Habits I wish I had started sooner

Habits shape who we are. What you do every day defines you, whether you realize it or not. Some habits push you forward, others hold you back.

Endless scrolling? That’s a habit. Binge-reading romance novels? Habit. Gossiping about your neighbor? Also a habit. Mindless snacking? You get the idea.

The problem? Bad habits become automatic. Try quitting one, and you’ll see how deeply wired it is. But the good news is that when you start building better habits, the bad ones begin to fade.

You only have so much time in a day. And once you see the impact of one good habit, breaking the bad ones gets a whole lot easier.

In this post I will share with you the habits I wish I had started sooner and how they affected my life.

Habits I wish I had started sooner

2024 was a year of change. It was the first time I stuck to a healthy breakfast every morning. Then came regular exercise. Small shifts, but the impact was huge, way beyond just health and fitness.

What I didn’t expect was the ripple effect. A few good habits didn’t just improve my body; they boosted my confidence, strengthened my relationships, and made me more productive.

Starting my day with a healthy breakfast

This habit is easy to start. Anyone can find 15 minutes in the morning for a real breakfast. And by “real,” I mean protein-based and savory, something that keeps you full until lunch.

For me, it’s eggs, avocado, toast, and tomatoes. If I have them, I’ll throw in spinach, sprouts, or a quick salad.

When I eat like this, I stay focused, calm, and don’t need snacks before lunch. But if I switch to oatmeal? I’m hungry in two hours and end up grabbing whatever’s in the cupboard.

The fix? Skip the sweet breakfasts. Stick to good fats and eggs.

Walking

Just got back from my morning walk. Rolled out of bed at 6, washed my face, laced up my sneakers, and stepped outside.

Fresh air. Birds. Soft morning light. There’s no better way to start the day than by moving forward.

No supplement can replace what fresh air does for your mind and body. The way light and movement wake you up is incredible. My mood lifts instantly, and motivation kicks in.

If you haven’t tried morning walks, start now. Just 5–10 minutes can change your entire day. And once you feel the benefits, lounging on the couch won’t feel like an option anymore.

Weight Training

This year, I introduced a new habit—weight training. I lift every other day, about 3–4 times a week. On the off days, I keep it simple with a walk or some time on the elliptical.

After 40, muscle loss happens fast. Strength training is the best way to fight it.

At first, it feels strange. You don’t see much progress—just soreness in muscles you forgot you had. But stay consistent, and things change. Your arms and legs feel firmer. You feel heavier in a strong, solid way.

And the best part is it doesn’t take hours. I used to think I needed 45-minute sessions to see results. Not true. Even 10–15 minutes a day makes a difference. Just show up, and the progress adds up.

Now, that’s my approach. I commit to 10 minutes daily. When I have more time, I push it to 20. The exercises? Simple lunges, squats, push-ups. Nothing fancy, just consistency. And that’s what works.

Writing

As a kid, I kept a diary. Then life got busy, and I stopped writing.

Last year, I picked it up again, starting with gratitude journaling and then using a planner. That led to a reading journal, morning pages, and eventually, blog posts. I don’t write all of them every day, but I write something, even if it’s just a few lines.

Writing is a skill, but more than that, it’s a tool. It clears my mind, helps me sort through problems, plan my days, and capture ideas from books.

If you constantly feel rushed, scattered, or overwhelmed, try journaling. Grab a notebook and start. Write your daily tasks. Then move to goals, thoughts, or problems you need to work through.

This small habit has a huge impact. It brings clarity, focus, and a sense of calm.

Reading

I read every afternoon and evening. If I have time in the afternoon, I make tea, grab a book, and take notes in my reading journal. If the day is busy, I make sure to read in the evening.

Right now, I’m reading Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson.

Reading fills your mind with new ideas. It helps you understand yourself and others. It shows you where you’re stuck, where you can grow, and how to improve.

In daily life, you interact with the same people: family, friends, and coworkers. You hear the same perspectives. But books open doors. They let you step into someone else’s mind, giving you fresh insights and a chance to learn.

These days, reading is often replaced by scrolling. Don’t trade a habit that expands your mind for one that numbs it.

Being present

I know this sounds like a strange habit. But hear me out.

As kids, we spent much time just being—playing, watching the sky, lying in the grass. We had moments of pure presence, and I’m sure you can remember a few from your own childhood.

Then we grow up, and that time disappears. We rush through life, caught up in to-do lists, worrying about the future, or replaying the past.

We miss what’s happening right now.

That’s why I set aside a few quiet moments every day. Since I have small kids, mornings are my only chance. On my walk, I pay attention to the little things: the cherry tree blooming in my garden, the birds singing.

Life is made up of these small moments. But we don’t notice them because our minds are too noisy. If you can learn to be present just a few times a day, you’ll be surprised at the sense of calm it brings.

Try it. On your walk. Sitting on your balcony. Just for a few minutes.