How quitting my “perfect” routine made me unstoppable.

It was 5:32 am, still dark outside, the kitchen cold. I was halfway through my “perfect” morning routine: lemon water, meditation, journaling, and gym.
On paper, it was flawless. In real life, it was exhausting.
By 6:15, I was already behind, the water bottle had spilled, meditation never happened, and my youngest was awake and screaming.

I don’t have it all figured out. My routine adapts and shifts with time, depending on what matters most that season. But one thing never changes: keeping the word I give to myself. Not to others, to myself.

Neuroscientists like Andrew Huberman explain that every time you follow through on something you’ve told yourself you’ll do, your brain’s dopamine system takes note. You’re not just feeling good; you’re wiring your brain to expect that your words and actions will match. Over time, that strengthens the circuits that control discipline, focus, and decision-making. In short, every kept promise makes you trust yourself more. And when you trust yourself, change stops being a fight and starts becoming inevitable.

That morning taught me that success doesn’t come from sticking to a perfect plan; it comes from building one you can’t fall off.

The shift:
Research shows that over 80% of people abandon new habits within six weeks, not because they don’t care, but because their system collapses the first time life interrupts.
That day, I swapped my rigid 90-minute routine for a 15-minute “non-negotiables list.” If I can tick those three things off, move my body, drink water, and plan the day…I win. Everything else is optional.

I’ve been more consistent in the last six months than in the previous six years.

Your turn:

Question for you:
What’s one “must-do” in your day that works even when life falls apart? Hit reply, I’ll share some of your answers (with permission) in a future issue.

Let’s dive into my 3 Finds of the Week, the small, high-impact tools I’ve been using to make change easier and more consistent.

Each week, I’ll share 3 things that have genuinely helped me, small shifts across the three pillars of ConfigurSelf: mindset, habits, and health. The kind of things that have made a real difference in my own life, and that I’d happily recommend to a close friend.

One of the supplements I took during my weight loss journey was Thorne’s Metabolic Health. 

I’m not a believer in “miracle” pills; this wasn’t one. But in combination with many other supplements I was taking at the time, alongside a clean diet and daily movement, it was one of the few I genuinely noticed a difference from. 

It’s designed to support blood sugar balance, healthy cholesterol, and metabolic function, using a blend of bergamot, turmeric, and plant polyphenols. I take mine every afternoon after my last meal, never too close to bedtime, and I’ve found it helps me keep my energy steady into the evening, without the crashes that used to have me reaching for snacks. This is just my personal experience, and it’s important to remember: always check with a qualified health professional before starting any new supplement, especially if you have any medical conditions or are on medication.

Get Thorne Metabolic Health here →

I swear by this infrared sauna blanket. It’s one of the few wellness tools from my weight loss journey that I still use every single week. Not for “melting fat” or quick fixes, but for how it makes me feel. The deep, even heat relaxes tight muscles, improves circulation, and helps me wind down after long days. It’s so relaxing, I’ve lost count of the nights I’ve fallen asleep inside it while watching TV.

The company recommends using it earlier in the day or before a workout, but I’ve found it works best for me about 15–30 minutes before bedtime. It preps my body for sleep in a way nothing else does. I get that heavy, calm, post-spa feeling and drift off faster.

This model uses layers of crystal, charcoal, and clay to help the heat penetrate more deeply than a standard sauna, so you get that deep warmth without leaving the house. I always drink plenty of water before and after, and I’d recommend checking with a health professional before trying it, especially if you have any health concerns.

I used to build my habits for my best days, the ones where I woke up early, felt motivated, and had a clear calendar. They looked great on paper… until life happened. Sick kids. A late-night deadline. No sleep. On those days, my perfect habits fell apart by 9 a.m.

Now, I build for my worst days. If I can do something when I’m tired, stressed, and distracted, it’s bulletproof. Behavioural scientists like BJ Fogg call this the “minimum viable habit”, make it so small that even at rock bottom, you can’t talk yourself out of it. For me, that means three “non-negotiables” I can do anywhere, in any mood. Some days they’re all I do, but they keep the habit alive.

Try this tomorrow:
Write down your lowest-energy day, the one where you’d normally quit. Then design your habit so it survives that day. If it works there, it’ll work anywhere.

Most of my podcasts start as background noise, dishes, emails, and dinner. But every now and then, something catches me mid-scroll and actually makes me stop. This week, it was this.

If something in this email made you pause, think, or feel seen, send it to a friend who’s been quietly trying to make a change too.
You never know what might land at the right moment. Link here.

And if you’d like early access to the eBook I’m writing, the real systems, mindset shifts, and habits that helped me lose 50kg and rebuild my health, you can join the waiting list here. “You’re not behind. You’re building, and that takes time.”