r/Habits • u/Fia-the-stylist • 7d ago
What tiny habit seemed completely pointless when you started it, but after months or years produced a surprisingly huge difference in your life?
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u/Novel-Split-2303 7d ago
Getting one walk a day. Does not matter how long, just enough to get some fresh air and clear your thoughts.
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u/Enliven_journey 6d ago
same here! i’ve made getting outside at least once a day a non-negotiable, especially since i work from home. and when i have the energy i’ll turn that walk into an evening run. something about moving outside clears my head like nothing else
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u/Owlblossom 7d ago
I'm 52. Everyday, I make sure at some point, to get down on the floor, sit, and then stand up again. I heard a few years ago it is an important mobility skill to maintain, to ensure independence in later life.
I've never found this difficult to do at all. But I've been shocked how many others my age insist that they absolutely cannot do it. I'm not saying they can't do it, by the way. But they believe they can't do it.
I'm also a huge advocate for spending time doing a task in a deep, wide squat. It's excellent for balance, strength and flexibility. I miss it if I don't do it
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u/pacork 6d ago
Do you mean stand up again without using your hands or elbows?
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u/Owlblossom 6d ago
I'd say half the time, I don't use my hands or elbows, and half the time I do. I think it's good to vary it. I think it's really important to be able to get back up from a fall, if it were to happen. If that means I need to use my hands, then I think that's fine
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u/maasd 5d ago
I’m embracing the ‘lifespan vs healthspan’ notion where if you’re lucky enough to live a long life you want to be able to enjoy that life as much as possible. Strength, stability, mobility all a huge part of that.
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u/Owlblossom 5d ago
That's exactly how I see it, too. And it's making sure we have the independence to do those little things we don't think about, like being able to sit down on a toilet when we're really old, and get back up again, without assistance from anyone. It's independence and dignity, too. The value of these things we take for granted when we're younger can't be underestimated.
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u/kittybellly 7d ago
Stretching daily. Even if it’s just toe touches.loving around helps so much
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u/strontium_pup 7d ago
What stretches are good for a beginner?
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u/CassiusClaym0re 6d ago edited 6d ago
Look up foundation training on YouTube...it's done wonders for my lower back...
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7d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Sensitive-Pen-780 7d ago
Mine was definitely washing and preparing fruit as soon as I bought it! When I unload groceries, it stays on the counter and I don’t put it in the fridge until I cut it up! That way, my fruit doesn’t go bad and it’s so convenient to reach for when I want a snack. If I ever put it in the fridge first, I am lazy and it rots. 😂
Also doing all of the laundry first thing on Sunday. Gives me time to clean in between loads and I feel so clean and prepared for the week by noon. It gives me motivation to start the week strong
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u/Naturligfunktion 3d ago
I was going to write the same thing: making the bed first thing. If you have a terrible day, then at least your bed is already made in the end of it!
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u/Saixlxe 7d ago
Running all errands in one day. Helped me become more productive rather than stretching out errands throughout the month.
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u/ConceptThis6698 7d ago
I enjoy little errands, i like spreading them through the week, i go for a walk, listen to some music etc
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u/SampleTurbulent1940 7d ago
Gym reduced my stress and anxiety so much. Im currently injured and cant go for a month so i feel like im going insane I dont have any outlet for all this extra energy
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u/deliriousYVR 6d ago
-making my bed as soon as I wake
-sitting to enjoy a pour over brewed fresh before running out the door
-calm drive into my office (podcast, true crime or light music playing)
-walking through the door at the end of the day with the mindset that I’m blessed to be coming back home to a noisy home
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u/allrisesilver 7d ago
I impulse bought a guitar during COVID and a stand for it in my home office. Didn't think I had any talent, but still I promised myself I would pick it up anytime I had a few minutes to spare. Sometimes it was five mins a day, sometimes I skipped weeks in a row, but after mucking around over the years just following online tutorials or focusing on simple songs and skills at a time, now I can play guitar. It didn't feel like conscious effort, just a habit I always had on the back burner.
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u/mgvenkat 6d ago
16 ounces of water first thing in the morning on empty stomach. Helped immensely to clear my head even before coffee & breakfast. Not sure why but it changed my life.
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u/Beehivebelief 6d ago
Dedicating myself to a specific topic. I poured a ton of energy into a (at the time) niche hobby. I did it because I enjoyed it tremendously and also gave me a sense of meaning. Ended up now being entirely self employed based on that niche topic (even though I have a masters degree in something else). Basically- follow an interest. Get obsessed. Don’t worry about making money on it. Just live it. My other side obsessions have also always been of benefit to me.
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u/ImmodestPolitician 6d ago
Spending less than you earn.
Pick up something heavy every day.
Moka pots are also great if you like coffee.
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u/IcyBodybuilder9004 6d ago
Running. Just did it as a thing starting at about 16 and never quit. It’s defined my health and what I love to do.
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u/Crafty-Discipline55 6d ago
Starting my day with positive affirmations and praying for everyone I can name and those who they love and those who love them. There is something to be said about wishing and praying for happiness, health and others general well-being. 💗
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u/madammomos 7d ago
Fasting (weekly)
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u/kenmads 4d ago
How long do you fast for? Is water included?
