How to Break Free From Bad Habits and Quit Being a Slave

The only way to stop is to stop. No one made you and no one can make you. But, it’s easier said than done. If you’re not ready you won’t stop no matter how bad you want it.

What helps me? The marginal consistent steps I take and small changes I do to train my brain out of a bad habit. 

True freedom starts from within. It’s a rebellion against any force, internal or external, that seeks to govern our choices. Self-mastery emerges when we regain control over our decisions and actions. Think about it: how can we truly be free if we’re unable to abstain from the grip of a habit that no longer serves us?

Have you ever found yourself trapped in the clutches of a habit you know you should break free from? We all have our own vices, those routines or behaviors that seem to have an iron grip on us. It’s as if they hold the power to dictate our actions, thoughts, and even our happiness. But deep down, we all yearn for true autonomy – the ability to live life on our own terms. It’s time to explore the art of letting go, liberating ourselves from the chains of bad habits and gaining the freedom we desire.

And you? What are you hooked on? What do you have trouble leaving behind? What small pleasure is it giving you in return of procrastination? In sacrificing the life that you want because you lack the knowledge that your mind and body will feel tired, distracted, fatigued, hungry or distracted when you’re doing something you’re not used to? 

It’s part of the process to struggle right before you get into flow. If you were good at it you would get into flow easier because your brain sees it as a reward and a game. So, take struggle as a stepping stone.

We are after autonomy, and yet we willingly hand ourselves over to habits that tell us… more of me is all you need. That tells us we’ll be unhappy, hungry, lonely, in pain, weak, without them. How pathetic is that? Don’t give in to these moments!

We’re no strangers to the allure of habits, whether they are seemingly harmless or outright destructive. We may find comfort in our daily routines, even if they lead us down a path we’d rather not tread. But there comes a moment of realization – a moment when we comprehend that nothing should hold such a powerful sway over us.

Self-mastery is an instinctive reaction against anything that masters us. How can we be free if we can’t live without desire when most suffering is caused by desiring? Stop desiring it. It’s already yours. You are already it. You are who you desire. Do you desire your current self?

Who can be free when they have lost the freedom to abstain?

The battle for autonomy is a paradox. We strive for independence, yet we willingly surrender ourselves to habits that whisper falsehoods in our ears. They promise satisfaction, relief, or even a temporary escape from reality. But in reality, they only deepen our dependency, masking the true source of our strength.

It’s not just about overcoming addictions; it’s about shedding the ignorance that binds us to them. Whether it’s a socially accepted habit or not is irrelevant – what matters is its impact on our well-being.

The battle is not merely against the habit itself, but against the dependency it breeds. The moment we recognize this, we embark on a journey towards true liberation. It’s a journey that demands introspection, resilience, and the courage to sever ties with what no longer serves us.

Imagine you could take yourself to the first time you became a slave to something, would you stop yourself or would you do it again? Every time you’re about to repeat the same action, you go back to the first time and decide that being a slave to something is your choice.

True freedom is the ability to savor life on your own terms. It’s about waking up each day with the knowledge that your actions are a testament to your autonomy. Liberating yourself from the shackles of bad habits grants you the canvas on which to paint your dreams, create your destiny, and craft a life that resonates with your essence.

Our life is an accumulation of moments, choices, and actions and habits we have taken on over the years even if we are aware of it or not. The time invested in our vices has shaped the narrative we’re living. But it’s not a sentence – it’s a chance to rewrite the story. Reclaim the hours, days, and years that were devoted to habits that didn’t honor your true potential. Redirect that energy towards pursuits that elevate you. 

If our lives are made up of habits, choose habits that will create a more meaningful life according to goals and values.