Why I STOPPED Diligently Tracking my Habits

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Have you ever fallen down the habit tracker rabbit hole?

I certainly have! When I discovered Notion, I was overflowing with excitement and enthusiasm. I started tracking every little habit, from morning stretches to water intake, and even the number of pages I read each day.

As time went on, however, I realized that my habit tracking had become a double-edged sword. On one hand, it was helpful in keeping me accountable and motivated. On the other hand, it became overwhelming and burdensome.

I had initially started with just a few essential habits, but as I became more engrossed in the habit-tracking world, I found myself adding more and more habits to my list. It seemed like there was always something new to track, and the pressure to check off every box became immense.

I went through three different habit trackers in Notion, constantly searching for the perfect system that would solve all my tracking woes. Each time, I thought I had found the answer, but it always led to the same result: an ever-growing list of habits to track.

The notion that "if you don't measure it, it won't change" had taken a hold of me. I believed that unless I meticulously tracked every aspect of my life, I couldn't improve or grow. This belief created immense pressure and unrealistic expectations for myself. Even my self-care routines, which were meant to alleviate stress, became sources of added pressure.

After months of struggling with this habit tracking obsession, I finally reached a breaking point. I realized that diligently tracking my habits was doing more harm than good. It was stealing my joy and adding unnecessary stress to my life. So I made the brave decision to let go of the habit tracker and focus on what truly mattered – my well-being and happiness.

For the past month or more, I haven't been tracking my habits in the traditional sense. Instead, I've been taking a more intuitive approach. I listen to my body and pay attention to what feels good at the end of each week. I make note of those activities or practices and focus on doing them as consistently as possible.

This shift in approach has been transformative. It has allowed me to release the pressure of tracking every single habit and embrace a more compassionate and flexible mindset towards self-improvement. I've learned to prioritize my well-being and listen to my body's needs instead of relying solely on external measurements.

Life is meant to be enjoyed, not measured by checkmarks. Let's embrace a more holistic and intuitive approach to self-care and personal growth. Trust yourself, listen to your inner voice, and focus on what truly brings you joy and fulfillment. Remember, it's not about the number of habits we track, but the quality of life we live.