The Spooky Truth About Unhealthy Habits (And How to Change Them)

The Scariest "Ghouls" Are Often the Ones We Ignore

The calendar has flipped to October, bringing with it the delightful crunch of leaves, the scent of pumpkin spice, and the fun, spooky energy of Halloween. We love our scary movies, the thrill of ghosts, and the whimsy of ghouls and goblins this time of year! As we embrace all things Halloween, I want us to think about the real spooky things that lurk in our lives: the habits and patterns that undermine our health and happiness.

It’s an interesting contrast. On one hand, October is about playful fear. On the other, it’s a time for serious, life-affirming awareness. This month is dedicated to health literacy, shining a compassionate spotlight on struggles and inspiring action around issues like Breast Cancer Awareness, Domestic Violence Awareness, and the vital understanding of conditions like ADHD and Down Syndrome. These are real-life battles that require our courage and attention.

If we want to heal, we have to look directly at what hurts. If we want to move forward, we have to recognize where we are stuck. This brings me to a core belief I hold about personal change:

You cannot change what you are not aware of or have accepted.

Change doesn't start with willpower; it starts with a moment of honest self-reflection. It’s the simple act of turning the light on in a dark room and saying, "Ah, there you are."

Maybe you’ve become aware of a tendency to scroll social media instead of sleeping, or perhaps you've realized you shut down when difficult conversations arise. Whatever the behavior, the first step is always awareness followed by a gentle, non-judgmental acceptance that this is where you are right now. This acknowledgment is a profound act of self-love and the only true launchpad for lasting change.

So, as the season deepens, let’s commit to uncovering our own personal "ghouls." Let's bring awareness to the behaviors that are ready to be laid to rest.

Take a moment to write down your answers to these two questions:

1. What personal behavior or pattern have you recently become fully aware of that is truly no longer serving your well-being?

2. What one, small, meaningful change are you planning to make today to begin creating a healthier version of yourself?

Embrace the awareness. Embrace the change. Your journey to a healthier you begins the moment you decide to look.

Dr. C