Consistency builds habits, rhythm leads to growth.

It’s that time of year again.

Colors are changing, leaves are falling, Halloween has passed, and our favorite holidays are just around the corner.

What does that mean? Candles? Hot drinks? Blankets?

Living in Minnesota, this is a particularly cherished time for me because it’s a shift – something new. I feel different than I did a couple of weeks ago. The world feels different, yet familiar.

Now, contrast this with the year I lived in Florida: the relatively subtle changes and constant sunshine. I found myself in a slump. Every long day seemed to bleed into the next sweltering one… you get the point.

Say what you will about the cold – I’ll take a four-month freeze over a sweaty purgatory in the sun any day.

I realize, for many people, this is a hot take (cold take?), but before you come after me over my taste in biomes, see if you can follow my logic – and how it might apply to your own life.

Have you ever changed your workout routine or driven a different route to work?

I can’t speak for everyone, but in my experience, these seemingly subtle shifts often create standout memories.

So why is that – why do we perceive these “small” tweaks to the routine in such a “big” way?

Well, in order to answer this question, we first have to understand what the “routine” actually is.

Psychologists call it habituation – the more stable your environment, the less you notice it. It’s simple: your brain filters out repetition to save energy.

In Florida, the sun becomes background noise. In Minnesota, snow shocks you awake again every few months.

In many cases, this so-called routine is what we call consistency. And when it’s something we do, we call it a habit.

Habits feel safe.

If you’re reading this, I probably don’t need to explain the power of habits to you – James Clear already does a great job of that. (Check out Atomic Habits when you get the chance.) What I want to explore is what happens when those habits are broken – when someone is dishabituated.

By definition, dishabituation is a change in routine that causes your brain to suddenly wake up and realize what’s going on around you. In a lot of ways, this can be startling, which is why I understand if you don’t share my love for Minnesota.

Personally, I find comfort in my morning coffee ritual and in ordering the same meal at every restaurant I visit. As human beings, we find safety in consistency – we like to rely on what’s expected.

But does anyone really grow from their comfort zone?