Steps to increasing your behavioral awareness
It may sound odd to say that people act without being aware of the acting, or that you must increase your awareness. Consider, however, the act of driving your car. When you first learned how to drive your car, you needed to read the instructions in a driver’s education course, listen to the teacher, perhaps even watch a few graphic videos about traffic accidents. When you took your first practice drive, perhaps with a parent or older sibling or relative, you talked yourself through each step: “Turn on the ignition. Look in the rearview mirror, and turn your head to the right to check behind, to make sure no traffic is coming. Put the gearshift in reverse. Now slowly depress the gas pedal and begin to back out,” and so on. You had to think about what to do before turning right or left, coming to a stop or yield sign, allowing another driver to pass, and all of the multiple and complex details involved in driving a car safely.
Once you mastered driving the car, however, the activity became more automatic. In fact, the only time that an experienced driver is likely to have to talk himself or herself through the steps of driving is when there has been a major shift in the context of the situation. For example, if there is a blizzard, an experienced driver may consciously think to “turn into the skid” if the car begins to slide. Apart from unfamiliar situations, however, the behavior of driving a car is done with very little thought.
Most of the behaviors that you engage in during the day are habits that you do automatically. You probably go directly to the cupboard where you keep your coffee cup or cereal each morning, and you get the milk out of the refrigerator without thinking about it. Your soap, deodorant, and toothbrush are most likely in the same place, and you simply reach for them without having to direct yourself through the steps. You might be amazed at how much of life you live on automatic pilot. As with so many other actions, habits that keep you depressed are also practiced without your awareness. This website will help you recognize your depressed habits and replace them with healthier habits that can lead to greater contentment or happiness.
