animals, change, health, Life lessons

Replacing Habits: Pulling Bad Habit Rabbits Out for Positive Change

Download begins 1 January 2020 12:34am.

Thirty Four minutes into New Years Day, admittedly I had taken a gut full of magic mushrooms and the download occurs. “We are all born with 100 bad habit rabbits up our bum and when they are hungry they stick their heads out and growl. We feed them and they lay content and silent until they reawaken. The goal, shit them out and replace them with happy good habit rabbits that you need to feed.” (Thundercloud Wisdom)

Two days later, I left Rose, Fantasian Eatery our restaurant in Nimbin and went home to begin publishing the poetry that I had written. Jump forward twelve months and I am now living in Guyra running the Australian Poetry Hall of Fame and on the 1st of January 2021 I wrote the following poem.

The Rabbits

A Resolution Was made to shit out my rabbits

The bad habit rabbits and grow good habit rabbits

Because new good habits were what I needed to do

I said “Hasta la Vista baby” on January Two

“see you later princess, I’ve Dragons to slay

So you’re dropped like a bad habit, I’m going away”

I took my peace and love then left with a BOOM

Left a bad habit rabbit ranting in her dining room

Shat a bad habit rabbit out when I did a poo

Fed a new good habit rabbit in its place it grew

Found a town where the new good habit rabbits walked around

Settled down and said farewell to bad habit rabbit town

Make my bed in the morning, exercise and clean my room

All because last new years eve I ate a blue mushroom

The message from the mushroom was something like this

Shit out your bad behaving rabbits and they won’t be missed

Feed your good habit rabbits lettuce and sit them in the sun

Because good habit rabbits love feeling good and also having fun

Another year is here and time to shit me rabbits

Introspect, self reflect and eliminate old bad habits

Plant new good habit rabbit seeds after my last fart

Nurture them and water them with love from my heart

Going forward in the year with good habits that are new

New healthy behaviours adopted and grown by 2022

Here we are in 2024 and one of the bad habits that I had fallen into was waking in the morning and scrolling short videos before I get up to do my yoga and meditation. Upon identifying this pattern I decided not to look at my phone until after yoga and then go for a walk and listen to “Headway” book summaries. Some of the summaries that I have listened to are: “The Power of Habit” by Charles Duhig, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey and “Atomic Habits” by James Clear.

I have provided a summary below of what I have learnt so far and finish with my latest piece of “habit poetry” “Rabbits Part 2”

Pulling the Bad Habit Rabbits Out of My Ass

 Outline

1. Introduction

   – Overview of the metaphor

   – Importance of habits in daily life

2. Understanding Bad Habits

   – Definition of bad habits

   – Examples of common bad habits

3. The Metaphor of Bad Habit Rabbits

   – Explanation of the metaphor

   – Why visualise habits as rabbits?

4. Identifying Your Bad Habit Rabbits

   – Self-awareness and self-assessment

   – Techniques to identify bad habits

5. The Impact of Bad Habits on Life

   – Physical health consequences

   – Mental and emotional effects

   – Social and professional impacts

6. Why It’s Hard to Get Rid of Bad Habits

   – The science behind habit formation

   – Psychological attachment to bad habits

7. Pulling the Bad Habit Rabbits Out

   – Strategies for breaking bad habits

   – Real-life examples of habit breaking

8. Replacing Bad Habit Rabbits with Good Ones

   – The concept of healthy rabbits

   – Steps to replace bad habits with good ones

9. Conditioning the Good Habit Rabbits

   – Importance of conditioning

   – Techniques for maintaining good habits

10. Feeding the Good Habit Rabbits

    – Consistency in good habits

    – Positive reinforcement methods

11. The Role of Support Systems

    – Family and friends

    – Professional help and therapy

12. The Journey of Self-Improvement

    – Setting realistic goals

    – Tracking progress

13. Success Stories

    – Inspirational stories of habit transformation

    – Lessons learned from others

14. Common Mistakes in Habit Change

    – Pitfalls to avoid

    – Tips for overcoming setbacks

15. Conclusion

    – Summary of key points

    – Encouragement for continuous self-improvement

16. FAQs

    – How long does it take to break a bad habit?

    – What are some effective methods for habit change?

    – Can bad habits be completely eliminated?

    – How do I stay motivated during the process?

    – What if I relapse into old habits?

 Pulling the Bad Habit Rabbits Out of My Ass

 Introduction

We’ve all heard of pulling rabbits out of hats, but pulling bad habit rabbits out of your ass? Now that’s a trick worth learning! Habits, whether good or bad, significantly shape our daily lives. This whimsical metaphor illustrates the struggle of getting rid of pesky habits that do us no good and replacing them with ones that enrich our lives.

 Understanding Bad Habits

Bad habits are those repeated actions or behaviour that negatively impact our lives. They can range from smoking and overeating to procrastination and excessive screen time. While these habits might offer temporary comfort or satisfaction, their long-term effects can be detrimental.

