Lately, there have been days where I feel fatigued and uninspired for seemingly no reason at all. It could be some random Wednesday and I have to go to work for 10 hours with no fun plans to look forward to except my bed. I was so confused as to why I was feeling so run down. In hind sight, I think that I lacked energy, motivation, routine, and healthy hobbies to keep me going.

Over the summer, I started to slowly introduce some habits into my daily routine. There was no overarching goal here, and certainly no plan. Rather, it kind of happened on accident. I knew that I didn’t feel my best self, but I didn’t know how to change it. So I started trying new hobbies. Adding more of the things I knew I liked, and subtracting what I didn’t. It all sounds so self-explanatory now, but sometimes you don’t realize what you needed until you have it.

I’ll list the new additions that I have made to my life so that maybe they’ll inspire you to add them to yours.

1. Eating clean

Relationships with food can be weird. I’ve had periods of my life where I did not eat enough and others where I ate a bit too much. I feel that now I have found a healthy, happy medium where I am meeting my health goals (shedding a few pounds) with the willpower to resist going overboard. I am also prioritizing cooking with my groceries and minimizing the restaurants and processed snacks. This brings me to my next healthy hobby.

2. Cooking

Personally, I love cooking. I grew up watching Food Network with my mom, so I think it was meant to be. I would consider myself nothing more than an amateur home cook, but nonetheless it makes me happy. Cooking alone is a form of meditation for me. I also recommend try cooking with someone you love (and maybe blasting some fun music while you do it).

3. A mindfulness practice

Meditation, yoga, and journaling are all wonderful ways of strengthening your introspection muscle. While some people avoid being alone with their thoughts, I find mine incredibly important and intriguing. I have become a much healthier and overall more peaceful person after learning to become comfortable with my mind space and gaining a mindfulness practice. At the very least, try to drop into the present moment at least a few times a day — it truly makes a difference.

4. Reading

I was never the biggest reader, but recently I have received a bunch of book recommendations from friends. I decided to start with one, and quickly realized how much I love it. Imagine something cozier than laying on your couch under a huge blanket with a cup of hot tea and some music playing while you read a novel. You can’t.

5. Yoga

I do yoga. (Obviously. I’m a yoga instructor.) I did, however, recently start to go to yoga classes more frequently than I had previously. I have also started to go to in-person classes at a studio again (for the first time since covid). Since adding a daily yoga practice to my morning routine, I have noticed a huge improvement in my efficiency, energy, and motivation throughout the day. I act with intention and I am more in control of my breathing. I am able to calm my thoughts when they become overwhelming. I am a better version of myself when I regularly engage in my yoga practice.

6. Hydration

I have never been great at this, but I’m trying to be. I have noticed recently that I feel generally much better when I hydrate sufficiently. Also, consider this a reminder to wash the water bottle that you consider like a child to you. He needs a bath.

7. Flowers/Plants

I was told once that “flowers only cost on average $5 per bundle. They give you so much joy, so why not spend $5 for a little joy?” I have bought flowers weekly since (or tried to). Putting flowers and/or plants around your house makes the place feel brighter and more lived-in. Water and sun them, and they’re essentially like pets. Go ahead and be a plant mom or dad, it’s only a little ridiculous.

8. Good music

Looking back, I am always happier when my life has a soundtrack to it. How boring would a movie be without any music in it?? I make playlists for every month, mood, and event. I put it on the speaker in my house while I’m doing chores. I listen to it in my car on the way to work. It makes the happy happier and the sad… more dramatic and beautifully tragic. You know what’s fun? Pretending you’re living in a montage sequence of a coming-of-age movie about your life.

9. Cleaning your life

I love keeping my house cleaned, cozy, and decorated. It makes relaxing and having friends so much better. Plus, it just makes me feel like my life is so put together.

10. Catching up with old friends

Corona is the worst. I have lost touch with so many people because of her. Catching up with old friends of mine from college, my hometown, and camp just makes my grinchy heart grow three sizes.

What healthy habits will you add to your life?