Hey lovely readers,

In my mid-30s, I realised I needed a significant change. Up until then, I was stuck in a cycle of unproductive habits and negative thought patterns. I felt like I was treading water, not really moving forward in life. I knew I had to change, but I wasn't sure where to start. This realisation sparked my journey of transforming my habits, which in turn transformed my life in many ways.

One of the first things I learned was the power of our thoughts and how they shape our reality. I had developed a habit of negative self-talk, doubting my abilities and worth. It wasn’t until I started reading about neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to reorganise itself by forming new neural connections—that I understood the impact of my thoughts on my physical and emotional well-being.

Another significant change came when I started setting boundaries. I had always struggled with saying no, often putting others’ needs before my own. This left me feeling drained and undervalued. Learning to set boundaries was crucial for my self-worth and the more I did it the less others asked of me - who knew!

I started small—saying no to things that didn’t align with my values or drained my energy. This newfound respect for my own time and energy allowed me to focus on what truly mattered to me. It wasn’t easy, but it was empowering and overtime I started to see small yet significant shifts in my approach to my existing life, routines and habits.

Everything began to change when I got clear on what I wanted. I started setting specific, achievable goals. Instead of vague aspirations, I broke them down into actionable steps. For example, instead of saying, “I want to be healthier,” I set goals like, “I will walk for 30 minutes every day” or “I will drink eight glasses of water daily.” In work I would set goals such as " I will complete these 3 tasks in the next hour" - and it really worked for me.

Getting clear on my goals helped me stay focused and motivated. I could see my progress, and it gave me a sense of accomplishment. This clarity also helped me prioritise my habits, ensuring that they aligned with my long-term objectives.

Did you know that about 40% of our daily actions are habits? This means nearly half of what we do is automatic. By understanding this, I realised that to change my life, I needed to change my habits - sounds simple but like most things - it is not! it takes discipline and dedication.

Habits create efficiency by automating routine tasks, freeing up our minds for more complex activities, and it’s crucial to ensure these habits are productive. Unproductive habits can hold us back, while good habits can propel us forward.

Here are some key takeaways from my recent experiences with healthy habit making:

• Thoughts shape reality: Positive affirmations and replacing negative thoughts can rewire your brain and change your outlook on life.

• Boundaries matter: Setting boundaries is essential for self-worth and ensures you’re investing your time and energy in things that matter.

• Clarity and goals: Clear, specific goals broken down into actionable steps can transform vague aspirations into tangible achievements.

I encourage you to reflect on your own habits. Are they serving you or holding you back? Remember, it’s the small, consistent actions that lead to significant changes over time. Start with one habit, stick with it, and watch how it transforms your life.

Take care,

Michelle xx