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Original poster

Habit stacking - does anyone want to join me?

114 replies

Workyticket · 28/12/2021 23:57

I've been reading about habit stacking - I need a life shake up and think this might help.

I think a habit a week might be more realistic for me than adding another every day though!

I think 1, 2 and 3 for me will be

Washing my face every night and applying night cream (i buy it but always forget. I tend to shower in the mornings and am lazy at bedtime)

8000+ steps a day. I really struggle to fit in 10k. Need to find a reliable way if measuring. I've bought a couple of cheap watch counters but I mustn't swing my arms enough to register!

Open the bedroom window daily

Does anyone want to join me?

OP posts:
58bpm · 29/12/2021 00:01

Why do you want to open the window?

Original poster
Workyticket · 29/12/2021 00:02

@58bpm

Why do you want to open the window?
Because I rarely do and the room is stuffy Confused
OP posts:
58bpm · 29/12/2021 00:04

Oh! I didn't know if this is something I should be worrying about.

I don't know much about habit stacking...so will you do one a week or will you do these three in week one, then add three more?

Apocalyptichorsewoman · 29/12/2021 00:06

Sounds interesting! I couldn't manage one a day either - attention span of a goldfish. Gives the new habit a full week to bed in too!

Original poster
Workyticket · 29/12/2021 00:06

One new thing a week I think.

The idea is that you do the new thing every day and it takes 18+ days to become a habit

OP posts:
58bpm · 29/12/2021 00:08

Hmmmm....see how you go...I'd be interested. I think it would be good to combine with some reflection time, so you're really appreciating how good your skin feels, how fresh the room is etc. Not sure if that is part of it!

HereticFanjo · 29/12/2021 00:17

Great thread pondering all the habits I need to stack.

Original poster
Workyticket · 29/12/2021 00:31

@58bpm

Hmmmm....see how you go...I'd be interested. I think it would be good to combine with some reflection time, so you're really appreciating how good your skin feels, how fresh the room is etc. Not sure if that is part of it!
I'll be enjoying the compliments about my skin flooding in 🤣
OP posts:
stayathomegardener · 29/12/2021 00:36

Hello! This sounds fabulous.

I'm drowning in bad habits diet, sleep, exercise and on top of long Covid I now feel pretty grim so count me in.

Also getting anything to stick is ridiculously hard.

Week one I choose teeth, not just cleaning but flossing, water jetting and whitening.
Hopeful fo Ta dah visuals by next week.

Original poster
Workyticket · 29/12/2021 00:38

I'm starting in the morning. Is it Wednesday? I've got 2 weeks off and I've lost track Grin

OP posts:
Feelingoood · 29/12/2021 00:50

Can I join? Adrienne yoga, the organised mum method.maybe a few words of Spanish if my brain would unglue!

BuddhaAtSea · 29/12/2021 05:56

Didn’t know it was called habit stacking:)
I’m struggling with it, always have done. Takes me a looong time to make it a habit.

I recently started HRT. I’ve never been on the pill, so making a habit out of applying gel every night is proving a bit challenging. I do brush my teeth every morning and evening though, and the box of oestrogen sachets is right there.

I’m a nightmare with moisturising too. I take off the make up, but can’t be bothered to moisturise in the evenings, I always to it in the mornings though.

I thought a habit takes 30 days to form?

Breathmiller · 29/12/2021 06:12

I'd like to join.

My first one is to drink more water. I plan on pouring 1.5 litres out in the morning and get through that every day. I'll up it to 2 litres at some point if I get to 1.5 with ease.
Starting today.

itsgettingweird · 29/12/2021 06:17

I like the sound of this!

My ds swims and we spend lots of time at pools which means I neglect myself.

I do always open window onto the latch though! I agree it makes the room lovely! Great habit to start!

BerryPieandCustard · 29/12/2021 08:15

I read the title as habit SNACKING and thought I would get tips on how to stop bloody snacking when I’m not even hungry Cake

Sundancerintherain · 29/12/2021 08:27

Can I join in too ? I've already decided that 2022 needs to be the year that I prioritise self care, so my first 3 will be
1 - wash face & moisturize and brush teeth twice a day.
2- limit screen time to under 2 hours per day
3 - do yoga or physio exercises every day for at least 15 mins

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 29/12/2021 08:32

I'm going to try these 3 all at once:
Nail oil twice a day
Vitamin once a day
Drink water - am terrible at this and feel quite embarrassed about it

LaDoIceVita · 29/12/2021 08:36

@BerryPieandCustard

I read the title as habit SNACKING and thought I would get tips on how to stop bloody snacking when I’m not even hungry Cake
My brain read it as HOBBIT stacking Confused I've just asked DH to go and make me another coffee!

I didn't know there was a name for this. I started focusing on proper skincare about 6 weeks ago and it had mostly become a habit but it's lapsed a bit over the holiday. I'll be getting back to it properly and adding in drinking more water every day. I'd also like to make 10 minutes a day with Duolingo a habit.

Plastictattoo · 29/12/2021 09:02

You might find it a good idea to ‘add’ your habit to another one that you already do to help with imbedding the new habit. For example, have a glass of water each time you brush your teeth or doing squats while you wait for the kettle to boil

Original poster
Workyticket · 29/12/2021 10:09

Face washed and moisturised last night

Curtains and window opened this morning. Good job i did as I noticed the neighbours have all put their bins out Halo

OP posts:
JohnSmithDrive · 29/12/2021 10:12

I've done this at various times over the last 50 years and it does work. I have pretty good routines for personal care and housekeeping.

This year I need to find some more exciting ones Grin I want to do something around my social life and making contact/keeping in touch with people.

JohnSmithDrive · 29/12/2021 10:14

I also need to find a positive habit forming way of sending less time on MN Grin

NoSquirrels · 29/12/2021 10:15

@Plastictattoo

You might find it a good idea to ‘add’ your habit to another one that you already do to help with imbedding the new habit. For example, have a glass of water each time you brush your teeth or doing squats while you wait for the kettle to boil
This is what you u feast and by ‘habit stacking’ too - you pair a new habit with an established one.

So in OP’s examples

Face washing & cream after toothbrushing in the evening.

Open bedroom window as soon as you get out of bed in the morning/as soon as you make your bed.

8,000 steps harder to ‘pair’ but always take the stairs not lift, park further away from supermarket doors etc.

AD3000 · 29/12/2021 10:23

Great idea, I will start with vitamins and water as soon as I wake up and then move on to skincare next week.

MrsTophamHat · 29/12/2021 11:04

I've downloaded the organised mum method app a few days ago. My house is pretty OK but i'd like to be a bit more methodical about the deeper cleaning.

Today is the hallway so i'm just about to clear the last of the bags for the recycling centre into the boot, sweep the porch and do the skirting boards.