Ask my children what they want to be for Halloween — and prepare to receive a 20-minute answer. They jump from one idea to the next; excited by what they can wear, how they will look and sound, or the effect the costume will have on unsuspecting treat givers.
That’s the real treat of Halloween: You can dress up as someone completely different. A mild-mannered person can act outlandish, a sweet person becomes scary, a serious person is suddenly silly. It doesn’t matter whom or what you become; it’s temporary. Just pretend.
[See: Psychoanalyzing Halloween Costumes.]
Halloween costumes aren’t just for kids. I know many adults who love to dress up for all the same reasons. In fact, for us, it may be even more exciting and fun because our choices in life are narrower. Pretending isn’t something we’re typically doing every day. We know who we are, what we do, how we act, whom we love, what we hate, where we live and how we look. But to temporarily suspend that and be someone else? Magic.
But the magic doesn’t have to end on November 1. This year, after hanging up your platform shoes and ’70s disco costume, consider putting on a different costume entirely: your best self. Here’s how:
1. Commit to faking it ’til you make it.
The old adage “fake it ’til you make it” is a great strategy for changing habits. Research has shown that people who pretend to have greater confidence actually develop more confidence over time. Why not try on the habits, actions and thoughts of your Best Self and see what it’s like to live as him or her? Be confident you can play the part, and soon enough, you’ll be living it daily.
2. Establish your Best Self’s habits.
Determine what’s “in character” for your Best Self. Spend a few minutes thinking about whom you’d like to become. What behaviors would you like to do that you aren’t currently doing? Perhaps you’d like to exercise more regularly or take up cooking again. Or maybe your Best Self begins to volunteer on a regular basis. You want to settle on something that feels 100-percent authentic. Otherwise, you won’t be inspired to stick with the change. Decide what those habits are so you can understand how to fit them into your life.
[See: 10 Good Deeds and Why You Should Do Them.]
3. Understand who your Best Self isn’t.
What habits are preventing you from living optimally? Are you spending too much time at work? Drinking too much? Perhaps engaging in too much gossip or negative talk? Identify the behaviors you need to eliminate to be consistent with your new self.
4. Determine how your Best Self handles himself or herself in every situation.
My Best Self remains calm and considerate even in the most aggravating of situations. My less-than-best self? She flies off the handle occasionally. Think about how you want to respond in all situations and practice how you’ll do that. For me, that might mean repeating a reminder word like “calm” or focusing on deep breaths when feeling frustrated; for someone aiming to break the after-dinner cookie habit, that might mean reaching for a piece of fruit or taking a bath instead.
[See: How to Break 7 Unhealthy Habits.]
5. Be your Best Self’s biggest fan.
The Best Self isn’t just an outward expression, it’s also an inside job. Inner criticism and negative self-talk will only make changing habits more challenging. Instead of focusing only on the times you were your less-than-best self (if you’re human, they will happen!), champion your next move. Keep track of all of the ways you continue to show up as your Best Self. Embrace the idea that you were born to play this role.
More from U.S. News
The Best Halloween Costume for Your Health and Happiness originally appeared on usnews.com
