5 tips on how to create habits that stick

1. Get specific about the benefits

Don't use generic reasons, like "I do sports because it is healthy". Next time you do something, notice the specific consequences of it, like your energy level, emotions, stress, etc. How do you feel after you cleaned up your room? Do you feel relaxed, motivated, hyped up, or even exhausted? It is best if you write it down for the first few days until you start to notice it naturally. Habits that are tailored to your experience and motivation are much more likely to stick.

2. Dont let your ego get in the way

We often tend to label ourselves in a certain way, like "I'm not good with people", "I hate exercise", or "I am a workaholic". Those labels can become a self fulfilling prophecy, and they might not even be true in the first place. They might have been created a long time ago or after one bad experience, and often it is helpful to just let go of them. Gradually become aware of those labels in your mind and start to question them.

3. Surround yourself with the right people

We propably all know the saying "You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with". If all your friends think meditation is for weirdos, you are probably going to be hesitant to give it a try or to incorporating it into your daily life. It is hard to embrace a new passion if your surroundings are not supportive of it. Of course that does not mean you should replace all your friends. Simply look for a community online or in your area, and find people that are relatable to you and your situation. A supportive community behind you can bring wonders.

4. Find what works for you

Try out different things to see what works for you. People are different in terms of taste, motivation and interest. There is surely something out there that works for you. If working out in the gym is not your style, try climbing, swimming, hiking, basketball, boxing, etc. Open your mind and experiment until you find your fit!

5. Define a high and a low goal

Raising the bar too high is setting yourself up for failure. Your motivation and mood differs every day, and you have to make room for low energy days. It is absolutely OK to do the bare minimum sometimes. When cleaning your room, it does not need to be spotless, it just needs to be functional. You don't need to run a half marathon each day, a cozy walk through the park will do it too. You will still feel good about accomplishing something, which will in turn motivate you for even more a lot of the time. That is why our app Blobby lets you define a challenge and a baseline goal to make it easier for you to stick to your habits.

Conclusion

Habits are a quite personal thing, with everyone having his or her own motivations. What works for other people might not work for you, so it is important to keep experimenting until you find something that sticks with you. Notice the specific benefits or consequences you get from the habit, and surround yourself with supportive friends or even a community that you can relate to. Self care is essential for a healthy body and mind, and even baby steps in the right direction are better than no steps at all. So don’t demotivate youself by setting unrealistic standards and start celebrating the small wins.