It’s the beginning of the year, and the internet is buzzing with everyone tackling the infamous 75 Hard Challenge. If you’re unfamiliar, it’s essentially a six-part boot camp for your life.
Here’s the deal:
1. Stick to a strict diet (no exceptions).
2. No alcohol (goodbye wine nights).
3. Complete two 45-minute workouts a day (one outside).
4. Drink a gallon of water daily (yes, 128 ounces).
5. Snap a progress photo every single day.
6. Read 10 pages of a self-development book.
Sounds crazy, right? I thought so too. On Day One, I took a long, hard look at this challenge and realized, “This is absolutely not for me.”
The Truth About 75 Hard
After really breaking it down, I realized something: this challenge is just a collection of habits. And if there’s one thing I know about myself, it’s that I am the queen of habits. I love building them—but in a way that feels achievable, not like I’m signing up for Navy SEAL training.
So, instead of 75 Hard, I created my own challenge: 30 Days Soft-ish. Why? Because starting with 30 days is far less overwhelming, and I’m all about setting myself up for success (and maybe sneaking in a nap here and there).
My 30 Days Soft-ish Rules
Here’s what I decided on for my softer approach to habit-building:
1. Workout for 30 minutes a day – One workout of your choice.
2. Drink 64 ounces of water daily – I love hydration, but 64 gallons is where I draw the line (okay, it’s 64 ounces, but still).
3. No alcohol – I’ll miss you, mimosas, but we’ll reunite soon.
4. Journal daily – A little brain dump to keep the stress at bay.
That’s it. Just four simple habits that I know I can stick to without spiraling into overwhelm.
The Beauty of Soft-ish
The great thing about this challenge? You can make it your own. Pick the habits that matter most to you and focus on sticking to those for 30 days. No need to conquer six categories at once. Slow progress is still progress, and the goal is to create habits that last.
To help you get started, I’ve created a simple habit tracker (check it out below). Write down four things you want to focus on, track your progress, and give yourself grace if you miss a day. The real win is consistency over time—not perfection.
I’m such a lover of habits I wrote a book Mindful Mornings https://amzn.to/4gEY4YS because there are things that I realize that I’ve got to do in the morning to help me accomplish things during the day.
So, whether you’re going 75 Hard, 30 Soft-ish, or just showing up for yourself in small ways, remember: the key is to build habits that work for you.
Here’s to a softer, more sustainable start to the year. Cheers (with water, of course) to crushing it in 2025!
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