How Long It Takes To Change Your Life

Have you ever found yourself lying in bed, thinking, "Tomorrow is the day I'll change?" You tell yourself, "Tomorrow, I'll wake up early, have a healthy breakfast, go for a morning jog, and breathe in fresh air." It feels like a promise to become the best version of yourself. But change isn't as simple as flipping a switch. It requires adopting new habits while letting go of old ones, and that takes more time and effort than we might think.

Many people believe it takes exactly 21 days to form a new habit or break an old one. I remember hearing this in high school when my teacher told us about the "21-day habit theory." Inspired by this, I decided to make my bed every morning for 21 days instead of calling out to my mom to do it. I stuck with it, waking up at 6 a.m. every day, even when I was running late. But by day 22, I found myself calling out to my mom again. I had given up. I realized that this 21-day idea might be more myth than reality.

So where did this idea of 21 days come from? It originated in the 1950s with Dr. Maxwell Maltz, a plastic surgeon who noticed a pattern among his patients. He observed that it took about 21 days for patients to get used to their new appearance after surgery, whether it was adjusting to a new nose or adapting to a lost limb. He published his findings in a book that became wildly popular, selling over 30 million copies. The idea caught on because 21 days seemed like a short, manageable period to make meaningful change.

But is this idea really true? Can we change our habits in just 21 days? As appealing as it sounds, the reality is more complex. The time it takes to form a habit depends on several factors, including the complexity of the behavior and the consistency with which it is practiced. For example, adopting a simple habit, like eating a piece of fruit every day, might take less time than mastering a complex skill, like learning a tennis serve.

Behavior consistency also plays a critical role. Someone who practices a behavior for 3 minutes a day will likely take longer to form a habit than someone who commits 30 minutes daily to the same task. So, how long does it really take to form a new habit or break an old one?

Psychologist Philippe Lally conducted a famous study on habit formation that followed 96 people over 12 weeks. Each participant chose a new habit to work on, such as drinking three cups of water before lunch or running for 15 minutes after dinner. The study found that it took anywhere from two to eight months to form a habit, with an average of 66 days. The time required varied significantly depending on the individual, the habit, and the circumstances; some people formed habits in as little as 18 days, while others took up to 254 days.

So, according to this research, if you're looking to form a new habit or break an old one, you should expect it to take between two and eight months—not just 21 days. However, whether it takes two months, three months, or even a year, the key is to start today. The length of time it takes matters less than the commitment to begin. Once you start, it's crucial to maintain the new habit by incorporating it into your daily schedule, setting reminders, and creating a supportive environment.

Remember, you don't have to be perfect. Making mistakes once or twice won't have lasting effects on your progress. Giving yourself time to adapt without rushing is essential to making sustainable changes. If you want to become a better person, commit to the process and embrace it fully. Focus on making tiny improvements rather than overwhelming yourself with massive changes all at once.

Change is neither easy nor simple, but with dedication, any habit can be reshaped. If you truly want to become the best version of yourself, start today. Take small steps and commit to the journey. You will get there eventually.