It is the 10th of July and time for an update on my challenge for this month. I chose 10 habits I want to build and 3 routines I want to cultivate in my life along with diving into Atomic Habits by James Clear for the second time.
HABITS
Wake up at 5:00 AM. Since the first of the month, I have been getting up between 4:30 AM and 5:30 AM. I have not had to set my alarm clock because my dog Bailey wakes me up, and it is generally before 5:00 AM.
Walk at least 30 minutes daily, preferably outside. I am on a streak with my walking. I have walked every day up to this point, and each walk has been outside in my neighborhood. I am also leaving my phone at home which allows me to gain some clarity with my thoughts and feelings while enjoying the natural world. I love seeing the squirrels chase each other and listening to the birds sing their songs. Yesterday, I spotted a brown and white bunny hopping under a bush. Today, I saw three bunnies (one in my front yard).
Here are my times for each walk. As you can see on Monday, my time increased by 10 minutes because I added more road to cover on my walk.
- 07/01 (35:12)
- 07/02 (33:49)
- 07/03 (34:25)
- 07/04 (35:26)
- 07/05 (34:18)
- 07/06 (32:54)
- 07/07 (42:44)
- 07/08 (43:47)
- 07/09 (44:00)
- 07/10 (43:48)
Drink more water. I have increased my water intake by 2 cups as a result of walking daily.
Mindful eating. I have avoided dairy, gluten, and added sugar 7 of the 10 days.
Keep a JOY journal. I made no attempt with this habit.
Write a daily to-do list. Writing my to-do list is the first task I do after letting Bailey out to potty and taking my reflux meds.
Track book spending. I record my spending when I work on my financial tasks for the week (usually Sunday morning). On July 1st, I bought Picnic in Provence: A Memoir with Recipes by Elizabeth Bard from Amazon to read this month for the Cozy Cottage Book Club. It cost $21.03, and my year-to-date spending for 2025 is $621.64.
Declutter/Chores (schedule). I completed chores and did minimal decluttering; however, I have not created a schedule, yet.
Creative Time/Aims (schedule). I wrote this blog post which counts toward my 25 posts I want to write in 2025; however, I have not created a schedule, yet, to incorporate scrapbooking time or to complete my remaining aims on my list.
Monitor progress (habits/routines). I am currently monitoring my daily walks and water intake. I also weighed myself on July 1st (162.5 pounds) for informational purposes. I started writing down when I woke up each morning, but only documented the first 2 days and forgot about keeping track in my notebook. I did jot down a few notes regarding my morning routine.
Despite not being perfect and not hitting all my goals for July in the first 10 days, I am proud of my progress. Honestly, I am in no rush, so I do not mind the slow progression towards building sustainable habits. By the next update, I want to (1) monitor the time I wake up each morning 2) put my workout clothes on my bathroom counter the night before, start my walk at 6:00 AM, and add more time to my walk (3) increase my water intake (4) eat more veggies and drink my protein shake with tumeric for breakfast (5) start my JOY journal (6) continue my daily to-do list with designating times to complete tasks (7) NO book buying for myself by next update (8/9) start creating schedules for decluttering/chores and creative time/aims (10) continue monitoring habits.
ROUTINES
My morning, weekly, and evening routines have not been established, yet. I have been focusing more on my habits than my routines up to this point. As I mentioned, I am keeping notes about my morning routine. My one stumbling block with my morning routine is my cell phone. It is also my house phone, so I do like to check it first thing in the morning in the event I have received any calls or texts from my dad, sister, or friends (especially my friends who live alone). I need to put it away after that morning check, so I am not tempted to start scrolling. If I want to scroll, I need to schedule it.
ATOMIC HABITS by James Clear
I have created a schedule for reading and discussing Atomic Habits. A group of us start a new chapter or chapters every Monday. Dear reader, if you want to join us, you are welcome to read along with us or read at your own pace and jump into the discussion on my Discord whenever you want to share your thoughts. We completed Chapters 1-3 on Sunday, 06 July.
Here are some takeaways from Atomic Habits that resonated with me from the first three chapters.
- Create Systems since systems are the processes that lead to achieving goals.
- Identity-Based Habits are habits that become part of our identity.
“Who do we wish to become?” a) Decide the type of person you want to be. b) Prove it to yourself with small wins.
- The Habit Loop consists of cue (notice the reward), craving (want the reward), response (obtain the reward), reward (gold star). Of course, the gold star is for good habits.
I love the examples on pages 52-53 that illustrate the habit loop. I can relate to the stumbling block example. Social media has a way of sucking me into the Twilight Zone when I am overwhelmed or hit a stumbling block, so I try hard to avoid it when I am feeling that way. Not always successful. I’m excited to dive into the Four Laws of Behavior Change.
I am pleased with the results of the first 10 days of my challenge, especially since I am changing my mindset on how I spend my time. Planning my time each week has allowed me to accomplish essential tasks while also fitting in some fun. I am currently participating in the Summerween Readathon, so I am setting aside more time to read for that event. I also spent time on Monday getting paperwork together and researching information for the title transfer of my mother-in-law’s vehicle to my son Andrew. That took up a whole afternoon. I have also been a social butterfly this week meeting up with friends and spending time with my hubby and my father. I am in a good place right now, and I am excited about taking the next steps for this challenge. Dear reader, what have you been up to in the first 10 days of July? Happiness!
“The most effective way to change your habits is to focus not on what you want to achieve, but on who you wish to become.” ~ James Clear, Atomic Habits
The Kat Files 
Wow, well done you. Getting that morning walk in must feel like a great start to the day. I’m trying to hammer away at my book that I’ve been writing for an age. I have given myself a deadline of the end of August to get that first draft actually on the page, so taking myself off to the library most days as that is where I’m most productive. It’s hard creating habits but you’re doing great.
Thanks for the encouragement, Rita! I am loving my morning walk. It sets the tone for my day. I love that you are writing a book. I can’t wait to read it. Giving yourself a deadline and creating a writing habit that works for you is great.
Well, I’m planning to self-publish as it’s my first one and I am sure there will be lots of improvements that I can make for later books, but I want a hard copy as I need something to show for my current efforts! I’ll send you one, when it’s eventually ready!
I have a couple of friends that have self-published their books. I’ve crossed over into the authortube realm of YouTube. One of my writer friends lives in Wales. I’m in agreement with you about wanting a hard copy. If I spent the time writing a book, I’d want to see it in a physical capacity. I’m happy and excited for you, Rita!