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Why Starting Your Day The Hard Way Slingshots Your Day For Success — sport woman running on a road. Fitness woman training at sunrise

The end of the year is very celebratory where you spend precious time with family and friends. It can also be a time to reflect and plan for the new year. What also can happen is the loss of important habits.

Habits and routines are built upon foundations that take time and effort to create. When you miss a habit for one day the foundation crumbles. Eventually if repeated over a long period continuously. The foundation of a habit is destroyed.

To make sure your foundations remain strong you have to continue to the habit no matter the effort.

This article will help you know how to manage your habits when you’re in R &R mode and also how to get your mindset back to kickstart your important habits by starting your day in a challenging way.

Why It’s Important Not To Stop A Healthy Habit

Before New Year I decided to take 2 weeks for myself and my family to go on holiday to relax after a challenging year. I changed my routine, my schedule to do whatever I wanted when I felt like it.

Some days were productive but most days were pure relaxing which was definitely needed.

Then the day came when it’s time to get back to my old routine.

The 1st week didn’t go very well. It was a battle to be productive. On reflection, I was in waiting mode. I was expecting my habits to just reappear and take care of themselves. Without realising I had formed new habits of a sleep routine, doing no exercise and eating whatever I want to name a few.

I had become very comfortable but unproductive.

I wanted to get back to the old habits I had formed that help in all parts of my life. Deep down I knew I had to do it the hard way.

At the start of the second week, I decided to go all-in on the morning routine and make it simple and easy to accomplish.

Wake up before at 6 am before everyone is awake
Focus solely on my health

I knew starting your day with something challenging and hard first thing in the morning it will be the foundation to build upon for the rest of my habits and routines for the day ahead.

Top Tips For Being Productive After A Rest

1. Level down

Whenever you take a break or a rest period never ever stop doing what you were doing completely. A habit is much quicker to lose than to rebuild. What you should do is level down. For example, if you work out 3 times a week bring it down to 1 or 2. If you wake up at 6 am move it to 7 am not 9 am.

Levelling down will make it easy to level up when you need to rather than scrapping it all together to rebuild it all again.

2. Make it easy to start

Research has told us that when something is easy to do. It’s a lot easier to be motivated to do it. When preparing to kickstart your habits make sure

Everything is laid out
Your environment is primed for productivity
Set an alarm away from arms reach
Practice late night visualisation of the day ahead

James Clear writes a great article on this.

3. Make it challenging

Starting your day snoozing your alarm for the 20th time, you finally drag yourself out of bed, you forget to make your bed and you know how this story will go. When it comes to doing anything challenging as the day unfolds it will be super easy to say no. Your mind and body are not primed to go to battle. It’s primed to do nothing productive.

At some point, we have all been there. That’s why your morning is so important. Starting your day with something challenging and hard to do. this could be a cold plunge in the water, a morning 5k run or simply something that you find you have put a lot of effort into. It need not last anything longer than 30 minutes but you have now just awoken your mind and body. The chemicals released have increased your energy, clarity of thoughts and mood. You are ready for more challenges and a productive day is soon followed.

I have experienced both these days one is fulfilling and the other is filled with regret over a period of time.

You are the key to the ignition of the mind and body

Start your day the hard way and make the rest of your day, week and year easier to accomplish.

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Moving Out Of Your Hometown In Your 20s Shapes Your Mindset

Have you ever wondered how moving out of your hometown in your 20s could completely change your perspective on life? For many, it’s one of the most defining decisions they make, and it can open doors to growth and opportunities that might never have been available otherwise.

Looking back, one of the best decisions I made in my 20s was moving out of my hometown. It helped me expand my worldview, introduced me to new cultures, and pushed me out of my comfort zone. I want to share why I believe everyone in their 20s should experience living in a new place.

Whether you’re considering a move or already have, here are 10 reasons why moving out of your hometown can shape your mindset for the better.

My Journey: Moving Out of My Hometown

Growing up in a small town in England, my life followed a predictable routine—school, home, and the occasional holiday in Wales. My family didn’t travel abroad much, and for most of my early years, I didn’t experience much outside my hometown.

