From Chaos to Checkmarks: How I Built Habits That Stick

 

Hello friends! Today, I want to talk about something that has been a game-changer in my life: building better habits. For as long as I can remember, I’ve struggled with the idea of using my time more productively—whether it’s before work, during work, or after work. Like many of you, my days often end with me sprawled out on the couch, aimlessly scrolling through TV episodes or social media, even when I know there’s nothing particularly interesting to watch. But I realized that my downtime, even leisure time, could be used more purposefully, and that’s when I began my journey toward habit-building.

The Reality of My Day-to-Day

Let me set the scene: after a long, tiring day at work, followed by a tedious commute, I come home and dive straight into the evening routine of cooking dinner for my family. After we finish eating and clean up, I’m left with that golden “free time” everyone craves. You know, the one where we envision ourselves reading a good book, catching up with family, or engaging in a meaningful hobby? Yeah, that one. But more often than not, I’d just flop onto the couch, mindlessly scrolling through whatever was on TV or my social media feeds. Time passed, and I felt like I was stuck in a loop of unproductive downtime.

This left me thinking: Why am I wasting this precious time? I could be doing so much more, whether it’s enjoying a good show that actually excites me, reading a book, or spending quality time with my family. I could even be going for a walk to stay active. It wasn’t until I realized how much time I was losing in these small pockets that I decided it was time to break the cycle.

The Challenges of Building a Routine

Starting this habit-building journey wasn’t a smooth ride—nope, not at all. I faced challenges, especially when it came to establishing a solid night or morning routine. As a self-professed night owl, my natural inclination was to stay up late. And without a set routine, time seemed to slip away. I’d find myself watching “just one more episode,” and before I knew it, it was midnight, leaving me groggy the next morning.

But I knew things had to change, especially as the lack of sleep and unproductive nights started to impact my overall well-being. So, I decided to document my routine and stick to a daily checklist. Writing things down kept me focused and helped me develop discipline.

From Night Owl to Early Bird: My Proud Moment

Of all the habits I’ve tried to build, waking up early has been my greatest victory. It’s been a game-changer, and let me tell you, it wasn’t easy. Going from a night owl to an early bird felt like trying to rewrite my DNA. But I stuck with it because I knew how important it was to start my day on the right foot.

I made early mornings a priority. The results? Not only do I feel more productive, but I’ve also managed to squeeze in a few things I never thought I’d have time for—morning walks, journaling, and even a bit of meditation/prayer. These small but impactful additions to my morning routine have boosted my mental clarity and physical health. Waking up early is now something I cherish, even though I never thought I’d say that!

The Emotional Rollercoaster of Habit-Building

Building habits has been a journey of emotional highs and lows. Some days, I felt completely frustrated, especially when I stumbled or when things didn’t go as planned. But despite the setbacks, I found moments of determination where I just knew I couldn’t give up. Every little victory, no matter how small, felt like a giant leap forward, and that progress was enough to keep me going.

Now that I’m progressing on the other side, I feel so proud of how far I’ve come. This journey has taught me that I’m much more resilient than I ever thought possible. It’s helped me discover a determination I didn’t know I had, and for that, I’m grateful. 

Strategies That Work for Me

• Habit Tracking: I have this notebook that has become my best friend on this habit journey. Every day, I jot down the habits I’m working on and check them off as I go. There’s something oddly satisfying about seeing those little checkmarks fill up the page—it’s like giving yourself a mini high-five for getting through the day! Plus, it’s a great way to see my progress at a glance. On days when I feel like I haven’t done much, I look at my habit tracker and think, “Okay, I did do something productive today!”

• Setting Achievable Goals: I used to make these big, lofty goals like “I’m going to read for two hours every night,” or “I’ll go for a 5-mile run every morning.” Yeah, that didn’t last long! Now, I break my goals into tiny, bite-sized pieces. Instead of reading for two hours, I tell myself, “Just 15 minutes tonight.” And guess what? Sometimes I end up reading longer because it doesn’t feel overwhelming anymore. I realized that setting smaller goals made it way easier to stay consistent and, let’s be honest, way less intimidating.

• Incorporating Habits into Existing Routines: This one was a game changer. I’m already watching TV at night, so why not turn it into something productive? Now, I walk on the treadmill while watching my favorite show—two birds, one stone! And when I’m doing chores like cooking or washing dishes, I’ll pop in my earbuds and listen to an audiobook or a podcast. It’s my way of multitasking without feeling like I’m adding more to my plate. One night, I caught myself doing squats in the kitchen while waiting for the pasta to boil—I’m not saying it’s glamorous, but hey, it works!

• Accountability Partner: This has been a huge help! I have a friend who’s also trying to build better habits, and we check in with each other regularly. Sometimes we text each other updates like, “Did you do your walk today?” or “I’m finally reading that book you recommended!” Having someone who’s rooting for you (and who you can root for in return) makes the whole process so much more enjoyable. Plus, we have this tradition of treating ourselves to a little reward, like grabbing coffee together whenever we both hit a milestone. It makes the journey feel less like a solo struggle and more like a team effort.

Here are some books and tools that I love and find helpful for building good habits that stick:

• Atomic Habits by James Clear – This is a must-read if you’re serious about habit-building. Clear’s strategies are practical and easy to implement, and I found them incredibly effective.

• Habit Tracker Notebooks and Calendar– Keeping a written log of your habits can be a great motivator. I personally love these tracker notebooks to stay on top of things.

• The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod – This book is fantastic if you’re trying to become an early riser like me!

Lessons I’ve Learned Along the Way

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned during this journey is that building better habits isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Consistency is key, even if it’s just baby steps. I’ve also learned that I am capable of pushing myself far beyond what I thought possible. Each habit that I successfully integrate into my life reinforces my belief that I can create meaningful change, one small step at a time.

My advice to anyone trying to build better habits? Start small, be patient with yourself, and don’t be afraid to stumble along the way. Success doesn’t come from doing everything perfectly but from getting back on track when you fall off. And remember, celebrating your small wins is just as important as striving for the big ones. 

What’s Next?

Right now, my focus is on maintaining the habits I’ve built. I’m not trying to add too many new things into the mix—sometimes, the goal is simply to make what you’re doing second nature. However, I recently added a standing desk to my home office. I’m now working on incorporating more standing time while I work to mix up my day and stay active.

 A Little Humor to Wrap It Up

As someone who’s tried (and failed) at many things along this journey, I’ll leave you with this gem I came across: “Procrastination is like a credit card: It’s a lot of fun until you get the bill.” And boy, isn’t that the truth? We all know the pain of pushing things off, but once you start building better habits, it’s like finally paying off that credit card debt—you feel so much lighter!

Thank you for joining me on this journey. If you’ve made it this far, you’re a rockstar, and I hope you’ve found some inspiration to build better habits in your own life.

I’d love to hear about the habits you’re working on! Share your experiences, challenges, and successes in the comments below—let’s keep each other motivated. 

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