10 Overlooked Habits That Changed My Life in 2024 (and How You Can Start in 2025)
In today’s post we’ll chat thru…
✻ Why small, consistent habits matter: The science behind how these seemingly minor changes create lasting impact over time.
✻ 10 overlooked habits that transformed my life in 2024: From simple tweaks to major mindset shifts, these habits are ones you can start incorporating now.
✻ How to make these habits work for you in 2025: Practical tips to personalize these ideas and weave them into your daily life with ease.
LET’S DIVE IN. 🖤
Hello, hello friends! Welcome back to The Self Care Sisterhood Podcast and Happy 2025! 🥂 I hope you had the best holiday season and end to 2024 and are stepping into this new year feeling refreshed, hopeful, and excited for what’s ahead. That's my favorite part of a new year - that FRESH ENERGY. So embrace it because these are the moments we get to set the VISION for where we want the rest of the year to go.
Today is gonna really resonate with you if you’ve ever found yourself setting the same resolutions year after year—whether it’s about losing weight, saving more money, or finally keeping a consistent morning routine—and then felt frustrated when those resolutions didn’t stick. A common mistake we often make is setting surface level resolutions when the ball drops and then never really revisiting them at all in the year following. Instead, this year, I want you to consider all of the tiny habits you might be overlooking. Tiny tweaks that can have massive impacts by this time next year if you simple make them an intentional part of your life.
Today I'm going to share the 10 habits that transformed my life in 2024, and I’m sharing them with the hope that they inspire you to step into this year with intention, grace, and a fresh perspective for the long game. If you're ready to move beyond the surface and create a life that feels deeply fulfilling, stay tuned.
Oh! And before we dive in, I want to invite you to join me for The Unstoppable Self Vision Board Workshop. If you're listening in real time, this workshop (and really, party!!!) is happening THIS SATURDAY January 22th at 10:30 am EST. I promise you that this isn’t just another vision board-making party. It’s a 90-minute guided workshop where we’ll reflect on 2024, map out the specific goals you have laid on your heart, craft a vision for 2025 that gets you excited to show up every day + find a word to anchor your year to, AND create a vision board—either digitally or physically—that aligns with your values and habits. You’ll also get access to a comprehensive goal-setting workbook and the workshop replay if you can’t make it live. Snag your spot now to join us this weekend (I'll link it in the show notes below or you can go to www.inspirebeautybritt.com/unstoppable) and let’s make 2025 unstoppable together!
Now, let’s get into the show...
WHY OVERLOOKED HABITS MATTER + THE SCIenCE BEHIND SMALL HABITS DONE CONSISTENTLY
We often think big changes require big efforts, but science tells a different story: small, consistent habits are what truly drive lasting transformation. Why?
The Power of Compounding
Just like compound interest grows your savings over time, small daily actions build momentum. When we are repeating a habit we’d like to implement, each rep strengthens the neural pathways in your brain, making the habit easier and more automatic. Over time, these tiny changes snowball into significant results.Example: Drinking one extra glass of water daily might not seem like much, but over a year, that’s over 350 additional glasses of water—boosting hydration, energy, and overall health.
Habit Loops and Cue-Based Behavior
Our brains love shortcuts, and habits create predictable "loops" in our behavior: cue → routine → reward. By attaching a small habit to a consistent cue (like brushing your teeth or brewing your morning coffee), you can automate positive behaviors with little effort.Example: Drinking that extra glass of water right after you brush your teeth builds this healthy habit without disrupting your routine. Simply set a cup next to your toothbrush as a cue to remind you to drink up!
Overcoming Decision Fatigue
Small habits reduce the mental load of decision-making. When we can turn our actions into automatic responses, you save your brainpower for more important decisions. This is why habits feel easier over time—they take less energy to execute. So you have to stick with these habits long enough for them to feel easy (aka..they won’t at first).Building Identity Over Time
Consistent habits shape how we see ourselves. When you stick to small actions—like journaling for 5 minutes daily—you start to believe, I’m a person who takes time for self-reflection. That identity shift is powerful and motivates you to keep going.James Clear, author of "Atomic Habits," puts it perfectly: “Every action you take is a vote for the person you want to become.”
Big changes can feel overwhelming, leading to burnout or giving up altogether. But small habits? They’re achievable, even on the busiest days. And because they’re easier to maintain, they’re far more likely to stick.
