The Grass Is Greener Where You Water It

Habits

Good Habits: Stuff That Makes Life Good

Good habits are like those seeds you plant in good soil. Things like working out, being thankful, or keeping close with friends. They’re the things that make life richer and more satisfying. When you consistently water these habits, they become second nature, shaping your life for the better.

Take action and try something new today: Set aside 10 minutes for a focused activity - read, quick workout, walk around the block, clean your space in silence, journal. Notice how this intentional focus impacts your mood and productivity.

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Bad Habits: Weeds That Stifle Growth

Bad habits are like annoying weeds that mess up your garden. Things like scrolling for hours on social media, procrastinating, negative people and thought patterns. They take up space and stop you from growing into a happier and healthier person. Identifying these weeds helps in pulling them out and making room for healthier habits to thrive.

Take action and try something new today: Implement a “tech-free hour”, and use this time to engage in a hobby, cross off something on your to-do list, or simply rest without the distraction of screens.

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Behaviors

Making Better Choices

Being mindful is deciding to spend your time on things that really matter to you. Imagine ditching endless social media scrolling for a hobby or making time for people who light you up. It’s about consciously choosing how you react in situations and actively participating in habits that serve your highest good. That sometimes means opting for the “harder” thing in the moment, but knowing that your future-self will thank you for it.

Take action and try something new today: Delete all your social media apps for the day and dust off the book that you haven’t picked up in a while. Feel free to head to your nearest bookstore and browse through random pages of any books that catch your attention.

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Untangle from Harmful Patterns

Behaviors, such as bingeing (e.g. drinking, drug abuse, consumerism) , people-pleasing and self-sabotage breaks down your self-esteem and deteriorates your mental wellbeing. When you catch yourself in a cycle of self-criticism, pause and reframe your thoughts with kindness and encouragement.

Take action and try something new today: Write down a list of 5 limiting beliefs that have been part of your recent thought patterns, and turn them into 5 opposite and empowering positive affirmations. Set a 3 minute timer, and read the affirmations aloud while looking at yourself in a mirror until the timer goes off.

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Relationships

Nurture Meaningful Connections

Just like gardens need care, relationships need attention too. Positive relationships involve mutual support, trust, and genuine connection. These relationships uplift and empower you, foster open communication, and create an inner calm within you. It’s about investing time and effort into people who add value to your life, because building and nurturing relationships requires intentional effort.

Take action and try something new today: Send a text to 3 people you’ve been thinking about lately. A “hey, you were on my mind today - i hope you’re good!” text goes a long way in letting people know you still care even if you’re not in a place to have an extended catch-up chat.

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Release Toxicity

If a relationship consistently makes you sweat, second-guess yourself, or brings out a side of yourself that you’re not proud of…. then you probably need to have a frank self-reflection about the impact it has on you and decide on a better way forward. These kinds of relationships tend to subtly but significantly influence your own behaviors, perceptions, and worldview. Even if you believe you can compartmentalize these relationships, their influence tends to linger, impacting your interactions, decisions, and overall happiness.

Take action and try something new today:  Take an intentional break from spending time with a person who has been negatively impacting you recently (it doesn’t matter how big or small the impact has been). If they want to hang out or have a long FaceTime call, simply tell them you’ve got a lot going on and will get back to them when you have more capacity. Take note of how you feel during this break.

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Let’s Wrap It Up!

Mindfulness isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being aware and intentional. As we go through life, let’s be mindful of what we water. By focusing on good habits, smart behaviors, and great relationships; let’s be mindful of what we water!

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