I think a good percentage of the population can cop to having at least one bad habit at some point in their lives. I'll certainly admit to still having some bad habits and - I guess - making some bad choices about what I do with my body. I have been a full time smoker and was for three years between the ages of 18 and 21, I've recently dialled back to only smoking socially which I've considered a good thing, I still smoke but less that I was and that's the lesser of two evils i suppose. I've also had a bout of biting my nails. Past these two I wasn't really sure what other bad habit I might have shown or what else is considered a 'bad habit.'

A quick Internet search sent me to Pavlok.com and their list of  more that 150 things considered bad habits. So a few more of these apply to me like spending a lot of time aimlessly scrolling social media or cracking my knuckles and interrupting people ( I'm bad with this and I'm very aware it's awful conversational etiquette).

Though upon closer inspection of this list I have to say that I think it's a little strict. Things like watching TV right after work and snacking or masturbation and eating after 8pm. Sometimes eating late cannot be avoided, and wanting to wind down after a stressful day at work by watching trash TV is really pretty normal. I'm  pretty sure unless you have a will of steel snacking is something almost everyone does. Masturbation is also something pretty much everyone does whether they say otherwise, if it's very regular that it could be construed as a habit but why is it bad when it's not negatively affecting you or people around you.

The oxford English dictionary defines a habit as:

A settled or regular tendency or practise, especially one that is hard to give up.

So, things like using your phone a lot in social situations could be hard behaviour to change and there for considered a habit, bad or otherwise. But things like eating meat or humming to yourself  (if it's not annoying anybody) shouldn't, in my opinion be labelled as bad habit if it's just a choice individuals make about how they live their lives.

I think theses kinds of list that are labelling these things as bad are causing anxiety or worry, intentional or not, to people with these 'habits' or lifestyle choices and I don't think that's really very good. 

If you get a chance head over a scroll through THIS list yourself and comment down below what you think should and should not be called a 'bad habit' and if you've got any habit that you're aware of  and know you should change but can't or don't really want to. 

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I've had some down time lately while mum has been working on her wool selling business which means I will do one of two things while I keep her company in the 'office' (which in fact is my bedroom with two desks in it).

My first option - having asked mum if there's anything I can help her with, three times just in case- is some design work with my friend Erin who also works a full time job. Design isn't always so easy if I'm not feeling particularly inspired or the shop she works at is super busy and we can't really communicate well. My second option is to today my desk and all the storage draws around it, again.

I was really struggling on how to be productive when I'm not designing and in this search for something to do I found Futurelearn.com. This truly magical place is full to the brim with all kinds of free courses ranging from two week long to six week long courses on a large variety of subjects, from anatomy and English literature to pre-university courses and politics. These courses are supplied by a number of actual universities from across the world and though most are English universities, I recently took a course supplied by the University of Cape Town.

It really does depend on how much time you have free to take on some of these and how you learn best as to which kinds of courses you might take on and if you know that it might take little while to get through some of the sections per week there is always the chance to upgrade your access to the course for £35 which means not only will you always have access to the course but once you've completed it you'll be sent a certificate of completion as proof that you've taken it.

The vast range of courses also means that you are able to take course that might help you get ahead in your job but also some that are purely out of interest.

I started on future learn with a course about the brain because it's always been something that's fascinating to me and this three week course has multiple start dates which accommodates fitting it in around all sorts of other commitments.

It takes just five minutes to have a browse knowing all the listed ones in the courses section are completely free and just maybe you'll find something that piques your interest enough to give a free online course a chance. It's honestly so rewarding to learn new things and if you're anything like me a lot of these courses will appeal. I had to write mine down and it's double sided...


You'll also be able to interact with leading professors from all over as well as other enthusiastic learners who can answer any extra questions and really help to expand your learning experience and challenge your thinking. If you're a little nervous about starting a new course along, Future Learn also suggests that you do this course with someone you know and that way you can ask them if you don't understand something instead a stranger. A study buddy if you will.

So head on over take a quick look at the site and take a look at the 254 free courses available because they are worth taking a browse. Head over to https://www.futurelearn.com/courses to get started now.

And if you can, name one thing that you want to know about that has nothing to do with what your currently studying or doing as job down there in the comments.

Have a good day all, the weekend will be here soon.

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