Are you looking for ways to add more positivity into your life? Well, my friend, your habits are one of the best ways to make that happen, day in and day out.
After all, our habits and routines shape about 40% of our existence. That means our thoughts, habits, and actions play a big role in determining our level of success.
Most of us are aware of the bad habits we have, but it’s important that we make an effort to establish positive habits that outweigh the not-so-great ones. If we want to live our best lives, we have to create healthy and intentional habits along the way.
“Your little choices become habits that affect the bigger decisions you make in life.” ― Elizabeth George
Of course, it can be difficult to know which habits are really worth the effort. Everyone’s lives are different which means our habits will serve us in different ways. However, if you’re looking for some inspiration to guide you in the right direction, here are seven positive habits that have changed my life!
7 Positive Habits That Have Changed My Life
1. Meditation
Meditation has been a game-changer for my own peace of mind. I resisted it for so long because I thought it wouldn’t work for me, but I was 100% wrong. Even though it’s not easy, meditation helps me to find a moment of pure calm in my day. Now, I try to meditate every morning before the day gets started so that I can get into the right frame of mind. If you want to get started with meditation, read this post that I wrote when I was starting out.
P.S. I’m currently on a 30+ day meditation streak which has NEVER happened before. If you’re interested, I’ll share some tips in another post about how I’ve kept up with this habit.
2. Yoga
I took my first yoga class when I was a freshman in college, and I’ve been obsessed ever since. I always appreciate the chance to slow down after a busy day, and yoga is something I turn to when I need some calm in my life. If you want to ease yourself into yoga, I’d recommend The Journey Junkie’s 7-Day Yoga Body Bootcamp. When I finished the seven days, I felt so accomplished for actually completing a yoga challenge. #babysteps
I’ve kept a journal for as long as I can remember. Writing helps me process my emotions, and I feel less overwhelmed when I write out what’s on my mind. I find that writing on a regular basis (even if I’m not feeling inspired) helps me to feel more positive about what’s going on in my life. Lately, I’ve been using a plain notebook as my journal to freewrite. I also keep my Five-Minute Journal on my bedside table to write in the morning and before bed.
I love to get outside in the middle of the day before the afternoon slump hits. Even walking around the block can seriously do wonders for the mind, body, and soul. Usually, I’ll go for a walk for about 45 minutes after eating lunch to get some fresh air. I’ll listen to a podcast or plug in my headphones and talk out loud to myself about what’s on my mind. Please tell me I’m not the only one who does this.
5. Listening To Podcasts
Whether I’m driving or taking a walk, I’ve usually got a podcast playing in the background. I love that podcasts allow you to absorb information while you’re doing something else. I know multi-tasking is frowned upon, but this is the best way to multi-task in my opinion. Lately, I’ve been loving The Goal Digger Podcast with Jenna Kutcher and re-listening to Magic Lessons with Liz Gilbert.
I’m not perfect at this, but not checking my phone is one of those things that has a huge impact on the way my morning routine flows. I find that if I check my emails or social media first thing, I will get sucked into them for at least 30 minutes. These days, I glance at my phone when my alarm goes off then immediately open my Calm meditation app. After I’ve meditated, I do my best to avoid my inbox, open up YouTube, and get started with my workout video.
I’ve found that writing my to-do list before I go to bed helps me in a million ways. It means I don’t have to waste any time in the morning thinking about what I need to work on first. It also means I don’t have a million ideas floating around in my head before I go to bed. Basically, writing my to-do list before bed saves me a ton of time and headspace when the morning rolls around.
I’m trying to live a holistic lifestyle to manage my bipolar disorder and I think meditating and doing yoga are both helping me so far. I’m also vegan so I’m healthier and in a better mood. Thank you so much for sharing your positive habits! I check my phone the first thing in the morning because I read the Bible but I think I need to start praying the moment I wake up so I’ll be ready to face the day.
Every one of the tips you mention have had a huge effect on me as well. Still working on not checking the phone in the morning, that has been the hardest to break! I usually do my to do list as part of my morning routine, but I like the idea of shifting it to the evening as a sort of “mind dump”. I actually have a post coming up this week on a similar topic, great minds!
I like all your suggestions! Except yoga. I hate yoga with a passion, but I have been trying to stretch about twice a day to refresh my body and mind. Thank you for this list!
I never really thought this through even though I have a lot of bad habits I should work on. I like that you take walks everyday to just clear your mind. I’ve always wanted to do that but I felt like I would look weird walking by myself and it also makes me a little nervous walking by myself at certain time of the day.
I love walks by myself with no one else to disturb me haha. It helps that I see a lot of other people walking alone too while I’m out – makes it feel more normal.
you will not look weird walking alone!!!! be assured everyone does it even if you don’t see it. i agree with catherine; you can clear your mind without another person. you can also decide when you want to turn around and go back for whatever reasons.
ways to walk alone safely. :walk against the traffic so if someone wants to do anything it’s harder and they really can’t back up against oncoming traffic. :i would stay far to the side of the path that has bushes etc. :when i was at harvard i had to walk down sts that only students used so i walked in the middle of the road. the harvard police gave out whistles that i always have on my key chain.
i find that 8am or so, lunch time and dinner time are best. but when it gets dark early you may want to knock dinner time out. maybe you could go to places you think you’ll walk, sit in the car and see when walkers come out.
because you have few concerns, set out what you think is a safe course, limit thelength of your walk which yiu can increase, and i find having a destination helps, e.g. cvs, library.
