Little Habits for Big Change

​Yesterday was Friday, July 5th. For many people, it was the second day of a long holiday weekend. For others, it was a normal Friday work day. Either way, it was disconcerting to have been out of routine on Thursday. I posted a comment on my facebook page about having trouble wrapping my mind around the fact it was Friday and it got more interaction than anything I have posted in a long time.

 ​Today I find myself wondering about what that means. I think it speaks to the power of our routines. My entire body was trying to tell me this was not the time to be doing Friday things. It wasn't quite sure whether it was Saturday or Sunday things I should be doing but pretty positive it wasn't normal weekday things. If that is the case, how can we harness that energy for habits and goals we want to have in place?
 
You will find a variety of studies and ideas about how long it takes to instill a habit. Some say 30 days, some say 90. It really doesn't matter where you decide to land on the timing. The important part is making the choice to do something for a period of time. What are your habits? Do you have a morning routine? Do you have an evening routine? When do you make time for exercise, meditation or prayer? Are there habits and routines you would like to start?
 
I am spending the months of July and August focused on little habits. I am so lucky to have the opportunity for sabbatical time. There is a temptation with a gift like that to feel you need to do something big. My main goal for this time is do lots of little things.

I am writing at least 750 words each day. I have found a wonderful, fun online way to make it happen. You can check it out here. I know when I regularly write, my world comes into alignment. I am able to get the clutter and confusion out of my head. If you want to learn more about the power of daily writing, especially in the morning, check out Julia Cameron's work The Artist's Way.
 
I am also reading each day, something I had gotten out of the habit of doing. In addition to starting my day with devotional reading, I am trying to read something to learn and something for fun each day. It has been easy to get distracted by the ease of media access these days. Sometimes I miss when the only available entertainment was a good book. It is just too easy to turn on the television or pick up my phone. By committing to the habit, I am enjoying reading again.
 
The final daily habit I am focused on is de-cluttering a space each day. This is bigger than just tidying up or cleaning. I am intentionally removing stuff from my home and making the things and spaces I interact with everyday easier to use. It is crazy how almost two decades and four children in the same house can accumulate clutter. The amazing thing about the children moving out is spaces that have been de-cluttered stay that way much more easily.
 
While I am enjoying the progress I am making on each of these habits, I am excited to think about what things will look like in the future. How will it feel when I have been at this so long my whole body feels like it is the wrong day if I don't do them? I expect it will make daily life run a lot more smoothly or at least feel like it does.
 
So back to my questions. What are the small habits you would like to start changing? What would life look like if some of those habits became routine? I would love to help you create that vision. Just let me know when we can chat.

Because you are worth it,
​Heidi