💭 Week #19: Consistency is Rigid?

“Aha! I guess you are writing this theme because you were lost for a week.” says our intrusive thoughts.

Yes, we were lost for a week, but does it really count as a miss?

Oh, hello there! Here we are again! We came at an unpredicted time. We are apologizing for not showing up a week ago because we were swamped—swamped with personal matters.

Remember the soft systems we talked about a few weeks ago? We realized that they are indeed beneficial. How? Losing a week of writing may build contempt and end up hurting ourselves. But as soft systems says, we need to be forgiving, so why not stand up and do it this week instead?

Should we cry because we fulfilled it this week? Ridiculous!

Now, let’s say we have things we do consistently—perhaps a habit or an activity we do daily, weekly, biweekly, or monthly.

Should we really be into streaks?
What if we miss?
Should we hate ourselves?
Should we cry like a river?

“Can you see the drama?” (Image by Stellan424242)

But we have another option: being resilient. Does it count?

Yes, it will count if you add forgiveness to your system.

“In theory, consistency is about being disciplined, determined, and unwavering. In practice, consistency is about being adaptable. Don’t have much time? Scale it down. Don’t have much energy? Do the easy version. Find different ways to show up depending on the circumstances. Let your habits change shape to meet the demands of the day. Adaptability is the way of consistency”
—James Clear, Author of Atomic Habits

Why is it hard to have “perfect-based consistency”?

It is because we are ruled by uncertainty and unexpected times. What does this mean?

We humans will get sick; thus, we cannot do the things we usually do. Do we really abandon the things we love to do? No, of course, not—we just need rest and to get back up again when everything is well.

We humans get swamped with other matters and have no time for the things we love to do. Do we really abandon the things we love to do? No, of course, not—we will do them when other matters are finished.

Sometimes, the environment is currently not suitable for doing the things we love. Do we really abandon the things we love to do? No, of course, not—we just need to change our plan or fix the environment...and the list goes on.

Should we really be hard to ourselves?

Oh! You’re too pushy!

Depends on your need.

“They are beautiful, right?” (Image by itl.cat)

The sun rises and sets every day, but did you know it doesn’t rise or set at the same minute every day? We know the sun will show up, and it is predictable. It is consistent, not by perfect schedule but by predictable patterns.

The moon’s phases don’t appear on the same day each month. They show up predictably. They are consistent, not by perfect schedule but by predictable patterns.

Birds migrate annually, but they don’t migrate on the exact same day each year. They show up predictably. They are consistent, not by perfect schedule but by predictable patterns.

You do the things you love, but did you know you don’t have to do them at the exact same time every day? We know you will show up, and you are predictable. You are consistent, not by perfect schedule but by predictable patterns.

And that’s the big victory there—you are consistent. 🥲

Life throws curveballs, and if you think it’s linear, we aggressively whisper that it doesn’t really—too much? Too much. Sorry!

We gently say that you are still worthy if you miss a day. You can still get back up and do it again. Build momentum, and you will soar toward what you’ve planned to become.

“Remember those digital fires?” (Image by Steven Leonti)

What now?
Should we ditch the streak system?

Not entirely—ditch the pressure instead: the “shame when broken,” the “all-or-nothing mindset,” or the “identity tied to the streak alone.” The soft systems must complement the productivity systems, not work against them.

Bring the streak system as motivation to do the things you love; serve it as a soft anchor. Add a freeze system or vacation system so you can fill the gaps. 🧊

Now we have more flexibility, and you might think it’s tempting to fill the streak instead of freezing it if we don’t do the thing we love for a day—in a manner that we know we could do it on that day, but we didn’t. What should we do instead?

See you on Thursday!

Chessurisme
The Curator and The Creator of RandomNiceStuff

If this content resonates with you, consider sending us a cup of coffee or two! ☕

🌸 How did this week’s mix of nice stuff feel for you?

• 💖 Loved it!

• 🙂 It was okay

• 😐 Not really my vibe