hab•it: (noun) An acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary.

Photo by in cherl pin

It is so very ironic that I am writing this post at 11:54 p.m. (and you’ll see why soon). I’m mulling over habits – habit changing, specifically – and what it means for us as moms.

What are our personal habits? What do we do without thinking about it – good or bad? Which habits of ours bless our family? Which habits hurt them? Which habits bless or hurt myself?

Brushing my teeth twice a day – good habit. Taking a shower – good habit. Choosing the stairs instead of the elevator – good habit. Hugging my daughter throughout the day and making a point to tell her I love her – good habit.

Then there are the obvious ones, the universal vices that get most of us – procrastination, not exercising, sleeping in.

But what about those little guys that sneak into our daily lives? Those unwanted habits that, because they are what they are, go unnoticed? Unbeknownst to us, they affect our personal well-being, our parenting, our marriage, our relationship with God, and maybe even our health.

They (whoever “they” are) say it takes 30 days of repeating a behavior over and over again in order for the behavior to effectively morph into a habit.

Conveniently, 30 days is more or less a month. I plan to focus on one habit a month through the rest of the year to see if this becomes true in my life. I want to bless those around me, I want to honor God and not my flesh, and I want to improve my health. I want to be an example for my children. And I want my habits to reflect that So without further adieu…

My NEW HABIT FOR MAY: Go to bed by 10:30 p.m. every night.

Would you like to join me? I’d love to be an encouragement to you for making healthy changes in your life. I could use some encouragement and accountability myself. If you’re so inspired, leave an idea for your “New Habit for May” in the comments, or e-mail me using the contact link if you’d like to keep it more personal. Let’s see if this works!

More to come soon on habit-changing, and how it can radically simplify our home management.

• Good Reading – posts tagged “habits” on Zen Habits

(A side note: I meant to start this little idea for myself on January 1, but my body decided to give birth on December 29 instead. The idea kinda moved to the backburner. Nonetheless, late is better than never.)

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