13 Easy Habits that Drastically Changed My Life! *21 Day Challenge* 

I’m 57 and I found that I could only do one man push-up. I decided to make it a goal to do 10 by the end of February. I’ve been doing them everyday and I’m up to 5 already. Feels good.

1. Declutter 1 area daily 2. Dress up in d morning 3. Fibre 5 servings 4. Journal 1 page per day 5. Read non-fiction 1 page a day 6. No alcohol 7. Write down your goals everyday 8. 10mins physical activity 9. Gratitude list 5 things daily 10. Meditate 5mins daily 11. 5-10 mins of morning sun light

My mom and my mother-in-law passed away within two weeks of each other a couple months ago. While watching this video I realized I hadn’t journaled since then. So I stopped in the middle of your video and wrote eight pages about the lives of these two amazing women and what they taught me. Thank you Anna for motivating me to have that cathartic time remembering them ❤

This message could not have come at a better time for me. Over the holidays, *21 days* is the time it took for mother to fall ill and pass on. Thank you for these ideas, I'm going to dedicate my 21 day challenge to my mother's memory. Thank you for this! 💕

My 21 day challenge is to play the piano for 5 minutes per day! Thanks!

I started dressing up a little for my school runs. All the mums were asking me if I was going out right after, or if I had a job interview !🙃 😅 Don't blame them, as they were used to me looking dull and boring with the same old clothes . This does boost my confidence and get to enjoy wearing my clothes. Great tips Anna and I thank you !😊 💋

I’ve been doing 15 knee pushups every day. (I can’t do regular ones yet). I started with 12 every day in December. It got easier and eventually I was doing 15. Now I can do 3-4 sets of 15. I will keep increasing the sets until I can do regular pushups. But I agree the key is making the goal small and achievable. I am going to try to implement this “small but consistent” mindset in other areas.

3 tips if anyone is interested 1. journal in the morning! I was always so exhausted in the evening that I never did it. Besides, there's nothing like a fresh coffee, a clean page and a quiet house even if only for a matter of minutes. 2. Write anything - dreams (if its still fresh), to-do's, goals. gratitudes, ponderings, ideas, revelations about that argument you're having ;-) ... anything. Think of it like you're flushing the mental toilet of your mind first thing, 3. Find a place to stash your journal otherwise you might censor yourself. I found I wrote a lot freer when I was confident no one would find my journal. Dance like no one's looking, write like no one's reading.

I really like your challenge. I would like to: 1) Walk outside 2) Read 4 pages of a book 3) Complete a journal entry 4) Declutter an area in the house 5) One hour a day to complete necessary paperwork.

I have a Franklin planner, and I have been keeping yearly, monthly goals for years. Also, I put my garment sewing goals, personal improvement goals, daily to do, and weekly meal planner ( Franklin has great pages for this, and I can keep track of what I need to buy, and what we are having for meals.)For years I have a section down at the bottom of my double day planner page that I write 4 things I am grateful for everyday. That has made a huge change in my attitude and outlook. Lastly, if anyone asks me how are you?? I always say --- "FABULOUS OR ELSE!!" After raising three adopted kids that are special needs and have severe mental issues, this has carried me very far!! Having a positive mantra makes you healthier and happier. Now, there are days when there is a lot of "OR ELSE!!". I am familiar with every mental hospital, and health institution in our town because of my kids, but my life is happy, healthy, and my attitude on going makes everything better.

Anna, I wouldn't even use the word "influencer" on you . . . You are a motivation-er and inspiration-er! I started this challenge a couple of days ago, I can't believe the empowerment I feel! Thank you!

As someone who used to drink everyday as a way to relax after work and chill on the weekends, not drinking anymore is a game changer. My skin looks better, my sleep has improved and I eat a lot less because I don’t get the alcohol munchies anymore! 😎

I am 56 and tend to roll my eyes when I see "things that change my life". These are real things and feel that I really will incorporate into my life. I have adapted them to my own. 1) Write down. goals - write down 3 a day - I have goals but have not written them down - Its kind of like why weight watchers is so effective - writing down calories 2) Instead of decluttering completely - I have been incorporating 15 minute clean a day - Instead of waiting and having so much cleaning - I have been doing this since January - spend 15/day - which does sometimes become decluttering - but my house is also less overwhelming 3) 5 veges per day - have to do - 4) Journaling 1 page a day to help solve problems 5) I am a nursing professor - I read a lot of nonfiction - LOL- I am going to read for fun every day 6) I walk most days with my husband about 30 minutes - going to do 10 minutes of pushups and situps 7) 5 things I am grateful for 8) Quiet time per day 9) I've been doing no alcohol since Nov 1 - I feel great. I really loved this video thank you so much.

