Why are bad habits easy and good ones difficult?
I contemplate the struggle of discipline and lifestyle. The ease of a life of temptation where hedonism is the main pattern, why is it easy to fall into it? The effort comes from pulling away from it and pushing towards a healthier path. There is no effort in the opposite direction, you simply give in.
At least from my point of view, it would be easy to down tools and give into consumption. Doing the good things like eating right, regular exercise and other good habits only seem difficult to keep up. Maintaining such lifestyle is hardwork, why is it harder? Is it because my discipline has dropped considerably like an atrophied muscle? Or is naturally easier to be on the wrong path, and if so why does it require less effort to do so?
Why does even knowing how bad it is for us, we desire it anyway?
Is it due to such things being instant gratification, whilst the good things are more delayed? We taste that good cake immediately. It takes weeks or months to see the difference of eating healthier. The good is nerfed from the start. It makes it seem unnatural to do the good. We have a warped processor that desires the immediate, not caring about the future problems that could arise because of it.
The path towards improvement isn’t a straight direction. It fluctuates with hills and valleys. We could be doing so well but as soon as we step off the gas, maybe by treating ourselves with a reward or any other argument the devil on the shoulder has won. Once you get the satisfaction, it desires more. Of course, sugar is one example… I often struggle with this addiction. But also breaking a good habit. As soon as I stop the chain of consecutive good habits like going to the gym. The one day I don’t go festers into another and before I know it, it’s been weeks.
I wonder if resolve is a resource bar that drains each waking day you fight such temptations. Though, sooner or later the resolve gets drained fully and those temptations overcome you. Like a wave of enemies finally breaking through the fortress.
Do the habits reflect the state we are in? or do they determine it?
The chicken or egg situation, we’re well aware that our habits effect our mood. Eating well makes us feel better of course but to how much impact does it have? Can it overcome the stress of our lives. If you have a bad day, there is a good chance you’ll do something that comforts you, which tends to be those bad habits. It’s understandable but there are times when you can’t understand the negative mood you are in or where it comes from. Those moments can make the struggle of choice much harder.
It could be natural that we gravitate to those temptation because it hacks into a survival mechanism. We know we must eat to survive so our brain tells us to put on those carbs. We desire comfort because it’s a signal of safety. Lust can equate to reproducing and so on. So, it’s up to us to know when enough is enough, when those returns start diminishing.
Our brain is capable of doing this. This is why we kick our own ass when we are aware we’re not doing what’s necessary. We also get tired of the hedonism, when we eat so much sugar… we start craving our vegetables. Not only because our brain is telling us we’re inefficient in certain nutrients, but we also desire variety. We detest the monotony, and that’s one way to change our lifestyle and why we struggle with consistency no matter good or bad.
The only thing is we’re most likely noticing the bad habits more. We’re wired to notice problems in order to navigate our way in life. It’s helpful but we completely miss the times we’re doing well or at least struggle to reinforce those behaviours because we’re busy paying attention the negative ones.
I think distractions play a huge part in our lives. We’re so busy getting wrapped up with everything going on or escaping into things to help us switch off from reality, we forget to take care of ourselves. We resort to maintaining the bare minimum in order to function. Not realising we could be pursuing improvement to make our lives and also therefore others lives better. For you can be a better friend, lover or family member by striving to improve oneself and one’s situation.
The issue is, it’s not easy to do so. It takes constant effort and awareness to be better. You get tired of noticing your flaws, you desire breaks and seek comfort which can be fine to an extent. But isn’t comfort so satisfying too the point of being harmful for growth? Isn’t that the main thing we’re fighting? Which feels counterintuitive because we do work hard to be comfortable. To create a warm loving home, a stable income and convenience to make life easier.
These are good things, but we all know too much of a good thing does exist. Balance is required in order for a fruitful and enjoyable life. Perhaps we just need to accept some days will be worse than others and not punish those days we fail by pushing more into the abyss. Instead strive to have more good days than bad, for a net positive life.
