Five Tiny (Yet Mighty) Habits That Will Change Your Life Forever
It’s easy if you try.
Yes, I know you hate the word “change.”
I hate it too as it demands too much from us. But who doesn’t know that without change, there is no improvement or growth?
Don’t worry! The tiny habits I will discuss in this post don’t turn your world upside down.
You don’t have to put too much effort to make them a reality. Instead, these apparently simple micro habits will help you become a better version of yourself without moving a dime.
So, let’s dive into it.
Imprison yourself in a dark room for 30 minutes and do nothing
One of my favorite quotes came from Blaise Pascal. He said, “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” Another writer whom I admire, when asked about how he became a writer, replied, “Sitting quietly in a dark room for days turned me into a writer.”
This means that when you spend time with yourself, separated from all the chaos and distractions life offers, your mind becomes clearer, and you can explore yourself better.
Sitting in a dark room alone calms your nerves and helps you reflect on your daily actions and make wiser decisions. It works like meditation.
I highly recommend you do the following —
- Chose a suitable time
- Leave your electronic devices and imprison yourself in a room
- Cover the windows, lock the door, and turn off the lights
- Now make yourself comfortable and do nothing for the next twenty or thirty minutes.
If you cannot do this daily, do it at least once a week. You will feel the difference. Sometimes all you need to go ahead is to take a pause and do nothing.
Hug your Kindle (or Books) before you sleep
Reading in bed may sound like a typical habit, but this is the ‘extra’ thing that can turn an ordinary person extraordinary. Moreover, it is very relaxing and can solve your sleeping problem for good.
Some researchers at The University of Sheffield in the UK conducted a study where they found that reading in bed at night helps people be relaxed and free from daily pressure.
The process is very simple-
- smartphones out, Kindle/books in.
Whether it’s a book, a magazine, or even your favorite blog, reading just before sleep helps you reduce stress and improve the quality of your sleep. Not to mention, it makes you wiser and smarter than others too.
So, keep your stupid phone at least ten feet away from your bed and embrace some books to expand your knowledge.
Make sure the last thing you see before closing your eyes is worth your attention.
Turn off all social media notifications
Imagine you are in the middle of writing an official email or some creative work. Suddenly you hear a notification sound on your smartphone. Now, what will you do?
Even if you ignore the temptation to see the notification and force yourself to continue working, deep inside your mind, all you will be thinking about is the notification; What’s the notification about? Who sent it? Is that something urgent? Should I see it now?
Eventually, the stress will mount, and you will be forced to stop your work to have a peek at the notification.
Social media apps are designed this way to hijack your attention. Because your time is their business. The more attention you give them, the wealthier they become. And notification is one of many tools to rob your attention.
A study confirms that people who turn off their phone notifications feel less stressed, less distracted, and more productive. It also reveals that notification overload can change people’s behavior.
So, turn off all social media notifications and save your sanity. It can be a life-transforming habit for you.
Say ‘Hello!’ to a friend/colleague you almost forgot
Take five minutes and recall the impactful memories of your school, college, university, or previous jobs. You will see that you haven’t talked to many of the people you once held dear to your heart for years.
Maybe you have their phone numbers, or they are still on your Facebook friend list. Still, you didn’t make a call for many days or never tried to have a friendly chat over a cup of tea or coffee on a peaceful evening.
Now, listen to me!
Reconnecting with a friend or colleague you almost forgot is a very uplifting experience. So make it a habit of calling an old buddy once a week.
Recently, after reconnecting with one of my college-friend, I visited his place and felt overwhelmed by his hospitality. We talked about a million things and relived some wonderful memories. You can do the same.
Here is how —
- Recall the best memories you have and the persons who made it possible.
- Take note of the people you lived exciting moments with.
- Make a list and say “Hello!” to one person a week.
- Meet in person and relive the wonderful memories together.
Trust me. This habit will spice up your life and never make you feel alone.
I strongly suggest this to everyone, especially those who struggle with depression, loneliness, or mental discomfort.
Remember death and feel tiny on a daily basis
Death is extremely underrated. And the thinking of it too. Why? Because nobody wants to die. Instead, you want to live till the end of time.
“I was born with a higher purpose, not to submit myself to some stupid death,” You thought to yourself. You think everyone will die except you. So, you are always reluctant to admit the fact that you will die one day. And that day can come anytime soon.
The point I’m trying to make is that you’re not the center of the universe, so never act like that. Recall death every day. It will keep your foot grounded and make you humble.
To have the realization of death, do one of the following things —
- Visit hospitals to witness how fragile this human body is.
- Visit the graveyard to be aware that the ultimate truth of life.
You can also go to the rooftop on a starry night and stare at the mysterious and ever-expanding universe only to realize how insignificant your life is. You don’t matter at all. So stop putting too much pressure on yourself and at the same time, treat everyone with respect.
Make it a habit of feeling tiny and insignificant before the wild dance of life happening around you.
By doing so, you will feel less stressed and more focused. You will be able to rethink your actions and correct the wrongs you have been doing with yourself so far.
To conclude
Jimmy Johnson states, “The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.” So keep that in mind and make these tiny yet mighty habits your little ‘extras’ to change your life for the better.
- Spend thirty minutes a day only with yourself.
- Keep books beside your pillow and read a few pages before you sleep.
- Turn off all social media notifications and be focused on what you do.
- Reconnect with an old buddy to relive good memories.
- Think about death, feel tiny, and be grateful for what you have in life.
I wish you an exciting, peaceful, and happy life.
New to Medium?? Unlock thousands of AWESOME stories only for $5/mo. and OUTSHINE others — Click Me.
You may read my following articles to know more about life and happiness