We all want to build better habits. It’s human nature to seek growth and self-improvement. Whether it be our health, fitness, social life, or morning routine… There are a million opportunities to choose better habits and improve your life overall. In this blog, I’ll share the foolproof way to not only create better habits, but actually stick with them (for good).
How to Create Better Habits
Earlier this year, I was mindlessly scrolling through YouTube. I was bored, so whatever the algorithm decided to recommend to me, I’d watch it.
I stumbled upon a video by Krissy Cela called “It’s time to better myself… Time for a change.” I figured it’d be an easy 10-minute watch that would make me feel all warm & fuzzy inside, then I’d forget about it 5 minutes later. But boy, was I wrong.
This video completely changed the way I looked at building new habits.
Krissy talked about a 30/30 challenge she was doing, where she would walk 30 minutes a day, 30 days in a row.
The trick is, if you miss a day, you have to start all the way from the beginning. So even if you’re on day 29 and don’t complete your habit that day, you have to start over from day 1.
For me, the idea of quitting a challenge, losing all my progress, and having to start over from the beginning is a huge motivator to simply not quit.
So I decided to try a 30/30 walking challenge. What’s the worst that could happen?
The 30/30 Challenge
Being the ambitious gal I am, I thought it’d be a great idea to start this challenge a month before my wedding.
Thinking back on it, was that really the best time to start a somewhat time-consuming daily challenge? Probably not. But it showed me what I’m capable of if I really put my mind to it.
Some days were harder than others. Often, I had to break up my walks into 5-minute walks throughout the day. With wedding planning, a full-time job, a social life, a relationship, etc (you get the idea) – finding a free 30-minute window in the day isn’t always easy.
There were multiple days throughout the month when I came really close to giving up.
Anytime I felt like throwing in the towel, I’d simply look at my whiteboard of checked-off days. Seeing all the progress I’d made would give me the motivation to keep going. The idea of starting from scratch felt a lot sadder than simply getting my ass out on a 30-minute walk.
Day 30
By the end of the 30 days, I felt like a new woman. A confident, determined, accomplished woman who sticks to her word. Most importantly, I felt like someone who keeps her promises (to herself).
I didn’t realize how drastically daily walks would change my health, but I felt a huge difference by day 30.
I could tell my cardiovascular health was majorly improved. I don’t get tired walking up the stairs anymore. I can easily go on a short run without getting exhausted. And power walking for 30 minutes doesn’t even cause me to break a sweat anymore.
After the 30/30 walking challenge, I was inspired to try anything (& EVERYTHING) in the form of a 30-day challenge. I’ve never experienced this strong of results from any other method of habit change.
In the past, I’d try to do something new, but give up after a few days/weeks of not seeing progress. I wouldn’t stick to things consistently and didn’t hold myself accountable.
With the 30/30 challenge, you’re guaranteeing consistency, reliability, and daily repetition. These 3 combined are a surefire recipe for success.
How You Can Use the 30/30 Method to Create Better Habits
So, enough about me! You came here to figure out how to create better habits for yourself. Let’s break it down…
Here’s a simple checklist to start your own 30/30 challenge:
- Choose the habit you want to build
- Create a daily habit tracker*
- Spend 30 minutes a day on your habit for 30 days! (If you miss a day, you have to start over on day 1).
*I used my whiteboard and wrote out 30 days, then checked them off every time I completed a day. But you can use whatever works best for you. A pen and paper, a Google doc, your daily planner, or an app. Whatever will be easiest for you to check off your progress daily. (If you want an app, I’d recommend the free version of the Habit Tracker app! It’s simple, aesthetic, and easy to use.)
Here are some examples of habits you can try out:
- walking
- reading
- creating (writing, painting, drawing, playing an instrument, etc.)
- cooking at home
- a morning routine
- journaling
- studying (if you’re in school, or learning something new if you’re out of school!)
- running (If you’re a beginner, I’d recommend finding a starter plan, and not jumping right into 30 minutes every day. That’s a recipe for injury. Talk with your doctor first.)
- get outdoors
- meditation
- working on a side hustle
- phone-free focus time
Honestly, the list is endless. Deciding what’s truly important to you, in line with your values, and will improve your life, is what’s important!
I chose walking for my first 30/30 challenge because I realized my cardiovascular health was awful. I wanted a simple daily habit that would improve that, without causing potential injuries. Walking was the perfect option for me, and I’m so glad I did it!
If you want to improve your emotional well-being and lower stress, meditation could be a great one to start with.
Or maybe you’ve realized your screen time is starting to control your life. Try a phone-free half hour, or get outside every day for 30 minutes.
It’s up to you to decide what will make the biggest impact on your life. And remember, it’s only for 30 days, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to try out a new habit. 🙂
What happens when the 30 days are over?
Great question, I’m so glad you asked! 😉
After the 30-day challenge, you’ll still want to keep that habit in your life. It’s not a one-and-done kind of challenge.
These are habits that’ll improve your life and you’ll want to stick with them after the challenge.
After the first 30/30 month, you can choose a new habit to start a new 30/30 challenge with. That doesn’t mean you’re giving up the first habit though.
I don’t think it’s necessary to be as strict with the habit as you were during the challenge. For example, after my 30/30 walking month, I still walk daily (but not always for 30 minutes). Some days I’ll only get out on a 10-minute walk, and that’s okay!
Rarely, I won’t be able to make it out on a walk at all, and that’s okay too. But I know how much better I feel when I do it, so I try to stick with it most days.
Final Thoughts
The 30/30 method has radically changed my relationship with habit building. I’m so grateful to Krissy Cela for making that video because it truly improved my life. I’d definitely recommend watching the original video because it’s a great one! Her channel as a whole is so inspiring, especially if you’re into health & fitness.
I hope you enjoy this method as much as I have and are able to easily create better habits in your life.
If you have any questions, I’m happy to answer them! Or if you want to share your experience with the 30/30 challenge after you try it out. I’d love to hear about it, so leave a comment below if you want. 💛
Talk to you guys in the next blog!
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