I think it is fairly safe to say that when people think of the word habit there is a negative connotation. One: because we automatically think of things like lent and breaking BAD habits and Two: because my generation is taught to strive for spontaneity and freedom in a world that completely revolves around habit.
Get this:
One direction- “live while we’re young”
Kesha- “Die Young”
Wiz Kalifa- “young wild and free”
TI- “live your life”
Avril Lavigne-“Here’s to Never Growing up”
I mean. Are you serious? I can understand one direction singing these kinds of songs and I guess these people need props for knowing their target audience (John Morgan Would approve). What is the frustration? Kids don’t want to take life that seriously. Solution: will saturate their minds with catchy tunes that tell them it’s okay to party and be assholes all of the time. Spontanaity is cool. I mean, there’s a reason I want to go slam back shots and dance on tables whenever I listen to popular radio. Point is we’ve got pop culture teaching us to reject habit and we’ve got the real world demanding habit. Even as simple as stay up during the day and sleep at night. Work during the week and have off on the weekends. All habits. But from a communication arts perspective it was interesting to think about companies instilling habits in consumers. I never thought of it like that and I do not like that. But again, it’s just because I want to think of myself as an autonomous individual. Even these kids trying to be spontaneous can’t escape habits instilled by brands. I’m sure before they run away to go couch surfing and party all of the time they buy grungy urban outfitter clothes to look the part or buy northface backpacks before they hit the trail to discover themselves (the only thing you discover backpacking is whether you hate showering or appreciate cleanliness; and how many mental breakdowns you’re capable of having in any given day). Point is: habits can be good, habits can be bad. But the REAL culprit is monotony. I really need to find a career with a lot of difference. Okay. I’ll go get on that.