“It is thoughtlessness that must be considered, not the mere giving up of a habit or conflict. The abandonment of a habit will naturally flow if there is thoughtfulness, if there is sensitivity. . . So if you want to smoke, smoke; but be intensely aware of all the implications of habit: thoughtlessness, dependence, loneliness, fear, and so on. Do not merely struggle against a habit, but be aware of its full significance.”
— J. Krishnamurti
Many of us don’t smoke, but we do something equally addictive: we stare at a screen all the time. This destroys our attention span, and when we need it for the important stuff, we complain that we can’t focus.
You can’t focus? Or you won’t focus? The former is thoughtless, the latter thoughtful. Thoughtlessness keeps you trapped on the hamster wheel. Thoughtfulness (or mere thought) helps you understand the implications of your addiction: Where is it taking you? What is it taking you away from?
When your thought takes meaningful shape, you will stop feeling helpless. You become aware of what is getting in the way of doing what you should. Thoughtfulness makes it easier to let go of bad habits.