What we do regularly on default becomes the way we spend our lives and shapes who we become and what we achieve.
As children, routine gives us a feeling of safety. As adults, it gives us a feeling of purpose.
Brianna Wiest, 101 Essays To Change Your Life
When discussing habits, we often focus on our worst behaviors and how to eliminate them. While removing bad habits is key to self-improvement, adding good habits is just as essential.
Here are four small habits that can transform your life by 2026:
Reading is one of life’s great joys. If you’re not an avid reader yet or find it hard to focus, start small with just 10 pages a day.
Reading benefits mental health. According to NAMI California, it’s linked to lower stress, less loneliness, and better empathy. Research also shows reading boosts intelligence and memory.
Morning Pages, introduced by Julia Cameron in The Artist’s Way, involve writing three pages of stream-of-consciousness thoughts first thing in the morning. The rules are simple:
Morning Pages can reduce anxiety, spark new insights, solve problems, and more.
This classic advice works for a reason. According to Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit, making your bed is linked to greater productivity, improved well-being, and even better budgeting skills.
Set aside 10-15 extra minutes for self-care beyond your usual routine. This could include applying a face mask, meditating, napping, or practicing deep breathing. The goal is to remind yourself you’re worth the effort.
Change takes time. By practicing these four habits, you’ll build discipline, create momentum, and trigger a positive domino effect in other areas of your life. Try it for yourself and see how you feel. By 2026, you might be unrecognizable.
