Why are good habits so hard to keep?

Honestly, I’ve asked myself that more times than I can count.

A few months ago, I had a solid routine going. I was exercising regularly, managing my time well, and generally feeling calm, focused, and on top of things.

Then… BAM. Out of nowhere, it all stopped.

The workouts? Gone.

The healthy routines? Slipped.

That smug, sorted feeling? Evaporated.

So, what now? Curl up in a blanket of guilt and Netflix? Nope. I’m getting back on my metaphorical habit horse.

Here are 5 things I’m doing (or at least trying!) to re-establish good habits — without the guilt trip.

1. Start Again, Not Over

It’s so tempting to feel like we have to “start from scratch.” But the truth is, your past progress hasn’t been deleted — it’s dormant, not destroyed.

Taking a breath and saying, “Oh well… let’s start again,” is powerful.

You’re not a robot. Life happens. You miss a few workouts, forget the water bottle, press snooze a few too many times — that doesn’t erase the progress you’ve already made. So give yourself permission to restart without the drama.

2. Small Steps Beat Grand Gestures

When you’re trying to rebuild a habit, going “all in” can backfire. If you haven’t run for a few weeks, now might not be the best time to chase your PB.

Instead, start tiny:

• Put on your trainers.
• Walk around the block.
• Run for 5 minutes.

That’s it.

The goal isn’t to impress anyone — it’s to remind your brain: “I can do this.”

Small wins build momentum. Momentum builds habits.

3. Set the Scene for Success

Your environment is either working with you or against you.

Want to eat more fruit? Put a fruit bowl in plain sight.
Want to drink more water? Keep a bottle with you at all times.
Want calmer mornings? Go to bed earlier (yep, still working on that one!).

Make the habit easy to start by making your space work for you — not against you.

4. Stay Positive (Especially With Yourself)

Progress isn’t linear. It’s wiggly, unpredictable, and often two steps forward, one-and-a-half steps back.

So be kind to yourself.

Instead of focusing on where you’re not, celebrate small wins:

• Did you move your body today?
• Did you choose water over coffee?
• Did you pause before reacting?

Good. That’s progress.

Remind yourself: You’ve done it before. You can do it again.

5. Get Support – It Matters More Than You Think

You don’t have to do this alone.
(And to be honest, it’s harder if you try.)

One thing that’s helping me? I’ve built a simple morning routine — just a few actions that help me start the day calm and focused. I tick them off each morning (which helps!), but I’ve also shared them with a friend.

He checks in. He encourages me. And when I slip, he reminds me why I started.

Support can look like:

• A friend who checks in
• A daily phone reminder
• A note on your mirror that says, “Do that thing!”

Whatever works — seek it out.

Falling off the habit wagon doesn’t mean failure. It means you’re human.
What matters isn’t if you get off track — it’s how you get back on.

So… take a breath. Start small. Ask for support.
And most of all — start again.

What habits are you rebuilding?

📚 Need a book recommendation?
Atomic Habits by James Clear. Simple, smart, and packed with insight. Well worth a read.

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