The word habit comes from the word custom, which comes from the notion of setting your own path or way (suesco in Latin).

Do “good” habits exist?

I’ve always been suspicious of this notion of “good habits”. To me, a habit seems a bit of a self- tyranny — a form of self-abjection based on society’s notion of “ virtue”and “good.” For example the notion that waking up early is a “ good habit”. Or going to the gym regularly is a “good habit”.

But this is the problem with the notion of habit:

It’s dictated by societal norms, expectations, and philosophies of virtue.

Thou shalt not be lazy.

For example in America (we are a a Protestant Christian-Utilitarian-Capitalist culture), any habit which makes us earn more money, save more money, become more productive, or do more is seen as good. Frugal habits are good, productive habits are good, and any habit which makes us “lazy”or inactive is seen as a vice, and thus sinful.

Self-dictated habits

What are some self-dictated customs you desire to set for yourself, which can benefit you, according to your own table of values? For myself:

1. Make it my custom to shoot everyday, all day, anything which interests me!
2. Consider the gym as my zen-temple of strength and thinking. Thus I go to the gym everyday because I have dictated and set it as a worthy place for myself.
3. I have set one of the purposes of my life to blog. Thus my habit is to write everyday, all day, and publish several times a day.

Set habits on your own, for your own, by your own rules, ethics, and personal beliefs!

ERIC