I have done prayer journaling pretty consistently at times in my life, and can look back to see that those were times of immense spiritual growth. I had a hard time focusing during prayer and this was my solution. I loved looking back through my entries to see how God was meeting me and answering my prayers.

One thing thing that helps me get stuff done is to do the least enjoyable tasks every day first, like filing/bills, cleaning, errands, etc. In the mornings my energy is highest and I can power through all that. Later in the day I get tired and don’t want to do as much. After getting my critical tasks done early each day, I can reward myself with reading, watching RU-vid, shopping or working on my wardrobe, or other things, that I enjoy. If I put off my “Must Do’s”, they just don’t get done. During the lockdowns, I tended to just do the fun stuff all day, and became lazy. No more of that!

Great tips! I’m going to start the DANIEL Fast next month. It’s a great way to reset your body for the year. Watching your channel makes me happy. This shows that you don’t have to buy expensive items or do luxury unboxing to have a successful UTUBE channel. You’re helping people and it matters! ❤

Super great topic for this month. I think a lot of us need these mood elevators, especially in the darker months.

Everytime I get "lazy" the first thing I do is declutter a drawer. Any drawer, any room, it totally resets my brain!!! Roasting vegetables changes everything. They are so good. Red and yellow vegetables are really good too. Carrots, hybbard squash, vine squash, like crook neck, sweet potatoes, sweet peppers. Have to go I'm hungry.

This is such a great list. Thanks for sharing. I've known the trick about "dressing every day" since I started working from home in 1985 and had little kids and a job as a freelance court reporter. Of course I dressed for the courtroom when I went to work, but when I stayed home and worked on transcripts, if I dressed casually to sit and type, I was too distractible. When I actually dressed up to stay home and work on transcripts, I actually worked. The day I "lost" my job -- on my birthday in 2020 -- I decided it was time to get back to writing. I had nothing else to do. I applied for unemployment that day (and it took 19 weeks for unemployment to kick in, finally) and then DRESSED and went to the coffee shop every day and wrote my three pages, and now I had no excuse not to. This was my new "job." This, of course, was during the time of COVID, and the coffee shop had to close down a time or two for several weeks -- but I kept up my writing schedule. A year ago (December 2021) I got an actual job, and what I dreaded most was not being able to write every day -- so I get up at 4:30 and make coffee and have time to write before work. Only...for about eight months now I have started doing Duolingo classes, studying Spanish every morning, because one of these days I may have Spanish-speaking grandchildren who live in Peru! That's taken over my writing time. But every weekend I'm there at the coffee shop, dressed for "work" and writing my three pages a day. Writing got me through that stressful time of not knowing if I was going to be able to make it or not. It was transformational for me.

So many people are talking about this but I just don't see how reading non fiction is more useful than reading fiction. Unless you're really studying this thing you're reading about. I love popular science books and self help books but I know that for me it's just a form of escapism. Maybe other people are really different and non fiction books are changing their lives for the better who knows.🤷

Love this! Setting bar at reasonable level is the best idea- I know for me if I set high I won't do it- leading to guilt and self-loathing. Thank you for this!