The key takeaway? Focus on 1% improvements. They may feel insignificant in the moment, but over time, they create a foundation for long-term success.
THE 10 HABITS THAT CHANGED MY LIFE IN 2024
Alright. Let’s dive into the habits themselves. I wanna share 10 things I committed to in 2024 that made my life better in ways I couldn’t have imagined. For each one, I’ll share what it is, why it’s overlooked, and how you can get started if it resonates with you.
① Broke up with structured workout plans.
IDK if you realize this, but most workout plans are designed by men and don’t take into account the unique energy rhythms of a woman’s menstrual cycle. Men are like the sun. Their energy rhythms move in 24 hour cycles. Women,on the other hand, are like the moon. Our energy rhythms move in 28(ish) day cycles. What we do each and every week is not going to look the same, so it doesn't make sense to do workout calendars that don't take this into account. In 2024, I started syncing my workouts with the phases of my cycle, and it changed everything. Strength training during my follicular phase, yoga during my luteal phase, spicy runs or spin classes during my ovulatory phase—it made movement feel intuitive and sustainable.
If this resonates: First I want you to track your cycle. I love using my Oura Ring for this and it pairs with the Natural Cycles app. You can use whatever works for you, but it's super helpful for me to physically SEE what day I'm on and which phase I'm in. Then, I encourage you to research + select workouts aligned with each phase. Think of the phases like the seasons: Follicular - spring, Ovulatory - summer, Luteal - fall, Menstrual - winter and then plan accordingly for what naturally would feel good in those times. Follicular and Ovulatory I might get out of the house more and take a spicy class somewhere, whereas in my menstrual phase I'll flat out take rest days (I know, gasp!) or do a short walk or restorative yoga.
② Created a mental hygiene routine.
Instead of sticking to a rigid “perfect morning routine,” I started asking myself every morning, “What do I need today?” Sometimes that meant sleeping in; sometimes it meant journaling or meditating. The key was honoring my needs, not checking off a box. In the winter of last year, our theme in The Sisterhood Membership was all about WINNING YOUR MORNING and one idea I brought to them was the idea of a MORNING MENU. Instead of "having to" do the same things everyday, what if you trusted yourself enough to know what would help you show up that as your best self. I like to think of the morning as a runway into your day. So what do you need to help you take off?
If this resonates: First create a menu for yourself of all the things that would set you up for a successful day. The point isn't to DO IT ALL, but rather to know what to pick from. Think thru the various areas of a well rounded self: For example, Mental + emotional health could include meditation, more rest, reading a chapter of a growth based book, etc. Physical health could include moving your body, showering and getting ready, pack + prep a healthy lunch, drink water first. Environment self care could look like tidying up a space, unloading/loading the dishwasher, starting or finishing a load of laundry. For your spiritual life you could pray, follow a study or devotion, journal, or sit outside and sip coffee in stillness. Once you has a list of all the things that could help you set your day up for success, then start each morning by asking yourself this question: What do I need today? And, then, I challenge you to honor your answer. Pro tip if you aren't a "morning person" is to ask this before you go to bed so you can decide in advance what you'll do the next morning and prep anything you need to ahead of time.
③ Prioritized my PM routine for better sleep.
This is what I mean when we talk about baby steps. In 2023 I got an Oura Ring and really started looking at my sleep rhythms and tracking my sleep. After I got great insight from there, I really started to play around with an evening routine that would help me land from the day and come back to home base. You know how I said a second ago that the morning is your runway? Well the same applies here, but instead, we’re landing the plane and coming back to the gate. I love this visual. It’s helped me so so much. And I’ve always been a morning routine girl, but I realized recently that it’s what I do in the PM routine that sets me up for success come the morning. And one of my trouble spots has been falling and staying asleep. Hello hormone changes…right?! I knew I needed to revamp my routine to include more calming aspects so I wasn’t wired heading into bed. This included experimenting with different magnesium supplements (I think I landed on a winner, ya’ll! I’ll link it in the show notes below), getting back into reading fiction for fun, and also creating a skincare routine I genuinely enjoy. These small changes helped me wind down and improve my sleep quality.
