#Habit Building

[mcromwell]

I think one of the best things I've done for myself recently is getting back into reading books. I'm reading a couple novels right now. I've been working on getting back into the habit for a while now, leaving books around in convenient places so I can easily pick it up and start, and it's finally paying off. New habits take a while but I'm glad I never gave up on this one. I notice my mind slowing down and quieting more after reading than I do after, say, scrolling on socials. I learned when to catch myself endlessly scrolling, that was stage 1, and stage 2 is to replace it with a new activity. I started by redirecting the scroll-impulse to discord, one step away from socials but still scratching that itch and just slightly more "productive". Then I started catching myself and putting my phone down. Even without a plan from there, I often will choose some other stimulus. And now that stimulus is reading again and I'm chuffed, folks. Absolutely enjoying my little self over here. Books rule. I love reading. Fuck yeah.

[adelineiserman]

Your unsolicited reminder that writing becomes much easier when you make it a habit. You can write a sentence as easily as you can send a text message. It takes about 28 days to form a habit. That's just 28 sentences.

So, for the next 28 days I'm going to post a prompt and ask anyone who might be struggling with writing or habit-forming to write a sentence. Just one sentence. Whether you write it here or write it privately doesn't matter. Just write it!

Prompt 1: Write a sentence about the color of someone's eyes.

[glowettee]

hi just wondering what made you want to get ur life together? im still in the loop of consuming self help content and planning everything but i haven’t really started accomplishing anything to make myself improve and its making me feel bad, but i just cant seem to find the push to make me start. any advice?

✧ what made me want to get my life together ✧

hey lovely! ✨

first of all, thank you so much for this question - it's something i think about a lot, and honestly? i completely understand where you're at right now. that cycle of consuming content but not taking action is something i was stuck in for the longest time.

for me, the turning point wasn't one big dramatic moment. it was actually a random tuesday when i realized i'd spent three hours scrolling through "how to be productive" videos without doing anything productive at all. the irony hit me so hard i had to laugh at myself!

what really pushed me to change was this tiny realization: all the planning and researching in the world couldn't replace even 5 minutes of actual doing. i was using self-improvement content as a form of procrastination, and it was giving me the illusion of progress without any real change.

here's what helped me break the cycle:

start ridiculously small i mean truly tiny steps. not "organize my entire room" but "put away three items." the smaller the action, the harder it is to talk yourself out of it. these micro-wins create momentum.

recognize that motivation follows action this was life-changing for me! i always thought i needed to feel motivated to act, but it's actually the opposite. taking even the tiniest action creates the motivation for the next step.

create a "done list" instead of a to-do list at the end of each day, write down what you actually accomplished, no matter how small. this shifts your focus from what you haven't done to what you have done.

find an accountability buddy having someone to check in with made such a difference for me. we send each other a simple text when we complete our daily mini-goals.

notice your resistance without judgment when you don't want to do something, get curious about that feeling instead of beating yourself up. ask "what am i afraid might happen if i try this?"

the most important thing i've learned is that transformation isn't about massive overnight change. it's about those tiny daily choices that seem insignificant in the moment but compound over time.

and please remember - the fact that you're asking this question shows you care deeply about your growth. that awareness is already the first step, and it's a really important one.

what's one tiny action you could take in the next 5 minutes? start there, and i promise the next step will feel a little easier.

sending you so much love and support on your journey! 🤍

xoxo, mindy

[your-productivity-girlie]

productivity+habit building tips i learned today

i watched a few productivity + habit building videos today, and now its time to share.

task stacking: adding two or more tasks together to speed up a process/get more things done. example: listening to a lecture while cooking, or watching a movie while cleaning your room. most often it is a enjoyable task paired with a chore.

location stacking: i recommend this to people who have to travel and commute a lot during the day. let's say you're scheduling a coffee date with your friend. it would be a lot easier and take up much less time if you schedule it closer to your library study session. Because the shop and the library are closer together, it would take less time than if you scheduled it in the morning, having to commute from the coffee shop to your work/class

out of sight, out of mind: put things you need to do/need ot remember at: eye level, a place you can clearly see it, or a place you check often. this will increase your contact with this thing/idea and will make sure you don't forget it. also great with dieting/restricting food. if the food you are trying to limit is on the lower shelf, hidden behind another item, or completely out of sight, you forget it's there and have less craving for this food.

