How to make a new routine feel easy (and actually stick to it)

For a long time, I was one of those people whose resolutions lasted about as long as a carton of almond milk in the fridge… But over the past few years, I’ve managed to turn things around, and every new habit I’ve introduced into my daily life is still going strong!

So I decided to share a few of the little things that have helped me stay consistent over time. Of course, these are my personal tips, based on my own experience, and while I hope they’ll be useful to you, they’re certainly not a one-size-fits-all method.

• Stay realistic!

After a few failed attempts, I finally had to accept that there are only 24 hours in a day and 7 days in a week! Yes, it’s great to want to make the most of your time and energy by starting lots of new things, but making sure they actually fit into your schedule is even better!

What helped me: writing down everything I want to implement and the amount of time each one takes (per day, week, or month). Then I lay out my weekly schedule, including all the fixed and recurring elements (work hours, picking the kids up from daycare or school, Sunday lunch with the in-laws, etc.). Once everything is on paper, I check how much room is left to add my new habits. And I only keep what truly fits.

A little tip: avoid filling your schedule to the brim. Leave room for sleep, rest, and flexibility, so you can adapt to life’s surprises (the pleasant ones and the less fun ones)… or simply, to do nothing at all.

• "Less is more"

When we decide to make a change that’s meant to make us feel better, it always sounds easy at first, and we wonder why it could possibly be hard.

But our brain, by nature, doesn’t like change. It prefers comfort, familiarity, what’s automatic and effortless. So it does everything it can to convince us that this new idea — waking up an hour earlier to go running, or reading for 30 minutes instead of scrolling Instagram — is terrible for our survival!

So the best approach is not to overwhelm it. Focus on one or two new habits at a time, and you’ll have a much better chance of succeeding without self-sabotage.

You’ll see, during the first few days, getting out of bed instead of hitting snooze, or opening your book instead of turning on the TV, might feel impossible. But that’s just your brain playing tricks on you. Remember, one or two new habits at a time is more than enough.

As for me… Bollywood dancing classes will have to wait a little longer!

• Stick with it for 21 days

They say it takes 21 days to form a habit. Now, I’m not sure that number is universal or valid for every human being on the planet… but one thing’s for sure: when we want to build a new habit, persistence is key.

Here’s how the brain works: anything new feels like effort, and it hates effort (as I said earlier!). But when we repeat these new actions regularly for several weeks, they become familiar, and that’s when they turn into habits. They move into the “known” category for your brain, and they start to require less effort.

So the trick is to give your brain enough time. For some people it takes 21 days, for others a bit more or a bit less, but you get the idea.

• Stay flexible

Forgetting, being caught up in daily emergencies, having an off day, or just finding it too hard sometimes... that’s life!

But sometimes, we push ourselves to stick with something that simply doesn’t suit who we are, how we function, or what our current life looks like. And that’s okay! What works for one person won’t necessarily work for you. Just because Heidi Klum swears by the Miracle Morning doesn’t mean that’s what you need to change your life.

What matters is recognizing the difference between something that’s temporarily hard because it’s still new, and something that simply isn’t aligned for you.

That’s exactly why you need to stay flexible during the first days or weeks. Pay attention to your reactions and adjust your intentions instead of forcing yourself into rigidity right away. The beginning is also the time to experiment and adapt.

You might realize that a different day works better for this new practice, or that you actually prefer doing it in the morning (even if you didn’t expect that!).

Stay open and kind to yourself, talk to yourself the way you would to a dear friend. That’s the best way to avoid early frustration, which is rarely a good companion for long-term success.

So, at the first setback: breathe, relax, and plan for the next time. But if it keeps happening, don’t break, bend: change the day, the time, the place, or the frequency, and see if that feels better for you.

• Talk about it

If you feel like sharing your new resolution with someone, and maybe even implementing it together, that can help a lot!

Having company can be truly motivating and help you stay consistent. Just be careful not to let the other person’s choices influence yours: if they quit, that’s not a reason for you to stop too. It’s great to move forward together, but it’s just as important to find the strength to continue on your own.

And to have the support of the people around you, they don’t necessarily need to join you. It is actually proven that just talking about your intentions makes a difference. Saying them out loud helps you acknowledge them, gives them weight, and helps you commit. Plus, those who’ve heard you might give you that little push you need when motivation dips!

Just beware of the “I said it, so now it’ll be embarrassing if I don’t stick to it” trap. Remember: kindness first, always!

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And I’ll leave you with this word: kindness.Because it’s probably the most important one when you want to build a new routine.

Your new habits should come from a kind intention toward yourself, and be built with that same kindness, so they can grow into something strong and sustainable.

And if you feel ready to make changes in your daily life but aren’t quite sure where to start, download your free Clarity Workbook to find out. 🌿