[Taramere]

I'm reading an article in Psychologies (pop psychology magazine in the UK) about changing and improving habitual behaviour. It raises the point that despite freedom being something most of us want and aspire to, we choose to enslave ourselves with self imposed mundane routines and habits.

The article refers to a book by psychologist Ben Fletcher called "The No Diet Diet: Do something different." He coined the phrase "habitweb". Each little habit on its own seems minor (watching a trashy tv programme, mindlessly surfing the internet, making a coffee as a procrastination tactic etc). If you picture all the little routine habits banding up together, they become this pretty formidable web that you trap yourself in. So much time spent on mundane habits that lead to stagnation, boredom and even depression. Predictably but sensibly, he suggests breaking out of this web by starting small. For instance...

"It could be listening to someone else's music, going a whole day without spending money, giving someone a present - things that will change the way others see you, as well as how you see yourself."

I'm in a bit of limbo just now - which is probably the best time to start breaking bad habits, forming new helpful habits and generally making changes to myself and my life. So, in the spirit of starting off small and making it fun, in this coming week I'm going to

1. Have two days where I don't use the computer at all. Not even to check emails, facebook etc.
2. Read at least one book - one that's written by an author I haven't read before
3. Listen to at least three Spanish lessons from a course I bought ages ago
4. Listen all the way through to an album by an artist I haven't heard before
5. Initiate a conversation next time I'm in the sauna and a fit bloke walks in.
6. Play at least one game of tennis.


If anyone else want to set up a start-changing/improving-my-life list....this is the thread to record it and review it in a week's time.