Thanks! Great idea! I'm planning to do 21 days of my healthy habits to my 55th birthday! Wish me luck! 😆

I wanna do the following: 1. Get dressed - since working from home, I've been wearing pajamas about 90% of the time. 2. Go outside for a short walk - I've injured my knee a few months ago and it's better now, and I need to start walking more regularly to prep/rehabilitate before summer, so hopefully I could hike or go on longer walks. :) 3. Continue reading - I've already been reading mostly evey day. Read8ng this amazing book called Stealing Fire by Steven Kotler. I'd recommend it. It talks about altered state of mind, and how more and more regular people are doing it. It's great. It's non fiction, though some things that talk about in the book will sound like fiction. :)

I like an hour-long daily walk and have lost 35 lbs. just by doing that. We’ve had consistently stormy weather here in California for a while, though, and I miss my walks. I don’t mind walking in light rain, but we’ve had dangerous storms, with high winds, falling trees everywhere and lightning storms. Aside from the unpleasant super-heavy horizontal rain, at least 20 people have died from the storms in the last week or so, so I’m not going walking until the weather improves. By the time I was 40, I had already survived two trees falling on me. I seem to be a tree magnet and I don’t want to push my luck (really, it’s just drought-weakened trees tend to fall here when the ground gets saturated).

I like your 5 servings of vegetables every day. And it made you more intentional as to what you bought and meal prepping.

girl stop I literally had the same idea of decluttering and organizing every day after I organized my pantry. So happy seeing everything organized and it didn't take a lot of time.

This sounds awesome. The small decluttering goals I should definitely include in a challenge. Decluttering tends to overwhelm me because I want to do it all at once! 🙈

I force myself to get dressed in the morning, too. Unfortunately, I have started waking at 3:30-4:00 a.m. I go ahead and get dressed and start the day-- then around 5 or 6, I put make-up on , and I do feel more confident. But, I am a very strict carnivore and no plants-- and I've lost 50 pounds this year. Getting dressed is a lot more fun at size 8 than at size 18!!

Meditate on God’s Word. Food for the spirit.

I'm quite lazy, I watch a lot of TV. What I do is during the adverts, I jump up and put things away or exercise in some way, until the ads are over. Do this for every ad break, it's amazing how much you can do.

I make up a large jar of mixed salad with chopped and grated veg and one of fresh fruit salad on Sunday so it is quick and easy to add to meals during the week. It usually keeps a least 4 days in the fridge.

Anna, I love how you explained the impact these habits have had on your life, and I can see the benefits of each one. Journaling seems to be much like talk therapy, which I find incredibly helpful. Putting into words what swirls around in your brain definitely helps to clarify them. The super personal touchy subjects are probably best talked through with a professional but don't discount family and friends that are good listeners for the rest (be a good listener for them as well. ☺️). By putting your thoughts into words (spoken or written), problems become more manageable. Thanks for sharing these habits. I'm going to try them! XXOO ❤️

Wonderful suggestions!!!! I have kept a grateful journal for 10 years and always love that quite time and write!!! As far as vegetables go my husband refused to eat any (we’re in our 7th decade) so I eat 7 servings of fruit every day and I love it!!! My big take away was mediation and morning sunrise which I will start tomorrow!!! Thank you for this information ❤️

I got into a bad habit of wearing workout clothes everyday when I retired. I never did this when I worked from home. So when I came back from the holidays, instead of unpacking my clothes, I took an outfit out of the suitcase each day until I was unpacked. This was about a week. This was enough to change my habit.

I hate cleaning and I hate exercise so... can I clean for 30 minutes a day and count it as physical activity? It does make me sweat if that's the criteria.

Great video! I pick an outfit for the day, then change into/out of it as needed. This keeps the "good" clothing clean (I am a full time care giver) and me looking nice in a pinch if company drops over or leave the house. I put a base layer on that goes with both. Also, I cook ahead and plan meals before I shop. Cook all weekly meals at one time day for easy, one-day kitchen clean up. Lastly, I hide all kinds of veggies pureed inside of my Spaghetti sauce-the kids never even know they are in there! Bonus tip: we do a family Bible reading after the dinner meal every Sunday evening. The kids are so used to it and look forward to a positive start to their week.

Decided to follow you after watching this video. Inspiring me to do something to take control of my life. 21 days and 5-10 mins at a time are doable. Btw I turned 58 and it’s time!

Yes on journaling! I do 1 page per day. It's such a great way to get an objective view of your thoughts and examine whether they serve you or not. Thanks for sharing these habits!

Ok you have me excited to do this. I wrote down 12 things to do. Wish me luck!