If this resonates: I challenge you first to really look at your sleep. Again, there are so many resources out there but looking at the data and tracking it is so helpful. Then I want you to look at what is currently occupying your PM routine. Is it setting the right vibe? And if not, what can you shift? Set a bedtime alarm to signal it’s time to unwind, put the screens away, and then set the tone for quality sleep.
④ Sought out in-person community.
I made it a priority to intentionally create space for real, face-to-face connections with like-hearted people. Whether it was grabbing coffee with a friend, joining a yoga class, or attending small group gatherings, these moments fueled my soul. As someone who spends much of my time behind a screen—working, connecting with online communities, or scrolling through social media—it’s easy to feel like I’m “connected” when, in reality, I’m missing the depth of in-person relationships. When I reflected on the times I felt the most burned out, it was often when my real-life connections were at an all-time low.
If this resonates: Schedule one in-person meetup this week. It doesn’t have to be big—grab coffee with a friend or take a class. Just be intentional about fostering real-life connection.
⑤ Embraced more being, less doing.
For someone who loves productivity, slowing down has been a huge mindset shift. I realized that constantly doing was draining me, while simply being was where the magic happened. A few of my fave ways to slow down this year included meditation after I got done with work for the day, mid day naps to recharge, and unplugging off my phone on Saturdays so I could put my device in it’s place and not have it control me— all of these helped me slow down and be more present with MY life instead of constantly consuming other's lives. Slowing down gave me space to reflect, appreciate and romanticize my life, and truly rest.
If this resonates: Block out one day or even an afternoon this month to completely unplug. Turn off your phone, let go of to-do lists, and just be. I promise you that the world will still spin if you are disconnected and when you “come back” most people won’t even notice you were gone. I don’t say this morbidly, but rather, to show you that life is too short to spend all your precious hours scrolling thru everyone elses’ lives AND that we aren’t human doings. We’re human beings. So let’s get back to doing LESS, better.
⑥ Created weekly meal plans.
Meal planning might not sound groundbreaking, but it is a life-changing practice for me, ya’ll. Knowing what I’m eating each day reduces so much stress, decision fatigue, and the temptation to reach for convenience foods. It also saves so much money bc you’re not constantly ordering DoorDash when you’re hangry. And let’s not over-complicate this. A lot of people think that a meal plan cages you in, but what I’ve learned is to create the meal plan based on what I know THAT DAY BRITTANY is gonna want to eat. For example, Taco Tuesday is fun, right? So I plan a fun taco dinner for Tuesday that I know will make Tuesday Brittany excited to eat that. If I’m super busy on a certain weeknight, I take that into account as I’m planning out the week.
If this resonates: Choose a day this week to plan your meals for the upcoming week. I plan my week on Thursday. I grocery shop on Friday. And then I prep things for the workweek on Sunday. And if it helps, start small by planning just dinners or prepping a few grab-and-go items like hard-boiled eggs or overnight oats. As the year progresses you can add in more meals!
⑦ Tracked alcohol and caffeine intake.
This one was a silent game-changer, ya’ll. I didn’t set out to do a dry 2024 or to give up alcohol and caffeine completely. All I did was decide to TRACK them each day. My planner has space for weekly habit tracking and so this was super easy. Each week I’d write out the things I wanted to track and then check in each day on those items. And what’s wild is that simply tracking my alcohol and caffeine intake gave me clarity on how much I was consuming and how it affected my body. By becoming mindful of these habits, I naturally began reducing them. This led to improved energy, better sleep, and more balanced moods.
If this resonates: Use a journal or app to track your alcohol and caffeine intake for one week. Reflect on how it impacts your energy, sleep, and overall well-being. The idea isn’t to ditch something altogether (unless you truly want to) but to cut back on some of the things we might be clinging to in excess.
⑧ Advocated for my mental health.
This year I leaned into new tools to support my mental health, and they made a huge difference. At the top of the year I began talking with my doctor about the idea that the medications I was taking for my mental health were working on my mind, but they made me feel like a stranger in my own body. So all year long it’s been a journey or tweaking and trying and ultimately I found my way with some alternative options. First, we bought a cold plunge to kick off 2024 and it was so powerful to see how it transformed my resilience and mental stamina, reminding myself every time I got in the tub that I can do hard things. And second, I embarked on Ketamine Therapy which was a scary choice at first, but one that made a HUGE impact on my mental health and I’m just so grateful I advocated for myself in this area and wasn’t afraid to go off the beaten path. These practices reminded me that investing in my mental and emotional well-being isn’t just important—it’s essential bc mental health isn’t a one time thing; it requires ongoing care and exploration.
