Did you learn a way of doing something in childhood that you slavishly followed into adulthood and then discovered a much easier way to do?

English muffins were a special treat when I was growing up. For years I watched my mother split them with a fork before toasting, a process I continued to follow without questioning but always secretly found messy and, depending on the muffin brand, sometimes barely worth the effort. I had been brainwashed by my mother and I never considered there was an easier way.

Then, not long ago, It hit me to use a knife and I’ve been blissfully slicing them that way ever since. And that’s only one example of old habits I’ve managed to break as I’ve aged.

I know this sounds kinda stupid but who says elephants are all that smart?