Back on the Writing Wagon
/Last week, I went on my first trip out of state since the pandemic started. I hadn't flown on a plane since February of 2020. Ironically, I flew to Massachusetts to see the same friends I had seen on that last trip. Life has a way of making things full circle like that.
In the travel buzz and the feeling of a true vacation, I stopped writing and posting on my blog. I didn't intend to. I just missed one day with my flight and then excitement to see my friends, wanting to savor our brief time together. Then that continued on through the next few days.
By the time I got home on Friday, I was swept into the next life-changing phase for me: my girlfriend moving in. We spent the weekend moving her animals and getting everyone settled. Also wanted to savor that sweet and precious time, I didn't make moves to reestablish my commitment to my 2022 Writing Challenge.
But today, it's the first of the month. It's a Monday. It's a great day to get back to it.
A few lessons I've learned:
Once you fall off the wagon of any habit or streak, it takes double the energy to get back on. This energy required multiplies for ever day that you continue on this streak of opting-out.
These kinds of breaks in habits or self-commitments are inevitable. Almost 8 months of doing a single practice everyday is probably the longest I've gone with any consistent daily practice. (With the exception of coffee, that is an easy practice I do most days).
There's no reason to be upset when these kinds of breaks happen, with the exception of vanity. I know I've come a long way in my own self-growth that I allowed myself to break a streak like this and I'm not dejected over it. I saw it happening. I accepted it. It felt right for the circumstances. I'm now moving on.
Though it can take more energy to get started again, there is a loophole: fresh starts. Once I saw that the first of the month was on a Monday (double fresh start!), I knew it would be easy to get back on it. Partner this with another fresh start of having my girlfriend now live with me. Though I didn't move, the energy and set up of the house has changed and that offers it's own fresh start of new patterns and habits. It was not only easy, but joyful to return again to this practice.
Even the most committed and disciplined of us can break habits and get back on them. Don't beat yourself up for breaking yours, just find yourself a fresh start and start again.
