What was the last snack you reached for while at home? A handful of almonds, some chips, maybe an apple? Chances are, you ate whatever was available at that moment, versus heading to the store just to pick up something quick. What about the last time you read a book? The book was probably close to a comfy reading spot, and the result was serendipitous.
These two seemingly common-place actions highlight the power of proximity.
It would be foolish to go shopping every time we're hungry, or go to the library every time we want to read, or head to a gym that's an hour away whenever we feel like working out. Instead, we buy food to have at home, books when we want them, and sign up for gyms close by. We choose what's convenient. By adulthood, most people have figured out how important time is, and by planning ahead by keeping things handy, we can prioritize what's important to us.
Proximity can be an incredible force for improving daily habits. If you want to read more, simply leaving a book right at the table where you eat every day makes it hard to not notice the reading material and pick it up during each meal. By signing up for a gym that's five minutes away, you're much more likely to make the trip there, even if the thought of commuting would normally dissuade you. Keeping a large water bottle with you throughout the day is a great way to increase your water intake, as it can be easy to forget to stay hydrated without the reminder of a bottle next to you.
However, if we're not careful in creating a healthy environment, proximity can lead to harmful choices that we may later regret. There's a popular saying amongst those in the self-improvement field: "You're the average of the five people you spend the most time with". Who you have in close proximity to you plays a huge part in the choices you make on a daily basis. If your friends or roommates are drinking every weekend, smoking nearly every day, and ordering takeout multiple nights a week, chances are you're going to be more inclined to do the same. If you choose to keep Oreos and potato chips handy instead of fruits or vegetables, when you're hungry you'll end up reaching for what's available, and although they may taste good in the moment, your mind and body may both be upset with you later on down the road. If the place where you eat just happens to be right in front of a TV, you're probably going to spend more time watching whatever catches your eye, instead of reading or simply enjoying your food.
As days turn to weeks and weeks turn to years, our choices become who we are. Being conscious of what we're in close proximity to can be a great way to cut out bad habits and replace them with new ones. The fact is, most of us will reach for the Oreos if they're right in our cupboard. So plan accordingly, make changes if necessary, and watch your daily habits slowly change over time.
But remember, sometimes you still gotta buy the Oreos.
"A Single Seed" is my attempt to get out one idea every day that I've learned or accumulated over the years, with the hope that it may stick in someone else's memory bank as well. The idea may be related to fitness, business, life, or philosophy, but I think you'll find that many can change domains if you wish them to. With each seed planted, a new life awaits.
Image credit: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1410959