The Elegance of Habit: A Reflection on Jane Hirshfield’s Poem

In her thought-provoking poem "Habit," Jane Hirshfield dissects the nuanced nature of our daily routines and their influence on our identity. The poem is worth quoting in full for its profound impact:

POEM

Habit

BY JANE HIRSHFIELD

The shoes put on each time
left first, then right.

The morning potion’s teaspoon
of sweetness stirred always
for seven circlings—no fewer, no more—
into the cracked blue cup.

Touching the pocket for wallet,
for keys,
before closing the door.

How did we come
to believe these small rituals’ promise,
that we are today the selves we yesterday knew,
tomorrow will be?

How intimate and unthinking,
the way the toothbrush is shaken dry after use,
the part we wash first in the bath.

Which habits we learned from others
and which are ours alone we may never know.
Unbearable to acknowledge
how much they are themselves our fated life.

Open the traveling suitcase—

There the beloved red sweater,
bright tangle of necklace, earrings of amber.
Each confirming: I chose these, I.

But habit is different: it chooses.
And we, its good horse,
opening our mouths at even the sight of the bit.”

The Rituals We Keep

Hirshfield's keen observations offer us a mirror into our own lives. She reflects on the "small rituals" we abide by, like which shoe we put on first or the specific manner in which we stir our morning beverages. These rituals are more than just actions; they provide us with a comforting sense of continuity, reassuring us that "we are today the selves we yesterday knew, tomorrow will be."

The Intimacy of Routine

The poem extends an invitation to consider the "intimate and unthinking" nuances of habit. The things that have become second nature to us are examined with a sort of reverence; these subtle routines disclose our deeper selves, whether it’s how we dry our toothbrush or the order in which we clean our bodies during a bath.

The Unconscious Choices

Hirshfield presents an intriguing contrast between chosen objects—like a "beloved red sweater" or "earrings of amber"—and habits that "choose" us. The latter are autonomous, an unbidden part of our lives that we seldom question. We are, in her words, "its good horse," subconsciously accepting these habits as a defining element of who we are.

The Weight of Habit

While the poem doesn't necessarily portray habit negatively, it does underscore its omnipotent role in our lives. The routines and rituals we uphold are as much a part of us as the choices we consciously make.

The Fated Life

Jane Hirshfield's "Habit" is a reminder to pause and consider the weight of our daily routines. These are not mere actions; they form an integral part of our identity. As we move through our days, let us be mindful of these small but significant rituals that weave the intricate tapestry of our existence.