I enjoyed reading this post because it resonates well with me. I am trying to become a better version of myself by embracing habits that will help me prosper. Please, check out my blog at
Love this list! I have a feeling it’s going to help a lot of people with their self-care routines. Not checking my phone first thing in the morning is definitely something I want to work on. I’m thinking about charging my phone downstairs away from my bed. :)
I’d like to start meditating as well, I did it for a while but then sort of gave up on it. I think I’d like to ideally start incorporating a bout of meditation into my morning routine.
Thanks for sharing all these tools with us! I just started to meditate and that’s one of my favorite routines I do in the morning (even though I sometimes feel like I don’t have the time) reading your blog is very inspiring :)
I love those ideas to incorporate positive habits into your daily life! I feel like some days it works better with me and other days I really have to push myself to get going with healthy habits like that. I also absolutely love doing affirmations. I have been on that for a couple of years and sometimes I barely even notice anymore that I am actually using affirmations on a day-to-day basis. ? Thank you for inspiring me to indulge in more positive habits! ?
I’m trying to live a holistic lifestyle to manage my bipolar disorder and I think meditating and doing yoga are both helping me so far. I’m also vegan so I’m healthier and in a better mood. Thank you so much for sharing your positive habits! I check my phone the first thing in the morning because I read the Bible but I think I need to start praying the moment I wake up so I’ll be ready to face the day.
Thank you for sharing your habits, Roxanne! All of these are great things to do!
Every one of the tips you mention have had a huge effect on me as well. Still working on not checking the phone in the morning, that has been the hardest to break! I usually do my to do list as part of my morning routine, but I like the idea of shifting it to the evening as a sort of “mind dump”. I actually have a post coming up this week on a similar topic, great minds!
Love that we’re on the same wavelength, Kristin!
I like all your suggestions! Except yoga. I hate yoga with a passion, but I have been trying to stretch about twice a day to refresh my body and mind. Thank you for this list!
Haha well at least you know yoga isn’t for you! Thanks for reading <3
I never really thought this through even though I have a lot of bad habits I should work on. I like that you take walks everyday to just clear your mind. I’ve always wanted to do that but I felt like I would look weird walking by myself and it also makes me a little nervous walking by myself at certain time of the day.
I love walks by myself with no one else to disturb me haha. It helps that I see a lot of other people walking alone too while I’m out – makes it feel more normal.
you will not look weird walking alone!!!! be assured everyone does it even if you don’t see it.
i agree with catherine; you can clear your mind without another person. you can also decide when you want to turn around and go back for whatever reasons.
ways to walk alone safely.
:walk against the traffic so if someone wants to do anything it’s harder and they really can’t back up against oncoming traffic.
:i would stay far to the side of the path that has bushes etc.
:when i was at harvard i had to walk down sts that only students used so i walked in the middle of the road. the harvard police gave out whistles that i always have on my key chain.
i find that 8am or so, lunch time and dinner time are best. but when it gets dark early you may want to knock dinner time out. maybe you could go to places you think you’ll walk, sit in the car and see when walkers come out.
because you have few concerns, set out what you think is a safe course, limit thelength of your walk which yiu can increase, and i find having a destination helps, e.g. cvs, library.
happy trails
Thank you for sharing these amazing tips! Safety is so important.
I enjoyed reading this post because it resonates well with me. I am trying to become a better version of myself by embracing habits that will help me prosper. Please, check out my blog at
http://www.mylifeingreens.com
Glad you liked the post, Zayn!
I love point number 6, it can mąkę your day much much better. :)
Seriously! I need at least a little time away from my phone every day to stay sane.
Loved this!
Thank you, Violet! <3
Love this list! I have a feeling it’s going to help a lot of people with their self-care routines. Not checking my phone first thing in the morning is definitely something I want to work on. I’m thinking about charging my phone downstairs away from my bed. :)
Charging your phone downstairs sounds like a great idea!
I’d like to start meditating as well, I did it for a while but then sort of gave up on it. I think I’d like to ideally start incorporating a bout of meditation into my morning routine.
Julia // The Sunday Mode
Sometimes I really don’t want to do it, but I force myself anyway. I swear it makes a huge difference in my mood!
Thanks for sharing all these tools with us! I just started to meditate and that’s one of my favorite routines I do in the morning (even though I sometimes feel like I don’t have the time) reading your blog is very inspiring :)
Thank you so much, Eli! Glad these tips were helpful.
I love those ideas to incorporate positive habits into your daily life! I feel like some days it works better with me and other days I really have to push myself to get going with healthy habits like that. I also absolutely love doing affirmations. I have been on that for a couple of years and sometimes I barely even notice anymore that I am actually using affirmations on a day-to-day basis. ?
Thank you for inspiring me to indulge in more positive habits! ?
This is so inspiring! Thank you for gentle reminders we all can use.
Thank you, Rewari!