Habits are tricky to deal with. They are like the invisible strings that puppeteer our daily lives – a constant cycle of repeated actions and behaviors that we often find ourselves doing without even realizing it. We all have habits we know are detrimental, yet we can't seem to stop. The question then arises: why is it so challenging to change habits? And more importantly, how can we change them for the long run?

Before we dive into the mechanisms of habit change, it's crucial to understand what habits are and how they come into existence. A habit, in its simplest form, is a behavior that's been repeated so often that it becomes automatic. The creation of a habit is a fascinating process that involves both conscious and subconscious elements of our minds.

Our conscious mind, the realm of intellect and logic, has the ability to direct its activities based on stimulations. It can quickly respond to changes in the environment, an essential survival tool. However, there's another player in the field of habit formation – the subconscious mind. This type of intelligence operates on memory and repetition, functioning without your conscious intervention.

Habits are controlled by memory. This is why when we attempt to break a habit, it feels as if we're fighting against an automatic response that's been ingrained in our systems. For this reason, to change a habit, we need to create a new memory – a new pattern of behavior that needs to be repeated for a significant period. This repetition allows the subconscious mind to record it as a permanent habit.

The process of changing a habit involves first executing the new behavior consciously for a long enough period for the autonomic system (our body's control system that manages automatic functions like heart rate and digestion) to record it. This is often referred to as "rewiring" yourself. However, the time it takes to form a new habit can vary considerably. Some habits may require 20 to 30 days of consistent repetition, while others may take years.

In the end, changing habits is a journey of self-discovery and perseverance. It's about understanding the power of your mind – both conscious and subconscious – and using that knowledge to reshape your actions and behaviors. It involves making conscious decisions, repeatedly, until they become a part of your subconscious routine. But remember, the path to change isn't linear, and patience is key. It might take a while, but with consistency and determination, old habits can indeed be replaced with new ones.

So next time you find yourself struggling to change a habit, remember this: you're not just fighting an old behavior. You're creating a new one. And with each day of conscious effort and repetition, you're one step closer to making this new behavior a part of your automatic, subconscious routine. The Why is it so Difficult to Change Habits? difficulty lies not in breaking the old, but in creating the new. And once you understand that, the process of habit change becomes a whole lot easier.