I finished reading “Atomic Habits” about a month ago, and I’ve been trying to implement the recommended habits. For years, I’ve struggled with my mental health, and I’ve noticed that when I struggle to stick to routines and habits, it’s usually a sign that my mental health is slipping. So, I’ve been trying to find ways to create a routine that will help me recognize early on when my mental health is starting to decline.
About Atomic Habits
To be honest, it took me an embarrassingly long time to read this book, even though so many people rave about it, and one of my favourite YouTubers is mentioned in it. “Atomic Habits” is all about building habits, which is central to day-to-day marketing and mental health.
One of the most powerful messages that stuck with me is the “I am the type of person who” mantra. When I’m trying to do something difficult, like getting out of bed in the morning to go to the gym, I repeat to myself, “I am the type of person who goes to the gym.”
Another tip that was recommended in the book was to write down my positive and negative habits in order to understand them, rather than trying to change them.
I’ve been using an app called Habitica to track this, which subtracts health points for negative habits and gives me experience points for good habits. The more good habits I have, the more my character levels up. Too many negative or failed habits, and my character (Which I’ve nicknamed Dude) dies.
I have a “Don’t Break The Chain” tracker called “Don’t Kill the Dude”, and when I do kill the dude, I do a quick mental health check on myself to see if I’m okay. The experience system also helps with another tip from the book: rewarding myself. I’m thinking about setting goals so that when I reach certain levels or number of “Don’t Kill The Dude” days, I will treat myself to a present.
Overall, “Atomic Habits” has lived up to the hype, and I’m still making changes to my life based on the book’s recommendations. It’s helping me improve my life in small, meaningful ways. I highly recommend giving it a read.
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