Up until the late 20th century, it was widely believed that our brains became “fixed” after childhood, much like hardened concrete. This led to sayings like “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” However, modern neuroscience has since debunked this idea. Neuroplasticity—our brain’s ability to rewire and adapt—shows that we can change our brains at any age, as long as oxygen and blood are flowing. This means we’re never too old to form new habits or change the way we think.
Imagine a field of corn before it’s harvested. The tractors create well-worn paths through the crops, similar to the habits and thought patterns we develop over time. When we repeatedly think or behave a certain way, we carve out familiar, well-travelled mental pathways. But if we want to develop new habits, it’s like creating a new path through that field. At first, it takes effort to tread down the corn, but with repetition, a new path is formed. As we continue to use the new path, the old one becomes overgrown and less accessible. The more we practice the new way of thinking, the easier it becomes.
This concept is especially helpful when we want to change unhelpful, negative ways of thinking. In neuroplasticity, we say “neurons that fire together, wire together,” meaning that when neurons are activated at the same time, they form stronger connections. The more frequently we engage in a thought or behaviour, the more ingrained it becomes. Conversely, when we stop using certain pathways, they weaken and eventually disappear. This is where the saying “use it or lose it” comes from.
Recent research shows that habits can start forming in as little as 7 days with repeated practice (about 11 times). However, just as easily as habits are formed, they can also fade away if not reinforced. That’s why consistency is key in changing thought patterns—over time, these new pathways become our default way of thinking.
Take walking as an example. Most of us walk without thinking about it, but it took time and practice as toddlers to develop that skill. Once learned, we don’t think about it much—until something disrupts that ability. I experienced this first hand when, at 16, I was thrown from my horse and shattered my ankle. After 18 months on crutches, I was excited to walk again, but I quickly realized I had forgotten how to do it. My brain had to relearn the mechanics of walking, re-establishing those neural pathways. Fortunately, with practice, it didn’t take long for those paths to become functional again.
Neuroplasticity is relevant to us all. It demonstrates that at any age, we can learn new things and form new habits. Happiness, resilience, and change aren’t fixed states; they are within our reach. Whether you’re looking to shift your mindset, break old patterns, or develop healthier habits, the brain’s capacity for change is limitless.
So, what are you waiting for?
