Empowering Habits
Jan 25, 2026
In these days of winter storms, political upheaval, and uncertainty, it matters where you put your attention. In the words of James Clear, author of Atomic Habits:
"The more you create, the more powerful you become. The more you consume, the more powerful others become.”
Building supportive habits into your everyday life is a great focus for creative energy when it doesn't feel entirely inspirational or light- hearted.
Ever wonder why some habits feel automatic and healthy, while others feel undermining yet are so hard to change?
It often comes down to utilizing one or more of the 5 habit triggers: time, location, another person, a preceding action, or an emotion. These are the silent cues that tell your brain, “it’s time to do this again.” When you start noticing which trigger is driving a habit, you gain the power to change it, honor it, or create new habits.
Here’s what each trigger might look like for some (not so helpful) habits:
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Time — watching a tv show that keeps you up late each night
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Location — snacking whenever you sit on the couch
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Person — overindulging when you’re with a certain friend
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Preceding action — scrolling right after brushing your teeth
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Emotion — reaching for food or your phone when you feel stressed or bored
When you think of a habit you want to change, consider looking into these five triggers.
Change the trigger, and you change the habit’s path!
Here’s what each trigger might look like for some more helpful habits:
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Time — going to the gym each day at 8am
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Location — drinking some water each time you pass by the kitchen counter where the water dispenser is
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Person — having a cup of tea instead of a beer because you are hanging out with a friend who doesn’t drink
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Preceding action — brushing your teeth before oil pulling
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Emotion — starting your evening wind-down routine when you feel tired and notice yourself yawning.
Wishing you a peaceful and supportive week ahead.
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