When I went looking for the origin of this 21- days to change gimmick, I found this to be the best answer:
The “21 days to form a habit idea” seems to have come from a 1960 self-help book by cosmetic surgeon Dr. Maxwell Maltz, called “Psycho Cybernetics, A New Way to Get More Living Out of Life,” says Wendy Wood, a University of Southern California psychologist who studies the way habits guide our behavior. “He recommended that people practice self-affirmations and positive behaviors for 21 days to make them habitual,” Wood says…In the decades since the book was published, the “21 days” idea has been repeated so often that it’s become accepted as fact.
LINK: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/body-odd/think-it-takes-21-days-make-resolution-habit-triple-n2881
For the love of all #trends, we fall for this as well. A “suggestion” is considered a “fact”. I wish, as people with access to click-button information, we would be more responsible to distinguish between an #opinion #practice and actual #fact
As suggested, we can bring #habits into our #awareness and create them. But over time, by working on them consciously, till they are no longer a conscious effort. Common sense. It is an abomination to mark a random yet, rigid timeline. The “21- day challenge” for a habit to form is setting yourself up for failure. I’ve lost count of how many times have I banished my sweet tooth for 30 days, and indulged on day 32 or 35.
Do yourself a favour, take off the pressure– repeat the target change. Take your time; a day at a time. Smaller achievements daily accumulate to a BIG win.
You are unique, don’t put yourself in a herd of “not you”. Someone might achieve change in #21 #days, some in 30, and some might take 6 month or a year. It’s highly #individualistic.
Until next time, breathe, heal, be kind, smile, and let the sun shine.