Hey there,
A few years ago, I felt like I was stuck. Not in a dramatic, life-is-falling-apart way. Just… stuck. I was going through the motions—wake up, work, scroll, sleep—without much joy or direction. I knew I wanted change, but everything I found online sounded overwhelming: waking up at 5 a.m., journaling for an hour, following a 12-step morning routine… Honestly? I didn’t have the energy.
So I started small.
One new habit at a time. Tiny, doable things. Some took only two minutes, but over time, they reshaped my day—and my mindset.
You don’t need a complete life makeover. You just need a few life-giving rhythms that bring peace, not pressure. In this post, I’m sharing seven of the best habits I’ve discovered—some faith-based, others simply grounding. All are easy to start and powerful when repeated.
1. Pray Before You Check Your Phone
This one changed everything for me.
We all know the feeling: the alarm goes off, and our hand goes straight to the phone. Instagram, emails, news, messages… Our brains are instantly overwhelmed.
What if, just for a minute, you paused?
Before opening any app, say a short prayer. Nothing fancy. Just something like:
“Good morning, Lord. Thank You for this new day. Please guide my heart and thoughts.”
It takes 30 seconds. But it centers your soul before the world floods in.
Tip: Place a sticky note on your phone or nightstand that says, “Pray first.” Let that gentle reminder redirect your heart each morning.
You’ll be amazed how this one quiet habit changes the way your entire day begins.
2. The 5-Minute Rule for Anything You Avoid
We all have those small tasks we keep avoiding: sending a message, replying to an email, folding laundry, starting a prayer journal. They stay on our mental to-do list, creating background stress.
Here’s the rule:
If it takes less than 5 minutes, do it now.
It’s simple. If you think of something small, and it’ll only take a moment—get up and do it.
- Need to refill your water bottle? Do it now.
- Want to text your friend to check in? Do it now.
- Thought about writing in your Bible journal? Five minutes is enough to jot down one verse and a sentence.
It builds trust with yourself. It clears your mental clutter. And it helps you stop procrastinating things that could bring peace.
One small step today is better than a big, perfect plan “someday.”
3. Two Senses of Rest Daily (One Must Be Quiet)
We talk a lot about “rest,” but what does that actually mean? Scrolling on the couch feels like rest—until it doesn’t. Your body might be still, but your brain is buzzing.
Here’s a habit I created to balance rest:
Every day, give yourself two kinds of rest:
– One active (light movement, music, nature)
– One silent (no screens, no talking, no noise)
For example:
- Take a 15-minute walk without your phone.
- Then later, sit in silence with a cup of tea for 5 minutes. No music, no podcasts, just breathing and being.
This helps reset both your body and your mind. It makes space for clarity—and often, space for God’s voice.
If five minutes of quiet feels hard, that’s a sign you need it. Don’t fill every moment with sound. Let silence speak.
4. Weekly “No Scroll Night”
This one might sound radical—but it’s a game changer.
Choose one evening a week when you don’t use your phone after 7pm.
No social media. No doom-scrolling. Just… stillness.
At first, it might feel weird. You’ll instinctively reach for your phone and realize: oh, I said no tonight.
That’s good.
Replace scrolling with something warm:
- A long bath with a candle
- Reading a devotional or a cozy novel
- Writing a letter to a friend
- Drawing, stretching, or just laying under a blanket listening to rain sounds
Your brain needs this detox. Your soul does, too.
You may even hear God’s whisper clearer when the noise of the world is paused.
5. Ask Yourself Each Morning: “How Can I Be Gentle Today?”
Not “How can I be productive?”
Not “How can I fix everything?”
Just: “How can I be gentle?”
With yourself. With others. With your words and your thoughts.
This one habit—asking that single question—changed how I showed up in my daily life. It softened my inner critic. It made me pause before reacting. It reminded me that strength isn’t always loud or busy.
Some days, the answer was:
- “I’ll speak more kindly to myself when I make a mistake.”
- “I won’t push my body to the limit today.”
- “I’ll listen to my coworker without interrupting.”
Jesus was gentle. He didn’t rush or shame or yell. You don’t need to hustle to be worthy.
Write the question on a sticky note or phone background:
“How can I be gentle today?”
6. Evening “Gratitude + Release” Journal
You’ve heard of gratitude journaling—but I’m adding a twist.
Each night, take 3 minutes to write:
- 3 things you’re thankful for
- 1 thing you’re choosing to let go of
It could look like:
- 💛 Thankful for: a warm meal, a sweet text, my soft bed
- 💔 Letting go of: comparing myself to others on Instagram
This small reflection helps you end your day on a hopeful note. You’re not just counting blessings—you’re also releasing burdens.
You can turn it into a short prayer, too:
“Lord, thank You for today. I’m letting go of this fear I’m carrying. Please hold it for me.”
This habit has helped me sleep better. Lighter. Freer.
7. One Intentional Connection Per Day
Here’s something easy and beautiful:
Reach out to one person a day.
Not a broadcast. Not a story reply. A real moment of connection.
- A message that says, “Hey, I was thinking of you. How are you really?”
- A voice memo instead of a text.
- A note in your roommate’s lunchbox.
- An honest chat with a coworker.
It doesn’t need to be deep or long. Just intentional.
If you’re more introverted, this can even be a journaled prayer for someone.
God sees the quiet love, too.
You were made for connection. Start small. Be the one who checks in. You’ll notice how much love flows back, just from one tiny action.
Before you go, if this post spoke to your heart, you might also love these gentle reads that go hand in hand with these habits:
👉 Want to start a journaling habit but don’t know how?
Read my post on Why You Should Start Journaling and How to Begin | Soul And Self Growth – it’s full of easy prompts and peaceful inspiration.
👉 Craving a reset in your mindset?
My post on 30-Day Bible verse Challenge: One Scripture, One Thought | Soul And Self Growth helps you slow down and reflect with one powerful verse a day.
If you’re looking for more lifestyle tips, feel free to explore my Pinterest page as well!
Final Thoughts: Start With One
These seven habits won’t overwhelm your schedule. They’ll free you.
You don’t need to start them all at once. Just pick one that made your heart nod, and try it for three days. Then maybe another.
These aren’t about performance. They’re about peace.
They’re for the woman who’s tired of pressure, but still dreams of more joy.
They’re for the girl who loves Jesus, but sometimes forgets to pause.
They’re for you.
And here’s the truth:
You don’t have to change your life in one day.
You just have to take one quiet, kind step.
God walks with you—habit by habit, morning by morning.
You’ve got this.
0 Comments