She Strengthens

Breaking Free from Bad Habits: 11 Women Share Their Success Stories

Are you tired of letting bad habits hold you back? From procrastination to nail biting, we’ve all got our vices. But the good news is that it’s never too late to make a change.

Understanding the Habit Loop

Before we dive into the success stories, it’s essential to understand how habits work. According to Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit, every habit consists of three parts: the cue, the routine, and the reward. By identifying these components, we can begin to break free from our bad habits.

Overcoming Procrastination

Leah, a former procrastinator, shares her story of how she finally kicked the habit. “I used to put off tasks until the last minute, but it wasn’t until I messed up as the Maid of Honor at my best friend’s wedding that I realized the impact of my procrastination on others. Now, I ask myself if the temporary reprieve of pushing off a task is worth the anxiety that comes with it. The answer is usually no.”

Ditching Terrible Eating Patterns

Joan, a self-proclaimed former “expensive child,” used to grab bagels and coffee for breakfast, skip lunch, and indulge in takeout for dinner. But after training for a 10k race with a friend, she realized the importance of fueling her body properly. “Swapping cookies for fruit and greens has changed my skin, energy levels, and overall happiness.”

Taking Control of Your Finances

Debra, a financial seminar attendee, learned the hard way that ignoring credit card warnings can damage your credit score. “I used to be careless with my credit card, but now I watch my account like a hawk. I’m close to 30 and single, and having less-than-stellar credit is not an option if I ever want to buy property.”

Creating Healthy Sleep Habits

Erica, a former phone addict, used to stare at her screen for 40 minutes before bed, leading to poor sleep and crankiness. “Now, I leave my phone in the kitchen on the charger and use an actual alarm clock. I feel like I’m sleeping better, and I have less anxiety to roll over and check my phone in the middle of the night.”

Finding Your Voice at Work

Sam, a former doormat, used to default to being passive and soft-spoken at work. “I never learned the value of speaking my mind, talking bluntly, or having productive arguments. But when I realized I wasn’t getting promoted because people didn’t see me as a leader, I knew things had to change. I practice daily affirmations, and I’ve come a long way in speaking up for myself.”

Kicking Online Shopping Addiction

Madison, a self-proclaimed former “Sephora, Nordstrom, Target” addict, used to go on online shopping sprees, thinking it was less problematic than in-store shopping. “But when I realized how little I was saving, and couldn’t afford to go on a summer trip with friends, that’s when the scope of my problem really hit me. Now, I allow myself small treats more frequently, so I’m less tempted to ‘binge’ on crap I don’t need.”

Getting Moving

Elaine, a former exercise avoider, used to sit at her desk for eight hours a day, feeling flabby, slow, and tired. “I started walking 20 minutes a day at lunch and slowly worked up to doing weights three times a week, along with a weekly yoga class. Now, I feel like my body is in a much healthier place, and I didn’t have to dive into a radical workout plan to achieve it.”

Cleaning Up Your Act

Sophie, a self-proclaimed “sloppy” cleaner, used to let her apartment get filthy. “But as I got older, I realized my bad cleaning habits were really bad, and if I let them continue, I’d be living in filth. Now, I spend three hours every Saturday morning with my partner, cleaning our entire apartment. It’s something I’ve actually come to enjoy.”

Letting Go of Defensiveness

Kerri, a former defensive person, used to get hostile when she drank. “I thought that my emotional issues would fade with time, but they ended up getting worse because I ignored them. I did a brief stint with a therapist, and now I feel much more in control of my emotional response to people and my surroundings.”

Breaking the Coffee Cycle

Eva, a former coffee addict, used to down six cups a day. “It wasn’t until I was stuck in the subway without coffee that I realized my body was addicted. It took me nearly a year to whittle my routine down to just one cup in the morning, but I did it. It’s crazy how much better I feel now, and how much my mood and energy levels have stabilized.”

Nailing the Habit

Jackie, a former nail biter, used to bite her nails due to an oral fixation. “But what finally cured me was meeting a former coworker with beautiful hands and long, naturally-shaped nails. Right then and there, I decided I would do my absolute best to break the habit and grow my nails out. It’s been three years, and I’m happy to say I FINALLY have normal-looking nails.”

These women’s stories are a testament to the fact that it’s never too late to break free from bad habits. By identifying the cue, routine, and reward, we can start to make positive changes in our lives. So, which habit will you tackle first?