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I'm Changing One Small Habit A Month

There is a whole science to our habits, how they are triggered, carried out and the reward we get from them. There is a whole scientific method to shifting our habits so they stick and actually support real life changes. Part of that method is to start small with a new habit that you can't say no to.
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LadyNerd. Mom of 3. Trying to live with less stuff, less clothes, and more intention. Lots of God's grace, Instagram, waffles and dry shampoo.

LadyNerd. Mom of 3. Trying to live with less stuff, less clothes, and more intention. Lots of God's grace, Instagram, waffles and dry shampoo.
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So intentional living, setting goals, dream bigger dreams, blah, blah, blah. Long story short, there is a tension that needs some easing. That tension is knowing that I live the life I live -- then I write the life I want to live on paper -- and they are different. Why is that? I have been rolling around this notion of 'why don't we just do the things we aspire to do' and then I read this quote: 'habits are stronger than desires.' Truth bomb.

There is a whole science to our habits, how they are triggered, carried out and the reward we get from them. There is a whole scientific method to shifting our habits so they stick and actually support real life changes. Part of that method is to start small with a new habit that you can't say no to. If you have big looming goal of 'health' over there in the distance, you have to map out baby steps to get there. You don't just start doing PIYO and living off green smoothie bowls -- you will burn out because it isn't your lifestyle, it is your high, and highs wear off. Lifestyle sticks. Unfortunately, that lifestyle sometimes includes overindulging in ketchup chips and whiskey at the end of the night...or so I've heard.

So, in true out-the-gate fashion that we tend to get each time a new year rolls around (like, is anyone else actually using their cloth bags for groceries these days?!?! #owninglife) I've decided to commit to making one baby step each month of this year and see where it gets me.

The old me would have never done this, because, well, public accountability and all. I mean, isn't that why we avoid 'resolutions' all together? Sure they are what our imaginary ideal selves are doing, but that ain't our real life so let's not say it aloud to someone else.

Now, I'm not saying that a year from now I want to be zee uber blogger/fitmama/piecrustchampion/supermom but I do, for once in my life, have goals. Even if my goals take the shape of life skills -- like -- doing a chin up, reading books, eating vegetables, being Beyonce, creating cool shit, etc.

I guess when people set goals they write out steps on how to achieve them and then they put in timelines and stuff. Makes sense, I'll try it. Because I'm ready for change, I'm ready to be proactive. I need to demonstrate a lifestyle to my kids that helps them adopt healthy life habits before they are thirty plus years old.

I'm going to share one small habit with you that I will be working on each month. This month it is 'reading at night on my kindle app instead of going on social media.' So feel free to scold me if you see me hashtagging and using too many laugh-crying emojis after 10 p.m. You know, accountability and all.

Join in the #onesmallhabit challenge to make one small change each month to help you live your life more on purpose. I would love you to join me. Can you think of one small habit to start this month? It helps to think of your bigger goals first of all and pick a baby step that would help you with that goal.

To find more from Shawna, visit Simple on Purpose, a site written by a honest, sarcastic ladynerd on how her family is struggling and succeeding at living life simpler, on purpose.

ALSO ON HUFFPOST:

Healthy Habits That Can Lead to Big Life Changes
Define Your Why (01 of05)
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“You've got to establish the ‘why’ before moving to the ‘what’ and ‘how,’” said Greg Justice, a veteran personal trainer with more than 30 years of fitness industry experience and owner of AYC Health & Fitness. At first, this might seem like a one-time step that only needs to be taken at the beginning of your journey, but it’s actually more like a habit — something you should revisit and reestablish often. “If your ‘why,’ or motivation behind the life changes, is strong enough, you'll find the ‘what’ and ‘how’ will be successful,” Justice said. He encourages people to really dig deep in order to find internal motivators (your ‘why,’ or reasons for improving your health) that will offer long-term inspiration.Photo Credit: ShutterstockClick Here to See Healthy Habits That Can Lead to Big Life Changes
Move Every Hour (02 of05)
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“Our bodies were meant to move,” said Dr. Pete Sulack, a leading stress expert and founder of Unhealthy Anonymous. “Every hour that you sit at work, get up and move for two minutes — walk, dance, stretch, take the stairs. We don’t need to exercise more necessarily, we just need to sit less.Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Get to Bed Just a Little Bit Earlier(03 of05)
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“Try to be in bed at 10 p.m.,” Sulack said. “That’s when melatonin levels peak. Because of this, every hour of sleep you get before midnight is actually worth three hours of sleep after midnight.” And not only should you aim to reap the benefits of getting to bed earlier, but getting an adequate amount of shuteye each night is also essential to your health. “Sleep deprivation can impact your immune system, your cognitive abilities and your endocrine system,” said Angela Martindale, a celebrity lifestyle coach, fitness trainer and nutritionist. “Lack of proper sleep can also cause weight gain or weight loss and can lead to depression. Try to put yourself on a regular bedtime schedule to ensure you get seven to nine hours of sleep at night.” Photo Credit: ShutterstockClick Here to See Healthy Habits That Can Lead to Big Life Changes
Eat Breakfast (04 of05)
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For some, squeezing in even just a few extra minutes for breakfast in the morning might not seem simple at all, but making the effort to include it as a part of your prep for the day can certainly lead to lots of positive changes. “Most science points to the fact that breakfast-eaters tend to have generally healthier eating habits overall,” said Josh Anderson, an AFAA certified personal fitness trainer and the CEO of Always Active Athletics. For example, one study found eating a high-protein breakfast led women to eat less throughout the rest of the morning, and there’s a large body of research that supports the same notion for both men and women. “So, if you often skip breakfast and are struggling to maintain a balanced diet, try making a habit of eating a nutritious meal every morning,” Anderson said.Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Maintain Your Mental Health(05 of05)
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In addition to practicing relaxation techniques to effectively manage your stress, something as simple as a mental health screening can help protect against depression and other mental health disorders. Screening for Mental Health, the nonprofit that founded National Depression Screening Day (which takes place annually on October 8) encourages everyone to be proactive about their mental health by making a habit of checking in on their mind.Click Here to See Healthy Habits That Can Lead to Big Life ChangesPhoto Credit: Shutterstock

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