How to Audit Your Current Habits (So You Can Actually Change Your Life)
You want to feel better. You want to be better. But here’s the truth: You can’t change your life until you understand what’s actually running it, and that means your habits.
The little things you do every day (scrolling TikTok before bed, skipping breakfast, hitting snooze 4x…) are quietly shaping your future. So, if you're serious about leveling up, you’ve got to start with a habit audit.
Here’s exactly how to do it, step-by-step, no fluff.
Step 1: Track Your Current Habits Without Judgement
For one week, write down everything you do on a typical day. And we mean everything. Wake up at 7:30 AM? Scroll Instagram until 8? Work with 12 tabs open while low-key online shopping? Write it all down.
The goal here isn’t to shame yourself. It’s to get honest. You can’t fix what you’re pretending not to see.
Pro tip: Use the Notes app on your phone, a Google Doc, or go full ✨romanticize your life✨ with a cute notebook. Whatever keeps you consistent.
Step 2: Sort the Habits Into Three Buckets
After a week, look over your notes and break your habits into these categories:
Helpful (e.g. morning workouts, journaling, making your bed)
Neutral (e.g. taking a long shower, your iced latte routine)
Unhelpful (e.g. doom scrolling, skipping meals, procrastinating)
Don’t overthink it. Just go with your gut.
Step 3: Ask Yourself: What’s Actually Moving Me Forward?
Not all “good” habits are created equal. Some might feel productive (like colour-coding your calendar), but they aren't actually helping you reach your goals. Meanwhile, some small habits (like drinking a glass of water before coffee) might be doing more than you think.
Look at your helpful habits and ask:
Which ones are moving the needle?
Which ones feel good, but aren’t really doing much?
Cut the fluff. Keep the habits that actually support the life you want.
Step 4: Highlight Your Habit Loops
Most of our habits follow a loop: cue → routine → reward.
Example:
Cue = You're stressed
Routine = You grab your phone and scroll
Reward = Temporary distraction
Start noticing your loops, especially for the unhelpful habits.
This is the golden key to changing them. Once you spot the pattern, you can replace the routine with something better (like a walk, journaling, or literally just breathing for a sec).
Step 5: Choose 1–2 Habits to Upgrade (That’s It!)
Don’t try to overhaul your whole life overnight. Pick one or two habits that would make a huge difference if you improved them, and start there.
Swap your 45-minute morning scroll for 10 minutes of stretching and a proper breakfast. Replace late-night snacking with herbal tea and a good book. Small shifts = big change.
Step 6: Check in Weekly
Life happens. Habits slip. That’s normal.
Schedule a quick check-in with yourself every Sunday. Ask:
What’s working?
What’s not?
What tiny change can I make this week?
This turns your habit audit into a habit itself—and keeps your goals aligned with your real life.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to “fix” yourself. You’re not broken. But if you want to change your life, you do need to understand what’s quietly shaping it. A habit audit is your first step toward self-awareness, intentionality, and—yes—actual change.
Start small. Be honest. Keep going. Your future self will thank you.
Want help getting started? Try The Habit Recipe Workbook and start building routines that move the needle.