I love your personality,your so funny. It’s true about getting up and getting dressed and put make up on. You feel so much better and I am retired.I eat my own grown vegetables every day. I grow lettuce and spinach. If you live in a warm place. I live in the California desert…

Watching the sunrise is such a gorgeous start for the day! Edit: especially in Pensacola Florida where I live 🌞

Anna, I love your channel and love your mindset! I've already implemented some of the same habits since the beginning of the new year. :) I've read these books recently that have made a great impact: 1)The Miracle Morning and 2) Atomic Habits. Thanks for your smiles and great content!

This video is SO helpful and you're FUN!

Thanks Anna for telling us you and your husband have issues and you journal about it. Welcome to the club! Thanks for being honest and let she who does not have issues with her husband cast the first stone. Wishing you solutions to the issues and renewed love and understanding for each other. Marriage is one of the toughest things to do in the world. Hang in there. Much love

Love your fashion vids but this spoke to me! (1) I stopped this video not even 2 minutes in to go declutter my button box. Been meaning to do that for a year. It took 10 minutes to get rid of buttons for long forgotten/donated/tossed/worn out pieces and make room for the buttons of the stuff in my wardrobe. So thanks for that! One more thing from my nagging to-do list crossed off. P.S. I kept unique and vintage buttons, including stuff from my Mom's wardrobe in the 30s and 40s. (2) Toss spinach (or other greens) in your pasta sauce just before serving. Use balsamic vinegar instead of maple syrup on the sprouts. Buy frozen avocado chunks and whir into your smoothies. I eat 8-10 veg a day. (3) Get up EVERY hour for 5-10 minutes an walk around the house/office. Or do chair squats or weighted squats. Or pushups on the desk, kitchen counter, wall, floor, whatever you can. Or run stairs. Or turn up the tunes and dance. In no time, it adds up to an hour! I'm still working on that morning light. 🙂

Beautiful video Anna, I follow most of these things already and I can second your thoughts, that they are game changers ❤

Hi Anna, a big hello from Perth, Australia! I just want you to know that I love all your videos, not only because of the great contents, but more especially because of your great personality! I always feel better for having watched your videos.

I've never commented before, but I love your channel... you dry, self-effacing wit and useful info. I've listened to this video twice, planning to listen again and make notes, so obviously it spoke to me. Question: Do you use separate journals, as in a gratitude journal, goal journal, etc., or combine it all in one?

You do you, I'm good.☺ My goal is to never have a list ever again. No rules, nothing.

Roasted veggies are a game changer, they taste so good. I get already chopped veggies like sweet potatoes from Trader Joe's and just roast them, so amazing!

OMG I have cleaned out and organized all of my drawers, pantry, cabinets, frigerator, freezer and closets. It is wonderful not having to dig through stuff. Now I hope I can keep it up so that I don't end up having to do it all again at the end of this year. Most bizarre thing I found in the frigerator was a jar of Maraschino cherries 🍒 that expired back on December 22, 2010. 🤑

I'm going to try this! I'm so stressed and overwhelmed with my life these days. We have had to drastically change everything as my hubby is now disabled. Downsizing to a smaller house and then having 2 adult children move in. I'm not sleeping much either. I hope this helps me! Thank you ❤️

I love this! Anna! I think I'm going to follow your example like a little sheep. I need some new happy things, and what better way ? To do it yourself! I love this little departure from fashion. It's kind of fun to see inside your life a little cuz you know we creepy like that. Thanks a lot for sharing

This is SO great! I just de-cluttered my dining room table where I work and I immediately feel better. One corner a day…(also these are all so achievable - I’m inspired!) ❤

Love this, Anna! I'm also an all or nothing person. Time to implement many of these!

Thnx for sharing your valuable knowledge with us n bringing up this inspirational video 🤩... Stay Blessed Stay Happy Always 😘🤗🥰🧚‍♀️🦄🌈🧿

Another great video full of personality…Love it! As I am sitting here viewing in a sports bra/sweat pants, sipping coffee during my morning work break (yep, I really really need to try “getting dressed” each day…..workout clothes all day/every day over here 🙋‍♀️)

For gratitude… use a monthly calendar, and fill each box with gratitude. I love the look of this as my month fills.

