For a while now I’ve been thinking about the power of habits.
The word “habit” comes from the Latin word habitus — condition, character, demeanor. The root meaning is “to hold,” which can be either in offering or in taking. Applied in Latin to both inner and outer states of being. Habit can also meaning “to dwell” (habitat) and “to dress” (a nun’s habit).
The modern use of the word, habit, as a “customary practice” began 700 years ago. I’m guessing it evolved out of religious practice because religion was such a huge cultural influence at the time; it was important to know the time of day so you knew what prayers to say.
What’s interesting to me is how “habit” in Latin could refer to both the inner and outer states of being. The Romans placed great importance on character and bearing. That what was inside shaped your appearance.
I like that idea because I’ve been focusing on what’s inside…my values…when it comes to influencing my decisions, and actions. This is often very challenging because outside influences can be so strong.
Part of this shift has been to spend less time on the Internet. I find it’s easy to lose, literally, hours by surfing without much purpose. It’s also easy for me to become obsessive and the obsession can feel like a purpose.
For example (this feels really embarrassing) yesterday I got the idea that I should find a scarf I saw for sale on Amazon.com earlier in the year. It was a nice scarf. As I recall it had a hummingbird or a dragonfly motif and came in two colors: black and amber. All of the sudden it seemed absolutely essential to my happiness that I find that scarf and buy it.
After I spent an hour trying to find the scarf on Amazon.com. I searched Google and finally tried to find it by using the Wayback Machine to look at the scarves Amazon.com sold back in January and February.
I probably would have spent the entire evening trying to find this scarf if I didn’t need to start working on dinner.
So you could say I’ve developed a bad habit of obsessively searching the Internet for things that aren’t very important and I may add which aren’t bringing anything useful into my life. If I were a researcher or detective this might serve me but even then, you have to know when to quit because at some point, the possible benefits of the search are outweighed by the normal activities of life.
I’m thinking about committing a 30-day period to “unmaking” habits that no longer serve me. The habit of shopping online feels especially pernicious lately. There are lots of good reasons for doing a 30-day online shopping “fast.”
- I don’t need most of the things I buy online. I have more than enough clothes, office supplies, books, etc.
- Most of what I can buy online can be bought in the bricks and mortar world.
- There are other things I’d rather spend the money on.
- It takes up huge chucks of time finding things, trying on clothes, and then returning what I don’t like.
- It occupies my mind and when that happens I’m no longer mindful. In fact I often find I’m in a kind of “fugue state” when feels uncomfortably close to an addictive state.
These are pretty compelling reasons to go on e 30-day “fast.”
I also find that regardless of my success, the effort to change a habit is often enlightening. It’s hard to know the obstacles until you go on the journey.
So I’m going to consider today, Day 1 of my online shopping fast.
I’ll write about my experience on a daily basis as a way to keep accountable and so I can share what I learn with others.