It is often said the we as humans are creatures of habit, we carry on our lives in very much habitual style from day to day whether it is in our food choices, our clothes, our friendships or even our holidays. Habits are formed over time and repetition we do similar things over and over again until they become thoughtless deeds that require very little of our brain’s power to do each time. Like each time we get in our cars and put on our seatbelts before starting up without being mindful of what we’re doing.

Recent studies by American psychologists have shown that people are more likely to repeat habits when they are in a familiar situation or environment, in an office for instance ofter people report being more tempted to drink too much tea and coffee or eat too many biscuits.  This study theorises that self control over these compulsive actions are easier when we are removed from that environment so for instance being at home over the weekend we eat less biscuits and drink more water.  We see this as more virtuous behaviour but what if it is not virtue but simply being more mindful in unfamiliar settings.

Lockdown has changed things for all of us, a recent YouGov poll in the UK suggests that only 9% of people in the UK want a full return to pre-lockdown life, 51% of those polled said they notice cleaner air, 27% seeing more wildlife. Many more talk about lifestyle, 40% said they felt a stronger sense of community and were in better communication with friends and family, 42% said they enjoyed food more and sharing it with a neighbour. A further 27% said they felt fitter and most were getting more exercise than they had done pre-lockdown.

Maybe this is further proof that taken out of our usual daily environment and routine we make better more mindful choices. So how many of our holiday choices are because of habit or comfort zone? Do we go to the same place each year or similar format holidays each year, same time of year just because it’s what we know and is easier on our brains to sort out and do each year? Will our lockdown selves make bolder more mindful choices, ones that are more like bucket list choices fulfilling our ambitions instead of our habits, travelling further afield and doing more to our dreams realities.