8 underrated habits that make life better every single year

With so many hacks, routines, and self-help lists floating around, it’s easy to overlook the habits that actually make a difference over the long haul.

Not the shiny, trendy ones. But the quiet, often invisible ones that pay off year after year.

Here are eight underrated habits I’ve found that genuinely improve your life—slowly, steadily, and deeply.

1. Waking up a bit earlier than you need to

I used to wake up at the last possible minute. Then rush through the morning in a fog, checking my phone, half-listening to podcasts, wolfing down breakfast while already thinking about my inbox.

It wasn’t working.

So I tried waking up just 30 minutes earlier. No big morning routine. Just a bit of time to sit, stretch, breathe, and drink my coffee without urgency.

Turns out, this small shift changed everything. That unhurried start gave me mental space to move into the day with intention. It set the tone.

There’s actual research behind this too. In a study of 177 self-made millionaires, nearly half woke up at least three hours before their workday began. Not because they loved suffering, but because they understood the compound power of calm, focused time.

2. Saying no more often

There’s a quote I keep coming back to: “The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.” That’s Warren Buffett, by the way.

And I get it now.

When you’re younger, or newer in your career, it feels smart to say yes to everything. More projects. More social stuff. More opportunities.

But over time, all those yeses pile up into exhaustion, resentment, and distraction.

Protecting your time is not selfish. It’s how you ensure you have energy for the things that truly matter.

3. Making movement non-negotiable

If I had to name one thing that instantly improves my mood, focus, and sleep, it’s movement.

Not just hitting the gym. I’m talking about daily physical activity in whatever form works: walking, yoga, dancing in your room like an idiot.

According to neuroscientist Dr. Wendy Suzuki, exercise is the most transformative thing you can do for your brain. It boosts mood, enhances memory, reduces stress, and even rewires the brain for better focus.

No productivity app can compete with that.

4. Being the one who reaches out

You know that feeling when someone texts you out of the blue just to say hey or check in? Feels good, right?

Being that person—the one who reaches out first—is one of those habits that strengthens your life in quiet but powerful ways.

We underestimate how much connection shapes our wellbeing. But the long-running Harvard Study of Adult Development is clear: “Good relationships keep us happier and healthier. Period.”

Don’t wait to feel lonely or isolated. Be proactive. Send the text. Set the catch-up coffee. Reconnect with people you miss.

These small acts add up over the years more than you realize.

5. Letting go of perfection

I used to put a ridiculous amount of pressure on myself to do everything right. Not just well. Perfectly.

It wasn’t sustainable. It also wasn’t real.

The older I get, the more I realize that perfectionism isn’t a badge of honor. It’s a trap. And letting go of it is one of the most freeing things you can do.

Something Rudá Iandê explores beautifully in his book Laughing in the Face of Chaos is how we’re conditioned to see life—and ourselves—as something to fix or polish. But real power comes when we stop trying to be flawless and instead aim to be whole.

There’s a line that really hit me:

“When we let go of the need to be perfect, we free ourselves to live fully—embracing the mess, complexity, and richness of a life that’s delightfully real.”

This one insight alone helped me soften my inner critic and actually enjoy the process again.

6. Practicing digital boundaries

Let’s be honest: most of us are at least a little addicted to our phones.

I used to check mine without thinking. First thing in the morning, during conversations, even while watching movies. It was constant stimulation with zero space to just be.

So I started experimenting with tech boundaries. No phone for the first 30 minutes of the day. No doom-scrolling before bed. Screen-free walks.

Nothing fancy. But wow—the mental clarity that comes from not living in your notifications? Huge.

We weren’t built for this level of input. And giving your brain a break is one of the kindest things you can do for your future self.

7. Reflecting weekly

This might be the most underrated habit on this list.

Once a week—usually on Sunday night—I take 15 minutes to reflect. What went well this week? What drained me? What do I want to focus on next week?

It’s not a journal marathon. Just a quick check-in.

But this tiny practice has helped me spot patterns, adjust habits, and stay aligned with what actually matters to me.

If you never pause to assess, you’re basically living on autopilot. And that’s a fast way to wake up five years later wondering what the hell happened.

8. Sticking with it (even when no one’s watching)

A lot of what transforms your life won’t be visible to others. It won’t get applause or go viral.

But it will quietly build something solid inside you.

That’s grit. And as Dr. Angela Duckworth puts it, “Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals…Grit is living life like it’s a marathon, not a sprint.”

So whether it’s sticking with your meditation practice, slowly writing that book, or building healthier habits—don’t underestimate the power of showing up, again and again, even when no one sees it.

You do. And that’s what counts.

Final words

Most of these habits won’t win you likes or compliments. But they will quietly shape the quality of your days—and over time, the quality of your life.

They don’t require big effort. Just a little intention. A little honesty. And a lot of consistency.

Pick one. Try it for a month. Then notice the ripple effect.

Small things, done regularly, change everything.