If You Want to be a Happier Person, Brush Your Teeth at Bedtime
I know I can learn new mental habits because I started brushing my teeth at bedtime. I know, I know…everyone probably has done that for their whole lives, and it speaks volumes about my formerly filthy night mouth. But there it is. Back in July of 2020, I decided I was going to brush my teeth at bedtime every day. Since that time, this small thing has evolved from an obligation I had to remind myself to complete into a routine which I enjoy and probably could not sleep well without performing. Just like that, I decided I would do this action, and I began to practice doing this action every day, and now it is a comfort and a habit that I find is a part of my bedtime ritual. It wasn’t easy to remember at first, often I had to get out of bed and go brush my teeth because I forgot. Some nights I had to make myself take the time to clean my teeth when all I really wanted to do was lie down and sleep. Somewhere in the days and weeks and months, though, the act of brushing my teeth changed from an obligation to myself into a gift to myself.
I am focusing this month on feeling gratitude and shifting negative thoughts to neutral or positive thoughts. It seems a big undertaking because my default thought/communication style is sarcasm, and I think it’s worthwhile. I can be blunt and even abrasive to others. I can get into negative thought…
