Revamping Routines

A woman looks at herself in the mirror
Photo by Canva Photo Team from Canva Studio Women

 

By Claudia Gomes

The internet is flooded with information about breaking habits and establishing new, healthier routines, so why is it still a challenge to make it happen? I will share some pointers here that will help make new habits sustainable.

 

Understand the habit starts with you

It’s good to remind yourself that new habits start with you. You are the one making the habits. You are the one performing the habits. And you are the one who can change them.

Be less judgmental and more caring with yourself

Old habits were there for a reason. They were working for you—not the way you want now, but probably the way you needed until now. Ask yourself, was it because they felt comfortable? Convenient? Familiar? Did I lack knowledge of what to do instead? Did the habit feel bigger than me? There are many reasons for keeping old habits and all are valid. Old habits are just part of you that you no longer want because you don't want to see yourself that way anymore.

See yourself differently

New habits begin with a new vision of yourself. Do you see yourself old and healthy, and around for your kids? Then exercise and healthy eating need to become habits for you. Want to be an expert in a specific topic? Then studying and practicing should become part of your new routine. Want to be a person who speaks a new language? New classes, self-study, or travel to practice the language in the country could be the changes you need to make. Who are you looking to become? 

Set aligned and achievable goals to help you grow

Once you decide who you want to become, you will know what you need to do. But start small so that you can fit your new habit into your daily activities without being overwhelmed. Take exercise, for example—start by just putting on your workout clothes for the first day. The next day, put on your workout clothes and do two minutes of exercise. The next day, make it five minutes of exercise. And so on, until you get to where you want to be. The beginning is the hardest part; things have a tendency to get easier the more you do them.

 

If you push too hard in the beginning, you’re likely to quit as things might feel too difficult and you’ll convince yourself this isn’t for you. Which is not true—you established that you wanted this because it would be good for you. So, treat yourself nicely. It’s your life, your body, and your journey. Nobody else decides how you will make it work, because in the end, you are responsible for the results you achieve. 

Work with your own time

You know your life better than anyone else. People live different lives nowadays: some are nomads, some work a nine-to-five job; some work from home or do hybrid work; some don’t work. Understand how much available time you have for your new habit, and be clear with yourself on what you want to do. You will know how this new habit can fit into your life.

Celebrate all the way

Celebrate your victories, small and big. They’re a reminder of what you’ve achieved; a chance to look at the journey and be proud of where you are now. This helps you to ignore other people’s opinions. Because you ground yourself within your own steps, you know what you did that worked. You know what you needed for yourself. You can trust that.

 

Change happens when you see yourself from a different perspective. When you change the way you see yourself, you make different decisions, see different possibilities, and your habits automatically change. See yourself the way that you really want to be. See yourself in a way that doesn’t allow anything to stop you from becoming that person.

 

Demonstrate to your kids the importance of seeing themselves as who they want to be, and of being kind to themselves in the process.

 

Be there for yourself and for your family.

About the Author

Claudia Gomes is an expert in emotional intelligence and intercultural awareness, and an ICF-certified Level 2 transformative coach. With 19 years of international experience in Spain and Thailand, Claudia is an expert in bridging cultures and fostering global collaboration. She has spent the last 15 years in Bangkok. contact@claudiagomes.coach; linkedin.com/in/claudiagomes-coach/