Habits vs Routines
✨We all have them. Some more than others, of course - but have you ever paused to consider the difference between a habit and a routine?
I have been thinking about this a lot lately and so I decided to dive in. What I discovered is that understanding the difference can truly shift how we care for ourselves.
🌿Habits:
Automatic Behaviors - things we do without even thinking about, like brushing our teeth, doing the dishes or reaching for a snack when we are stressed.
They are “grooves” we fall into.
🌸Routines:
Intentional Behaviors - things we choose to do, like choosing to stretch/exercise or taking time every morning to journal.
“Paths” we choose to take.
Yes - there are differences - yet the similarities exist as well.
They both can bring structure
They both can bring comfort
They both can bring consistency
Both take time to shape
Both require repetition
Both can be useful and supportive
And both at times, can be limiting
The more I explored this the more I realized that neither is all good or neither is all bad.
Neither is strictly right or strictly wrong.
Both can be helpful and both can hold us back.
That’s when I recognized something powerful: I have recently turned what I once considered an unhealthy habit into a healthy routine - and I am genuinely excited about this!
For as long as I can remember I was an emotional eater.
We all know what that is. Eat when we are sad, lonely or even stressed/ tired. For me, that also meant poor food choices. Very seldom would you catch me grazing on a carrot or celery stick. Nope - it was potato chips, licorice and or chocolate bars.
Evenings were the hardest. I would settle in with a movie and begin quietly indulging in these ‘yummy’ foods.
Definitely a habit- but not one that supported my health and happiness.
Now, allow me to change gears…
I am excited to share that I have transformed that unbecoming habit into a routine that does support my well-being. No longer do I eat after my dinner. I have successfully learned to eat when I am truly hungry and only then.
You can only guess what this means.
You are absolutely right - no more reaching for food out of emotion, boredom, or just because something looks or sounds good. No more endless evening snacking while watching a movie. Once I’ve had my dinner — that’s it. I’m done for the day.
This new routine of mine feels like a quiet victory. It serves me well… and I genuinely love it. I have every intention of holding onto it.
And here’s the thing - this shift is quite new for me.
If you’re curious about how I managed it, I’d be happy to share.
Hint: It has nothing to do with will power!
Here’s the thing. I am a firm believer in the power of awareness - and once again it has come through for me! Simply learning about the differences between a habit and a routine, helped me see something I’d been blind to for a very long time. It has empowered me - and for that I am deeply grateful.
What about you?
I hope this reflection has shed a little light for you too — and maybe even sparked a thought about a habit you’re ready to gently reshape into a routine that serves you better.
Or perhaps you have already turned something unconscious into something intentional, something that supports your well-being.
Either way, I ‘d truly love to hear your story.💛
Until next time,
Darlene
“Ever had one of those ‘please let the floor swallow me’ moments? I’ve got one to share.
Stay tuned until next time!
