Forming new habits

Dr. Maxwell Maltz, a plastic surgeon turned psychologist wrote that it takes 21 days to form a new habit, on my personal opinion, apart from the 21 days, your attitude towards the habit-forming activities plays a crucial role in achieving a new habit.

6 weeks ago, I decided to make an effort, hmm... actually to try and do the things I hate. These were the following:

1. Jogging/Running
2. Tidying up the dishwasher
3. Cooking

Since I got plenty of time right now, I decided to challenge myself and set my mind to do things that I am not usually motivated to do.

Jogging/Running

I am quite a good swimmer, and when someone asks me, if I would like to run with her/him, I always make an excuse, because first and foremost, I hate it, second, my knees are weak ( always the safest excuse of all time--health issues ) and third it's too boring (for me at least).  I can't remember an instance in my adult life that I ran. Well, it was just a mindset, or should I say,  it WAS my mindset. I set my mind that I will not do it and I never did.

My first run was round about 30 minutes, I am guessing that was about 1.5km, mind you, it was so painful after 20 mins that my knees were shaking and my lungs were about to burst, then I just walked for the last 10 minutes. Well, the next day, I was struggling to walk properly, that I even told my good German friend, Susanne, that, it was like I lost my virginity (sorry for the expression). She replied by saying ''That painful?''
Oh well I guess first time!
The next day, I ran again just to shake the pain off. And then it got better and better and better. Two days ago I hit my first almost 8 kilometer run (7.94km) and I took me 1 hour and 9 mins. Oh I run like a turtle. Hihihi!

Of course there are advantages and disadvantages of Running, but let me concentrate on the positive side (at least for me, since I am new with the sport)

• It clears my mind and organize my day - Women always make a mental list of almost everything. From getting up to bringing kids to school, to washing the laundry etc.. While I am running, it clears my mind from the many lists of anxiety, worry, frustrations and fear of the unknown. It empties out all the mind clutter that I have. After clearing my mind, it is easier for me make a daily 'objective' list (women and lists) easier to organize and plan my day. I call it effective daily planning.
• It motivates me to wake me up earlier than usual - I think, when Sandman sprinkles his magical sand to send children to sleep, he left too much sand on my eyelids because I love to sleep ( I think most women do, (but of course there are exceptions) but since I am a morning runner, I make sure that I am finished running by 9:30. So I need to move my ass around to bring my daughter to Kindergarten, clean up a bit the kitchen and just go!
• It is sets my mind to finish a goal - Every run is different from another, either your best one or a lazy long run, it varies every time, especially right now, it is getting colder, then I need to wear handgloves and my fleece bonnet during my runs. Whether a good run or not, when you started it, you finish it. You just can't stop and say ''okay I'll walk back''. For me, the rule is simple - starting line and finish line. When you feel tired or your energy is getting low, you slow down but you don't stop. There are things in life that you need to slow down too right but stoping is not an option. Finishing what you started is indeed a fulfilment.
• Happy hormones kicks in - The cold November is sometimes depressing especially when there's no sunshine. Running keeps me warm and happy, since endorphins help a person feel good about her/himself. I love it when I am sweating, I feel like younger, all too sweaty from sports, I simply feel accomplished.
• It tones my lower body - Although I am not really a hardcore runner, I noticed my thighs and legs look better. Happy me!

 RUNNING and actually doing the thing that I used to ''hate'' made me realize something in life. 

When we program ourselves that we hate doing some things or we will never do that think or we never did that thing,  then we are stuck and we choose to be stuck. Stuck in doing all these routines. I took the responsibility never to be burned out of boring routines. As I age, I still want to grow, I still want to learn new things, to embrace life, and to welcome each and every day with gratefulness on what life is still offering me.

Form a new habit today, discover a new side of yourself, challenge yourself to reach new heights and lastly do it now while you can. Life is too short and unpredictable, for all we know, we will be 40, or 50, or 60 and then we regret the things that we didn't do while we were younger. So do it now!

Afterall life is a never ending learning process.

Tidying up the dishes and cooking will be on my next blog ( Promise, I will write regularly now )