A habit is a simple action you do without thinking – So it’s often hard to break. You inevitably start doing it before you’re able to decide if you should.

A routine, however, is different. A routine is a process that you consciously choose to continue with.

I bite my nails without thinking and always catch myself too late — I reinforce the bad habit unwillingly.

When I go for a run, however, I decide to start and I decide repeatedly to keep going — It’s not a habit, it’s part of a routine.

Some unwanted behaviour persists through bad habits, but some is your conscious routine.

How much does the stickiness of a habit actually afford you, and how much of your poor choices can you realistically blame on it?