How could one explain oneself ...
FUTURE
As a rule, the future cannot be seen. But what people like to do is to extend the present indefinitely into the future.
And – this is also a perfect trap for many people: they believe (because the emotions trick them into thinking) that they could go on living, behaving like they did in younger years. As they do not adapt to their age, this usually leads to illness and destruction. (Incidentally, the latter generally applies to everything that cannot adapt).
Habits are a motor for the recurring feelings: you want to relive the pleasant feelings of the past.
Rationalizations are an aid to these feelings and actions. That is, the brain sees this as correct to justify the behavior.