By doing the things we are used to doing we attempt to move towards stability but, however comforting it may be to smoke or stay in an abusive relationship, it still is self destructive.
By doing the things we haven't done before but clearly are a better choice; we move towards a chaotic instability wherein we'll learn that it was worth trying and we're better off with the unfamiliar consequences.
Important thing is to observe oneself and where to apply one's efforts to better oneself. Like Sisyphus but, for something productive and constructive.