Thirteen days into the new year, and I’ve already missed two days of writing.

That said, my recent streak of nine consecutive days was my longest stretch of consistent daily writing in quite some time. While it’s frustrating to break the streak, I’ve learned an important lesson over the years about committing to daily habits: it’s okay to mess up, but it’s not okay to let the failure linger.

Missing one day is inevitable; missing two in a row sets a dangerous precedent.

When you falter, the key is to see the slip for what it is—just one misstep—accept it, and recommit to the habit the very next day. The sooner you get back on track, the less likely the failure will snowball into a full stop.

Here are a few tips I’ve found helpful in building and maintaining habits:

Set a Reminder It sounds simple, but a daily reminder can be incredibly powerful. Whether it’s an alarm, a calendar notification, or a note on your desk, a prompt can help you stay on track, even on busy or chaotic days.

Tell Someone Share your goal with a friend, family member, or peer. Accountability can work wonders. When someone else is aware of your commitment, they can check in and encourage you to keep going, especially when motivation dips.

Reward Yourself Recognise and celebrate your progress. Whether it’s a small treat, an indulgent break, or a personal acknowledgment of your effort, rewards can reinforce positive behaviour and make the habit feel more rewarding.

Habits are built through persistence, not perfection. It’s the act of continuing, even after a stumble, that ultimately leads to success.

If you’ve missed a day recently, don’t beat yourself up.

Just pick up where you left off and keep moving forward.

Your future self will thank you for it.


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P.S.: Day 16 of writing on article dot app

Today’s Thought:

Habits that stick are hard won, battles with your own mind, do not give in.