vocalize your intention: say your goal out loud, to yourself, or prefereably another person. this way, you motivate yourself to do it because you already told someone you would do it.

studying with a friend: this is similar to number 4, as when you study with a friend, in-person or through video call, you can limit each other and make sure each other are on task and working. taking breaks would also be more fun because you can chat or play a game together.

the 2 minute strategy: focus on something for only 2 minutes. this is a trick to tell your brain that you are only working for a short amount of time, but in reality, this is helping to achieve the most hardest part of being productive: starting. after these two minutes, you are already in the zone, so you end up doing much more.

having a second space: having a place to go to when your main space is stressing you out is good for your mental health. for me, my second space is the library. i go there to study, but i also go there to chill out and read, color, or do a puzzle. it helps me when i stress and calms me down to continue my work.

hope this helps! have a nice weekend everyone ☁️✨💛

⏾⋆lune⋆⏾

[erintaj]

the newsletter is poppin' this weeeeeek

[motivexesmotivational]

"The Power of Small Steps: Start Your Journey Today"

"Every big achievement starts with a single small step. Today’s small actions can create tomorrow’s giant leaps toward success. Discover the importance of beginnings and how consistency transforms dreams into reality."

"Take that small step today—embrace the journey and watch it lead to extraordinary results!"

🤗💖Thank you for your time. follow me for more inspiring content ---------------------- 👉Follow 👈

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[cozidreamsreimagine]

Best Ways to Keep Your Life Organized and Stress-Free

In today’s fast-paced world, staying organized and stress-free can feel like an impossible task. But with the right strategies, tools, and mindset, you can transform chaos into calm and create a life that feels manageable and fulfilling. Whether you’re juggling work, family, or personal goals, these tips will help you stay on top of your game. Let’s dive into the best ways to keep your life organized and stress-free!

Why Organization Matters

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s talk about why organization is so important. Being organized isn’t just about having a tidy desk or a color-coded planner (although those are great). It’s about creating systems that make your life easier, saving time, reducing stress, and helping you focus on what truly matters.

When you’re organized:

- You’re less likely to forget important deadlines or appointments.

- You can prioritize tasks more effectively.

- You feel more in control of your life.

- You have more time for the things you love.

Now that we’ve established the “why,” let’s move on to the “how.”

1. Start with a Brain Dump

One of the best ways to clear your mind and get organized is to do a brain dump. Grab a notebook or open a blank document and write down everything that’s on your mind—tasks, ideas, worries, appointments, and goals. Don’t worry about organizing it yet; just get it all out.

Once you’ve emptied your brain, you can start categorizing and prioritizing the items on your list. This process not only helps you feel less overwhelmed but also gives you a clear starting point.

2. Use a Planner or Digital Calendar

Whether you prefer a physical planner or a digital calendar, having a system to track your schedule is essential. A good planner can help you:

- Keep track of appointments and deadlines.

- Plan your day, week, or month in advance.

- Set and track goals.

If you’re tech-savvy, apps like Google Calendar, Notion, or Trello can be game-changers. They allow you to set reminders, share schedules with others, and access your plans from anywhere.

3. Declutter Your Space

A cluttered space equals a cluttered mind. Take some time to declutter your home, workspace, or even your digital devices. Start small—maybe tackle one drawer or folder at a time.

Here are some quick decluttering tips:

- The 80/20 Rule: You probably use 20% of your belongings 80% of the time. Focus on keeping the essentials and letting go of the rest.

- One In, One Out: For every new item you bring in, get rid of one.

- Digital Declutter: Organize your files, delete unnecessary emails, and clean up your desktop.

4. Create Routines

Routines are the backbone of organization. They help you establish habits and reduce decision fatigue. Start by creating a morning and evening routine that works for you.

