Review of Atomic Habits by James Clear
I finished reading Atomic Habits by James Clear. I used to mostly read nonfiction and self-help books. Those kept my attention the most. Although my reading habits have changed over the years and have become as eclectic as I am.
A reading group I’ve joined on Fable was reading this book and I knew I had to jump in and finally read this book. As it was very fitting to what I’ve been trying to do lately. Build better habits.
A few key points I loved from the book are:
Do at least two minutes of the habit. Even two minutes is better than not doing it at all. Somedays I wake up and I am super motivated and pumped and other days not so much. I’ve made it my goal to work out 100 times in a row. This can be so hard with a busy schedule and just live interruptions that happen. But, Today I did not feel like sweating so instead I did 13 minutes of restorative yoga. Even though I feel like it’s not a workout since I’m not sweating and I usually go running on Sunday but it has been storming all day so mother nature had other plans for the day.
I feel like tracking my food has made me much more mindful of how much I’m eating and what I put in my body. Then I can decide if I really do want to eat something or if I want to pass.
I’ve missed a few meals here and there that never made it in my food journal apps. But, I’ve tracked 70 days’ worth of breakfast. My total days’ tracking is 76. This is the longest I’ve ever tracked my meals. I usually give up by now because I feel like it is too hard or too restrictive. It is hard but it is not as restrictive as I made myself believe in the past.
Plus, it gives me a visual of how many calories I’ve eaten and my overall macros. So, I can make better food choices over time. I believe this is what Mindful eating or even intuitive eating is. But, for me, I need to see the calories and the macros otherwise I know I would probably have less self-control when it comes to eating junk food. Tracking keeps me accountable to myself. So in that regard, I don’t think there is anything wrong with calorie or point counting apps if they help you to eat more mindfully.
Now if they make you feel deprived or super obsessed then I would say maybe going another route would be healthier. I went to a family party and nibbled on an assortment of foods. Honestly, it was too random to track everything I ate. So, I missed a night of tracking my food but I got back on it the next day. The same with exercise. If my body needs to rest I let it rest but then get back on track the next day.
That is also one of the concepts in Atomic habits that I find to be really helpful. If you miss a day don’t beat yourself up. In the long run that won’t make you feel any better. But, get back on track as soon as you can. Preferably by the next day. So, if you miss a workout one day wake up early the next day to get it in first thing. If you miss tracking a meal or overeating then get back to eating healthy and tracking your next meal.
If you miss reading for a day (sadly, I’ve done this quite a few times.) Then make sure you read the next day. I will eventually get to a seven-day reading streak. Or if you miss writing a blog post or writing your book you can always get to it the next day.
I do find habit stacking is really helpful. Where you combine a few habits at once. For example, listening to an audiobook or calling a loved one while you go out for a walk. Or use your walk as a time to meditate and be quiet if you don’t have time to sit down and meditate.
These are just a few of the tips the book gives on habits that have really helped me to stick with my habits (for the most part.) We are only human and life does get in the way of commitments at times. And yes sometimes habits will be boring and sometimes you will get into the zone. I’ve discovered this myself. Habits really do ebb and flow on a daily basis.
Overall, I give the book 5 stars and I recommend the book if you are in need of some encouragement with starting a habit or sticking with a habit.
