March 18, 2011

Habits

We are all very strange in terms of how we get used to things, and then move on to other things. 

When I was small, we used to play cricket. Almost on every alternate days, if not daily. We used to play in the big grounds, as well as in the small places near our house. We played even at the rooftop (chat, as we used to call it), and had all sorts of weird rules. Then, all of a sudden, after school life ended I never played it. Once in a while we played it during our final year in engineering, and a couple of times in the B-School. But never on a regular basis since my school days. 

Another strange habit which comes and goes is the choice of drinks (not liquor, but general drinks). In my engineering days, it was always Ice Tea. We had a lot of small stalls outside the academic complex where we got Ice Tea and Veggie Pattice. So, it was almost always that for me - between and after the classes. During my MBA days, I got used to hot tea (made from tea bags), and even though it tasted real bad the first time, over time I got so used to it that I preferred it over freshly made tea as well. I came to HK for my job, and as there was no tea available, discovered a really nice coffee pack. During my two months in Manila, I got used to Hot Chocolate (as I disliked both the tea and coffee there). The thing is, at different points of time, I developed different hobbies, and then moved out of it as soon as my surroundings changed. 

Currently am on a 3 months leave, and am now getting used to it as well. In my first job, I was used to working long hours, first to come to office, and last to leave. In my last job, I was never in office for long times, and was always moving around. I had never imagined what life would be when you do not go to office, and have full time to your self. Or how it would be to spend you time deciding on which movies or serials to watch next. As days pass, I got used to it as well. May be, this is the longest break I may get for a good part of my working life. All my life, I always woke up early in the mornings - and now its never before 10 AM these days. And am sure when I re-start my job, I would be back to the schedule of getting up at 6 AM. 

8 comments:

Dee said...

I think that it also has to do with acceptance of change! You have to be fairly willing to adapt, and so probably it is in your nature to do so! Which must be great! Although, I have gotten used to change, I don't really like too much! You are very lucky to be so adaptable!

And the bit about ice tea and veg patties-wow! Sounds great!

Nightflier said...

you know when I decided to return to grad school after 2 years of work, I used to get cold feet every once in a while. But once school started work was forgotten and student life was welcomed with open arms.
Sometimes its more about how willing you are to accept change and adapt. The moments I have not been able to adapt to something, I changed the change and tried to accept. Its been fun actually :)

SK said...

@Dee: Adaptive, yes. I have been on the move for the most part of my post school life, and can quickly get comfortable at a new place. And sad, we don't get really nice veggie pattice in HK (do let me know if you any place where I can get them). And I don't even like the ice tea here.

SK said...

@nightflier: Yup, most of times its about accepting the change. And your last two lines are quite heavy - 'the moments I have not been able to adapt to something, I changed the change and tried to accept'. You are ready to read Murakami :)

Nightflier said...

haha about the murakami comment :D

Chandana said...

I know what you mean... we change according to our surroundings.. I went through a coffee phase and fresh fruit juice phase while working in different companies!

Its not just things that you get attached and detached to, but also people... The moment you change jobs or schools, you get attached to a different set of people and start interacting with them more than the older ones...

But unlike things like coffee, there are some relationships that just cannot be replaced :)

SK said...

@Chandana: Yes,its a fairly common experience, but I'm amazed at how easily we can adapt and then get used to things all over again. So much so after a time you completely forget that it was very reluctantly you got into the habit.

Happens with people as well - spend so much time in office with a few people, and when one moves out, lose contact completely after some time.

Linhy said...

very true!