In a Mafalda comic strip from many years ago, Felipe, the most introverted character of the group, is seen looking downcast, hunched over, and defeated, explaining to his friend that this is his posture when he's depressed.
Then, in the next panel, the boy stands in a firm and lively attitude, chest out and head held high, while he explains to his astonished friend: "Because in this other posture, it's very hard to feel depressed."
This is quite a discovery regarding the effect that circumstances—both the postures we adopt and the environments we immerse ourselves in—can have on our behaviors and moods.
The first piece of advice generally given to those seeking to eliminate an undesirable behavior (sedentarism, smoking, overeating processed foods, etc.) is precisely to change the settings of their daily lives (going for walks more often, restricting smoking to an unappealing and limited space like a backyard, filling the fridge with vegetables and quality proteins...)
By slightly altering the words of Mafalda's precocious philosopher friend, we might consider that for each of our daily routines, we adopt a typical posture; we put on a "UNIFORM" that leads us to behave in the way that attire demands. And so, we have the uniform of the complainer and the go-getter; the one for arguing and the one for conforming; the one for being apathetic and the one for being committed... an outfit for every circumstance; a badge to remind ourselves of the role we assign ourselves in each life situation.
Naturally, uniforms are temporary and momentary: We put on the "worker" uniform when we leave the house each morning and change it for the one we decide fits when we return home (the happy or grumpy parent; the athlete or the TV series binge-watcher...). Thus, we have a uniform for every situation in our life: a calm or aggressive driver, an impatient or understanding customer, a moderate or compulsive consumer...
But sometimes, by repeatedly donning the same situational uniform, we end up turning it into a permanent "HABIT"; something that, like the garb of religious people, "imprints character." Depending on the habit adopted, the result can be for better or for worse.
It’s well known that "the habit doesn’t make the monk," but it constantly reminds him of his role, facilitates dedication to his task, and provides a lifestyle consistent with that external sign of his life commitment. Unlike a "uniform," one never changes a habit; it is an attire that, in a certain sense, defines what one IS in each action performed: "I AM... a procrastinator who always leaves everything to the last minute"; "...an organized person who has everything in order and ready"; "...a person obsessed with..."; "...a realistic person who values the positives and negatives of every situation"; "...someone anxious about...," etc.
Therefore, when considering any kind of improvement or personal development, it is advisable, first of all, to become aware of the general HABIT with which we define ourselves to see if we need to make any adjustments—trimming or adding; perhaps a simple cleaning or a total overhaul—which will not be an easy task.
The most practical approach, once the reform of our general "habit" is defined, is to try on situational uniforms that fit the adjustment we want to make to our habit, but always considering that the change we propose to apply must refer to our BEING ("habit") and not merely to our APPEARANCE ("temporary uniform").
For example, if we aim to eradicate a harmful habit (smoking, drinking, consuming excessive sugar), we will need to repeatedly wear a new uniform, very different from the habit we usually carry, so that it helps us shed that undesirable "way of being" with which we are not satisfied. We could use sports uniforms (yes, sneakers and tracksuits) that encourage us to progressively abandon the old undesirable behaviors of self-intoxication to develop healthier behaviors of oxygenation; or we could try the "chef" uniform that is dedicated to buying healthy foods and preparing appetizing and healthy dishes with balanced ingredients.
In this way, we are not simply working on a change of behavior; we are organizing a real change of BEING: we go from the old "I am a hopeless case, dominated by my addictions" to a new "I AM a person who takes care of their health, sets an example for their loved ones, and works on their personal improvement."
We are developing a new definition of ourselves; a new, healthier HABIT.
In other words, when proposing a project or a change, big or small, in our habits, lifestyle, or relationships, we can help ourselves, like Mafalda's little friend, by using the most appropriate postures or "uniforms" for the case, but always keeping in mind that what we are tweaking, in reality, is a change in our very ESSENCE.
Comentarios
Publicar un comentario