Morning Routine Ideas:

- Make your bed.

- Write a to-do list.

- Spend 5 minutes tidying up.

- Meditate or stretch.

Evening Routine Ideas:

- Review your day and plan for tomorrow.

- Prep meals or outfits for the next day.

- Unplug from screens at least 30 minutes before bed.

5. Prioritize Self-Care

It’s hard to stay organized and stress-free if you’re running on empty. Make self-care a priority by scheduling time for activities that recharge you. This could be anything from reading a book to taking a bubble bath to going for a walk.

Remember, self-care isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. When you take care of yourself, you’re better equipped to handle life’s challenges.

6. Learn to Say No

One of the biggest causes of stress is overcommitting. If you’re constantly saying “yes” to everything, you’ll quickly find yourself overwhelmed. Practice setting boundaries and saying “no” to things that don’t align with your priorities.

7. Automate and Delegate

Why do everything yourself when you don’t have to? Look for ways to automate repetitive tasks or delegate them to others.

Examples of Automation:

- Use apps like Zapier to automate workflows.

- Set up automatic bill payments.

- Use grocery delivery or subscription services.

Examples of Delegation:

- Hire a virtual assistant for administrative tasks.

- Ask family members to help with chores.

- Outsource tasks like cleaning or lawn care.

8. Stay Flexible

Life is unpredictable, and no matter how organized you are, things won’t always go according to plan. The key is to stay flexible and adapt when necessary. If something doesn’t work, don’t be afraid to tweak your systems or try something new.

9. Celebrate Your Wins

Finally, don’t forget to celebrate your accomplishments—big and small. Whether it’s completing a major project or simply sticking to your routine for a week, take a moment to acknowledge your hard work.

FAQs

1. How do I stay motivated to stay organized?

Staying motivated starts with setting clear goals and reminding yourself of the benefits of being organized. Break tasks into smaller steps and reward yourself for completing them.

2. What’s the best way to handle procrastination?

Start with the easiest or most enjoyable task to build momentum. Use techniques like the Pomodoro method (working in short bursts) to stay focused.

3. How can I organize my digital life?

Use tools like cloud storage to keep files accessible, create folders for different categories, and regularly delete unnecessary files and apps.

4. What should I do if I feel overwhelmed?

Take a break, do a brain dump, and focus on one task at a time. Remember, it’s okay to ask for help or take things slow.

5. How often should I declutter?

Declutter as often as needed. Some people prefer a weekly tidy-up, while others do a big cleanout every few months.

Final Thoughts

Staying organized and stress-free is a journey, not a destination. It’s about finding what works for you and being consistent. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating a life that feels balanced and fulfilling.

And don’t forget to check out my shop for unique designs and products that can add a touch of inspiration to your daily life! Visit DreamsReimagine on Redbubble to explore my collection.

Let’s connect! Follow me on Tumblr (@cozidreamsreimagine), TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for more tips and inspiration!

[bigenderrevert]

I'm going to start making a habit of performing the acts of Wudu that way I can get more accustomed to it as it gradually becomes a more regular thing I do as part of my day to day life

And of course it is Ramadan which is a time for building good habits

[thewanderingemporium]

The Adventure Journal - backpacks

The whole thing that started the adventure journal idea (bar my hatered of traditional habit trackers) was a series of rough sketches I made of different fantasy backpacks. Initally I was just looking to turn them into stickers - but after mulching over the idea, the seeds of the adventure journal were sown.

Here are the backpacks (inked in).

I wasn't really just which backpack I should choose for the adventure journal itself. Afterall, it is supposed to be a reader led story in so many ways, whereas these backpacks were designed with D+D in mind (wizard, fighter, druid, and cleric).

I would still like to turn them into stickers at some point, but they were a good starting place for the adventure journal. In this case, I specifically chose the wizard backpack (one with the long wizard staff) and changed it into a walking stick for the adventure journal itself.