If this resonates: First know that mental health is just like our physical health in that we have to nurture it and not neglect it. If you are struggling or just feel kinda stuck in a mental spiral or loop, research one new way to support your mental health this week. Whether it’s therapy, mindfulness practices like journaling or meditation, or even something like cold therapy, take a step toward investing in yourself. And remember that these aren’t one and done’s. Just like you brush your teeth each morning to boost your oral hygiene, it’s key to keep showing up to these practices daily to boost your mental hygiene.
⑨ Monthly reflection and prep meetings.
At the end of every month, I carved out time to reflect on my wins, lessons, and areas of growth. I also set intentions for the upcoming month and mapped out my weekly schedule each Sunday. These simple practices kept me grounded, aligned, and focused.
If this resonates: Set aside 30 minutes at the end of this month for reflection and planning. Put it in your planner now and make it an appointment you won’t miss with yourself. Use the time to review your goals, celebrate progress, and outline next steps for an intentional and focused month.
⑩ Said YES to fun and adventure with my husband.
This year, I made it a point to prioritize fun and adventure with my husband. I don’t know when I started to take life so seriously, but I used to be such a FUN person. I wanted to get back into that child-like self and so whether it was saying YES to going on that trip, trying out a new restaurant, or getting on our bikes and going for tiki bar + brewery rides, saying “yes” to these moments deepened our connection and brought so much joy to our relationship. The memories of this past year are truly my FAVE and they came from these moments of FUN, not from stuff.
If this resonates: Plan one fun or adventurous date with someone you love. It doesn’t have to be extravagant—what matters is creating time for joy and connection and memories in the making. We all walk thru life thinking that we’ve got so much more time. And without sounding morbid, again, I just want you to realize that you never know the number of days you or the ones you love have. So make the memories and say YES to fun and adventure with the ones you love most.
BUILDING YOUR OWN LIST OF HABITS
Okay. So these habits worked for me, but what’s most important is figuring out what’s going to work for you. Start by reflecting on your current season of life. What’s missing? What would make your life feel more aligned, more joyful, more fulfilling? What areas of a well-rounded self have maybe been on the back-burner? What would it take to bring them forward and into focus?
Here are a few tips to get started:
Think thru the 8 areas (physical, mental/emotional, environmental, spiritual, relational, recreational, financial, and professional) and identify one area of your life that feels out of alignment or neglected.
Brainstorm small, actionable habits that could make a difference in that area. Again…the SMALLER THE BETTER.
Start small. Focus on consistency and remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day. Lay the foundation right now for the year and keep building from there quarter by quarter.
Okay friends. Thank you so much for joining me today. I hope this episode has inspired you to think beyond the usual New Year’s resolutions and consider the habits that could have a profound impact on your life in 2025. Remember, it’s not about doing more—it’s about doing what matters.
Here’s a quick recap of the 10 habits that transformed my life this year in case you wanna steal any of them:
Synced my workouts with my cycle instead of sticking to rigid plans.
Created a mental hygiene routine with a flexible morning menu.
Prioritized my PM routine for better sleep and winding down.
Sought out in-person community to nurture relationships.
Embraced more being and less doing through rest and unplugging.
Created weekly meal plans to reduce stress and decision fatigue.
Tracked alcohol and caffeine intake to be more mindful.
Advocated for my mental health by trying new therapies and practices.
Scheduled monthly reflections and planning meetings to stay aligned.
Said yes to fun and adventure to strengthen my relationships and find joy.
And don’t forget, if you’re ready to take this work deeper, join me this weekend for The Unstoppable Self Vision Board Workshop. This isn’t just about making a pretty board; it’s about creating a vision for your year that actually excites you and helps you move toward the life you want. You’ll walk away with a fully crafted vision board, a detailed goal-setting workbook, and the confidence to make 2025 your best year yet. Grab your spot now at www.inspirebeautybritt.com/unstoppable —I can’t wait to see you there.
Alright friends, take care of yourself and I’ll see you back here next week on The Self Care Sisterhood podcast.
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