Sometimes we do stuff just because it’s what we’ve always done and there’s no other reason for it. They’re just some of the things we’ve always done and don’t question. Here are seventeen things that most of us do out of habit, rather than a need, and once you notice these, it’s hard not to laugh. How many of these do you do on autopilot?
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Letting the water run while we brush
Lots of people let the water run while they’re brushing their teeth, even though it’s not necessary. The truth is, it feels weird to brush in total silence. Or maybe because we forget and let it run. Either way, they’re not rinsing anything and they’re not using it, just wasting gallons every week.
Pulling out our phones because someone else did
If one person checks their phone, everyone else suddenly remembers they have a phone, too, and it’s almost like a group reflex. Regardless of whether you actually have a notification, we all do it. It’s weirdly contagious, kinda like a yawn. It just feels wrong to sit there not doing something when everyone else is.
Reopening apps you literally just closed
Speaking of phones, we’ve all had those moments when we close an app, and then five seconds later open it again as if something has changed. But it doesn’t because you already saw everything. Your hand just does it, as your brain’s on autopilot, flipping through the same three apps over and over. Nothing’s really happening in any of them.
Typing “www.” like it’s still 2003
Typing “www.” before every website is something that many older adults do because that “www” feels like the official start to a website. But it does nothing anymore. It’s not even something you think about because your fingers just do it automatically. You might even type it into apps that auto-complete.
Sitting in the same exact spot every time
Whenever you walk into the living room, you sit down in the same spot with the same cushion. It doesn’t matter that the other side of the couch has better light or is much more comfortable, as your body just goes where it knows. Of course, if someone else sits there, you don’t say anything. You simply sit elsewhere, but something inside feels off.
Apologizing when we didn’t do anything
Someone bumps into you and you say sorry automatically, or maybe you knock over a chair and whisper “sorry” to the chair. Rather than feeling guilty, it’s just what your mouth does and the word comes out before you even register what happened. The truth is, you’re not actually taking any responsibility for your actions.
Charging your phone overnight
Every single night, you plug your phone in without checking the battery percentage. Your brain has already decided. It’s bedtime, so the charger comes out, even though your phone is sometimes still sitting in the 80s or 90s. Really, it’s become part of the nighttime routine, like brushing your teeth or turning off the lights. No thinking required.
Clicking “save” after every edit
You press Ctrl+S after every minor edit like your life depends on it, even though most document editors like Google Docs already have an auto-save feature. You know that and so does everyone else. But something in your brain doesn’t care because it’s been burned by years of crashes on Microsoft Word and dealing with lost essays. Now you just keep on tapping “save.”
Tapping the side of a soda can before opening it
While the can isn’t fizzing or spraying, you still give it a few taps on the side, just to make sure it doesn’t explode. However, doing so doesn’t actually fix anything, nor does it make a difference if you do it after shaking the can. But we still do it every time, almost like it’s a kind of superstition. We’d feel weird without it.
Telling people “no worries” before they’ve even said sorry
Anytime someone changes plans or runs a little late, before they can say anything, you’ve already said, “No worries.” It’s something that you say fast, maybe a little too fast, as they weren’t even apologizing yet. This is a reflex that your brain fires off regardless of whether there’s anything to react to. It makes you feel better for doing it, and the people around you, too.
Rewriting a message five times before sending it
You type a sentence and delete it, reword it. Then you add an emoji, stare at it, and rewrite again. The thing is, you’re not nervous, and it’s not an important message, but it feels wrong to send the first version. That habit of over-polishing won’t quit, even for boring texts. But the fact is that we really don’t need to, and maybe we should stop.
Washing new and sealed clothes before wearing them
It doesn’t matter that the clothes you bought from the store are still in the packaging because you still immediately put them into the washing machine. It’s something you don’t even think about anymore and is simply part of how you treat your new clothes. You’re not wearing that new T-shirt or socks until they’re washed.
Flushing a public toilet before using it
Walking into a public bathroom involves immediately flushing the toilet, whether the bowl looks fine or not. Clearly, the issue isn’t germs or mess because there’s literally nothing in there, but flushing before sitting down feels like step one. If you don’t do it, you can’t help but feel dirty somehow.
Drinking coffee first thing in the morning
You don’t even stop to ask yourself if you need that first cup of coffee, but instead, you just wake up and start making a cup immediately. You’re not yawning and feel fine. Even so, you’re still measuring out grounds and pouring water before you’ve said a word to anyone because the caffeine isn’t really the point anymore. It’s just what mornings are.
Topping off your gas tank even when it’s nearly full
Anytime you pass a gas station, you think to yourself that you might as well top up. That’s because the issue isn’t about running out, but rather, going for a top-off is built into your routine. The idea of starting the week without a full tank is something you simply can’t do. Even if it means pumping for thirty seconds and leaving.
Adding salt to food before tasting it
Lots of people will immediately add salt to their food the moment the plate hits the table, and it doesn’t matter if they’ve actually tried anything. They don’t care who cooked it or how seasoned it is. The salt goes on. In fact, it happens so often that these people probably don’t notice they’re doing it. Adding salt has become something they always do every single time they eat.
Opening the fridge for absolutely no reason
You walk into the kitchen and open the fridge, standing there like something’s going to suddenly appear in it. Then you close it again. You weren’t hungry, nor were you looking for anything, it’s just something to do. By far the craziest part is that you might be back again in five minutes, like it owes you a surprise.
Rinsing dishes before putting them in the dishwasher
Here’s the thing. Your dishwasher’s not fragile and it doesn’t need your help, but there you are. Scrubbing plates clean almost as though you’re prepping them for display in a museum. However, it’s really quite pointless because your dishwasher will do it for you. This habit is just to make you feel better.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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