[dnschmidt]

How to Achieve a Daily Writing Habit

Before you can master the art of writing, you first have to master the habit. Whether you want to write professionally or as a hobby, the best way to build your skills is to write every day. Read on to learn how to start a daily writing habit.

[cheeseandbretboy]

soon gym memberships will spike and everyone will try to achieve their goals because its a new year but thats completely arbitrary and means NOTHING

this really helped me because when i would fail at something id always say 'ill start tmr/next week' BUT WHY NOT NOW?? our silly brains try to make up a special time for us to change into someone completely different but thats just it not wanting to change and putting it off, we hate change

small things, small choices that affirm who u want to be will benefit u a lot more than the new year whatdoucallems because u wont even notice the change. start off small and these will compound and soon something that seemed so difficult becomes second nature its such a great feeling realising while youre doing something automatically like- wow, i used to really hate doing this, now im just doing it without thinking abt it??

my entire life is geared towards change because its so interesting, i have nothing to lose except a bit of comfort, and that's all that life is, just a bunch of changes that turn into a story with no plot. just stuff happening. idk how people can stay locked in a certain identity or lifestyle for a while and feel fine, it seems terrifying to me and uninteresting and even self righteous in a way

but yea dont rely on new years resolutions to achieve drastic new goals because youll give up a week in. motivation is useless! it does nothing! habits, small choices, setting up ur environment, and consistency is what dictates ur identity. i see a lot of people blaming their shortcomings on a lack of motivation BUT THAT ISNT THE ISSUE, motivation is stupid and of course if u rely on it u wont achieve much.

[adelineiserman]

Prompt 4: Write a sentence about a wilting flower.

[we-are-the-memers-mr]

neurodivergent-friendly advice on forming habits for creatives (& anyone, really) - with photos

Habits marked with ⭐ are the most important ones, imo.

A good way to build habits that you don't read in books is to make the habit desirable. You can look up the other methods (Atomic Habits and other similar books are great).

But for this one, if you're anything like my neurodivergent mentally ill butt you need things to be desirable in some way to get you to do them.

So what does desirability mean?

It means that it makes you want to do it, with energy and enthusiasm! Or at least not hate the task and yourself and everyone and everything! Something desirable for a habit may include:

Organized

Goblin tools link - https://goblin.tools

The best way to ensure you can perform a habit is to make it EASY. The best way to make it easy is to be organized. Yes this is difficult but you'll get better over time and it'll pay off with dividends of you being very likely to Do The Thing (tm) if you combine this with a few other things on this list (plus the normal habit formation stuff, but honestly loving what you do will make you way more likely to do it than tying it to another habit!).

⭐Put it somewhere easy to access that you can get to EASILY every day, preferably something you already have a habit of going to, e.g. your desk or your lounge room.

⭐Organize your digital files! Here's an example:

^ art (main folder)

^^ (subfolder, 1 folder deep) anatomy

^^^ (subfolder, 2 folders deep) female anatomy

^^^^ (subfolder, 3 folders deep) female torso...

^^^ (subfolder, 2 folders deep) male anatomy

^^^^ (subfolder, 3 folders deep) male torso...

Etc, etc.

Tl;dr (non technical speak): make a folder within a folder for each aspect of your project/task.

📂Every once in a while (can be weekly, monthly, 6 monthly, etc.) sort out your digital files. If you're no longer using that folder, put it in either a "not currently in use" folder to use again later, or if you're done with it, put it in an archive, on either your computer or (preferably) on a hard drive for safe keeping.

📂I have a "quick access" folder with all the folders I'm currently using in it. This is so all I need to do is find the quick access folder and this way I don't have to sort through a sea of dozens of random folders to find the useful ones. This is also good because there are some windows folders you can't relocate and they sit there taking up space and making it visually more cluttered. Note: Be sure to back up your important folders once every week to 3 months.

📂If you want to go super advanced, there are desktop folder kits on Etsy (and perhaps some free ones? though be careful with downloading random things, you may get a virus). They make the folders look aesthetic.

