“Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” – Jim Ryun
Building habits takes conscious effort and consistency. It requires specifying a goal and purpose and intentionally carving out the time and mental space to bring it to life. The key is to start small and slow. Tackling the entire task at once will feel like climbing a mountain but never reaching the peak. Instead, keep it steady and consistent over time, and celebrate the tiniest achievement. Each small step forward is a little victory in itself – watching a vague idea that once clouded your mind finally coming into motion is truly priceless.
For me, writing is one such habit. Once I realized it was what I truly enjoyed, it became about cautiously making the effort to maintain consistency. Writing turned into a deliberate practice—drawing inspiration from anything I could find: journal prompts, social media reels, podcasts, photos, and everyday interactions and conversations. There’s always something to write about; it only becomes daunting when we make it feel like a task. You have to want to write, and not box it into a daily word count or publication deadline. Soon enough, I found my momentum—gaining traction online, and writing became a source of personal growth and validation.
When life disrupted that rhythm, it was understandably disheartening. My father-in-law became ill and balancing writing, hospital visits, and family commitments became challenging. It felt like something I had nurtured for weeks was slipping out of reach. I became frustrated and unpleasant, blaming others for not allowing me the time to do what I loved. What broke that cycle of blame and failure was recognizing that it was okay to pause. Once I allowed myself to breathe and acknowledged that no one could take away my creative energy—and that the space for my writing would still be there when I returned—a weight lifted off my shoulders. Breaks aren’t a sign of failure; they are necessary pauses, allowing us to manage life’s chaos and return to what we love with renewed purpose.
Today, I’m carving out time for myself, reaching for my tablet, and stretching my fingers across the keyboard. It’s time to reconnect with the wild ideas that swirled while waiting by the hospital bed, driving at odd hours, or stirring up quick meals. With this rejuvenated wave of creativity, I’m reminded that building habits doesn’t mean never stopping; it means knowing when to pause, reflect, and then return with fresh energy.
Have you worked hard to build a habit? Do share your story, by commenting below⤵️
