Has anyone successfully changed their habits?

Georgiegirl256

Very interesting thread, and one I can relate to, as a lot of times I find it hard to get motivated. Once I start a job, I get into it, it's just finding the motivation to do it. The daily jobs get done with no (mostly no!) problems, but when I have a certain job to do like sorting out the under stairs cupboard say (this really does need doing, it's :eek: ), I'm like right, I'll do that tomorrow, then tomorrow comes and I'm like, I'll start it after lunch, then guess what, it's tea time and oops it's too late to start doing it now! :rotfl:

I find making lists helps, as it gives me satisfaction to be able to cross something off once I've done it, it's like a mini achievement!

The post about the diet rings true too, I do eat a lot of starchy things, and more recently more sugary things too, and quite often I'm feeling really tired. In general we do eat fairly healthily, but it's snacking at night which is our problem.

kitrat

I've read it takes 21 days to change a habit (probably total rubbish) but it will take repeatedly doing something each day, or week for example, to get it into your routine.

Attached to this statistic was actually a good little trick for keeping on top of it. Get some post it notes, cut them into strips (or get those little post it book tabs) and stick 21 of them somewhere, e.g. the edge of your bookcase or something. Number them 1 - 21 and each day you need to successfully complete your task (e.g. doing the dishes) before you can throw the days post it away.

I haven't tried it yet but it seems like it could work for me, I suffer from the same laziness as you! Even if you need to keep the post its up (or a check list perhaps) for every day of the year for all of time!

FBaby

Oh and remember that a large element of tiredness is really in the mind. It's amazing once you get going, accomplish things that makes you feel good about yourself, you suddenly find that you have more energy.

PlutoinCapricorn

Many people have found this website useful for making permanent improvements in housekeeping:

http://takeonestepatatime.proboards.com/

Toomuchdebt

PlutoinCapricorn wrote: »

Many people have found this website useful for making permanent improvements in housekeeping:

http://takeonestepatatime.proboards.com/

OMG thank you for posting this-I've just registered there and hope to get some help

belfastgirl23

Just start is always a good point. So with the example of clearing out under the stairs, what is the one thing you could do right now that would be a start? It might be putting two old coats in the recycling pile or dumping an old paint tin or throwing out an old broken brush. When you think of it like that, just doing one thing, it becomes less overwhelming. Or promise yourself fifteen minutes and set a timer. It's like if you know you should go for a walk and you can't be bothered, just put your shoes on. Then plan to go for the smallest walk you humanly can. You might well find once you're out there with your shoes on you want to walk further. And if you don't then fair enough.

Remember a body in motion tends to stay in motion and that starting is often the hardest bit. So make the starting easy on yourself.

I've found this website interesting in terms of thinking about how habits are formed http://zenhabits.net/

belfastgirl23

Oh also I came across this when idly surfing (a bad habit I should be breaking lol) but I've really enjoyed Gretchen Rubin's other books, especially the happiness project. She's writing a lot about habits now since this will be the subject of her next book. Work a quick surf.

http://www.gretchenrubin.com/happiness_project/2013/11/revealed-the-subject-of-my-next-book-the-most-fascinating-subject-ever/

tallyho88

I have nothing to do but clean, I must be very dull

missbiggles1

Why have you resurrected a thread that's over 6 months old?

meritaten

It took me quite a few years before I realised 'little and often' gave the illusion of a 'spotless' home!
Nowadays I keep cloths by the sinks in kitchen and bathroom and its second nature to give them a wipe round when I use them. then it only takes seconds to wipe worktops too. so a good tip is to keep cleaning things accessible.
I 'tidy up' after myself now! its easier to put things back straight after I have used them - than leave them and then I cant find them again! I hate that, so will make the effort to 'put things back'!
if its on the floor I pick it up and put it back. and am training the grandkids to do this. They are already trained to take shoes off in the porch and put coats on the end of the bannister (if they were staying longer the coats go in the cupboard) they rather like this! lol!
we don't cook in a cluttered kitchen - if we want to cook then breakfast lunch or dinner HAS to be washed up and cleared away! it is unhygienic otherwise. they understand that and will get the kitchen ready.
folding clothes neatly/hanging them up before we put them away - saves ironing twice!
I admit to being lazy too - but, defy anyone to find my home 'dirty' or 'too cluttered'.
I am too lazy to want to do a huge 'clean' - so the little and often works for me!