Small life changes that actually make a difference
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It feels like the culture of the 2020s has been defined by microtrends. Thanks to social media platforms like TikTok, the trend life cycle has been cut in half and the demand for fast production increased.
But is it time for a cultural reset? The recent, ironic online posts about things like “strawberry matcha Dubai chocolate Labubu” seem to hint at a growing awareness about the absurdity of these fleeting trends (not to mention their toll on the planet).
And we get it. Trends are designed to make you feel like the cooler version of yourself. But as we leave summer and ease back into routine, we want to make meaningful differences. Instead of microtrends, we are embracing microroutines.
Microroutines are exactly what they sound like: small habits to implement in your daily routine. Eventually, these tiny changes end up making a big difference in your days.
According to Ahead, microroutines work because your brain likes to celebrate. Since small achievements happen more often, there are more reasons to praise yourself. This makes microroutines easier to integrate into your daily life and stick with without giving up just a few days in.
Below, we outline five microroutines that are manageable and will stick as you go back to work.
Before switching off your work-focused brain, take a minute to jot down your to-do’s for the next day, with their respective priorities. Moving your thoughts to paper will help you clear your head and go to sleep without worrying about forgetting tomorrow’s tasks.
It’s difficult to keep up with your reading goals as work piles up. After a long day, all you want to do is switch off your brain, and that book is starting to feel like too much to tackle. But committing to two pages before bed is a small goal that’s easier to stick with.
And it benefits your sleep too. If it becomes a consistent part of your nighttime routine, your brain will interpret it as a signal to wind down, improving the quality of your sleep.
Increasing water intake is a common goal, but not everyone manages to stick by it. A simple microroutine that can help you drink more water is to take a sip every time you check your watch. Think about how often we check the clock. Is it lunch time yet? Am I late to my meeting? How long before my train leaves? All of these moments are opportunities for quick hydration. We recommend clipping your bottle to a Dopper Cord to give yourself that extra nudge to keep up with this routine, even on the go.
Of course, don’t limit your water intake to this routine: drink when you feel thirsty. But this habit can help you feel more hydrated in the long run.
Remember the mandatory recess in elementary school? As we get older, going outside becomes optional, but its benefits remain. So, we must make a conscious effort to do so ourselves. Try setting aside five minutes of your day to just be outside and take in the sun (even if it seems like there’s barely any). Make it a dedicated practice of its own, not a part of your commute to work. Bonus points if you’re off your phone for the duration.
Settling back into routine often means spending long hours at your desk, which can have pretty bad consequences on your back and posture. While long workouts are not for everyone, dedicating a couple of minutes each day to a few simple stretches is easier to tackle.
Try aligning your stretching time to a consistent part of your day. For example, if you are an early bird, try to get a few stretches right after you get out of bed. If you prefer to get more Z’s, use the time before your evening shower to commit to those stretches. Your back will thank you.
Of course, these small habits may not be the next viral thing, but they do stay with us long enough to make a meaningful difference.