Creature of Habit

I have always called myself a creature of habit. I have even thought of it as a badge of honor. I am starting to reevaluate. Being a creature of habit can lead to some good things. There are several that are good for me that I can attest to. Efficiency and productivity are two of them. There are things that we all do every day out of habit. A small one is my morning tea. I don’t think about it. I just do it. I felt that I had reduced decision fatigue. With established routines, you make fewer decisions throughout the day, conserving mental resources.

Then, there is goal achievement. Building habits around your goals provides a structured pathway to success. Lastly, my personal favorite is a sense of order and control. Habits bring a sense of order to my life, making me feel more organized and in control. Recent developments are what have me reevaluating. The fact that they are so minor in the grand scheme of things is what has me in a tizzy. I have volunteered at Hera Hub DC, a women's co-working space on Thursdays for the last 5 years. That is coming to an end. Three of my favorite restaurants closed in the last month. I no longer have a place for sushi, barbecue, or a club sandwich.

When you are a creature of habit, you have reduced flexibility and adaptability. When life throws you a curveball, it can be harder to cope with unexpected changes. I cook for a living and eat out more than I should, but this is what really put me in a precarious situation. Of all things, this is what made me realize some of my “good” habits had made me miss opportunities, be resistant to change, and reduce flexibility.

What I've decided is that the key isn’t to be entirely a creature of habit or completely free of them. The sweet spot that I am in search of is cultivating beneficial habits while maintaining flexibility and openness to new experiences. The good news is that I now get to go out to eat and find a new spot for sushi. Any suggestions?