2025 is fully underway and often I find that January is a hard month to find positivity in. The cold and grey weather does not bring with it an air of inspiration. Nonetheless, the days are slowly getting longer and with that I thought I would talk about some new habits I am doing my best to incorporate in my daily routines. This post is a sort of ‘Part 2’ to my previous blog about the compound effect which I suggest you read if you feel like you lack the necessary motivation to entertain the idea of picking up some new habits.
- Pick Up A Mindful Morning Routine
Starting my day with intention has been truly life-changing. Whether it’s meditation, journalling, or a few minutes of stretching, a mindful morning sets the tone for the rest of the day. I find that if I don’t stop and think in the morning, my mood is seriously impacted and not in a positive way! Make the effort not to pick up your phone first thing, the dopamine rush that scrolling through social media gives you may feel gratifying in the moment, but just like an addiction, you will find yourself looking for more of that throughout your day if you choose to start your day in that way.
- Exercise Regularly
Whether it’s walking, yoga, or hitting the gym, regular physical activity has countless benefits for your body and mind. This is one that I am really wanting to put some effort into this year as it has never really come to me naturally. Over the years, I have found that it is not a lie when people tell you how good it feels to exercise. Going out of your way to move your body is essential to living a balanced life and I can promise you that the consequences of doing so are nothing but positive. Find a form of physical fitness that works for you! It does not have to be sports related (I was never a sports fan growing up), it can simply be making the choice to walk to the shops instead of driving every now and then.
- Reading Daily
Aim for 20 minutes a day. I think the increasing use of social media and technology has really made reading a lost art. It could be fiction, nonfiction, or even an educational article. Regular reading improves knowledge and sharpens your mind. I cannot emphasise enough the difference this will make to your day and overall life.
- Practice Gratitude
Take a few moments every day to write down or mentally note what you’re grateful for. This helps shift your mindset toward positivity. I think as humans sometimes we can sometimes subconsciously gravitate to focusing solely on everything that seems to be going wrong. Unfortunately, society itself is not the most joy-producing and certain things within it can make us feel small or helpless. I promise you that this is not the case and we are more powerful than we know. Remind yourself of that everyday.
- Healthy Eating
Focus on whole foods, reducing processed ones, and staying hydrated. This specific habit has caused me a little bit of an issue in regards to information overload. Some of you may be able to relate that often through online research whilst trying to find healthy recipes, you will find hundreds of videos telling you different things. ‘Don’t eat ‘X’ it is terrible for you, if you have ‘Y’ make sure it is only in the mornings to avoid bloating. Actually, ‘X’ is incredible for you and many people have no idea!’ This kind of online discourse really frustrates me and ultimately I have come to the conclusion that for me the term ‘healthy eating’ simply means finding what works for my body!
There are some things that are clearer than others such as whether or not I should eat fast food everyday but generally I have found that a balanced diet is what makes a big difference. I want to take pride into what I put in my body and also pleasure from delicious meals!
- Time Management
Practice breaking down tasks into smaller steps and prioritise. Using a planner or digital calendar can help with staying organised. My paper planner is invaluable. I use it for everything to make sure I never forget important dates or appointments and also to plan out my days. Before going to sleep every night, I make sure to write up my to-do list for the next day. This habit really brings me peace as I can remind myself that by completing the smaller steps and prioritising, I will most likely be able to maintain a productive streak! I will talk more about this habit in a future blog post about the importance of having an evening routine.
- Unplugging from Screens
Set specific times during the day when you disconnect from screens, especially social media. This has massively helped to reduce my stress levels and improve focus. Recently, I have been feeling very disconnected from social media as a whole and frustrated with the addiction we all seem to have to our phones that we have all accepted. By really choosing to be intentional when using my phone or laptop, I find that I have so much more extra time. This has not been easy and I suggest taking quite silly measures at first to settle into this habit. For example, using a ‘phone box’ and locking your phone in there during times of ‘unplugging’.
- Learning New Skills
This habit is a direct consequence of the previous one! Dedicate the extra time you have as a result of ‘unplugging’ to learn something new—whether it’s a language, cooking technique, or a hobby you’ve always wanted to explore. Think of something you have always wanted to try out and just do it! Little by little with practice, I hope you find yourself at the end of the year with a new skill that you can take pride in.
- Sleep Hygiene
Establish a relaxing bedtime routine and try to stick to a consistent sleep schedule. Quality sleep is crucial for overall health and productivity. I always annoyingly ignored the truth of this and would stay up ridiculously late in the name of ‘productivity’. In fact, that was hurting more than helping me. We need sleep to function properly and effectively. I think this habit is so essential that I am planning a future blog post dedicated solely to this idea of sleep hygiene so keep an eye out!
- Declutter Regularly
Tidy up your physical and digital spaces. You will be surprised at the effect this will have on your mental space! Make the effort to recycle, sell or give away personal belongings that you don’t feel serve you anymore. Similarly, be intentional with your digital space. Delete apps you no longer use, delete photos and videos and sort through your contacts.
- Practice Self-Compassion and Limit Negative Self-Talk
Be kinder to yourself, especially when things don’t go as planned. Treating yourself with understanding can reduce stress and help you bounce back faster. Replace harsh internal criticism with affirmations or positive self-talk. This shift has been so important for my own self-improvement journey and I have no doubt that if you are someone who finds that you constantly talk down to yourself, this is something that you must try. Wherever you go, there you’ll be. You must learn to be at peace with who you are!
- Daily or Weekly Reflection
Take time each day or week to reflect on your goals, progress, and challenges. It helps with clarity and keeps you motivated. This is a fairly new habit that I have been excited to try as sometimes I find myself in cycles that I subconsciously take part in despite the fact that I am not benefitting from them. A quick sit down with yourself, whether that is daily or weekly, can be really helpful if you use that time to reflect and think about both the things that went well and the others that you want to improve.
- Limit Multitasking
Focusing on one task at a time improves quality and efficiency. Try to embrace the “single-tasking” mindset and see how much better you feel. In this fast-paced age, productivity seems to be the one thing everyone is striving for. Interestingly, I have found that taking the time to complete one task intentionally instead of trying to balance 2 or 3 at once has led to higher levels of productivity. Give this a try and let me know if it works for you.
- Give Back or Volunteer
Helping others, whether through volunteering or random acts of kindness, can foster a sense of community and fulfillment. Forming part of a community can have a really positive effect on your mental health and whether the acts of kindness are large-scale or small-scale, the ripple effect is powerful. Sometimes taking the time to compliment someone or even just smile, can perhaps inspire them to do something nice for someone else and so on. Don’t underestimate the power you have to influence the world.
- Be Consistent with Small Wins
Finally, remember that small actions add up over time. Celebrating little victories along the way helps maintain momentum toward your larger goals. You don’t have to do every single one of these in one day. Take your time and find what works for you. Remember the power of the compound effect and that consistency is key.
I hope you find that some of these habits resonate with you and that they have a positive impact on your life. It’s important to emphasise that making the decision to work on yourself is not something that is bound to the ‘new year’, you can make that choice whenever you want! There are always trials and tribulations when it comes to these things and no one is perfect. Perfection is not the goal. Choose to flourish!