Yeah journaling is great -And making list at night of 5 things for tomorrow is so helpful in the morning ! Good tips! Especially Being Thankful!! That’s a game change-attitude is everything 😊

Funny you did this video, when I realized a few days ago, I have been slacking with my vegetables, getting back into that. I'm retired now, still get up early. & clean/organize & keep busy at home, love being home! Great video my friend!

I LOVED it that you showed ready broccoli AS IT IS. Not a pretty, but realistic picture ))). And your tips are super cool. Enjooooyyyy!!!

You're a joy to watch and love your truth 🫶 way to tap into yourself through journalling. You're inspiring me with your alcohol challenge even though it was a breeze sailing for you; it helped me to hear you say it 🙏😇💙

Yes, recommend having at least 15 min sun in the morning to help boost your sleep. I found a gem, too, for a good night's sleep using a 10 inches gel memory foam wedge pillow from Costco for $39.99. I have one for my feet and one used as my pillow. Nobody recommends this to me. It was just a try. And Boy, it is heaven!

I would list to read 4 pages of a fictional book for me, as I have been reading mostly fact-based or self-improvement books and it's not helping to build up some fantasy. It makes you rather think about what problems you , and if, have and that you must solve them. As my psychlogy teacher once said: when you read a book about psychological disorders, you will self-identify having half of them :-D

This is one of your best advice videos EVER!!! Pay yourself first. We all lose ourselves because we take care of everyone else. Give yourself permission to take care of you. Everyone else will benefit from it. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!!!

If you haven't, check out the science behind morning sun and meditation on the Huberman podcast! Dopamine is absorbed from your eyes and meditation and breath work work can either relax you or make you more alert! My challenge that changed my life is 10000 steps a day.

I've always struggled with journaling although I know the benefits. I think it's because I had someone read my diary when I was in Jr High and i never journaled again afterwards. It took me years to even realize that happened, it was such a betrayal. I try to do it. I think just setting the time and space to do it will really help. I started going to a gym exercise/lifting class that is really motivating. Paying for a class and having a time to show up motivates me, where working on my own at home is harder because of all the distractions and to-do's there. This was especially good. Thank you!!

Thank you very much. Actually these are about the habits, except writing down and decluttering everyday, i used to do but now with a different life situation are not all on my list anymore. I will do it for 21 days and will see whats going to happen. Watching this video feels like the mild and kind support that i needed. Thank you !

For your dogs sake I really hope you don't consider a 10 min walk a long one. That's a absolutely minimum 3 times a day. Great tips otherwise 👌

I would add, get rid of dogs. The doggy smell hits you when you walk in, esp to others places. A dog jumping, annoying is so uninviting, friends will never come round.

Any day is a good day to make small changes. And 21 isn’t overwhelming. A small reward to hold over your head until the 21st day is another good idea for me. I’m making my list today. Thank you for being such a real and sincere person.

I gave up all sugar, bad carbs, and occasional glass of wine in August. Seriously, I feel no differently😢 book recommendation: An Anthropologist on Mars

Plant based... Chicken nuggets?!?! I'm lost here 8/

The one thing I won't give up is my cocktails with friends. I enjoy a glass of wine at the end of the day. One way I have found to decrease the amount of alcohol I drink is to switch to vodka soda from time to time. The lime is refreshing and I add just the tiniest bit of vodka so it feels like an adult beverage, but it's such a small amount of alcohol that my body barely registers it. I'm also more carnivore than vegetarian so lots of veggies won't work for me, but I have cut out bread and I feel much better. I love all of her little changes - they do seem to add up.

I feel like you are personally attacking my frumpy home outfits! Haha! I had surgery just before Christmas and with 9 incisions all over my abdomen the only thing I could wear was pyjamas. . . I really need to get back into “real clothes” Brussels - steam for 8-ish minutes. Sauté in a frying pan with about 1/2 tbsp of olive oil & some pancetta (Like 1 slice chopped up) for a couple of minutes, then a tbsp of grated Parmesan. 👍 (This made children on our family REQUEST sprouts!) also sprout & apple slaw is awesome.

FUNNY how all bloggers are “talking” journaling this January.

