things on the table until they pile up and I have no choice but to clean up, and so much more.
Belle | One Awesome Momma
I do the same thing with the over the door hook except mine is a chair just outside my closet.
Oh my gosh I’m the same way! I always leave my stuff on my dining room table or vanity table for days and it ends up making everything look messy and disorganized I hate it!
I’m an app flipper – it drive my husband crazy!!
“You’re not a puppy. You don’t need a treat.” Fantastic quote LOL I never go to bed on time. That’s my current thing I’m not liking. Because it makes me so tired the next day!
My husband and I gave soda (pop) up for the next 21 days. Well, we are already 5 days in, so really for the next 16 days. 16 LOOOONNNNNGGGG days. When you talked about getting one I was so excited for you!
I love this idea! These are great habits to break. I am guilty of leaving things on my entryway table and bar all the time. Trying to keep my house clean is a big goal of mine this year!
I put all my stuff on tables and then get unhappy because the house is messy. Working on that though! Great post!
I am an app flipper too! I don’t have too many of the other habits but I do have other destructive ones. It’s good to acknowledge them and make a path to where we want o be.
This was a great post because I am actually trying to change some of my habits. I keep telling myself that I want to make up my bed everyday. But, I always end up having like 2 or 3 of the days of the week that I just rush out the door. Then when I get home I manage to put my coat on the floor instead of in the closet. It drives me insane that I never fix these habits.
Isaly
Eat while I cook. well I have to try my recipes first. It may take a while to change that. -Cass from sugarsaltspice.com
It’s so easy to get into the habit of doing things that just aren’t necessary. Over Christmas I went out and bought a coffee ( usually a gingerbread latte with lots of cream!) almost every day. It has been so tough to stop, but apart from being very expensive my jeans don’t fit anymore! When i cook I snack and have a diet coke. Now every time I start to cook dinner i get a really strong craving for diet coke – it’s a really hard habit to break!
I get depressed at small things which I should not and deal with the ups and downs of life. Very nice post!!
I need to give up sweet tea. I went to half sweet and half unsweetened, but I love McDonald’s sweet tea. However, it is one of the things that makes my blood sugar skyrocket. I just need to go with unsweetened and add an artificial sweetener
These are all very relatable! I definitely am guilty of mindless phone scrolling waaay too often! I also always leave my refrigerator door open too long and I often forget to close my kitchen cabinets when I grab something out of them…why can’t I just take 1 more second and close it?!
I do the same thing with my apps. Sometimes when I don’t need to waste time I get sidetracked with them, especially Pinterest. I can waste hours flipping through there before I even realize it!
Oh come on, don’t be so strict with yourself 🙂 These little bad habit things are nothing, don’t forget to enjoy yourself and your life. And if there is something laying around for days or weeks, so what. As long as it doesn’t ‘walk away’ (lol) by itself, it’s okay. I love your statement about the treat .. and not being a puppy. That’s funny, but also very harsh …YOLO. Everything, that makes you happy, in moderation is allowed.
OMG – I am guilty of some of these. One in particular is leaving unused items on the dining table. I need to change that habit and get more organized at home!
Abby of Life in the Fash Lane
Hahahahaha!! I’m just happy to know I’m not alone in all this!
Great view of things you wanna quit! I need to change some habit and get more organized at home!
I do almost every single one of these too. Usually by the time I serve the guys their food, I am full. Have a wonderful weekend!
As much as I love a good organizing system and thrive on efficiency… I get so hung up on #5!
I’m giving up soda for 2017 and it’s been hard not giving in- I didn’t realize how often it came up during the day whether going out to eat or just going to the movies. Thank you for sharing!
Well I can relate to a couple of these. The coffee table when life gets busy and you leave stuff there. I only go for 5 days max though. I think everyone has their things. I go no more than 5. Also the eat while I cook. I get in trouble for that by my wife. lol.
I’m so guilty on #4 I should be locked away for life it was a crime!
I enjoyed this post because it seems I’ve done everything in your list. I’ve managed to get rid of most, but the only thing I am working on is putting stuff on the table, or chair or anywhere else convenient instead of putting it away immediately.
