One Habit That Made My Life Easier

As humans, we often find ourselves grappling with the multifaceted challenges of life. From the demands of academia to the responsibilities of marriage and parenthood, each role presents its own set of trials. But when you're balancing the roles of student, wife, and mother to two children, the weight of those responsibilities can feel overwhelming—like trying to juggle a hundred balls at once, with the fear that even one slip could send everything crashing down around you. Have you ever experienced that sense of drowning in the chaos of daily life? I certainly have.

It was about a year ago that a beacon of hope entered my life in the form of an author named Rachel Hollis. Her words spoke to me in a way that few others had before. Through her book, she encouraged me to question my dreams, to dare to reach for the stars. And when I acquired one of her first Start Today journals, I felt as though I held in my hands the key to unlocking a brighter future. Though I've only filled its pages a handful of times, the impact has been profound.

The process is simple: jot down five things you're grateful for, articulate ten of your biggest dreams, and identify which dream you'll pursue first. But for someone like me, someone who's always struggled to believe in the possibility of success, even the act of listing ten dreams felt daunting. Yet, slowly but surely, as I committed my aspirations to paper, something began to shift within me. Gone were the days of aimlessly scrolling through Netflix, lost in a sea of distractions. Instead, I found myself embracing new habits: working out, listening to podcasts as I cleaned, honing my skills as a photographer. It was as though the simple act of acknowledging my dreams had imbued me with a newfound sense of purpose and drive. But alas, as is often the case with life's ebbs and flows, the initial fervor eventually waned. A few late nights, a couple of missed opportunities, and suddenly I found myself slipping back into old habits, struggling to keep pace with the relentless demands of daily life.What was I doing wrong, I wondered?

It wasn't until I took a step back and reflected on my journey that the answer became clear. Consistency, or rather, the lack thereof, was my downfall. And attempting to overhaul multiple habits simultaneously proved to be a recipe for failure. So instead of spreading myself thin, I resolved to focus on just one thing.Each night, after tucking my children into bed, I sit down and compile a list of everything I need to accomplish the following day. Notice I said "need" rather than "want." This simple shift in perspective has been a game-changer for me. By prioritizing tasks and tackling them one by one, I've regained a sense of control over my life. No longer do I feel like I'm constantly playing catch-up; instead, I approach each day with purpose and intentionality. And the results have been nothing short of transformative. Not only am I getting more done, but I'm also doing so with a newfound sense of peace and clarity. This shift in mindset has not only alleviated much of the anxiety that once plagued me but has also brought me closer to realizing my dreams. So if you ever find yourself overwhelmed by the chaos of daily life, I encourage you to take a moment to pause, to breathe, and to remember that change is possible. Start small, stay consistent, and above all, be kind to yourself. You may be surprised at just how much you're capable of achieving. After all, if I can do it, so can you.