Hello again.
I've been in Thailand for five months now, and to say moving here has been life-changing would be a true understatement. I’m healthier than I've ever been, and a pivotal reason is my environment.
As James Clear talks about in Atomic Habits, you can't completely control your environment, but it absolutely influences the habits you build. Think about it: you can't control what fast-food restaurant opens or what fresh food store closes.
When your options are limited, you develop new habits based on where you are. You tap into your "survival DNA—’I must eat to survive, so I will eat here’.
The cleverest businesses, like Starbucks and McDonald's, tap into this by placing their stores in the most convenient places, so you habitually turn to them in your moment of need.
To show you this is real, let me paint a picture between my UK life and my Thailand life:
UK:
0 fresh food market stalls or fresh butchers nearby, this industry in the UK has been dismantled.
The average steak would be £20 plus.
0 aspect of community (compared to my childhood)
You can’t even go to the gym without even worrying about getting parking ticket
A 1 hour game of football £7 per person (16 people needed)
Gym cost £32 pounds a month
Winter is gloomy and you wake up for work in the dark
A lack of sun for the body!
Thailand:
An abundance of fresh meat, fruit and vegetables.
Freshly cooked food markets and stalls everywhere you go in the local towns, at very affordable prices.
A steak meal for 120-200 baht (approx 5 pounds)
1 large chicken breast in the supermarket 80 baht (£1.90)
Free fitness complex, to play football, tennis, basketball or run
A wonderful community spirit
Gym costs 500 Baht a month for 3x a week (12 pounds)
Light from 6am onwards even in ‘rainy season’
Access to sun everyday
In Thailand, I’ve developed habits without clear intention. I eat freshly cooked meat and fruit 90% of the time because it’s literally everywhere and, most importantly, affordable. The 10% is for a processed snack from a Seven-Eleven or a scrumptious cake (hey, I do have a sweet tooth!).
I’ve also built other habits intentionally, like the times I go to the gym or run. Building intentional habits is a topic for another day though, today’s focus is on noticing the aspects of your environment you can’t control yet are hindering your progress!
So what can you take away from today?
Well I’m not saying you need to move countries. I'm simply saying you should check your environment and become more aware of it.
Where are your local fresh food spots?
How often do you pick up sweet drinks or snacks from your local Starbucks or McDonald's?
How far away is your local gym or park?
I'm sure you'll find some surprising revelations from these reflections.
My last question will lead to next week’s newsletter. If you have all the things you want in your location—fresh food, a park run community, a cheap gym, or whatever else that may be for you.
What is stopping you from making those positive habitual changes to your life?
Brew on that one until next week!
Until then, feel free to share your thoughts on this newsletter and enjoy my weekly picture below.
Speak soon
Bradley
PS… I offer coaching services for busy professionals, and I help them become their next best selves by building intentional habits. If you are interested in finding out more check my website here bradleyhession.beehiiv.com