12 Personal Habits to Improve the Quality of Life: What I’ve Mastered and What I’m Still Working On
Building better habits is a long journey, and while I’ve made progress in some areas, but there are still a few things I’m working on. Here are the personal habits I’ve adopted that have made a real difference in my life, as well as those I’m still working on. I hope they inspire you to try a few changes of your own.
Habits I’ve Mastered:
No Sugar or Sweet Additives in Coffee or Tea
I’ve gone 12 years without adding sugar, honey, or sweeteners to my coffee or tea. What started as a conscious decision to cut down on unnecessary calories has now become second nature. Over time, you start to appreciate the natural flavors.No Sweet Carbonated Drinks
This has been a game-changer. I’ve nearly eliminated sugary drinks from my life, including sugar-free or diet sodas. Maybe once or twice a month, I’ll have one if it’s the only cold drink available, but I don’t stress about it. The key is to not let it become a habit again. Water or carbonated mineral water are my go-tos.Removing Social Media Apps From My Phone
I’ve already removed Facebook and TikTok from my phone and am working on reducing time spent on Instagram (though I still need it for business). I limit social media access to desktop only, which makes it less tempting during downtime. And no more reels!Waking Up Early
Waking up early has become one of my most important habits. My ideal wake-up time is 6:00 AM, never later than 6:30—even on weekends. I’ve stuck to this for years, and it’s made a significant difference in my productivity. I can’t agree that waking up at 8 or 9 AM is productive, especially after seeing the benefits of starting my day earlier.Switching Off Phone Notifications and Sound
This is a big one. My phone is always on silent and no vibration mode, and I’ve removed all notifications except for a few critical contacts. I started this six years ago and haven’t switched back since. It doesn’t mean I don’t talk on the phone, but I control when and how I communicate.Intermittent Fasting – No Eating Until Noon
This habit has helped me manage my weight and maintain my energy throughout the day. By not eating until 12:00 PM, I give my body more time to reset, improving digestion and focus.Gym or Physical Activity Twice a Week
Consistency is key. Whether it’s hitting the gym, doing physical work, or working out at home, I make sure to engage in physical activity at least twice a week. It’s become a non-negotiable part of my routine that keeps both my body and mind in shape, but still want to make it 3 times per week.Blocking News Feeds
I used to be overwhelmed by constant news updates. Now, I’ve blocked all news from my feeds and check usually once a week, carefully selecting what to read. This has reduced distractions and allowed me to focus on more meaningful tasks.Quitting Smoking (100%)
One of the most significant changes I made was quitting smoking—completely. I haven’t had a single cigarette, vape, or anything similar in over six years—not even once. It’s one of the habits I’m most proud of, and it has had an incredibly positive impact on my health and well-being.
Habits I’m Still Working On:
Not Taking the Phone to the Toilet
It may sound trivial and strange, but let’s be honest—this small habit can save you a lot of time (you know what I mean!). While I’ve mostly managed to leave my phone behind, I sometimes forget, so this is still a work in progress.Not Using the Phone in Bed
My goal is to place my phone far from the bed when I sleep, ensuring I’m not using it before bed or reaching for it when I wake up. I’ve made some progress, but I still catch myself scrolling in bed sometimes. Charging it away from the bedside helps, but it’s not yet a fully ingrained habit.10,000 Steps Every Single Day
I’ve made progress here, but hitting 10k steps every day is still something I’m working on. Doing it a few times a week doesn’t have the same impact, so consistency is crucial. On the days I hit the mark, I feel noticeably better, so I’m committed to making this a daily habit.Limiting Alcohol to Once a Week
This is still a work in progress, and I sometimes fail. While it’s not a huge issue since it’s manageable, cutting back to just once a week would be much better.
Why These Habits Matter
These habits may seem small, but each one has a cumulative effect on my health, focus, and productivity. Whether it’s cutting out sugar, limiting screen time, or maintaining physical activity, each habit helps me stay more present and productive throughout the day.
If you’re thinking of starting some of these habits yourself, don’t worry about doing them perfectly right away. Start small, build momentum, and soon enough, they’ll feel like second nature.
Which of these habits resonate with you? What habits are you working on? Let’s keep improving together!