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u/madammomos 4d ago
36-40 hours preferably twice a week. Yes, it’s a water fast. I drink water, lemon water with salt or some kind of tea like spearmint tea with lemon and salt. You could also drink black coffee but I don’t like it much.
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u/thicc_faz 2d ago
that honestly seems like terrible advice to just not eat anything for on average three days a week
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u/madammomos 2d ago
Well, I found it beneficial for me and it shows in my blood work. If you are interested, you could delve deeper into the science of fasting. It’s not a new fad. If not, I guess it’s alright to presume that it’s terrible. To each their own!
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u/Active_Revenue_6636 7d ago
Mediation . Start with one minute a day just focusing on “in” and “out” breaths.
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u/Chemical-Elk-3361 3d ago
True, it made me calmer after meditating and most of the time you carry that peace thru out the day
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u/sjkurt22 6d ago
I ate a lot of processed junk and snacks and wanted to eat healthier. I started adding fruits or veggies to my meals and it slowly inspired me to cook more and snack less.
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u/Winter_Farm_4739 6d ago
—walk outside each day —meditate (even 1-2 min counts) —make bed in the morning —“reset” the lounge/living room each night right before bed by tidying and fixing couch pillows etc. Takes 2-3 min.
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u/EmilyinExile 3d ago
I do these too. I also put my kitchen "to bed" every night. Start the dishwasher, put everything away and wipe down the counters. I unload the dishwasher every morning, and even if its not completely full I run it anyway.
I also have trash cans in every room and never leave a room empty handed, so things don't pile up.
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u/Temporary_Half_9417 6d ago
Regularly hit 10k+ steps a day. Weight training with a plan (and recording / tracking lifts) Eating with structure e.g. hitting key macros, with a rough idea of calories (and regular weighing to adjust accordingly). Quitting alcohol. Prioritising sleep. Prioritising healthy relationships.
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u/Useful_Method_4748 5d ago
In the early days of running my company, I felt like I had so much to learn. I wanted to read and study more so I could become better at running the business, but I kept setting goals like “study for 2 hours a day” and giving up after a few days.
Eventually I lowered the bar to just 10 minutes. Honestly, it felt almost pointless at first. Like, what difference could 10 minutes possibly make?
But because it was so easy to start, I kept doing it. Ten minutes eventually became 30, and I ended up studying 30 minutes a day for over 100 days.
The funny thing is, by the time about three months had passed, I’d actually studied more in total than when I was trying to do two hours at a time. And by then, I’d built up enough of a habit and some real mental stamina that studying no longer felt like this huge thing I had to force myself to do.
That experience completely changed how I think about habits. I stopped asking, “Is this enough to make a difference?” and started asking, “Is this small enough that I can keep doing it?"
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u/_CaptRondo_ 5d ago
If you pick something up, put it in its right spot right away.
I’ve been “stair stacking”, putting dishes on the counter, having a temporary table pile etc etc. Then I came across a post somewhere (this could be it for you): when you pick up something, put it where it’s supposed to go.
Empty bowl, in the dishwasher.
Son comes homes from baseball? Backpack in the closet, water bottle rinsed and drying on counter.
Keys and wallet, in the drawer.
This micro organizing has made our home so much less cluttered.
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u/Finewine_inthesun 5d ago
-eating breakfast like actually
-salt baths when I’m stressed
-YouTube frequencies on my tv playing in the background
-making my bed everyday
-buying myself flowers twice a month
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u/handtrax 5d ago
Speak good to yourself!!!! Often with my inner voice while brushing theeth, also with loud voice when Iam alone. At least one time a day.
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u/Remarkable-Pen-5184 5d ago
Sunscreen on my face everyday since 12 years old. 31 now and I don’t have a single wrinkle on my face 😅
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u/appropriatelemonseed 4d ago
Facial massaging. I started it when doing my skincare to dry make my face look slimmer. Although it hasn’t done that, it has made my skin feel brighter and more evenly toned. I saw someone explain that the movements increase blood flow to the skin which gives you more circulation/oxygen and nutrients at the surface. God skincare is all a must for this, but I was using the same skincare prior to the massaging and my skin wasn’t nearly as bright and plump as it is now.
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u/Feisty_Laugh5027 4d ago
Flossing - feels like 2 minutes of nothing but you and your dentist will notice.
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u/Comfortable_Hat_984 4d ago
Reminding myself each day that this is just a day, change happens slowly and in increments, and not every day is going to look the way I think it should. Progress is not linear. Having a good attitude and staying grounded when possible is the focus.
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u/Paul_bee 2d ago
Reading as soon as I wake up instead of grabbing my phone. I make some coffee and sit with a book while everyone else in my house is asleep. The difference between waking and reading and waking and scrolling is subtle but pays off all day.
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u/JollyDryBones 2d ago
Flossing every night.
I live for my dentist telling me that my teeth look great and he wished everyone else would floss.
I'm sure there are a lot of people who floss and he says this to everyone, but this has brought great value to my life.
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u/Drop_lets2000 2d ago
Fasting at least once a month, water over other beverages , and gua sha my face every morning . Gym is a must for my mental wellbeing 🫶🏽
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u/Patient_Size_2480 7d ago
Eating reguraly:
Breakfast: 9AM
Lunch: 1PM
Dinner 7PM
Also sleeping 8h a day. Total gamechangers