Change Your Environment to Change Your Life

I thought I was strong enough to quit smoking weed while still hanging out with my friends who enjoyed getting high on weekends. I was a bit too optimistic about my willpower.

If you want to make a change, you need to adjust your environment to align with your goals. For example, if you want to get fit, go to the gym and connect with fit people to share ideas on how to reach your goals. This is how it works.

I’m not saying to cut ties with your friends completely, but you should reduce the time you spend with them for a while—especially if they engage in habits you’re trying to avoid. For instance, if you want to become a non-smoker, it’s important to give yourself space to shift your identity.

Your old habits need to dissolve to create room for new ones. According to science, it takes about 66 days to form new habits. I remember when I made this choice; it felt unnatural not to see my friends as often. Over time, though, my true friends understood that my decision was for my well-being and respected my choice.

Real friends will stick around, and those who don’t will move on—and that’s totally fine. Remember, everything in life is temporary. Embrace the change for the new version of yourself.