There are all kinds of theories about what it takes to establish a habit.
Many exercise programs and nutrition plans talk about this.
How many times have you heard, “Work out three times a week for four weeks and the habit will be set”?
One of the most recent habits I’ve gotten into a groove with is learning Spanish on Duolingo (or improving my Spanish on Duolingo). I hit my 94-day streak today, which means I’ve done at least one exercise a day for more than three months.
Duolingo does have a feature for premium users where, if you miss a day, you can “repair” your streak by spending some of your accumulated points.
I guess repairing your streak repairs your ego but not your Spanish?
I keep thinking, though, about how consistently I had gotten in the habit of using Lumosity in 2020 around the time the pandemic began. I hit the top level of the “train” game, which took a while. I even finally moved up a level in a game whose name I can’t remember, but it involves making “coffee” and keeping up with a growing number of orders. It felt like such a great day when I beat that level!
I know Duolingo challenges my brain too, but Lumosity worked different parts of my brain (spatial, mathematical, reasoning, etc.
Over my life, I’ve heard lots of iterations of “just give it 15 minutes a day, and you’ll get established with [name of habit or goal].
Hopefully, I can organize myself to get back to Lumosity.
In the meantime, tengo que estudiar español.
Wife of one, Mom of two, Friend of many. My pronouns are she/her/hers.
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