The habit dilemma
I have long legs. Maybe that's why, when I started running, I kept going. I was thinking about this as I plodded along in the sunshine this morning.
I've been thinking about habits and how hard they are to build for something I'm about to launch.
With any habit, the anticipation is the gold. Before you start is always fun.
We started running in the summer; one of the good ones too. The thought of sunkist runs and getting fit. Being healthy! Offsetting the excess! Living for longer! It was going to be great.
It was at the beginning too. We got the Couch to 5k app for 5 quid, before it had ads and a subscription. Apps without ads and subscriptions are the best ;).
As we left the house each week I could see I was slowly getting better, becoming something new, a runner! With a long leg shaped natural advantage!
Then, the newness ran out of breath. Days got colder. Like something off Amazon, the excitement faded fast. Running became a bit of a slog, but we kept (literally) going. Showing up twice, three times a week. Rain, sometimes even snow.
20 years later, I'm still running. And the reason is why I've made calm club.
It's not because of my longer legs. It's because of HOW I started: with Noemie.
I had someone to keep me accountable. Someone to plod along with, even on the days we didn't really want to. Someone I had made a commitment with so couldn't let down. Someone who was also experiencing the 'thrills' of repeatedly running round a long circle for 30 minutes.
Having someone there for those first months was enough to build a habit that's still going strong now.
Eventually I internalised Noemie's accountability and now I run for myself. This is backed up by studies - people are more likely to stick to habits that they start in groups or pairs.
Most people try and start meditating on their todd and fail. You download the app, load it up and look around. You envision your new meditating life (Less reactive! Calmer! Taking care of my brain!). You watch the little intro video and soon forget about the whole thing. The app gathers digital dust and does nothing but waste space, like old gig videos.
I'm launching Calm Club in September. It's your Noemie (not mine - that would be weird). You join up with a group of 10ish people who are all trying to make a solid meditation habit. I'll share different meditations that cover different themes each week. There are more details and an early bird deal on my website - but for now know it's evidence based, teacher led, and built on daily meditation microdoses. Having long legs isn't required, either.