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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:
AllotmentTime · 29/12/2021 11:09

Interesting article on habit stacking here, thanks OP I hadn’t heard of this!
jamesclear.com/habit-stacking

Fairyliz · 29/12/2021 11:17

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie

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
@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie Just to let you and anyone else know the nail oil thing really works. I never had to file my nails as they always just split off. I started applying oil just once a day in the evening. I keep a bottle in a drawer in the living room and massage it in whilst watching tv. After six months they are so strong I have to regularly cut them.
Chrysanthemum5 · 29/12/2021 11:38

Good idea I've started today:

Taking my vitamin tablet at the time I take my HRT

Nail oil in the evening

Positive affirmation each morning while brushing my teeth

Nilbog · 29/12/2021 11:47

I’m in @Workyticket, I need to build some good habits around sleeping, eating, moving and screen time.

@Feelingoood and @Sundancerintherain I notice you both have yoga in your habits to make. Have you started today?

I’ve signed up for Adrienne’s latest 30 day thingy but haven’t started yet (story of my life).

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 29/12/2021 15:36

Thanks @Fairyliz - I'd got myself going quite nicely with the oil in the last couple of months, but it's fallen off over the holiday and I've managed to break nearly every nail in the past week. Hopefully I can get them back again!

Lightstoobright · 29/12/2021 15:48

Doesn't the Adrienne thing start on the 1st? Hope so as I haven't started yet either!!
I had good success last year in creating a morning routine which includes making the bed, good breakfast, meditation, quick tidy up, drinking water, journal writing.. I hadn't heard of habit stacking but sounds good. I read something the other day about using 'cues' to remind yourself to do a thing. .. like a PP said: squats while waiting for the kettle to boil etc. I put my vitamin D spray on the windowsill so when I open the curtain in the morning I see it and take it straight away. I'm interested in other ideas like this!
I sorted out my Google calendar for 2022 over the past two days... Put on every birthday, mapped annual leave, time blocking for key daily routines and exercise, which has helped a lot and made me feel excited about the new year! Way more organised now.

Nilbog · 29/12/2021 22:25

Oh that makes sense @Lightstoobright

Original poster
Workyticket · 30/12/2021 11:35

Face washed and moisturised before bed. Curtains and window open this morning Grin

How's everyone else getting on?

OP posts:
Breathmiller · 30/12/2021 12:28

Whoever suggested opening the windows, what a great idea. The house feels less stuffy and I feel a bit less sluggish.
I didn't manage my water intake yesterday but I have one of these bottles with times on them arriving today. Which feels slightly ridiculous that I need something like that to remind me to do something as basic as drinking water but here we are.

Well done on the face done. I might add that too. I don't wear make up but it would feel nice to wash my face and moisturise before bedtime.

Original poster
Workyticket · 30/12/2021 12:50

@Breathmiller it feels daft not to have really doesn't it?

I don't remember my parents opening windows when we were kids and it's just not a habit I've ever got into

OP posts:
Breathmiller · 30/12/2021 14:44

Funnily enough my mum dod open windows and I used to in my old house. Just never got in the habit here. They are closed now but the house does feel fresher.

JohnSmithDrive · 30/12/2021 14:46

I open windows (fairly) regularly. My dad hates the fact that I'm "heating the outdoors" Grin

stayathomegardener · 30/12/2021 15:44

Teeth gleaming here!
I should clarify I love my teeth and brush twice daily normally but water jet, flossing and whitening have made such a big difference in only a few days.

In fact it's such a boost I've painted my toes a pretty colour too.

Am seriously considering my water consumption as my second stack.

Original poster
Workyticket · 30/12/2021 15:52

Can you tell me more about the water jet @Stay?

OP posts:
MrsLJ2014 · 30/12/2021 17:38

Following all of your ideas so I can make a list, ready to start on Saturday.
First one will be the usual 'drink more water.'

