A creature of habit
Translated with ChatGPTI'm a creature of habit. I like routines because they are safe and predictable. But now I've realized that almost anything can become a habit. However, maybe it shouldn't always be that way? I was recently on a two-month journey around the USA. There, I struggled to cope with the chaos in those insanely large cities. But gradually, I began to master the city chaos a bit. Over time, I learned to tune out the constant noise a little better. And all the people started to blur into a backdrop to what I was out to see. I could stand in the middle of a crowd, waiting for the traffic light to turn green. I also got a little used to being in tall buildings. Surprising sounds and smells were harder to get accustomed to, so I still struggle with that. For instance, sirens from fire trucks and people yelling and screaming still scare me. The smell of marijuana, a constant presence in the streets of most cities there, was also challenging for me to get used to.
Another thing that I couldn't get used to was the number of homeless people. Seeing people walking around and suffering. At least, it looks like they're suffering to me. They walk around with sad faces and vacant eyes. They are dirty, and their clothes don't fit. They relieve themselves on the streets. They change and groom themselves on the streets. They have nowhere else to go but the street. I think, at least. Maybe there's a system supposed to catch them, but it doesn't seem to be working because we saw them in all the cities we visited. So seeing the homeless on the streets every day could probably become normal too. At least if you do it long enough.
I saw this sign on Hollywood Boulevard. The way I interpret it, it's a schedule for when the sidewalks in this zone will be cleaned. It's not allowed to linger on the sidewalks in this area for an extended period during these times. You also can't pitch your tent here during these periods. Additionally, we were told that they clean and wash the streets extra well in the last 6 weeks leading up to the Oscars. Because it can't look like that when the fancy people come to town!! It made me sick! And when I walk down the street and see people and garbage lying side by side on the sidewalks, it hurts my soul. Ignoring people who are struggling is something I don't want to become a habit. But I understand that one can get used to it when doing it every day. Unfortunately.
A habit I have started with since I came home from that journey is to exercise more often than before. Now I have the opportunity to manage my days myself. At least mostly. So, I incorporate a workout as often as I can. Physical health and mental health are closely linked, at least for me. So, I need to feel physically good to more easily feel good in my mind. When I feel strong in my muscles, I can more easily feel strong in my head and thus control my thoughts better. It works for me, but it might not work for everyone. Anyway, it's a habit I want to keep. As calm as it is in my mind now, it hasn't been for a long time. I still stress about some things, of course, but it feels like I have more control. That I can decide not to stress about things I can't do anything about. I understand that it seems obvious to many, but for me, it wasn't. Now I've managed to turn it into a habit.
I wake up much earlier than I used to, as you know. It's probably a new habit I've acquired. A bit unsure if I consider it a habit I should keep, though 😅 But I understand that it has certain health benefits. I read about what makes us wake up naturally. It's a stress hormone released in the body that urges you to get up and going. I used to ignore it. I liked lying in bed, scrolling on my phone, and enjoying the pleasant, safe calmness under the duvet. (Because you know that as long as you have a duvet or a blanket, nothing bad can happen to you?!) But after reading that, I thought I would test it out a bit. So when I wake up naturally, I stretch a bit, set intentions for the day, and get up and going. I wash my face and brush my teeth. Then I can scroll on my phone or something while sitting in my chair. It turns out to be a really nice habit! Except that the days start ridiculously early now... Can't win on everything 😅
Therefore, I also have more time for exercise, lunch, and leisure. Not just working and stressing. And since I listen to my body (I know, shocking that there's actually something in what everyone has always said) and do what it wants, it stops releasing this stress hormone, and I don't have to have a constant supply of it in the half-hour I lay in bed dozing. Suddenly, the amount of stress hormones in the body is reduced too. That for sure has some health benefits 👍🏻
Since I have more time in each day now, I also have more time for things that provide replenishment, as I mentioned above. That, in turn, gives me more to be grateful for. And being grateful helps me turn my negative thoughts into positive ones. So that's another bonus! Turns out a tremendous amount of good comes out of this one new habit. Maybe I should keep it?
Here are some Facebook statuses I wrote in 2020 about gratitude. So, I was indeed grateful back then. There in Norwegian, but hopefully you get the idea.
I wonder how life would have been if we understood such things a bit earlier in life?
Wishing you a day filled with good habits and enjoyable discoveries.