8 Tiny Habits That Will Make You Feel More In Control Of Your Life Every Single Day

 

If you fumble over your morning coffee, you know it’s going to be a long day. If you miss the bus, you know it’s out of your control.

Welcome to the chaos of daily life.

But what if I told you, there’s a way to feel more in control? It’s not rocket science; it’s just about adopting 8 tiny habits that can make a world of difference.

And don’t worry, these habits are not herculean tasks. They’re simple, everyday

actions that anyone can incorporate into their routine.

So, if you’re someone who craves a little more order in your everyday life, then this article is for you. Let’s dive into these 8 habits that can make every single day feel less like a battlefield and more like a walk in the park.

1) Start your day with purpose

Picture this: Your alarm rings, you groggily turn it off, snooze, and go back to sleep. Sound familiar?

That’s how many of us start our day, without any specific intent. But let me tell you, that’s not the way to seize control.

Instead, try this tiny habit: Start your day with a purpose. Before you even get out of bed, take a few moments to visualize what you want to achieve that day. It could be finishing a work project, going for a run, or even just making someone smile.

By setting an intention for the day, you’re essentially taking the reins of your life into your own hands. You’re not letting circumstances dictate your day; instead, you’re commanding your day to go the way you want.

And the best part? This doesn’t need any extra time or resources. Just a few moments of silent contemplation in the morning can make all the difference.

Instead of hitting that snooze button, take control. Set a purpose for your day and watch how it changes your perception of control over your life.

2) Daily exercise, no matter how small

Let me tell you a story about my own experience.

A few years back, I found myself feeling sluggish and out of control. My energy levels were low, and I felt like I was just going through the motions of life, rather than living it. Then, a friend suggested that I start incorporating some form of exercise into my daily routine.

Honestly, I was dubious. I wasn’t really the ‘gym type’. But, I gave it a shot.

I started small, just taking a brisk walk around the block every evening after work. It didn’t take long; maybe 15 minutes. But those 15 minutes had a profound impact on me.

I found that this tiny habit helped me feel more in control of my day. It was something I had complete command over, and it was invigorating to see the positive impact it had on my mood and energy levels.

Now, daily exercise is an integral part of my routine. It doesn’t have to be a high-intensity workout; even a brief walk or a few stretches can do wonders.

3) Practice mindful eating

Did you know that the average person makes around 200 food-related decisions each day? Yes, even deciding whether to take another cookie counts!

Mindful eating is a simple habit that can give you a greater sense of control over these decisions. It’s all about taking the time to savor your food, appreciate its flavors, and listen to your body’s hunger and fullness cues.

This practice not only helps you enjoy your meals more but also makes you more conscious of what you’re putting into your body. Suddenly, you’re not just mindlessly snacking away; you’re making informed decisions about your nutrition.

The next time you sit down for a meal, do it without distractions. Turn off the TV, put away your phone, and really focus on the experience of eating. You might be surprised at how much more control you feel over your dietary choices.

4) Get organized

Ever feel like you’re drowning in clutter? Trust me, you’re not alone. Between work, home, and everything in between, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

But here’s the good news: Getting organized is a tiny habit that can make a huge difference.

Start by decluttering your workspace. A clean and organized desk can do wonders for your productivity and sense of control. Then move onto other areas of your life – your home, your car, even your digital space.

Remember, organization isn’t just about cleanliness. It’s about creating a system where you know where everything is and everything has its place. That way, you’re not wasting time and energy searching for things.

Adopting this habit won’t just make your surroundings look better; it’ll give you a greater sense of control over your life every single day. And isn’t that what we’re all after?

5) Make time for self-reflection

I cannot stress enough how important this tiny habit has been for me. I make it a point to spend at least a few minutes each day in self-reflection, and it has made all the difference.

Life can often feel like a whirlwind of activities and responsibilities. In the midst of all that chaos, it’s easy to lose sight of myself, my goals, and my overall direction.

That’s where self-reflection comes in.

I use this time to check in with myself, see how I’m feeling, and assess how I’m progressing towards my goals. It gives me a sense of perspective and control that’s hard to achieve otherwise.

You don’t need to spend hours on this; even just a few minutes can work wonders. So, make self-reflection a part of your daily routine. You’ll be amazed at the sense of control and clarity it brings.

6) Embrace a little randomness

Now, this might sound a bit strange. After all, we’re talking about gaining control, right? But stick with me here.

Life is unpredictable. No matter how much we plan or prepare, there will always be elements that we can’t control. Rather than letting these unexpected events throw us off balance, why not embrace them?

Incorporate a bit of spontaneity into your daily routine. Try a new food, take a different route to work, or pick up a book from a genre you’ve never explored before.

The idea here is to become more adaptable and flexible, so that when life throws curveballs your way, you’re better equipped to handle them.

And ironically, by embracing the unpredictability of life, you might just find yourself feeling more in control than ever before.

7) Prioritize sleep

In our busy lives, sleep often gets pushed to the back burner. We stay up late to finish work, watch just one more episode, or scroll through social media. But skimping on sleep can leave us feeling out of control and overwhelmed the next day.

Prioritizing sleep is a tiny habit that can have a big impact on your sense of control. A good night’s sleep can refresh your mind, improve your mood, and give you the energy to tackle the day ahead.

Try to establish a regular sleep schedule and stick to it, even on weekends. Create a relaxing bedtime routine that signals your body it’s time to wind down.

Remember, quality sleep is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. So make it a priority, and you’ll soon notice the difference in how in control you feel each day.

8) Practice gratitude

Here’s the thing: control is as much about perception as it is about reality. And there’s no better way to shift your perception than by practicing gratitude.

Gratitude helps us focus on the positive aspects of our lives, the things we do have control over. It shifts our attention from what’s going wrong to what’s going right.

Start by writing down three things you’re grateful for each day. They don’t have to be big things; even small victories or simple pleasures can make the list.

Doing this daily will help you realize that, no matter how chaotic or out of control things may seem, there are always aspects of your life that you have command over. And that’s a powerful feeling.

Embracing control in the chaos

As you’ve journeyed with me through these 8 tiny habits, I hope you’ve come to realize that control isn’t necessarily about having a tight grip on every aspect of your life.

Instead, it’s about understanding and navigating through the inherent chaos of life, with grace and intention.

Each habit we’ve explored offers a unique pathway towards that sense of control. Some might resonate more with you than others, and that’s okay. The key is to start somewhere, no matter how small.

The renowned psychiatrist Viktor Frankl once said, “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”

In other words, control is less about controlling the world around us, and more about how we respond to it.

So as you move forward, I encourage you to explore these habits and find your unique rhythm in the dance of control. After all, life is less about the chaos around us, and more about how we choose to navigate it.

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