We do not need to create “healthy routines” or work on implementing “good habits.” What we need is to begin creating, crafting, acting on the art we truly yearn to experience. That sifts in our undertow of consciousness. That seems too fun to possibly allow ourself to indulge.

If we were to die tomorrow, our thoughts would not be “oh dear, if only I had been able to perfect my routines; if only I had been able to follow so-and-so’s habit structure perfectly; if only I had been able to get 963 days in a row of waking at 5am, meditating, yoga, sweaty exercise, cold shower, journaling, eating raw food, reading a book, listening to a podcast, posting something on social that makes me seem interesting, all before rest of day starts, etc.”

Our thoughts would be “oh dear, if only I had sincerely tried to… write some stories; strengthen my relationship with my family; record an album; learn another language and live somewhere that speaks it for a time; build a home; create that product, join that service mission, etc.”

These are things that actually matter and make a difference – that make our dreams come true. When we decide to take action in summoning our dreams, we unclog energy, we unclog joy. As days go by with us merrily toiling on our dreams, we feel more peace – we are happy. And in touching this state more, we unclog confidence in expressing our love for ourself. One day, we may go “you know what, I do not want to watch TV right now as my after work recharge – I feel too good to numb myself. I want to go for a walk, enjoy the fresh air and sunset.”

This is how the good stuff comes into our life; by us being so happy with ourself for acting on our dreams that we are content to forgo a vice. And now that space can open up and be used for “good” practices or stillness.

For if we fill our time with “good” habits, guess what? We are still not using the time for creating our aspirations!!

Then we get caught in a “good” habit treadmill, where we become consumed by needing to get a hit of all the good habits every day in order to numb ourself from the fact that we still are not taking purposeful steps toward what we really really deep deep down want to attempt creating.

We substitute our “bad” habits for “good” habits, yet in the moments where the hit from the habit has worn off, we find ourself just as uncomfortable and unhappy.

The wholesome change we are seeking comes when – for instance, if we want to become a skilled culinary artist – instead of waking up and trying to change our bad habit of sitting in bed on our phone for 30min into one of the myriad of good habits, we put the 30min into prepping supplies for crafting a fun dinner that night which we would “never have time” to make if tried to do the whole process after work.

Guess what happens as we prep our supplies and food? We drop into a meditative state (automatically), as we finally allow ourself to dance to our own tune intentionally (not just sporadic, spur of the moment, accidental happenings). And then after those 30min? We feel so astonished and happy with ourself for taking intentional action on making real something that is deeply wanted, that instead of watching or listening to something while we eat breakfast, we decide we are content to relax in the quiet and playfully doodle or colour on a scrap paper – thus prolonging our meditative state – and even decide to whip up something a little healthier for fun since we want to treat ourself, and at this deeper level of consciousness treating ourself means increasing our health and wellbeing. Then who knows, after that breakfast we may feel so alive from our choices that instead of using the last 10min to scroll our phone while we drink our tea/coffee before work, we slide our shoes on and walk outside to inhale with life!

Notice how all the “good” habits merely stemmed organically from us intentionally freeing ourself to unearth and progress in our buried dreams? That energy we tap when we allow ourself to be a creator of fate, naturally aids us in diminishing the time we use on “bad” habits and thus opens space for “good” activities to sprout.

An important distinction is that we do not suddenly demand this “routine” become our new baseline. Our baseline can be using the first bit of the day advancing our dream/practice. Because that is what matters, and that is where we will hide our wellbeing. Furthermore, this keeps it playful and creative, for there is no tyrannical doctrine we subjugate ourself to. Maybe some mornings we want to scroll our phone, or listen to/watch a video. Maybe we want to do cartwheels, or sing, or call a friend.

What is something you have long daydreamed of as being fun to live out? That the unafraid, confident, capable, playful champion inside you wants to experience?

What is an effortless, insignificant, trivial shift that could bring a little snippet of this experience into your life?

Will you make this shift?

Will you surrender to making your fun?