The Habits That Shape Us

Every day, we make choices. What we choose to do with our time, whom we choose to associate with, what we choose to eat and drink, how we choose to spend our money—all of these things shape our habits. And our habits shape us. They shape our identities.

You are what you repeatedly do. Excellence is not an act but a habit. -Aristotle

Aristotle was onto something when he said that excellence is a habit and not just an act. Our habits become who we are because they are things we repeat over and over again. They are ingrained in us. And just like anything else we repeat, the more we do something, the better we get at it. So, if we want to be excellent people, we need to develop excellent habits. But what does that look like?

The answer may be different for everyone, but there are some common denominators. People who are excellent communicators tend to have excellent listening habits. People who are physically fit tend to have healthy eating habits and regular exercise habits. People who are financially stable tend to have spending and saving habits that allow them to live within their means.

The Good:

Habits can be helpful in forming a positive identity because they give us a sense of predictability and control over our lives. When we have a set routine, it helps provide structure to our day-to-day lives and gives us a sense of accomplishment when we complete those tasks. Habits can also help build healthy relationships with others when we share similar interests or values.

The Bad:

Of course, habits can also have negative effects on our identity if they're not constructive or healthy. For example, if you have a habit of smoking cigarettes or indulging in too much alcohol, that can lead to problems down the road like addiction or health problems. Unhealthy habits can also damage relationships. In these cases, it's important to get help in breaking these harmful habits so they don't continue to damage our lives and identities.

The Ugly:

Sometimes, our worst habits can come from outside influences beyond our control. If we're raised in an environment where violence is commonplace, for example, that might make us more likely to resort to violence ourselves as adults even if we don't want to. Or if we're constantly exposed to prejudice, whether it's based on race, gender, sexuality, or anything else, that can lead us to adopt those prejudices as our own even if we don't believe them deep down. In these cases, it's important to try to break out of those patterns and find positive influences that will help shape a more positive identity for ourselves..

Habits play a major role in shaping who we are as individuals. They can either help us form positive identities by providing structure and support, or they can be destructive forces that damage our lives and relationships. It's important to be aware of both the good and the bad, so we can make sure we're forming healthy connections with ourselves and those around us..

How do your daily habits shape your identity? Are they helpful or harmful? Think about the role your habits play in who you are as a person and how you interact with the world around you.. Do you need to make any changes? Remember, it's never too late to start forming new (and better) habits.

Of course, developing good habits isn't always easy. It takes time, effort, and discipline. But it's worth it—because the alternative is letting bad habits shape us into someone we don't want to be.

Our identities are shaped by our habits. Good or bad, the things we repeatedly do become part of who we are. Our habits can have a surprisingly powerful impact on our lives—so much so that they can actually shape our identity.

If you want to change your thoughts or emotions about something, one of way to do that is by changing your behaviour through developing new habits. So next time you go through your daily routine ask yourself—is there anything I could be doing differently that would help me achieve my goals? Chances are, there is!

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