I don’t eat while cooking but my sister has this habit.
I check the locks many times, I hate my habit as I am paranoid. Loved reading your post knowing I am not the only one.
in 2017, i have been trying to tidy up the place and do all the dishes every weeknight before going to bed. also, im learning how to cook with less utensils so m having to do less clean up.
I hate that I leave the last little bit of coffee in my cup. Like EVERY TIME! Something in me just keeps me from finishing it. THen I have to pour it out bc it gets cold then make a fresh hot cup!
What a fun post for me, I always eating while cooking and so affected
It’s great to be aware to of these habits so we can change them. I discovered that I was constantly attached to my phone always checking it because I received so many notifications so for the new year I decided to turn off my notifications. Now I check my phone periodically throughout the day but I’m not constantly on it and I’ve found that I am so much more productive in so many areas of my life.
If I could get my family out of these habits, my life would be a lot easier! Instead, I’m constantly cleaning and picking up after others!
I will give you two things that I do that I hate. I hate that every receipt I get goes in my purse. I eventually throw them away but not immediately. I also hate condiments. When I get them in always save them and for what? Plus really how many do I need?
I love this little read! I can so relate. I love the image you used with this article. It was perfect!
Thank you for saying this. This is my life. I leave clothes on a chair for days and stopped worrying about it.
haha, i love this! I do ALL OF THESE THINGS too!! Only instead of coke…it’s coffee. I also think I’ll try being a little less lazy in favor of being a little more tidy this year.
I am the queen of procrastination. I had gotten it under control early last year by making daily checklists, but feel off the bandwagon. I really need to get back on it so things can stop not getting done.
I always have a huge pile of laundry to fold in my closet… Like a mountain of laundry.. It’s bad. My kids even know how bad it is!
I can so relate to this! I’ve pretty much done every one of these things! I really need to break these habits – small things add up and make a difference.
I tend to eat while I cook too. You are so right, it definitely ruins your appetite for when you finally sit down to eat with the family.
One thing I do that I don’t like is I always make excuses for myself as to why I don’t get up early, why I don’t go to bed earlier and so on… I just need to go to bed a bit earlier so I can get up earlier.
This is really great. I too am an app flipper. I will open apps flip through them and/or delete them right after getting them. One thing I do that I don’t like – I snack at night. Horrible thing to be in the habit or doing and I need to stop!
It’s funny, it’s like we try so hard to change ourselves, but really our little quirks like these will never change LOL.
As a nutrition coach I’d advise against the diet pop, maybe turn that thinking about by thinking about the $$ cost (as well as the health cost). $1.25 a pop doesn’t sound much but even twice a week that’s $120 a year. What could you buy with $120?
There are so many things left on my coffee table for weeks! Mail, old textbooks, even a bottle of nail polish! A big clean is NECESSARY.
I’m an organized person and therefore I try to keep things the way it should be so that I don’t have any hassle when I need them! And don’t have to waste my time and efforts searching them!
Agreed: some habits are so difficult to change!! And I have plenty of bad habits I’m planning on working in 2017 too! Like don’t allow male to pile up and instead open all
The boxes and recycle them the same day!
http://stylesprinter.com
You and I are so alike. I have the same issue with not using the keyholder, then frantically trying to hunt down my keys. And same with not keeping tables and countertops so cluttered. This year will be the year we tackle those issues!
I am a busy mom of 2 boys and I rarely get time to myself. When i get alone time to go somewhere, it almost always ends up with me buying a candy bar or donut or milkshake. It’s ridiculous. lol
Love these mindful ideas on stopping doing stuff that doesn’t work. I’m a chronic app flipper. And that is so distracting, that I don’t finish my stuff on mobile. I’ve got to stop it – thank you for bringing this up!!
I love your honesty here! We all have habits we don’t like or that don’t serve us, and often, we don’t fix them because we aren’t looking hard enough to really see them. Your willingness to see what you don’t like is what gives you the power to change it.