Summer arrives with so much promise, doesn't it? The long days and warm weather make us feel like anything is possible.
We tell ourselves this is the summer we’ll finally get in shape, read more books, or start that side project. But then life happens. The routine-free days turn into lazy days and our good intentions melt away faster than an ice cream cone in July. Before we know it, August is ending and we’re left wondering where the time went.
I know this feeling all too well. For years I was stuck in a cycle of bad habits. I’m talking about binge eating, hours of mindless gaming, and a general laziness that kept me from living the life I wanted. I felt trapped. The idea of changing felt like trying to climb a mountain in flip-flops. It seemed impossible.
But change is possible. It doesn’t happen with one giant leap. It happens with small, consistent steps. I eventually lost over 110 pounds and built a life I’m proud of not by becoming a different person overnight but by slowly building better habits.
If you’re ready to make this summer different, I want to share what I’ve learned. Here are 12 simple ways to build better habits that actually stick.
1. Start Ridiculously Small
We often fail because we try to do too much at once. We go from zero to one hundred, burn out in a week, and quit. Instead, start with something so small it feels almost silly. Want to read more? Start with one page a day. Want to exercise? Start with a five-minute walk. The goal isn't to transform your life in a day. It's to build a winning streak.
2. Get Outside Early
There’s something powerful about getting sunlight and fresh air first thing in the morning. Before you check your phone or get lost in emails, just step outside. You don’t need a big plan. Just stand on your porch or walk to the end of your street. It wakes up your body and mind and sets a positive tone for the rest of the day.
3. Hydrate Before You Caffeinate
I love my morning coffee but I’ve learned to drink a big glass of water first. Your body is dehydrated after a long night of sleep. Giving it water before anything else helps with energy levels, digestion, and mental clarity. It's a simple swap that makes a surprisingly big difference.
4. Know Your 'Why'
Habits without a purpose are just chores. Why do you want to build this new habit? Don’t just say “I want to lose weight.” Dig deeper. Do you want more energy to play with your kids? Do you want to feel more confident? Do you want to honor the body God gave you? Write your "why" down and put it somewhere you’ll see it. When your motivation fades, your purpose will keep you going.
5. Celebrate the Small Wins
This was a game-changer for me. When I was losing over 110 pounds I didn't just celebrate every ten pounds lost. I celebrated choosing a healthy meal over junk food. I celebrated walking for 10 minutes when I didn't feel like it. I celebrated drinking enough water for the day. These small wins build momentum. They prove to you that you can do it. Acknowledge your effort every single day.
6. Create 'If-Then' Plans
Life is unpredictable. Your perfect plan will get interrupted. Instead of giving up, have a backup. For example: If it's raining and I can't go for my walk, then I will do 10 minutes of stretching in my living room. This simple trick removes the guesswork. You already have a solution ready for when things go wrong so you don't fall off track.
7. Find Movement You Enjoy
Don’t force yourself to go to a gym if you hate it. Summer offers so many great ways to move your body. Go for a hike. Swim in a lake. Play a sport with friends. Ride a bike. When you find an activity you genuinely enjoy, it stops feeling like a workout and starts feeling like fun. You’re much more likely to stick with it.
8. Tidy Up for 10 Minutes
A cluttered space can lead to a cluttered mind. You don’t need to deep clean your entire house. Just set a timer for 10 minutes every day and tidy one small area. It could be your kitchen counter, your desk, or your car. This small habit creates a more peaceful environment and gives you a quick sense of accomplishment.
9. Eat One Unprocessed Meal a Day
Changing your entire diet can be overwhelming. Instead, focus on making just one of your daily meals consist of real, unprocessed foods. Think grilled chicken and roasted vegetables or a big salad with a simple olive oil dressing. This is a manageable goal that can lead to big improvements in your health and energy.
10. Schedule Your Rest
In our hustle-obsessed world, we often treat rest as a reward we have to earn. Rest is not a reward. It is a requirement. Just like you schedule meetings and workouts, schedule your downtime. Protect it. True rest isn't just scrolling on your phone. It’s intentionally giving your mind and body a break so you can recharge.
11. Find Your Productive Window
I used to believe I had to work a traditional eight-hour day to be productive. That’s just not true for me. I’ve learned that I am most effective in a two-to-four-hour block of focused, deep work. The rest of the day is for lighter tasks, family, and living life. Pay attention to your energy levels. Are you a morning person or a night owl? Work with your natural rhythm, not against it.
12. Connect with Your Faith
For me, building a better life wasn't just about physical habits. It was about my spiritual foundation. Taking time for prayer and reading scripture every day became the most important habits of all. My Christian Orthodox faith gave me a rock to stand on when things got tough. It gave my struggles meaning and my efforts a higher purpose. Whatever your beliefs, connecting with God can provide a source of strength and guidance that no other habit can.
Building better habits isn't about becoming perfect. It’s about making small, loving choices for yourself day after day. It’s about progress, not perfection.
So, let me ask you: What’s one ridiculously small thing you can do today to start your journey?