📂Personally, I use either Obsidian or Notion, depending on what I'm doing (usually Obsidian). I recently installed Askify, which can connect to both. Cool thing about it is that you can add notes from any site on the net including YouTube, it takes screenshots for you, and grabs a timestamp as well as being able to summarise the past 15 seconds of the video for you (though it usually just types what the person said, but this can be helpful). It's $3.50 AUD a month, but Obsidian and Notion are free so you can just use those if you can't afford it.

📂⭐Keep the space you're working in as tidy as you can manage. Try to make a habit of every night taking all dishes and empty drinks into the kitchen before you go to sleep.

📂⭐If you have your own space, don't be afraid to rearrange it! I recently rearranged my entire apartment and using my own cleaning advice - if you haven't used it in the past 6 months, consider chucking it out (if it's not expensive), if it doesn't make you happy, earn you money, and isn't useful regularly in some way, chuck it out - and now I'm 100x more physically comfortable, especially because I have an air conditioner next to me now near where I both work and sleep. If you have trouble visualising, try using a website to do so or draw it on paper until it feels right. Pro tip: you don't have to throw away everything, you can also donate it to an op shop/charity/homeless shelter that accepts donations if it's still usable, or you can sell it if it's high-ish quality and worth something.

📂⭐*If you can't do it today, then put it on your to-do list for tomorrow. Keep transferring unfinished tasks to tomorrow until your list is free from tasks.

📂⭐Generally good advice, especially for neurodivergents (but everyone needs to know!): take a dang break every once in a while! If you find yourself getting frustrated with something, take a break, possibly until tomorrow.

... If you have to do it today, do something to break it up, e.g. a nap or a shower. After this, give it a little while to keep cooling off if you still feel bad, then go back to the task.

... If it's something you have more time to do, stop doing it when it stops being fun/enjoyable. If you don't get fun/enjoyment out of it to begin with, stop when it's no longer interesting. Stop BEFORE you get to the point where you're pushing yourself. That is how you make yourself hate whatever you're doing and get a massive block from doing the task. Trust me, I didn't write a story for over 3 years after writing every single day because I pushed myself to the point it was frustrating to do and forced myself to keep going. Not worth it, wish I hadn't.

Sight

⭐Especially good for creative and visual types, like people who like art, design, front-end web devs, game devs, animators, writers etc.⭐

🎨Aesthetically pleasing - e.g. plugins that can change the aesthetic of programs. A good example is the extremely extensive library of plugins and themes available for Obsidian, all free to install. You can also get aesthetic Notion templates, too, but they often cost money (though you can find free ones on the official Notion template website!).

🎨Some aesthetic program add-ons include: the extensive free plugin/theme library for Obsidian (you can even connect it to back up to GitHub for free, though it's very technical) and aesthetic Notion templates - here's a link to where you can find free ones (there are other categories, too, not just for productivity) - https://www.notion.so/templates/category/personal-productivity?paid=free -------- If you want a link to my Etsy store to buy a nice looking aesthetic Notion template for university students (or a different special one just for design students!) for cheap that has better features than the free ones, go here: https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/PointyBirdDesigns?ref=seller-platform-mcnav§ion_id=47390214

🎨Nice colours that you like.

🎨Nice shapes - e.g. your office has a circular painting that you love the shape of (and it makes you happy to look at it).

🎨Nice visual texture - e.g. you're writing a book - consider doing it in a program that has unlimited pages and has a paper texture in the background with no ads or distractions (and can go full screen).

Smell

👃If you're not sensitive to perfumes, spraying a nice scent whenever you do the habit could make you feel happier. You may even start to associate the task with that nice smell.

👃Make sure the area you're working in smells nice. Bad smells can be major subconscious distractions.

Sound

🙉The object associated with your habit makes a satisfying sound, e.g. for writing you might want a certain type of keyboard, like a mechanical keyboard that makes a satisfying "thunk" with each key press and makes you feel like a professional writer. Some browsers like Opera GX (not sponsored) also allow you to add typing sounds directly to the browser, so if you can't afford a nice keyboard but still want a satisfying sound you might want to try that if you're doing a lot in your browser. Otherwise, iirc, there are also writing programs that might do something similar (you'll have to look for them yourself, I can't remember sorry).

