Hi Wattle Tribe,
We’re one week into 2025—how are you feeling? Did you try out a small change from last week’s newsletter? If you did, give yourself a pat on the back! Even one small step is worth celebrating. If you didn’t, no worries. This is a journey, and you can start anytime.
This week, I want to talk about momentum—that magical force that makes change feel easier and more natural once you get going. It’s like the snowball effect: you start small, and over time, your actions compound into bigger wins. But here’s the thing: momentum doesn’t just happen by accident. It’s something we build, one step at a time.
My Momentum Moment
The other day, I noticed something: the tiny habit I started last week—drinking a glass of water each morning—has already sparked other changes. I feel more energized in the mornings, which has made me more mindful about what I eat for breakfast. That one small change has cascaded into better choices throughout my day.
This is how momentum works. Small actions create a ripple effect. The hard part is starting, but once you’re in motion, it’s easier to keep going.
If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, ask yourself: What’s one tiny thing I can do right now? The key is to keep the bar low and your effort consistent.
Why Momentum Works
Science backs this up! Momentum taps into the psychological principle of behavioral reinforcement. When we succeed at something—even something small—it triggers a release of dopamine, our brain’s reward chemical. This makes us feel good and motivates us to repeat the behavior.
For example:
- When you take a short walk and feel refreshed, you’re more likely to do it again tomorrow.
- When you swap one sugary snack for a handful of nuts, you notice you feel better—and that reinforces the habit.
- When you journal for five minutes, you feel calmer, which encourages you to keep it up.
Success builds on success. Small wins lead to bigger wins, and before you know it, you’ve created real, lasting change.
Product of the Week: Habit Tracker Apps
If you’re ready to keep your momentum rolling, consider using a habit tracker. These apps make it fun and easy to visualize your progress. I personally use apps like strava for my movement based tracking and while I have not used the below tools, I appreciate many folks are extrinsically motivated and wanted to help by exploring tools you may get use of. options include:
- Habitica: Gamifies your habits by turning them into a role-playing game.
- Streaks: Lets you track up to 12 habits with a clean, user-friendly interface.
- HabitBull: Offers detailed progress charts and customizable reminders.
Sometimes, all it takes to stay on track is a little nudge—and these tools may provide that.
Action Item: Stack Your Habits
This week’s challenge is to try habit stacking. This simple strategy involves pairing a new habit with an existing one. For example:
- While waiting for your coffee to brew, do 10 squats.
- After brushing your teeth, write down one thing you’re grateful for.
- When you sit down to dinner, drink a glass of water.
By linking your new habit to something you already do, it becomes easier to remember and stick with it.
Choose one habit to stack this week and notice how it feels. Does it make your day flow a little smoother? Does it remind you of the positive changes you’re working toward?
A Gentle Reminder
Momentum isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress. Some days, you’ll take a big step forward. Other days, it’ll be a tiny step—or maybe no step at all—and that’s okay. The important thing is to keep going. Even if you stumble, you’re still moving forward.
This week, let’s focus on building momentum, celebrating small wins, and trusting the process. Remember, you don’t have to get it all right to make a difference in your life. One small step, taken consistently, is enough.
Here’s to a week of motion, growth, and joy.
With love,
Ana