 The Metaphor of Bad Habit Rabbits

Why visualise habits as rabbits? Because rabbits are prolific and, when unchecked, can multiply rapidly. Just like these furry creatures, bad habits can quickly take over various aspects of our lives if not managed. Seeing these habits as rabbits makes the concept tangible and helps in visualising the process of removal and replacement.

 Identifying Your Bad Habit Rabbits

The first step in breaking free from bad habits is self-awareness. Take a moment to reflect on your daily routines and identify actions that negatively impact your well-being. Keep a journal or use habit-tracking apps to pinpoint these behaviour. Techniques such as mindfulness and meditation can also aid in recognizing these habits.

 The Impact of Bad Habits on Life

Bad habits can wreak havoc on your physical health, leading to issues like obesity, heart disease, and chronic fatigue. Mentally, they contribute to stress, anxiety, and depression. Socially, they can strain relationships and hinder professional growth. Recognizing these impacts underscores the urgency of addressing them.

 Why It’s Hard to Get Rid of Bad Habits

Breaking bad habits is challenging because they are deeply ingrained in our neural pathways. The brain loves routine, and changing these patterns requires significant effort. Additionally, bad habits often provide immediate gratification, making it harder to resist their allure.

 Pulling the Bad Habit Rabbits Out

To effectively pull out these bad habit rabbits, you need a strategy. Start by identifying triggers and replacing the habit with a healthier alternative. For example, if stress triggers you to smoke, try taking a walk instead. Gradual reduction and positive reinforcement can also be powerful tools. Real-life examples include people who successfully quit smoking by gradually reducing their intake or replacing it with nicotine patches.

 Replacing Bad Habit Rabbits with Good Ones

Once you’ve yanked out those bad habit rabbits, it’s time to bring in the good ones. Healthy habits can include regular exercise, balanced diets, reading, or even daily meditation. Start small and build on each success. For instance, if you want to start exercising, begin with a 10-minute walk each day and gradually increase the duration.

 Conditioning the Good Habit Rabbits

Conditioning is crucial for maintaining these good habits. Consistency is key. Set a schedule and stick to it. Use reminders and set achievable goals. Celebrate small victories to keep yourself motivated.

 Feeding the Good Habit Rabbits

Just like rabbits need food to thrive, good habits need consistent effort. Positive reinforcement, such as rewarding yourself for sticking to a habit, can strengthen your commitment. Surround yourself with positive influences and avoid environments that trigger old habits.

 The Role of Support Systems

No one is an island, and having a support system can make a huge difference. Share your goals with friends and family. Join support groups or seek professional help if needed. Therapy can provide tools and techniques for dealing with deeply rooted habits.

 The Journey of Self-Improvement

Self-improvement is a continuous journey. Set realistic goals and track your progress. Celebrate milestones and don’t be too hard on yourself if you slip. Remember, every step forward, no matter how small, is progress.

 Success Stories

Hearing from others who have successfully transformed their habits can be incredibly motivating. Look for inspirational stories and learn from their experiences. These narratives can provide valuable insights and encouragement.

 Common Mistakes in Habit Change

Changing habits is not a linear process. Common mistakes include setting unrealistic goals, not having a clear plan, and not seeking support. Avoid these pitfalls by being patient with yourself and adjusting your strategies as needed.

 Conclusion

Pulling the bad habit rabbits out of your ass and replacing them with good ones is no small feat, but it’s entirely possible with the right mindset and strategies. Start small, stay consistent, and seek support when needed. Your journey towards better habits is a marathon, not a sprint, so pace yourself and enjoy the process.

Bad Rabbits

Pulling the bad habit rabbits out of my ass

I feel so much more comfortable after they pass

Replacing them with healthy rabbits like conditioning

Feeding the good habit rabbits like going to gym

I took out a bad habit rabbit, had an empty feeling

Replaced it with a good habit rabbit as part of my healing

I used to sit and watch, now I plan, act and do

Fast and eat much less and I have more energy too

But there are still bad habit rabbits screaming inside

FEED US We are your dark side you cannot hide

There are times that I feed them just to shut them up

And then I justify to myself that it’s ok to fuck up

It’s not because personal growth is a journey of every day

Change and self improvement in each and every way

And those bad habit rabbits are just patterns learned

Good habit rabbits come from willingness to grow, change, and lessons learnt

 FAQs

How long does it take to break a bad habit?

Breaking a bad habit typically takes anywhere from 21 to 66 days, depending on the individual and the habit.

What are some effective methods for habit change?

Effective methods include identifying triggers, replacing the habit with a healthier one, and using positive reinforcement.

Can bad habits be completely eliminated?

While it’s challenging to completely eliminate a habit, it can be significantly reduced and managed with the right strategies.

How do I stay motivated during the process?

Staying motivated involves setting realistic goals, celebrating small victories, and seeking support from friends, family, or support groups.

What if I relapse into old habits?

Relapses are common. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Reflect on the triggers that caused the relapse, adjust your strategy, and keep moving forward.

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