Habit Stacking Thread 📚

[Mellmars1185]

Hello BIC! Habit stacking is something I have been doing mindfully for the past few years now and thought it would be fun to discuss and share here. It has helped me save time, be more efficient and have more time for what is important to me (spend time with family/friends, scroll on BIC, read).

What is habit stacking?

Habit stacking is essentially exactly what it sounds like: taking a new habit and adding it to something you already do habitually. Habit stacking works by identifying a habit or a behavior you want to start doing and tacking it onto something you already do regularly.

Example (I do all of these at the same time):

First Habit - Prepping and making a meal in the Instant Pot

Second - Put a load of laundry on while the food is cooking

Third - Putting hair oil on my scalp or put a hair mask in

Forth - Work out (while I am working out, dinner is cooking, laundry is washing and my hair is getting a treatment)

I thought maybe this could be a space where we discuss our habit stacking, share ideas, support, learn and motivate eachother. 

What habit stacking did you do today? 

 

 

Spoiler

I am open for suggestions for this thread. Maybe we can do challenges weekly or monthly?

[Mellmars1185]

@itsfi 😆 I will definitely ask him for his habit stacking input. He likes to point it out, so I wonder if he is mindful of it in his own routines. Today, I kept forgetting things in the basement and had to go back and get things, and he said, " See you are habit stacking because you are getting things and exercising." He was right about that, lol.

[itsfi]

Oh my goodness, he's so mindful of habit stacking @Mellmars1185! Your habit stacking, too! 🤣 Hmmm... maybe he's one of the ones who started the whole habit stacking kick and he's just keeping that to himself. 🤔 Hahaha! 

[Mellmars1185]

@itsfi haha ohh mayyybe! He was very happy to hear this 😆. I am sure I will hear about more habit stacking now!

[peculiarzmakeup]

@Mellmars1185 

this is such an incredible thread idea! It’s amazing reading about how it’s worked for you! 

😊

One thing I do to Habit Stack is prepping

I usually try to do this the night before.

Since I work from home it can be easy to fall out of routine

• Schedule for next day written in notes Reminders, Alarms
• Having To Do List in every note, deleting what’s completed
• Laying out things in sequential order of how I will use them (ex. Makeup, clothing etc.)
• Put backs after using for them to be there for next time. (shoes, keys, wallet) 

These habits all tend to overlap through the day ☀️

[itsfi]

Ahhh, I love this @peculiarzmakeup! I love prepping and organizing. Definitely hear ya on putting things back after using them. 

[peculiarzmakeup]

Thank you so much! And yes it’s fun to have little set back stations keeps me organized! @itsfi ❤️

[Mellmars1185]

@peculiarzmakeup Thank you! You have created some great habits. I know how easy it is to lose something if you don't put it back. I also like making lists. I have a notebook where I only write down the main thing I want to get done in a day. I don't write too many so my goals for the day are achievable.

I understand it can be hard to stay in a routine when, WFH. With your saved time, is there anything you would like to do? 

[peculiarzmakeup]

I love what you said about attainable goals, thinking of goals that can be completed in the given time frame, that’s such a nice concept! @Mellmars1185 

I would like to clean, organize, go out in nature, make collages! I like the goal idea I’ve always made list but achievable goals sounds great thanks for the idea. I appreciate you creating this thread ❤️🥰

[Mellmars1185]

Today I did hair care habit stacking. Before I started my work out, I applied OUAI Hydrating Scalp Serum for Healthy, Fuller Looking Hair 2 oz / 60 mL so it had to soak in while I worked out. Then I showered and applied K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask 1.7 oz/ 50 mL . The instructions say to leave it in for at least 4 minutes before blow drying to activate. While I was letting it sit, I folded a load of laundry. While I was folding my laundry, my hair air dried a bit on it's own, which means less heat.

Spoiler

I found that brushing my hair before washing is really helpful when using the K18 Biomimetic Hairscience PEPTIDE PREP™ Clarifying Detox Shampoo 8.5 oz / 250 mL (or before washing in general for that matter). I find that when I rinse with conditioner that my hair is more manageable. However, when using the the K18, I don't use conditioner. So making sure the tangles are out before washing makes The process easier. I have also read somewhere that brushing while the hair is wet causes more damage than dry.

[itsfi]

That's fantastic how you have a hair care habit stacking routine @Mellmars1185! 😍

[Mellmars1185]

@itsfi Thank you! 🥰

[peculiarzmakeup]

That is such an amazing and efficient way to do hair care and self care, I love how you combind, it’s helpful to see examples! So amazing 🤩 @Mellmars1185 

[Mellmars1185]

@peculiarzmakeup Thank you! I am looking forward to hearing about everyones habit stacking! 

[missjeanie]

@Mellmars1185 I'm loving this idea!  I know I have some of my morning routines that might qualify, and at this point if I do them out of order I'm lost and running behind.  I don't typically give myself enough time in the morning, 30 minutes from wake up to out the door max.  Habit stacking or just plain rushing?  lol

Skincare sinks in while I do my hair and then a youtube video plays when my make up goes on.  

In my evening routine though I like to make a pot of coffee to put in the fridge while I clean my kitchen.  Then post shower if I do a face mask I always use that time where it's sitting to scroll on BIC or new releases.  

I need to work on some of the household task stacking!!

[itsfi]

Hmmm... making a pot of coffee while cleaning the kitchen, you say @missjeanie?? I may need to give that a try <<side eyes all the stuff that needs to be tidied up in the kitchen>>

[missjeanie]

@itsfi Lol... I feel like my kitchen has become a dumping grounds of late.  I need to clear off my table and force myself to use it as a dining table rather than a collection spot for things I intend to take photos of! 

[Mellmars1185]

@missjeanie Sounds great! It is nice that you can get everything done in 30 min. Making the coffee at night helps for the morning rush. I get my coffee ready in the evening also!

[missjeanie]

@Mellmars1185 Ha ha... rushing for the last 40 years since I hate getting out of bed! 

[sister13]

Sounds great! I hadn’t heard of this but I try to do this sometimes and would love to do it more consciously. 

One I can think of it when I’m waiting for water to boil for coffee, I try to unload the dishwasher, or clear items from the refrigerator if they’re  past their prime, instead of just scrolling on my phone or whatever. @Mellmars1185 

[Mellmars1185]

@sister13 Those are  good ones! It is so easy to just scroll and lose track of time. Sometimes I don't realize how long some items are past due in the fridge. I stopped buying salad dressing because of that... I guess I don't make enough salads at home?!? Lol. I heard about habit stacking on a podcast. Since then I mentioned it to my SO and he has been mindful of it too!

[Mellmars1185]

I will start off by sharing some of my morning routine 'habit stacking'. I wash my face and put my skin care on so that while I am drinking my coffee, my skincare has time to dry down before I do my makeup. While I am doing my makeup, I listen to podcasts or sometimes listen to a gratitude meditation 🧘‍♀️☕️💄