Discovering True Habits: How a Vacation Tested My Writing Routine
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Chapter 1: The Nature of Habits
Understanding whether something is a genuine habit is a common dilemma. We all strive to cultivate beneficial habits—those that become integral to our lives, like the must-do routine of flossing every night.
Since last summer, I have embraced writing as a daily practice. Initially sparked by a desire to express my thoughts, this journey quickly evolved into a quest for improving my writing skills. The last thing anyone wants is to produce subpar work (and I’m still refining mine!).
Joining the Ship 30 for 30 program allowed me to write and publish online consistently, and I've realized that maintaining a regular writing schedule is crucial for skill enhancement. Interestingly, I also found that daily writing positively impacted my mood, serving as a fantastic way to reflect on my day.
At some point during this habit-forming phase, one may find themselves questioning, “Is this truly a habit?”
Section 1.1: The Challenge of a Vacation
After six months of daily writing, I faced the ultimate test: a four-day getaway with my best friends. I had been writing and publishing daily for an impressive 231 days, and now I had to determine if this practice was genuinely ingrained in my routine.
Before my trip, I was confronted with a significant decision. I had three potential paths regarding my writing during this vacation:
- Continue Writing Daily: While it was feasible to maintain my writing and publishing streak during the trip, I recognized from past experiences that my friends and I would be fully engaged in our time together.
- Take a Break: After all, a vacation is meant for relaxation. However, stepping away from my daily writing would mean breaking my habit. Would I be able to pick it back up afterward?
- Prepare in Advance: I could write four essays beforehand and schedule their publication. Yet, this wouldn’t equate to writing daily—it would merely be a way to uphold my publishing routine.
Each option had its advantages and disadvantages. Given that I hadn’t seen my friends in three years (thanks to COVID), I wanted to maximize our time together.
Writing had become therapeutic for me, a nightly ritual I had come to rely on for mental clarity. The pride of having published 231 consecutive pieces—regardless of their readership—was another motivating factor.
Ultimately, I chose to write in advance to preserve my streak. I utilized the scheduling feature on Typeshare, requiring more preparation and less spontaneous reflection. While this was a new approach for me, it was not without merit.
During my trip, although I didn’t abandon writing entirely, I shifted my focus to daily gratitude journaling. My dedicated essay-writing hours were replaced with laughter and shared moments.
Subsection 1.1.1: Reflections on the Experience
Section 1.2: The Impact of Disruption
Upon returning home, I realized I genuinely missed my daily writing sessions. Even though I jotted down notes during the trip, I didn’t dedicate my usual thirty to sixty minutes to develop those ideas into drafts.
My vacation writing process felt disingenuous, as if something fundamental was amiss. This disruption made it clear that my writing habit was not just a task I forced upon myself; it was a vital part of my identity.
Once I returned from my four-day break, I effortlessly resumed my writing routine. True daily habits are indeed challenging to abandon, and I now recognize the importance of maintaining my practices, even while traveling.
Chapter 2: Future Considerations
In the video “How To Stay Healthy While Traveling (7 TIPS),” viewers can explore strategies to maintain wellness during trips, aligning with the idea of sustaining habits even in new environments.
Additionally, the video “How to Stick To Your Healthy Habits While Travelling for Work Or Personal Holiday” offers insights on preserving healthy routines, reinforcing the significance of consistency even while on vacation.