I had mentioned in a recent blog post titled "The Paradox of Reading" that I want to read more; I yearn to read more. But reading for fun isn't always easy, especially in a world where we can easily find solace and distraction in myriad short videos. Anyway, I recently read Atomic Habits by James Clear, and it is the book I have needed. I immediately felt as if it was written for me.
So first and foremost, the self-help genre isn't for me. But James Clear writes the book in a way that transcends the genre, in my opinion. For one, it's packed with evidence-based strategies, and also, it's written in a way that feels actually practical. As if we the reader can take a tip, apply it, and feel like we are both learning and growing immediately. Easy to read, easy to follow along, practical. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it. But this post isn't a book review.
Why Healthy Habits Matter
Habits are the building blocks of our daily lives. Whether it's exercising, eating well, or managing stress, the habits we form shape who we are and what we accomplish. During my reading of Atomic Habits, I was extremely cognizant of my habits-- good and bad. I reflected on the habits I was proud of and the ones I needed to alter. After reading the book, I am in no way a professional in habits. But I wanted to share tips that I am using for myself.
Simple Tips for Starting Healthy Habits
Start Small: One of the key insights from Atomic Habits is the importance of starting small. Instead of trying to overhaul your entire routine at once (which can be daunting), focus on making one tiny change at a time. For example, if you want to start exercising, begin with a few minutes a day. If you want to eat cleaner, maybe cut one or two things out first.
Make It Obvious: Clear emphasizes the need the make your desired habits as easy and obvious as possible. If you want to eat healthier, keep nutritious snacks within reach and remove the stuff you know you shouldn't eat. By reducing the friction between you and your healthy habits, you're more likely to follow through.
Focus on Identity: Instead of just focusing on what you want to achieve, think about who you want to become. If you see yourself as a healthy person, you're more than likely to make decisions that align with that identity. Each habit reinforces this identity, creating a positive feedback loop that encourages further healthy behavior.
Building a Better You
Creating healthy habits is about making small, manageable changes that add up over time. By starting small, making your habits obvious, and focusing your identity, I do believe that you can build a system that naturally leads to the life you want. One thing to note is it will be a PROCESS. With consistency and patience, those tiny habits will lead to big results.