There’s something about this season that feels like a fresh start. Even though January is months away, late August and early September carry their own “new year” energy—school begins, routines reset, and many of us feel the urge to organize our lives and get back on track.
That makes this the perfect time to revisit one of my favorite books on personal growth: Atomic Habits by James Clear.
This is an annual read for me. Each time I pick it up, I walk away with a new insight or a fresh application for my life. That, to me, is the sign of a powerful book—one that grows with you as you grow.
What Atomic Habits Means
In the opening, Clear explains his choice of words:
- Atomic = a tiny, indivisible piece of a larger system—and also a source of immense power.
- Habit = a routine or practice performed regularly.
Together, Atomic Habits are the small, everyday practices that can unleash extraordinary change.
Core Concepts
There are several big ideas that stand out in this book:
- The Power of Small Changes – even the tiniest adjustment can lead to exponential results over time.
- Habits Compound – just like money in a savings account, small choices stack up into self-improvement (or self-destruction).
- Identity-Based Habits – focus on who you want to become, not just what you want to achieve.
- The Four Laws of Behavior Change – Clear’s simple framework for building good habits and breaking bad ones:
- Make it obvious
- Make it attractive
- Make it easy
- Make it satisfying
- Design Your Environment – your surroundings can either work for you or against you.
My Walkaway This Time: Design Your Environment
Of the four laws, the one that hit me most strongly in this reading was: Make it Obvious.
James Clear explains that your surroundings can either support your habits or sabotage them. A well-designed environment makes the good things almost automatic.
This idea feels especially important for me right now. I need to be more intentional about creating a space that supports my focus and my habits—whether that’s clearing away distractions, setting up visual reminders, or placing what I need in easy reach.
When your environment is aligned with your goals, you don’t have to fight so hard against yourself. The path of least resistance leads you toward the person you want to become.
A Simple Way to Start
One of the most practical tools Clear offers is habit stacking. It’s a way to anchor new habits to something you already do:
- After I pour my morning coffee, I will write down one thing I’m grateful for.
- After I brush my teeth, I will floss one tooth. Okay, I will probably toss more than one tooth…
It’s simple. It’s doable. And it’s powerful.
Why This Matters for Us
As women, many of us juggle multiple roles—mother, student, employee, caregiver, friend. It can feel overwhelming to even think about changing our habits. But Atomic Habits reminds us that transformation doesn’t come from massive overnight change—it comes from tiny, intentional steps forward.
And those steps? They’re available to all of us, right here and now.
Final Thoughts
Atomic Habits continues to challenge and encourage me every year. It’s not just about habits—it’s about becoming. Who you are becoming is shaped, day by day, by what you do.
In my next post (coming August 29), I’ll dive deeper into the idea of identity-based habits—how to actually use them to become the person you most want to be.
Until then, I’ll leave you with this question:
👉 What small change in your environment could you make today that would support the habits you want to build this fall?
-Laura