🙉⭐You can use things for background noise while you're doing the task if you either have it down really low or you don't need to hear your recordings for it. E.g. for editing a video you can play very soft instrumental music (I don't recommend anything with words, it'll confuse you when they mix with your audio), or if you're doing something like sorting through paperwork you can put on whatever type of music you like or even a twitch or youtube vod/stream on while you're doing it. It sacrifices a tiny bit of optimal brainpower, but you'll likely be less bored and be able to do the task for longer so it'll likely even out, and if you're concerned, you can often do polishing touches at the end to make sure your work is good.

🙉Headphones can go a long way for focus in busy places. Noise cancelling ones can help a lot if you have the cash.

Tactile

🤗*Generally you want to be physically comfortable when performing your habit. If you can afford it/can save up and it's causing you discomfort, try to replace it. A good place to find quality furniture for cheap is your local tender centre. Sometimes op shops are good options, but they're usually more expensive. I found an amazing ergonomic chair for $100 that was worth about $500 - $600. Good things come along sometimes, just keep looking.

🤗If it's something that requires you to go outside and you can afford it, try investing in a few nice outfits to make yourself feel more confident for days when you're feeling less motivated.

🤗⭐If you're neurodivergent or sensitive to textures, make sure before you buy something that you can run your hand along it many times and not feel awful. Honestly, everyone should do this. We all have preferences.

🤗⭐Don't ignore things that make you feel uncomfortable! Why? Because in my experience it's a bit like in video games - these things stack up like debuffs. What I'm saying is, it may not be a big thing to have bright lights hurting your eyes, but if you have bright lights, an uncomfortable chair, and your environment isn't clean, this can be sensory hell, especially for neurodivergents. Write down the things that make you uncomfortable and fix as many as possible, one by one. Don't end up like your neglected sims who are very talented but are completely and utterly miserable because you don't fix the things that are bothering them and don't fulfil their basic needs!

🤗⭐If it bothers you, fix it as soon as you can. It's easy to let little annoyances pass, but just like when a sim does something they dislike, your tolerance for it will be grated until you feel absolutely awful and/or snap. This goes for things as little as your room being too cold (get a blanket or if you can afford it and have one, put the heater on!) or too hot. Do NOT screw around with things you can fix in under 2-30 minutes. If you can fix it in under 2 minutes, do it right now. If you can fix it in under 10 minutes, write it down and do it today. For the rest, add it to either a weekly, monthly, or some day to-do list. Scheduling it for a certain period of time makes it more likely to get done, though. If you're like me and can't do something when you force yourself to or are told you have to, just schedule it to be done within a certain week or month. No pressure.

Feeling

💜⭐A good rule of thumb is that you've achieved desirability when you feel excited to do the habit. If this excitement ever wears off, try mixing and matching other ways of building desirability or changing something about the habit, e.g. the prompt (see habit building books or summaries for more info). Keep it fresh! Whenever you get bored, change things around.

💜⭐Listen to your emotions. Emotions are the body's way of communicating things with you, whether it be about your environment or about your body or mental state. Sure, some are irrational, but every emotion has a story to tell. Try listening. Don't push your emotions down, learn to process them. If you don't know how, a therapist can help.

Bonus note:

Don't spend beyond your means! If you can't afford it, don't buy it! I am not telling you to go out and spend as much as you can on these things. Mid-range is usually the best bang for your buck, and can often be found for cheap in op shops and tender centres, as I said.

Good luck! If you have any bonus tips feel free to reblog this post or comment and add them!

[solveprogrammingproblems]

3 Habits That Can Change Your Life

[motivexesmotivational]

"Courage Over Fear: Unlock the World of Possibilities"

"Fear and self-doubt hold you back from your true potential. When you embrace courage, you open the door to endless opportunities and bring your dreams closer to reality. It’s time to take the leap and trust in your strength."

"Let go of fear today—step into your courage and start living the life you’ve always dreamed of!"

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