Take a Vacation from Your Habits!

Take a vacation from your habits? What?!

Yes, you read that correctly. Even though James Clear, author of the book, Atomic Habits, which is on my annual to-read-again book list, says that “Missing once is an accident. Missing twice is the start of a new habit.” And I believe that is true. So true.

I also know that in order to create solid habits that will stand the test of “real” life, you have to be consistent in keeping those habits.

But…I’ve also learned recently that it’s totally okay, and even helpful sometimes, to take a vacation from some habits. The key here is that any habit you’re taking a vacation from MUST be a solid habit, meaning that you’re 100% certain you’ll go right back to keeping that habit on day one after that habit vacation.

Here’s an example…

I went to California for a week in May to visit my friend, Kamala. We’ve been friends since we were 11, and we actually named our Kamala after this dear friend. I wanted to take a much-needed vacation from work, so I got everything done before I left. And I got my vacation! I only worked for 20 minutes one night while Kamala and her mom were at a family thing only because I needed to do a final read through and submit a blog post for a client that was due that day.

I also knew that during this trip what I’d be eating wouldn’t totally be in my control, so I told myself I’d do the best I could with my 3 nutrition-related habits. While I didn’t hit each habit every day, I did great!

I also took a vacation from another habit I have which is totally related to my work: Write for 15 minutes each day Monday-Friday for my blog. I figured that writing of any type would “feel” like work, and I really wanted to take a vacation from work and anything that “felt” like work. And it was so, so good to just get a break.

For that one week, I didn’t stress about checking off those boxes for those habits on my habit tracker, which is kind of a big thing for me.

And then I got right back on track with those habits the day after I got home. No problem. And I actually think that break made me more excited to get back to keeping those habits!

So, it’s okay to take a vacation from a habit as long as you commit to getting right back on track with that habit once that vacation is over.

We’re going on an Eastern Caribbean cruise in August with my sister and brother-in-law, and I already know that I’ll be taking a vacation from some of my habits…especially the writing one that “feels” like work. And I know I’ll get right back on track when we get home.

What do you think about taking a vacation from a habit? Yeah or nay?

Do you want to create some solid habits? Get some great tips here.