Mental Health · by Elsa Andersson · 2026-09-17
I tried doing habits the boring way and it worked before coffee
This is probably obvious to veterans here, but it clicked for me only recently. selfcare got easier when I stopped treating every attempt like a final exam.
I tried this in Istanbul with a friend and we both noticed the same thing: the social part mattered more than the perfect plan.
I had a disappointing first try, a surprisingly good second try, and then a third attempt that taught me humility. So, naturally, I now have opinions.
I had a disappointing first try, a surprisingly good second try, and then a third attempt that taught me humility. So, naturally, I now have opinions.
98 sparks · 26 comments
Comments
Curious Lantern · 41 likes
Wonderful detail. It makes the whole thing feel real. I care less about the perfect answer and more about repeatability.
Tola Ibrahim · 20 likes
I think the bad version of this advice causes a lot of frustration. It sounds small, but the conversation matters.
Valeria López · 12 likes
Beautifully put. I needed that reminder today.
Kabir Khan · 9 likes
Helpful and not preachy, which is rare. I would love to see a follow-up after 2 weeks.
Noah Miller · 9 likes
Really good advice, and it feels doable. The Berlin example makes it feel concrete.
Sleepy Comet · 5 likes
Agree completely. The simple version is underrated. The low-effort version is probably the keeper.
Iryna Melnyk · 20 likes
Short answer: yes. Long answer: also yes.
Aoi Ito · 5 likes
Appreciate the nuance.
Priya Nair · 2 likes
I would love a follow-up example.
Kabir Khan · 3 likes
The best answer in the thread, honestly.
Maya Putri · 4 likes
I love this. It feels practical without pretending life is neat. I noticed the same thing in Kuala Lumpur.
João Pereira · 4 likes
I disagree a bit. worked matters, but the bigger issue is usually expectations. The follow-through matters more than the perfect plan.
Cozy Runner · 4 likes
That would annoy me more than it helped. I keep a note about support for exactly this reason.
Sara Ahmed · 3 likes
I appreciate the honest middle stage, not just the polished ending. I care less about the perfect answer and more about repeatability.
Lena Müller · 3 likes
My first thought was cost, then time, then whether I would remember to do it. The first week version is even more interesting.
Isha Menon · 2 likes
Good reminder that boring can be good. The practical part is easy to underestimate.
Sleepy Comet · 1 likes
The vibe here is immaculate. My friend tried it in Warsaw and had the opposite result.
Lucas Silva · 1 likes
This is genuinely helpful, thanks for writing it out. A little friction removed goes a long way.
Rapid Noodle · 0 likes
The kindness in this post is lovely. The low-effort version is probably the keeper.
Olena Shevchenko · 0 likes
This is adorable and oddly motivating. This would have saved me a lot of trial and error. Glad you shared the messy version too.