While life was comfortable, I often felt like I was living in a bubble. Something inside me yearned for more—a desire to break out and explore. Moving away to university became my first step toward this, and it opened my eyes to the world beyond my hometown. I met people from all over the UK and abroad, and my independence grew significantly during this time.

Once university ended, most of my friends returned to their hometowns. I didn’t. With my childhood room now occupied by my younger brother, I found myself without a place to return to. It was scary, but looking back, it was one of the best outcomes I could have hoped for.

In my 20s, I travelled all over the UK, living in cities like Reading, Newcastle, and Manchester. These experiences allowed me to start my global travels and shaped the person I am today.

10 Reasons Why Moving Out of Your Hometown in Your 20s Shapes Your Mindset

If you’re debating whether or not to take that step and move out of your hometown, here are 10 reasons why it could be the best decision of your life.

1. You’ll Discover Everyone is the Same at Heart

Staying in your hometown can create an “us versus them” mentality, leading to prejudices or assumptions about others. Moving out exposes you to different people and cultures, and you’ll quickly realize that despite our differences, we all want the same things—love, security, and happiness. Meeting new people expands your understanding and empathy.

2. You Become Independent

There’s nothing like moving out to push you toward independence. When you’re no longer under the safety net of home, you’ll learn to cook, clean, and pay bills all on your own. Taking control of your life is empowering and forces you to become responsible for your own success.

3. You Expand Your Comfort Zone

Moving out means leaving behind the routines and comforts you’ve known for years. While it may feel daunting at first, you’ll soon find yourself thriving in new environments. Expanding your comfort zone is critical for personal growth, and staying in your hometown may keep you stagnant.

4. Problem-Solving Becomes Second Nature

When you move out, you’re bound to face new challenges. From finding a place to live to navigating unfamiliar environments, you’ll develop a knack for problem-solving. Over time, you’ll gain confidence in your ability to overcome obstacles and adapt to change.

5. You Learn More About the World Around You

Living in different places expands your knowledge, not just about the world but about yourself. You’ll discover new cultures, customs, and perspectives, which helps break you out of the limited mindset that may form when you stay in one place for too long.

6. You Build a Broader Network

Moving out introduces you to new people, both personally and professionally. New friends, relationships, and business contacts can significantly impact your life, sometimes in ways you never expected. My life would have been very different if I hadn’t met the friends, mentors, and partners I encountered while living away from home.

7. Facing Your Fears Becomes Routine

When you’re outside your comfort zone, you’re constantly faced with new challenges that force you to overcome fears. Whether it’s meeting new people or adapting to a different environment, moving out teaches you that fear is just an obstacle waiting to be conquered.

8. You Appreciate Loved Ones More

Distance truly does make the heart grow fonder. When you move out, you may find yourself appreciating the relationships you’ve left behind. The time spent with family and old friends becomes more meaningful when you’re not around them all the time.

9. You’ll Learn New Skills

Whether it’s mastering budgeting, learning to negotiate, or figuring out how to take care of yourself, moving out pushes you to develop skills you wouldn’t have needed in the comfort of your hometown. These skills will serve you well throughout your life.

10. You’ll Find Out Who You Truly Are

When you move out of your hometown, you’re forced to rely on yourself. This independence gives you the space to discover who you are, what you want, and what kind of life you want to lead. You’re no longer defined by your environment—you’re free to create the life you want.

Taking the Leap

Moving out of your hometown is more than just changing your address—it’s about challenging yourself, growing as an individual, and expanding your view of the world. Whether you’re in your 20s or beyond, it’s never too late to take that step.

Want More? Join the Mindset Warrior Community

If you’re considering moving out or have already taken the leap, I’d love to hear your story! Share your experience in the comments below, and let’s start a conversation about how moving out has shaped your mindset.

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And if you enjoyed this, you’ll also like this article that explores how stepping outside your comfort zone transforms your life. Keep exploring!