7 Habits That Have Changed My Life

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We have the great privilege and many opportunities in our life to make a change. We can consciously decide to go in a different direction than the way we have been traveling. I’m going to share with you 7 habits that I have developed over the last few – 20 years that have literally changed my life.

These habits have transformed my life so much, & I believe, they could do the same for you if you add one, two, or more into your daily routine.

Habit 1 – Wake & Rise Early

I have a big family with many children. So, before I put this particular habit into place, mornings were full of anxiety, frustration, and not very productive.

I always felt like I woke up already behind in my daily tasks. Many times going through my day without having time to pray, focus, plan my day, or just sit quietly with a cup of coffee.

I decided that I needed that precious uninterrupted time daily. Needing to create time for these important practices without expecting all of my family’s schedules and routines to fall into step and accommodate me.

That is when I decided I would just try and get up earlier. I have always been an early riser, so I would just get up at least a 1/2 hour earlier than anyone else and take advantage of the special early morning time.

I have now become a daily early riser. I’m up about three hours before anyone else in my home and I absolutely love being awake ready to greet the day, instead of the day abruptly waking me up.

Early to bed and early to rise is a habit that has brought focus, peace, & changed my life. Plus it helps to make sure I am able to effectively do all of my 7 habits.

Habit 2 – Daily Prayer

Daily prayer is a habit that I really have had as long as I can remember. The difference is, I now have a more consistent, deeper, and more fruitful experience with my daily prayer. The Rosary, Bible, meditation, journaling, and of course coffee are all part of this time and have brought so much peace and joy into my life.

Another thing it has done is it has strengthened my faith so that I am able to face each new day with renewed strength, faith and hope. This daily habit has completely transformed my life and made Jesus more real to me than he has ever been.

Habit 3 – Journaling

Back in 2020, I like many, had some fear and uncertainty that I was feeling. This is when I turned to journaling. Writing down what I was grateful for, where I could see God working, and where I was fearful was so helpful. It was the beginning of a different conversation I am having with God, and it has helped to heal parts of my heart that needed healing.

Having the habit of writing, now everyday, has given me the opportunity to ‘write my story’ so-to-speak and be able to go back in time and read just how far I have come. Journaling has given me a place to sort out my thoughts and appreciate my blessings…this is one of my 7 habits that has truly changed my life…

Habit 4 – Getting Dressed & Ready For My Day

I have noticed since March of 2020, that people seem less interested in getting themselves ready for the day by getting appropriately dressed, combing their hair, and performing basic hygiene tasks.

One thing I learned over the last year while enrolled in The Woman’s School, was that we are a contribution to those people around us. It really does matter how we show up. And being nicely dressed and presentable with some kind of noticeable effort is a gift to those around us.

It also makes me feel prepared for the day and ready to go. I am usually dressed and ready with hair done and my clean/safe makeup applied before anyone else in my family is even up.

Successful people get up early and they are dressed and ready for their day usually before 7am. I want to be successful in everything I do and I believe how I show up contributes to the success of my vocation as a wife & mother, my ministry, and my everyday life.

Getting dressed and ready for the day is an important and life-changing everyday habit.

Habit 5 – Intermittent Fasting

If you followed me for any length of time here on my blog, on Instagram, or YouTube you know that I live an intermittent fasting lifestyle. I began by pushing back the time that I ate breakfast and now can fast effortlessly until after noon each day.

Besides losing weight and healing some issues I had, I’ve experienced some surprising benefits from fasting daily. I have so much more energy and clarity of mind. I can concentrate for long periods of time and have such focus plus the energy to do all the work I have to do.

It has healed my relationship with food and I am now free from the ‘diet mentality’ that haunted me for 40 years or more. I am happier, healthier and feel much younger than 51. Fasting has truly changed my life.

Habit 6 – Reading (#6 of 7 habits)

On January 1, 2022 I made the decision to become a reader. Reading was something that I did sometimes, but it definitely wasn’t a habit.

I did read through the Bible In A Year with Father Mike Schmitz over 2021, but I wanted to increase my reading & include more subjects.

One of our daughters was an avid reader from the time she was very young.

With all of her reading, came her ability to effectively communicate with others and articulate words in a clear & concise manner. It also seemed to impact and increase her compassion and empathy toward others around her.

Communication is a skill that I need to work on. And I also need to learn how to articulate what I want to say in a way that is most effective. So, I decided I definitely needed to become a reader because this habit would be sure to help. I committed to begin reading 30 minutes a day.

That same daughter bought me a Kindle Paperwhite for Christmas 2021 – just in time for my resolution to begin to create this habit.

Every evening I head to bed about 30 minutes earlier and then read for at least 1/2 hour.

I also listen to audiobooks on Audible throughout the day as I do cleaning, go on walks, or driving somewhere. So 30 minutes is really the minimum I read daily. I am currently reading three different books and average 60 minutes or more a day.

(Right now there’s a deal for new subscribers to get Audible for 3 months FREE – such a super deal 😊)

With all of my reading, I’m learning so many things! My mind is changing, expanding and growing. I love books on Catholicism, health & nutrition, mindset, reaching goals, and self improvement. Reading has opened up possibilities that I never even thought about before.

This habit has forever changed my life and made me realize that it is never too late to create a new habit and never too late to learn.

Habit 7 – Clean Kitchen Sink

I know – this sounds a little different, slightly weird, and probably ineffective. But, I assure you this one habit has undoubtedly changed my life.

Back in the summer of 2020, I began to research how to be a better and more effective homemaker. It was then that I came across the FlyLady. I had never heard of her before. I began to read her blog. Then put into practice some of her suggestions for keeping a ordered home for me and my family.

Making sure your kitchen sink is clean and sparking every morning and every evening before you to bed was a habit she suggests. This was the first thing I started to put into practice.

At first, I never imagined that this one habit could effect my life in any profound way. But, after just a few days, I realized just how powerful this one little habit was.

If you are a mother, you know that sinking feeling of waking up in the morning and encountering a sink and counter full of dirty dishes. It does not create a good feeling at all. And it can set the mood for your whole morning if you let it.

Now every evening I am committed to emptying my sink, washing it out, drying it, and shining it fully. (If there is additional dishes after I go to bed, my 13 year old daughter does all this for me 😊). This one little habit has caused me to clean the counter off more fully, clean out cupboards, and leave my kitchen tidy and ready for me in the morning.

In the morning when I wake up and head to the kitchen to brew my coffee. I am always pleasantly greeted with an empty, spotless, & shiny sink. It has clearly changed my life…

7 Habits Have Brought Big Changes

As you can see these 7 habits are intentional, but simple and very doable. They are the foundational habits in my life that have automatically led to additional good habits. These additional habits have too become part of my life and daily routine.

I hope this benefits you and inspires you in your own habit forming and routine building in some positive way.

Strive daily to Be Holy & Be Well…

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Watch my video on my 7 daily habits here…