How to Start (and Keep) a Healthy Habit (2026)

Los Angeles: You might want to learn Spanish, but you haven’t started yet. Realizing that you don’t really want to learn it can help. Letting go of activities that don’t excite you might open doors to new fun things. The new year is a perfect time to let go of things from the past that don’t help you anymore.

Instead of thinking you should do something just because, remember why you wanted to do it. If those reasons aren’t important anymore, don’t do it.

If this idea sounds good, try reading Allen’s book. He shares more tips on letting go of things. You can keep track of things you might want to do later. Maybe one day, while paddleboarding in the Sea of Cortez, you’ll want to learn Spanish when you’re ready to put in the effort.

Remember to enjoy life. My excitement for “Getting Things Done” faded, not because it doesn’t work, but because doing less made me happier. I realized I was doing things that didn’t truly interest me, which made me feel guilty for not getting them done.

While what I’ve shared can help in starting a healthy habit, it’s also crucial to know why you want to do it. I’ve been reading Bertrand Russell’s “In Praise of Idleness,” and he points out that many think every task must have a purpose. Sometimes, doing things just for fun is perfectly fine.