How do I define success? In the last few weeks, a handful of friends have moved into HOUSES, gotten engaged, and given birth to children. I am super happy for them, but I know those activities are not for me. “Good for them, not for me.” Part of being an independent person is that I…
Author: KaylieLongley
Raise expectations for yourself first
I think one of the biggest lies of western society is, “the key to life is lowered expectations.” It feels too lose. Too relaxed on life. And for whose expectations? And what kind of expectations do they mean? I believe expectations should start with the self, but they’re influenced based on what’s known and from…
Write do and don’t do lists
I’m back bloggin’ after a week away! There was something I had to do, and I gave much energy to it. Instead of distracting myself with other self-given responsibilities, I focused and got it done. And that idea of CHOOSING ENERGY is what I am writing about today. We’ve all written to do lists. They’re…
Community and Feeling during Covid-19
I’ve been writing about feelings affecting goals lately, and I’ve felt terribly vulnerable. But it’s also been awesome because I have reached out to more people in the last couple weeks than I have in months. I received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine 2 weeks ago. I realize the gift, but I also know that…
Using feelings to build my WHY
It’s Sunday night, and that means, I am back on the blog. After writing about feelings shaping habits last week, I challenged myself to think about feelings in different ways. And I really tried to focus on my own feelings. Feelings create empathy, but this week I focused on COGNITIVE empathy. Cognitive empathy means I…
Can feelings direct habits?
How do people make decisions? How are goals made repeatedly? This is a personal dive into feelings and perhaps the first in a series. I have leaned into my introversion, but I have lately struggled with the feeling side. Perhaps it’s because when I took the Myers-Briggs, I landed a strong Introverted score but more…
Opportunity Cost of Taking a Break
I took not one but THREE breaks from my goals this week. And it feels good. And odd. But don’t worry, there are lessons in all of them. I took a running break.What this means? I can still keep going. One of my principle identities is that I am a runner. Running is a physical…
Applying running to other habits
I identify as a runner. It’s easy for me to get the time in, but how do I keep making it happen? And how can I apply the habit of regular running to other goals? Running is a release. My friend Kaitlyn gave me that phrase, but she’s exactly right: when I run, I let…
I’m giving up cheese for Lent. Here’s how systems help omitting
Every year, I try to omit something for Lent. And though I am not the most religious person, this opportunity gives me a chance to see how abstaining with a movement can apply to other habits. I am giving up cheese this year. Lent provides structure. Many people, religious or otherwise, commit to giving up…
A minimalist’s guide to habit building
2021 has been so fruitful for goals. I think that’s because I build habits that sustain them. The goals are SMART so I can clearly see when I’ve missed a day or not. While I’ve logged daily, I am simultaneously getting bored by the format while also seeing the weekly/monthly goals are tougher to quickly…