Awareness Is the Habit That Changes All Habits

Before. During. After.

Most people think habits fail because of willpower.

Or laziness.

Or not having the right strategy.

But the real reason?

You weren’t aware of the loop.

You’ve probably felt it:

• That automatic scroll before you even realize it.
• That workout you skip … again … without really thinking.
• That sharp tone in your voice you regret five minutes later.

That’s not failure.

That’s just a prediction loop running without awareness.

And here’s the truth:

You can’t change what you don’t notice.

Awareness Isn’t One Thing — It’s a Full Loop.

We practise it in three moments:

1) Before → Check In with the System

• What’s your energy?
• What state are you in?
• What’s your intent right now?

Most habits begin before you move — in your mode, energy, and moment.

This is where prediction happens.

When you check in, you catch the loop before it runs.

2. During → Catch the Loop in Motion

“I’m doing it again…”

That flicker of presence in the moment?

That’s powerful.

Even if you don’t stop the behaviour, you’ve changed it.

You’re no longer on autopilot.

3. After → Reflect and Rewire

• How did it feel?
• Did it shift your energy?
• Did it reinforce or disrupt your desired state?

Awareness after the habit is how your brain updates the prediction score.

This is where transformation lives.

Not in judgment — but in data.

A Real Story: Chips, Stress, and the Loop I Kept Missing

I’ve got a thing with potato chips.

They’re my go-to when I’m stressed, overwhelmed, or running low.

Before: I feel it building — stress tightening, energy dropping.

A whisper: “You deserve something salty…”

During: I grab the bag and scoop two full bowls.

I don’t even notice the first one disappear.

Halfway through the second, I catch myself and actually taste it.

And honestly? It’s not even that good — just stale salt and crunch.

After: My body tells the truth.

I feel bloated. Sluggish. A little gross.

Not because I “cheated” — but because I overrode what I really needed:

To breathe. To pause. To care for the stress, not stuff it.

That moment of noticing changed something.

Not all at once.

But the loop isn’t invisible anymore.

And once you can see the loop — you can nudge it.

This Month’s Reframe

Awareness isn’t soft.

It’s skillful.

It’s the nervous system upgrade that makes every habit more likely to run by design — not default.

The 7-Day Awareness Challenge

We just launched the July challenge in the Everyday Heroes community — and you’re invited.

For 7 days, practise the full loop:

1. ✅ Check In (Before) — Log your energy, state, and intent
2. 🧘‍♂️ Pause (During) — Notice one loop mid-action
3. 📓 Reflect (After) — Ask, “Did this help or hurt?”

No perfection required.

Just practice.

You’re building the muscles of the mind:

• Attention.
• Intention.
• Curiosity.

👉 Join the Awareness Challenge

Let’s practise awareness as a full loop — and feel what happens when your system becomes your ally.