Habits Make or Break You. Do you ever feel like your habits are running the show? Like your morning coffee addiction or your compulsive social media scrolling has taken over your life? The truth is, habits shape our days, and our days shape our lives. So, if we want to upgrade our lives, it starts with upgrading our habits. The good news? You’re absolutely capable of building positive habits that stick and kicking bad ones to the curb.
Why Habits Matter :
Our brains are designed to create habits as a way to conserve energy. Instead of making constant decisions, we automate behaviors—like brushing our teeth, tying our shoes, or hitting snooze six times. They dictate how you start your morning, how you handle stress, and even how you interact with others.
Good habits can boost productivity, improve health, and increase happiness. The problem? Not all habits are good. Some are downright destructive. That’s why recognizing bad habits and intentionally forming good ones is so important. So, if you want to level up your life, start by examining your daily routines.
Step 1: Acknowledging Your Bad Habits (Without Shame!) We all have bad habits—whether it’s procrastinating, doom-scrolling social media, or eating an entire bag of chips without realizing it. The first step to change is awareness. Try this:
- Make a habit list – Write down both your good and bad habits. Seeing them on paper can be eye-opening.
- Ask ‘Why?’ – Dig deep. Why do you bite your nails? Stress? Boredom? Understanding the root cause helps with breaking the cycle.
- Identify triggers – Most habits are tied to a cue. If you always grab junk food while watching TV, the cue is the TV. Recognizing these patterns is key.
Identifying bad habits isn’t about beating yourself up. It’s about self-awareness—because once you see them, you can change them!
Step 2: Replace, Don’t Just Remove Kicking a habit cold turkey is tough. Instead of just quitting a bad habit, replace it with a positive one. Here are some examples:
- Instead of scrolling Instagram before bed, try reading a book.
- Instead of hitting snooze five times, move your alarm across the room.
- Instead of stress-eating, try deep breathing or a quick walk.
The goal is to swap bad habits with healthier alternatives that fulfill the same need.
Step 3: Make It Ridiculously Easy One of the biggest mistakes people make is setting the bar too high. Want to start exercising? Don’t aim for an hour at the gym right away—start off with just 10 minutes. Want to drink more water? Begin with one extra glass a day. Small wins build momentum.
Step 4: Make It Fun If forming a habit feels like a chore, you won’t stick with it. Find ways to make it enjoyable. The biggest mistake? Making habit change feel like punishment. The secret? Make it fun!
- Gamify It: Turn it into a challenge. Compete with a friend to see who can stick to their habit longest.
- Use Music: Create playlists for different habits—an energetic one for workouts, a calm one for bedtime.
- Get Creative: Instead of dreading workouts, try dance classes or roller skating. Hate meal prepping? Turn it into a cooking show.
Step 5: Stay Motivated When the Excitement Wears Off Excitement is easy at first, but what about when motivation fades? Here’s how to push through:
- Remember Your “Why”: Why did you start this habit in the first place? Write it down and remind yourself often.
- Track the Benefits: Notice how you feel after a good habit. More energy? Better sleep? Less stress?
- Give Yourself Grace: Some days will be harder than others. That’s okay. Just keep going.
- Mix It Up: If things get dull, tweak your routine. Change up your workouts, find new recipes, or try a different journaling style.
Step 6: Be Kind to Yourself Slip-ups happen. One missed workout, one late night of social media bingeing—it’s not the end of the world. The key is not letting a small mistake turn into a full-blown habit relapse. Progress, not perfection!
Final Thoughts: Habits can either drag you down or lift you up. The key is to take control of them instead of letting them control you. Identify the bad ones and replace them with habits that support your goals and dreams. Building good habits and breaking bad ones is a journey, not a sprint. By taking small, consistent steps and making it fun, you can create lasting change. So, what’s one habit you’re ready to change today? Drop a comment below—I’d love to cheer you on!
Always,
Kerri
