Old Habits Die Hard, Why?

It was Benjamin Franklin who said ‘Old habits die hard’. But is it really true?

Habits are things we have grown accustomed to over a period of time. The thing about habits is that to keep a habit alive, you need to be active and have willpower. Otherwise, no habit would stick. But, it is also significant to note that before we grew accustomed to that particular habit, it was absent. Then how can one say that old habits die hard? We grow out of habits all the time. We also develop new habits with time.

It would be wrong to say that old habits die hard. We are humans, and we are evolving every second and every minute of every day. We are all trying to be the best versions of ourselves and that involves a process of developing and dropping habits. Rehab centers can be a great example for this. People with addiction get help to control their addiction, not to mention, addictions are a notorious habit. People with these problems do get better, in other words, old habits don’t die hard.

However, taking the same example of Rehabilitation facilities, people go there because their habit is difficult to control, or, their old habit dies hard, so to say. If we also look at something as simple as brushing your teeth in the morning, if you try to brush your teeth with the wrong hand, you would take longer because it would be difficult to do so. Why? Because old habits die hard.

It isn’t easy to change any aspect of your personality even if you wanted to. Your habits are also a part of your personality – your character. It is your responsibility to know and understand which habits you should keep and which you shouldn’t. And sometimes, changing something about yourself need not be necessary for the better. Being your authentic self is what will always guide you down the right, or the best path for you.

“Habits are not a finish line to be crossed, they are a lifestyle to be lived.” ~ James Clear