15 Habits for a Better Life: Small Shifts That Create Big Change
Because the life you want isn’t going to build itself.
Want to add some habits for a better life? These small shifts will help you create big change in your life.
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Habits for a better life aren’t optional—they’re everything.
At this point in my life, I’ve realized something loud and clear: if I want to create a life I actually love living, I can’t leave it up to chance. It’s not going to magically happen because I read the right book, lit the right candle, or waited for the stars to align. It’s going to happen because I showed up for myself—daily. Consistently. Imperfectly. But with intention.
Creating new habits isn’t always easy. In fact, it’s hard. Especially in midlife, when we’re balancing a thousand things and trying to break free from patterns we’ve been stuck in for decades. But here’s the truth I keep coming back to:
👉 The life I want is built on the habits I choose.
These aren’t surface-level feel-goods. They’re bold, practical habits that move your life forward. Use them. Track them. Build from them. Here’s what I’m doing—daily—to create a better, more intentional life.
1. Wake up 30 minutes earlier
This small shift created space in my day I didn’t know I needed. Waking up earlier gives me breathing room to think, reflect, move, and start on my terms—not in reaction mode. Even just 30 quiet minutes before the day takes off changes everything.
2. Write down your top 3 priorities
Every morning, I list the 3 things that will make the day feel successful. It keeps me focused and helps me avoid that scattered, reactive feeling. If I get these done, I win the day—no matter what else comes up.
3. Move your body
Daily movement isn’t about weight loss—it’s about energy, clarity, and momentum. Whether it’s a walk, yoga, strength training, or dancing around the house, I move every single day to reconnect with my body and reset my mood.
4. Drink 80 oz of water
It’s basic, but it’s life-changing. Staying hydrated improves my energy, digestion, skin, sleep, and focus. I carry a water bottle everywhere and track my intake like it’s part of my job—because, in a way, it is.
5. Take 10 minutes outside
Sunshine, fresh air, and a break from screens—it grounds me fast. Whether I’m walking the dogs, sipping coffee on the porch, or just standing barefoot in the grass, being outside resets my nervous system and reconnects me to the present moment.
Ready to turn these life-changing habits into a daily routine that actually sticks?
Grab my 30-Day Better Life Habit Tracker Bundle—an 8-page printable set designed to help you stay consistent, focused, and intentional. From mindset and movement to rest and routine, this bundle is your step-by-step system for building the life you actually want—one habit at a time.
6. Eat 3 real meals (not just coffee and snacks)
I used to graze all day or forget to eat until I crashed. Now, I make space for real meals with protein, fiber, and foods that actually fuel me. My brain works better, my mood stabilizes, and I stop craving junk.
7. Stretch or do mobility work
Midlife bodies need love. I stretch every day—even if it’s just five minutes. It keeps me flexible, reduces pain, and helps me feel in my body again. Bonus: it’s grounding and calming at the end of a long day.
8. Journal (even just a few sentences)
Some days I brain dump. Other days I reflect on what I’m learning or how I’m feeling. But every day, I put pen to paper. It clears my head, connects me to my truth, and often leads to breakthroughs I wouldn’t have noticed otherwise.
9. Practice gratitude
I write down 3 things I’m grateful for each night—no matter how small. This habit shifts my energy from scarcity to abundance. It trains my brain to look for the good, even in hard seasons.
10. Read 10 pages of a mindset or growth book
Ten pages a day adds up. I don’t wait to “have time” to read—I build it into my day. It keeps me inspired, grounded, and learning. Some of my biggest transformations have come from a single paragraph in the right book.
11. Prep for tomorrow
Each night, I take 5–10 minutes to reset for the next day—tidy up, look at my schedule, set out clothes, or prep breakfast. It makes my mornings smoother and gives me a sense of control before the chaos starts.
12. Repeat a daily affirmation or mantra
I pick one phrase that feels aligned—something like “I am grounded and capable” or “I do hard things with grace.” Saying it throughout the day keeps me rooted and focused when things start to wobble.
13. Limit phone use for the first hour of the day
No scrolling, no news, no emails. That first hour belongs to me. I use it to check in, not check out. My energy stays calmer, and I feel like I’m leading my day instead of reacting to it.
14. Declutter or clean one small area
I pick one thing—junk drawer, countertop, inbox—and reset it. It keeps my space clear without being overwhelming. Small wins build momentum and keep the clutter from taking over.
15. Take your vitamins/supplements
I put mine near my coffee maker so I remember. Supporting my body from the inside out helps me feel stronger, more balanced, and more intentional about my health.
Final Thoughts: This Is How You Build a Better Life
These habits aren’t about perfection. They’re about commitment. They’re about deciding that you’re no longer available for chaos, burnout, or just getting by.
You want a better life? Show up for it—daily.
Track it. Feel it. Let it become who you are.
So here’s what I’d say to anyone starting out:
Pick 3 habits.
Start today.
Build the life you actually want to live.
You in?
Resources
Habits & Productivity
Atomic Habits by James Clear
A must-read for creating lasting, sustainable habits with small, consistent changes.
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
Explores the science behind habit formation and how to intentionally change patterns.
Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg
Perfect for anyone looking to make behavior change easy and doable without burnout.
Mindset & Motivation
The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson
A powerful book on how small daily decisions create success—or failure—over time.
The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest
An emotional and practical look at self-sabotage, healing, and choosing better for yourself.
High Performance Habits by Brendon Burchard
For those ready to elevate not just productivity, but purpose and intentional living.
Wellness & Self-Care
Sacred Rest by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
A beautiful, holistic breakdown of the 7 types of rest everyone needs for true wellbeing.
The Joy of Missing Out by Tonya Dalton
About redefining productivity and living with intention—great for midlife simplification.
Own Your Everyday by Jordan Lee Dooley
Encouraging and actionable for finding purpose in the “ordinary,” and taking small steps toward change.
Printables
Ready to turn these life-changing habits into a daily routine that actually sticks?
Grab my 30-Day Better Life Habit Tracker Bundle—an 8-page printable set designed to help you stay consistent, focused, and intentional. From mindset and movement to rest and routine, this bundle is your step-by-step system for building the life you actually want—one habit at a time.
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