Breaking Old Habits

[Paul]

Welcome!

[Tim]

Some habits are harder to break than others.

My experience has been some of the habits, compulsions, and addictions were easier to break than others. For example, I smoked almost two packs a day for several years due to stress and anxiety at work. I was about to turn 40 but I did not want to be dead by 50. I took up running. For a while, I would run and smoke after, yay, I know what your thinking. It wasn’t bad I could do it. I added biking to the mix and reality hit me. What use to be my number one top sport was now my worse sport. Smoking took a tool when claiming hills and sprinting. At one point I could reach fast speeds plus 35 MPH now I’m barely at 15 and feel like I will die.

One Sunday on a ride I decided no more smoking I was going to train for a triathlon a sport that combines swimming, biking, and running. I had nine months to train for a 5k, a mini tri. My last cigarette was on September 26, 2007, and I have not had one since.

I tried this same strategy with three other addictions Coca-cola, spending, and porn. I failed until I started the 12 steps and the Big Blue Book, Catholic In Recovery, and Pray. I have been sober from porn for 15 months and continue to work on my other two addictions.

[Jana]

What helps me to break a bad habit or cycle, is knowing that I have the opportunity to rewrite my story. I don’t have to keep doing the same old thing that is comfortable to me, yet doesn’t bring me serenity. For example, instead of reaching for a drink as a reward or an escape, I can go for a 10 minute walk in nature, I can get a pedicure, I can relax in a bath, I can read or I can pray. If I pause, pray and involve God in my decisions, I am better able to rewrite my story and make a choice that will bring me serenity. Where is the serenity in my next choice? In the past alcohol made all my decisions and today, with God I am able to make better decisions.

[Celeste Robichaux]

What helps me break old habits is replacing them with new, good habits. It does not need to be extreme. Take up a hobby you’ve always wanted to try. Take a walk. Listen to Gregorian chant. The possibilities are endless.

[Lynn Moser]

That’s exactly we’re my heart soul & mind has directed me with God right along my side. Your post really jumped out to me with a lot of appreciation with recovery. Thank you for that and it feels like there’s a community within this forum that has great potential in faith driven sobriety. Would like to converse more with you!! God willing
Lynn

• This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by Lynn Moser. Reason: Breaking old habits

[Celeste Robichaux]

Lynn. I welcome future communications.

Celeste

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