Research shows that nearly half of New Year’s resolutions fizzle before February. Instead of setting overly ambitious New Year’s resolutions that make you feel bad when you can’t accomplish them, we want to help you revolutionize your approach to resolutions with Microsteps, Thrive’s science-backed, too-small-to-fail mini behavior changes that you can integrate into your life right away, making it easier to meaningfully form new habits.
We challenged Thrive staffers to test a Microstep for 32 days and write about their progress. The result? Some very honest and encouraging Microstep Diaries, like this one.
Thrive staffer: Rebecca Muller, Community Editor
Microstep: Spend a few minutes tidying up and decluttering my bedroom as part of my pre-bedtime ritual.
Why I chose it
I am generally a very clean and tidy person, but I tend to leave my cleaning until the morning before I leave for work. I thought if I made it a point to go to bed once my apartment was perfectly clean, I’d wake up feeling better and I might even fall asleep better! I hoped that this Microstep would become embedded into my nightly routine, like brushing my teeth or charging my phone — that it would be a natural ritual for me that doesn’t feel like a chore.
Clean routine
I was very consistent in my Microstep –– even more than I thought I’d be! The first couple nights were a bit of an adjustment. As I mentioned, I’m a clean person but I tend to get tired at night and leave it until the morning, but at that point, I’m rushing to get ready so it’s hard to dedicate the time. My taking a few moments at night to do the dishes, fold my clothes, clean the counter, etc., I felt so much more calm, both when going to sleep and when getting ready in the morning.
A.M. surprise
Overall, my microstep challenge was great. I definitely feel like I have a new habit of doing a final cleanup before bed. There were a couple nights when I slacked, but for the most part, I feel like my mornings are less hectic, and more calm and organized. I don’t think it’s had an impact on my sleep, but it’s definitely impacted my mornings, which has been a surprising benefit! I plan to keep going beyond the 32 days. In fact I think I’d feel somewhat off if I went to sleep when my apartment was a mess now!
Key takeaways
My main learning from the challenge is that it only takes a few minutes to do something that can have a major impact on your day. We usually think of cleaning up as such a big task, especially when we’re tired at the end of the day, but when you’re consistent about it, it’s only a couple minutes and it makes a huge difference on your routine and overall well-being.
Follow us here and subscribe here for all the latest news on how you can keep Thriving.
Stay up to date or catch up on all our podcasts with Arianna Huffington here.
More Microstep Month Diaries:
I Journaled Every Night for 32 Days, and Turned It Into a Sweet Gift for My Partner
I Tried A Quick Burst of Exercise Most Mornings for 32 Days and Here’s What Happened
Arianna Huffington: Give Your New Year’s Resolutions a Boost by Joining Us For Microstep Month