The One Habit That Changed How I Show Up for Myself

I used to pride myself on being busy. Like many women, I wore it like a badge of honor—constantly juggling work, relationships, errands, the occasional workout, and whatever was trending on social media that week. I didn’t realize how completely disconnected I was from myself until I hit a wall. I wasn’t sleeping well. I felt anxious all the time. My confidence was low. I looked fine on the outside, but internally, I felt completely out of alignment.

That’s when I decided to try something I never had time for: a morning walk. Just a simple 15-20 minute stroll around my neighborhood. No fancy gear, no fitness goals, no podcasts or phone calls—just me, my thoughts, and some fresh air.

At first, it felt almost silly. I kept thinking, “Is this really going to make a difference?” But after a few days, something shifted. I started looking forward to it. I noticed I wasn’t diving straight into emails while still half-asleep. I had more mental clarity. And—perhaps most importantly—I was starting the day with me.

This tiny act became the anchor I didn’t know I needed.

It wasn’t just about movement (although that helped). It was about intentionally creating space before the world demanded things from me. I began showing up to work less frazzled. I had more patience in conversations. I stopped feeling like I was reacting to life and started feeling like I was leading it.

Here’s why I think it worked:

• It grounded me. Something about putting feet to pavement first thing in the morning makes you feel rooted. Like, “Okay, I’ve got this.”
• It became a form of mindfulness. I wasn’t scrolling. I wasn’t multitasking. I was just being. Listening to birds, watching the sun peek through trees, noticing how the air felt different every day.
• It was achievable. I didn’t need a gym membership or an accountability partner. Just a pair of sneakers and a front door.
• It created a boundary. That walk became the line between “sleepy me” and “ready-for-the-world me.” It helped me stop jumping straight from bed to chaos.

What surprised me most was how this one small habit had a ripple effect. I started drinking more water. I prioritized getting to bed earlier. I felt more confident setting boundaries. It was like I remembered how to take care of myself again.

I’m not here to say that morning walks will solve all your problems. But I am here to say: If you’ve been feeling off, overwhelmed, or like you’ve lost yourself somewhere in the busyness—try anchoring your day with just one small thing for you.

It doesn’t have to be a walk. It could be five minutes of journaling, drinking your coffee without your phone, stretching while you breathe. What matters is that it’s yours. Unrushed. Undistracted. Unapologetic.

You don’t need to overhaul your life. Sometimes, all it takes is one habit that reminds you: You matter, too.