Courage to Change: With These 10 Tips, Finally Break Free from Habit!

Courage to Change: Break the Habit with These 10 Tips!

We humans are creatures of habit and tend to sit things out. After all, we are true masters at compensating for deficits elsewhere – thus skillfully bypassing, suppressing, and simply enduring. But what if a situation eventually becomes so overwhelming that it really bothers us, makes us unhappy, or even sick? We offer valuable insights on how to muster the courage for change and finally give your life a new direction. Let's start with these 10 tips!

Life is a jungle

Life is extremely complex and constantly in motion. How we decide, why we do it, and why sometimes we do nothing at all depends on many factors: ourselves, our experiences, people around us, our environment, financial factors, and many other aspects. It can sometimes feel like we've gotten lost in the thicket of a jungle. And even if we've managed quite commendably to build a solid path, other paths may be revealed that lead us to a much more paradisiacal place than where we are now. Especially when we realize that this one path here is worn out. Because then it becomes dull and unpleasant.

Most people know it: topics with potential for improvement

These can be quite mundane things we would like to change: skipping chocolate in the evening, getting into the habit of making the bed first thing in the morning, or instead of immediately complaining when something doesn't suit us, expressing our feelings in a more constructive way. But there are also more striking issues: Does the job I have still suit me? Do I still feel comfortable in my place of residence, or do I want to move to another city, maybe even another country? Do I still love my partner, or are we perhaps only held together by habit? The list of questions is long. Sometimes we already know the answer. Yet, even when a change would be appropriate, taking the step to implement it is particularly difficult. So how do we finally manage to give our lives a new direction?

Tip 1: The Discovery Phase

Don't be afraid of critical questions and be completely honest with yourself. Take your time to answer them and, ideally, write them down unfiltered on a piece of paper. This helps to gain clarity about what you really want.

Tip 2: Pros and Cons

If you want a change, mentally go through what would actually change as a result of this change. Sort these changes into a pro and con list and count which outweighs the other, or which aspects might be more important based on their value.

Tip 3: The Inner Attitude

It is very important to adopt an inner attitude that you are truly convinced of a change you want to make. Sure, doubts are human and always part of the process. But sometimes you should just venture into the unknown to find out if paradise might be right here. To adjust your inner attitude, treat yourself to daily meditation sessions of about 5–10 minutes. You can find a lot of guided meditations on the topic online if you do not feel confident enough for silent meditation yet.

Tip 4: Changing Perspective

What advice would you give your best friend if they described the situation to you? You may give yourself exactly the same advice—and without compromise.

Tip 5: The Coaching

Professional support is really helpful with existential questions and not only the key to more clarity but also a valuable guide. There are many great coaching offers that support the big questions of life. Psychotherapy is also no longer what many have long suggested - namely the place on the couch - but can effectively and very smartly help to implement life changes in a manageable way.

Tip 6: The journey is the destination

Even if you have a rather significant change in mind, you can start small. Small steps help you not to take on too much and actually dare to do it. Are you looking for a new job? Start by getting your application portfolio in shape. Even without a job posting, this is a good start that paves the way. Do you want to move to another city? Organize a weekend trip to the city you are aiming for and visit it first. Do you want to separate from your partner? Muster up the courage and honestly communicate what bothers you—initially, without mentioning your intention to separate. This can be liberating in the first step.

Tip 7: Create "Test" Environments

If these are changes that primarily affect your routines, you can start by setting small time frames. So, instead of immediately putting a "forever" on it, just make it a 7-day or 30-day challenge. Then it doesn't feel so final and helps to simply try out the change.

Tip 8: The Distinction

Do you encounter critics during your change? Set healthy boundaries. Remind yourself that you are making changes for yourself and not for others. You know what drives you. And that is more important than what others think.

Tip 9: Acceptance

Something didn't work out as you imagined during the implementation? Maybe you also got in your own way? Try to be forgiving, see everything as part of the process, and accept situations without judgment. Then you can calmly start anew. Who knows, maybe you've gotten wiser through mistakes or setbacks?

Tip 10: The Breakthrough

If you have followed all the steps up to this point, the way back may feel more uncomfortable than the path of change. Mentally and maybe even practically, you are so far into the change with one foot that it doesn't take much to actually take new paths. Congratulations – then go for it. Do it and break the cycle of habit.

Comfort zones are good. Uncharted territory is better.

Comfort zones are a good thing. They give us security, make life easier, and pleasant. But is that always the optimum? We humans are creatures of habit, but also constantly on the move. Do not hesitate to take grievances as an opportunity to change something. Stay curious and start seeing the unknown as a great opportunity. Draw strength from it and remind yourself that every door you close always opens a new one. Look forward to it!

by Jana Lorenz (last updated on 12/30/22)

Sources

Psychology Today Compact 51: Courage to Change . (n.d.). Retrieved December 21, 2022
The hardest thing for the brain: breaking habits . (August 25, 2013). Retrieved on December 18, 2022
Neubauer, Mag. Sylvia:  Leave behind old habits in 8 steps . (December 22, 2014) . Retrieved on December 21, 2022
Frericks, Siri:  Understanding Habits: How to Do Yourself Good in the Long Term . (n.d.). Retrieved on December 18, 2022

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