A guide to change your habits in 2023

The new year is just around the corner!

I am sure many of you have already decided on your New Year goals and resolutions.

I am sure that all your resolutions are based on becoming a better version of yourself.

And to become a better version, the most important thing is to make some solid changes in ourselves.

Though our biggest challenge is: changing our old habits and patterns

I am sure every year you start with a new mindset and enthusiasm but quickly feel discouraged and lack motivation because it feels so difficult to stick to new habits.

Today, I would like to share my personal method to change old habits and patterns and help you be consistent.

So let's begin!

1. Recognize

The first step to changing your old habits is to ‘recognize’ them. Many people are not aware of their habits and how these habits might be affecting their lives negatively.

So, I invite you to sit down with yourself every day for at least 20 minutes and recognize the habits that you would like to change.

2. No self-criticism

You have been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.

Louise Hay

It is easy to harshly judge ourselves and beat ourselves up when we find out our own “flaws”.

But please realize that all our imperfections are what makes us uniquely us and that everyone has their own unique “flaws”.

So, while doing step 1 make sure to be kind and gentle with yourself.

Self-criticism will only slow down the process and make it unnecessarily painful.

3. Make a plan

Once you have written down all your old habits and patterns that you would like to change — it’s time to make a plan.

Make sure your plan is realistic and something that you can be consistent within the long term.

Let’s say, you want to quit smoking. The moment you make a resolution to quit smoking the tendency is to say something like this, “ I am not going to smoke a single cigarette from tomorrow!”

If you have been smoking for a long time, it is not possible to suddenly quit smoking.

And as you can guess, it is going to be difficult to follow through with this plan and you're going to end up feeling disappointed and losing hope.

Instead of suddenly changing the habit, you can decide to smoke one cigarette less every week or every three days.

This will help you stay motivated and make it easier to follow through with your plan.

Take small steps that feel easy to stick with and gradually keep adding to them.

4. Feel good

I believe emotions play a very important role in everything we do and therefore it is very important to structure your plan in such a way that you feel good about yourself as you try to make any changes.

If you feel good while you make these changes it will motivate you and have healing effects on your mind and body.

Make sure that every small step you take makes you feel good about yourself.

5. Authentic

Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are

Brene Brown

I believe that the most important value one can have is to be true to oneself.

It is very easy to be influenced by Youtube Videos and other social media platforms telling us what we should do and how we should live.

If you are someone who feels like you need to change or have a certain goal because everyone else is doing it I suggest you think twice before making any resolutions.

Look at all your resolutions and goals and see which ones are based on your needs and your desires and remove the ones that do not align with your well-being.

Each one of us has unique needs and desires so make sure your goals are based on your own values and needs.

6. Don't worry if you fall back

You were born to be real not to be perfect.

Ralph Martson

It is natural to fall back into your old habits and patterns.

Many people just give up on themselves because they can’t stick to their plans.

The problem is not that you gave in to your old habits but how you treat yourself when you do.

Remember that there will be days when you operate on autopilot and end up making the same old choices.

So, treat yourself with kindness and know that it is a natural and expected part of change and growth.

So here are my 6 ways to change old habits and patterns.

Remember consistency, kindness, and self-love are the keys to lasting change. Miracles don’t happen overnight.

I wish you a happy, abundant, successful, and joyful New Year!

What are your New Year's resolutions? I would love to hear from you! :)

With Love,

Deepika ❤