Original poster
Workyticket · 30/12/2021 18:56

One i already do that I forgot about (which i suppose means it's a proper habit now) is to add to the shopping list while I wait for the kettle to boil.

Alexa sits on the kitchen windowsill and i shout "Alexa, add tea bags, bog roll and beans to the shopping list" while making a cuppa.

OP posts:
MrsTophamHat · 30/12/2021 19:24

Opening the windows is a definite embedded habit for me. I even like to open the back door for a while in the morning just to really air out the house, but it does annoy my husband! I find the central heating fugginess gives me a sluggish headachey feeling if I haven't aired the house.

Still doing my organised mum method but it's hard with a one year old and four year old. The tagline is 'more to life than housework' but I feel like i'm doing loads, but just always the same things over and over again where the kids tend to make a mess. I'm currently procrastinating finishing off today's kitchen list!

Santaslittlemelter · 30/12/2021 19:31

I really think these sorts of exercises (pressures) put on especially women are just not healthy. If the window and your night cream and the steps don't get done, does it really matter? You'd be doing them already if they were important. The steps is good for your health so I won't argue with that but the other two are just more shit you need to hold in your head as rules for yourself.

I think many of us need to focus on things that don't matter NOT being tied up with our self worth and feeling of success.

AutumnAlmanack · 30/12/2021 19:33

I have the bedroom window open all year round - cannot bear sleeping in a hermetically sealed room. Also, I NEVER pull the blinds/curtains - hate the darkness.

EmmaMaya · 30/12/2021 19:38

I will join too, lovely idea!

  1. Drink more water
  2. Take time for skin routine each night
  3. Remember vitamins!!
MrsTophamHat · 30/12/2021 19:41

@Santaslittlemelter

I really think these sorts of exercises (pressures) put on especially women are just not healthy. If the window and your night cream and the steps don't get done, does it really matter? You'd be doing them already if they were important. The steps is good for your health so I won't argue with that but the other two are just more shit you need to hold in your head as rules for yourself.

I think many of us need to focus on things that don't matter NOT being tied up with our self worth and feeling of success.

I don't think anyone is saying that not opening a window or not putting cream on every single day should make a person feel like a failure, but only that these small things are an investment and a kindness to ourselves. I already have plenty of habits that are counter-productive to myself, so why would it be a negative to replace some of those things with behaviours that improve my life?
wheresmymojo · 30/12/2021 19:42

Great thread. I have ADD and really struggle with routines and habits and end up being quite chaotic 😳

This week it would be a win for me just to remember to shower each morning when I get out of bed.

So that's where I'll start...

Original poster
Workyticket · 30/12/2021 19:45

@Santaslittlemelter

I really think these sorts of exercises (pressures) put on especially women are just not healthy. If the window and your night cream and the steps don't get done, does it really matter? You'd be doing them already if they were important. The steps is good for your health so I won't argue with that but the other two are just more shit you need to hold in your head as rules for yourself.

I think many of us need to focus on things that don't matter NOT being tied up with our self worth and feeling of success.

I really don't plan on adding habits that will cause me stress - these are things that I feel will make my life better!
OP posts:
MsGoodenough · 30/12/2021 20:17

Good idea. I am trying to react to exhaustion by eating. Need to give myself permission to flop. Not sure if that counts as habit stacking. I guess I need to break a harmful habit.

Fwiw, I really don't like the The Organised Mum Method as it assumes the harmful idea that housework is only a mum's job. The best way of beating housework stress is to split the jobs fairly.

Breathmiller · 30/12/2021 23:38

Yes, as much as TOMM actually helped us as a family get into a better headspace with keeping on top of the house, it's an awful name.

Today I made my 2 litres of water, the bottle with timings really worked. Just kind of kept sipping from it.

And I washed my face and moisturised when i did my teeth tonight. My skin is quite dry so I'm hoping that all the water and the extra moisturiser will help.
(I also used to squat while doing my teeth but had gotten out of the habit so I threw that in too)