What is a habit?
hab·it
(h
b
t)
bt)
n.
1.
a. A recurrent, often unconscious pattern of behavior
that is acquired through frequent repetition.
b. An established disposition of the mind or
character.
2. Customary manner or practice: a person of ascetic habits.
3. An addiction, especially to a narcotic drug.
4. Physical constitution.
5. Characteristic appearance, form, or manner of
growth, especially of a plant or crystal.
6.
a. A distinctive dress or costume, especially of a
religious order.
b. A riding habit.
A habit can be something as annoying as a coworker who taps their pen on the desk constantly or even an act of kindness that happens so regularly that it goes unnoticed because it unappreciated after the habit is accepted. Why do you notice the pen tapping over the act of kindness? It is something you do not choose to accept in which causes you to be effected in a negative way. When you get married the little habits come out in your spouse that were "cute" at first and become annoying habits over the daily acts of kindness that are unappreciated. After 3 years of marriage I feel like I have more insight into what is appreciated in your significant other and this is something I want to blog about and look back 5 years from now and say....our marriage grew and I love that.
As I lay in bed each night Travis does something I never noticed until he worked night shifts. He has to touch me while sleeping whether its a foot, a hand, a shoulder or his back, and I found myself taking longer to fall asleep because I didn't have that habit that I was so used to I never took a second notice to. He had this habit to know I was there next to him safe and as the years past I found myself needing that habit to reoccur to instill safety, security and reassurance.
Every time I eat a meal with another person other than Travis I find myself baffled by the fact that they don't eat in the same order he does; side dishes first, main dish second. More so specifically French fries, then burger. I have known to lice with this order for so long it is almost expected. Anything else is so "different".
Or even the simple "why is the house so hot?" With Travis being in Iraq for so long and sleeping in the conditions he has he prefers to sleep cold. I found myself freezing at night at first and after 3 years I am SWEATING unless the air is on 65-69 degree each night. I think someone is crazy otherwise with this developed habit of my own. And I sleep in very light clothing. This habit grew on me and adapted my way to suit him so we could live better together.
The whole point of this is that habits make those around you who they are and to all my friend out there reading this who are planning on getting married soon; accept your spouse as they are. You will find their habits to be ridiculous and crazy now but in a year you will feel so off without them and your whole world will be thrown off without that routine. Remember, you have annoying habits of your own and your spouse accepts them too. No one is perfect and that is why we get a long so well within a marriage. Opposites and difference attract.
