More on habits

None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.

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If you only read a few

Carry an item that belongs in the room you are entering every time you leave a room.
It helps keep things tidy.
6 people, independently
Listen to or read the 'Easy Peasy' audiobook/method for guidance on quitting.
It is described as a life saver.
4 people, independently
Set your phone display to greyscale to make it visually boring.
It breaks the cycle of overuse by removing attention-grabbing colors and animations.
8 people, independently
Set a timer on your coffee maker to brew just before your alarm so you wake to the aroma.
Waking to the smell has always helped me perk up.
4 people, independently
- Use a bedside coffee machine on a timer to brew before your alarm as a signal to wake up.3
Change your alarm tone every few days or weekly to prevent getting used to the sound and sleeping through it.
Alternating sounds helps you avoid incorporating the beep into dreams or becoming accustomed to a specific noise.
5 people, independently

Set aside seeds from your best vegetables or fruits to grow your next batch for free.
4 people, independently
Check if your local library offers free garden seeds through a seed bank or lending program.
- You may need to return harvested seeds, though tracking is often informal.
8 people, independently
Replace social media consumption with real-life interactions, such as calling or meeting friends in person, to seek higher-quality fun and genuine connection.
Social media presents a distorted reality and offers low-quality fun compared to real-life connections.
3 people, independently
Substitute porn viewing with active hobbies such as reading, drawing, baking, or film watching to occupy yourself during urges.
Engaging in an alternative activity is simpler than trying to suppress the urge directly.
4 people, independently

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Replace the void left by social media with constructive activities like working out, making things, reading, cooking, or having phone conversations.
It prevents falling back into bad habits and helps you stay grounded in the present moment.
5 people, independently
- Replace deleted social media time with offline hobbies such as coloring, writing, reading, or practicing skills.4
Put on music designated for cleaning to set the mood and make it more enjoyable.
It sets the mood and makes the task more enjoyable.
3 people, independently
Make it a routine to clear all waste from your vehicle each time you depart.
This stops trash bags from piling up inside the car initially.
3 people, independently
- Keep a dedicated bag or container in your car to collect trash as it accumulates.9
Put items directly into their proper storage place instead of setting them down temporarily.
It takes only a few seconds and avoids the extra work of putting things away later.
4 people, independently
Set out items like clothes and coffee the night before to prepare for the next morning.
It simplifies waking up and reduces morning stress and rush.
4 people, independently
- Lay out all your clothes the night before so you don't have to think about getting dressed in the morning.3
Replace digital scrolling with offline hobbies, such as fishing, playing an instrument, reading fiction, or learning botany.
Hobbies like playing an instrument offer delayed gratification and occupy time.
4 people, independently
Use ice cream as a substitute for milk and sweetener in coffee.
It eliminates the need for separate sweetener.
3 people, independently
Clean during idle moments, such as while waiting for water to boil or food to microwave.
8 people, independently
Access social media only through a desktop or laptop browser instead of mobile apps.
Desktop interfaces are often less engaging and have worse algorithms, making it easier to disengage quickly.
3 people, independently
Replace destructive habits with new activities that fill the void in your life.
Returning to harmful behaviors becomes more difficult when another activity already occupies that space in your routine.
3 people, independently
Meditate or perform breathing exercises to relax.
It takes the edge off and alleviates the feeling of being 'fried'.
3 people, independently
Write down specific tasks the night before to determine what needs to be done that day.
4 people, independently
Use an annoying noise, such as a siren, mosquito sound, or a jarring song clip, as your alarm ringtone instead of the default tone.
3 people, independently
Disable notifications on social media apps if you do not want to uninstall them.
3 people, independently