What great reminders of things I have heard but had forgotten 😘 I will start to do a lot of them tomorrow 🤩thanks Anna

Omg Im doing the declutter daily.. This is true Im 39 I started this past week

Hahhahahaha, I soooo love following your videos…it’s a LIFT ME UP

Hey there! Just wanted to let you know… you’re beautiful without makeup! But you’re rockin’ the red lip!

I haven’t been able to properly write on my journal, I can’t risk people finding and teasing it😅

I have found it is not necessary for me to watch the sunrise, I get up at about eight, and I am always certain to immediately fill the house with light and go outside and get the daylight. I also turn on all the lights in the house! This wakes up my circadian rhythm and it has been incredibly beneficial both physically and mentally. If the weather is bad, just stand at the window and look out into the daylight.

As an evening person, I prefer to watch the sun set. This world is built by and for morning people. And they are soooo full of themselves that it is the best. Its not. We are just different.

When you journaling/gratitude and goal setting… do you keep everything in one book or have 3 different books?

Funny, that those things what I meant to start doing as a challenge too. (Except journaling, not my kind of things )

Hi, where did you get that beautiful cream vest with the four pockets? ❤ :23

Great habits! I found a huge difference with light therapy as well. I even bought a light to use in winter, I can't live without it 😆

I am going to do most of your habits, the ones that fit into my daily life, I know that seeing the sunrise is one of those since I leave my house for work at 6, and write the things that turn my head , because I haven't done them yet, it helps me too!

Happy to find this video today! Thank you. It is great!!💖💌💖

This is my first time finding your channel. Nicely put. Thank you!

I used to journal all the time when I was younger…high school, college…the times when you think your life was so crazy. Yet looking back, I seemed to make more level headed decisions, probably because I wrote everything down & processed it. Then I got away from journaling, I never really made terrible decisions that I didn’t recover from but I didn’t always make the same level headed decisions as I did in the past. Journaling may be the reason. Thank you for the reminder. You have a few others on here that I’ll add in gradually. Another good tip to add, don’t try to do all of these at once. Try to add up to 3, master those for 21 days. Make them a habit, then add 2 or 3 more for another 21 days & make them habits as well. Once you get to where your comfortable, add onto your habits. If you meditate for 2 minutes daily increase it to 5 minutes or if you read 4 pages increase it to 10 (let’s face it, most of us aren’t going to get up to Warren Buffet’s 500 pages a day but a few more pages couldn’t hurt any of us, lol). I read that everyone wants to improve things but they always want to start by improving everyone else first when the best place to start is within. Thank you for the reminder & the challenge.

Too much oil on your healthy veggies! It's pure fat and you don't need any oil (or cheese)

This is such good advice because it takes time for our bodies and minds to adjust to new routines and rythms, loved the one about looking at the sunrise would add to really think about your loved ones and doibg something for them that they need instead of what we want them to have/be ❤

Years ago I was ready to start dating. I was listening to Sonja Choquette's tapes. (Cassette tapes back in the day.) She said if you are looking for a mate to write down everything you wanted in a person Physically, Mentally, and Spiritually. (I have include friends and family.) So I did that. You have to read it a couple/few times a day everyday and manipulate it. So add an attribute or delete on or just back space a period and put it back. But everyday. So do it in Word or write it in pencil. Be as superficial as you want since it's your list. Within 6 months this person will materialize. I could not decide between brown eyes or blue and my husband's eyes are blue with brown in the center! BE SPECIFIC! We've been married for 25 years.

you could do a big pan of various roasted veggies on the weekend and have them for the week. Or those little bell peppers they have now in multi colors, are 5 mins in the air fryer or sauteed in a pan. kids like those too.

I like the declutter and active challenge! For meditation and helping with the other things you spoke of I read my bible which helps me!😊

I do the notes to. myself that are in my head that are private thoughts…works for keeping my husband calm too as he doesn’t have to listen to it..

Anna, thank you for this really positive and motivating video❤

omgsh i can totally agree & relate to the majority of these! 🤣

I would suggest planting some flowers and shrubs in your yard. Being surrounded by greenery is so relaxing and gardening is good for you.