10 REALISTIC Habits for Getting Your Life Together at 20, 30, and 40+

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares 10 small, realistic habits that helped her regain control of her life after experiencing significant personal and financial challenges. After relocating back to the U.S. from Europe and coping with her family’s struggles, she emphasizes slowing down, prioritizing what matters most, and learning to drop less important 'plastic balls' to focus on crucial 'glass balls.' She also opens up about her personal battle with binge eating and offers insights on coping with stress, self-reflection, managing debt, and the importance of small habits in creating positive change.

Takeaways

• 😊 Take your foot off the gas pedal: When feeling lost, don't push harder; instead, step back and evaluate your direction.
• 🤹 Know when to drop the plastic balls: Prioritize important tasks (glass balls) over less critical ones (plastic balls) when overwhelmed.
• 💡 Adopt healthier ways to cope with stress: Replace destructive habits like binge eating with healthier coping mechanisms like journaling, meditation, and therapy.
• 📊 Conduct a life audit: Reflect on different areas of your life and identify which ones need improvement, such as using tools like the Wheel of Life assessment.
• 💰 Pay off debt ASAP: Eliminate debt as soon as possible for financial freedom and peace of mind, just like the speaker did after escaping an abusive relationship.
• ✂️ Know when to cut your losses: Avoid the sunk cost fallacy by recognizing when it’s time to move on from unproductive investments of time, money, or energy.
• 📝 Write things down: If you struggle with forgetting things, make a habit of writing them down immediately to stay on top of tasks.
• 👗 Get dressed to boost motivation: Changing out of pajamas into real clothes can help break a cycle of low motivation and inactivity.
• 🛏️ Make your bed: This simple habit can have a powerful impact on your mindset and set a positive tone for the day.
• 🧹 Pick things up off the floor: Tidying small areas, even just picking things up off the floor, can create a sense of accomplishment and reduce visual clutter.

Q & A

What prompted the speaker to 'start over' at age 40?

The speaker and her family had to start over at age 40 due to her husband's job loss and a series of unfortunate events at their children's school, which led them to move back to the USA from Europe.

Why does the speaker recommend 'taking your foot off the gas pedal' when feeling lost?

The speaker suggests slowing down and evaluating one's direction, as moving fast in the wrong direction is counterproductive. Taking a step back helps in reassessing priorities and determining where to go next.

What does 'dropping the plastic balls' metaphor mean in this context?

The 'plastic balls' metaphor refers to prioritizing tasks in life and recognizing which ones are less important and can be temporarily dropped without serious consequences, unlike the 'glass balls' that represent essential priorities.

How does the speaker cope with stress in a healthier way after experiencing binge eating disorder relapses?

The speaker copes with stress by practicing healthier habits such as keeping a food journal, meditation, breathing techniques, and regular therapy sessions, which help her manage her binge eating tendencies.

What is the Wheel of Life assessment, and how did it help the speaker?

The Wheel of Life assessment is a self-reflection tool that evaluates satisfaction across key life areas. It helped the speaker identify which aspects of her life needed more focus and guided her in making necessary changes.

How did the speaker's experience with debt shape her approach to finances?

After escaping an abusive relationship and being left in debt, the speaker developed frugal habits and prioritized paying off her debts quickly. This experience made her more financially disciplined, leading her and her husband to pay off over $250,000 in debt in 5 years.

What is the 'sunk cost fallacy,' and how did the speaker overcome it?

The sunk cost fallacy is the tendency to continue investing in something despite negative outcomes because of past investments. The speaker overcame this by recognizing when to cut her losses, such as leaving a toxic relationship in her 20s.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of 'writing things down'?

The speaker emphasizes writing things down because it helps her remember important tasks or commitments. Without writing things down, she often forgets to follow up on messages or appointments.

How does changing out of pajamas help the speaker regain motivation?

The speaker finds that getting dressed in regular clothes helps her feel more productive and motivated. Staying in pajamas all day tends to reinforce feelings of being stuck and unmotivated.

What small habit does the speaker recommend for maintaining a sense of order at home?

The speaker recommends the small habit of picking things up off the floor. Even when she doesn't have the energy to fully declutter, removing items from the floor helps her feel more in control and reduces visual clutter.