I Thought I Needed More Will Power... 

We've all been there. Whether you're trying to break a bad habit or start a new, positive one, the cycle tends to look the same: a burst of motivation, followed by complacency, then quitting—and finally, the guilt trip.

We repeat the same old accusation: “If I just had more willpower, I could’ve done it.”

But here’s the truth: we give willpower way too much credit. The people who stick with their goals and build new patterns aren’t relying on sheer grit—they’ve learned a simple secret that makes change easier and more sustainable.

That secret? Environment.

Environment affects behavior. 

Your environment—the space you live in, the tools you keep within reach, even the digital noise you allow—can either work with you or against you.

It’s not just about willpower. It’s about friction.

When something is easy to access, you’re more likely to do it. When it’s harder to reach, it takes more effort—and most of us are already tired. That’s why leaving your phone in another room makes it easier to focus. It’s why having healthy food prepped ahead of time makes you more likely to eat it. It’s why setting out your Bible or journal the night before increases the odds you’ll sit down with it.

On the flip side, if your space is cluttered, chaotic, or constantly filled with noise and distraction, even your best intentions can feel like a losing battle. Not because you’re weak—but because the environment you’re in is constantly nudging you in a different direction.

Your space is either supporting your habits—or sabotaging them.

When our behavior is working against us, positive actions take MORE effort. 

We don’t always realize it, but a poorly set-up environment can make even the simplest positive actions feel exhausting.

Trying to read more can be challenging when your books are buried in a pile on the floor. 

It's much more difficult to cook at home when the kitchen is cluttered and the dishes aren’t done. 

If every time you sit down, your phone buzzes—or your mind shifts to the mess around you— it can be nearly impossible to find the time to journal or pray. 

Sometimes, it’s not that you’re lazy. When you have created an environment that works against you, it can be infinitely harder to make positive change. 

And here’s the kicker: when things feel hard to start, we often blame ourwill power. We assume we’re undisciplined or just not “that kind of person.” But the truth is, before we can create change in ourselves, we need to change our surroundings. 

Restructure your environment to support change. 

If your current setup is making positive habits harder, it’s time for a quiet shift—not a big overhaul, but small, intentional tweaks that remove friction and add ease.

Ask yourself: How can I make the right thing easier to do?

Here are a few simple examples:

• Set up visual cues. Want to journal in the morning? Place your journal and pen on your pillow or your kitchen table the night before.

• Reduce distractions. Put your phone in a drawer, silence notifications, or move the TV remote across the room during quiet time.

• Clear physical clutter. A tidy space is less mentally overwhelming, and you’re more likely to start things when you don’t feel already buried.

• Pair your habit with an existing rhythm. Light a candle while you pray. Listen to worship music while you fold laundry. Stack the new habit onto something you already do.

The goal isn’t perfection—it’s support. You’re creating an environment that reminds you who you want to become.

When your setup works with you, the follow-through doesn’t feel like such a fight.

Change doesn’t have to come from willpower alone—it’s shaped quietly, every day, by the spaces we inhabit and the small choices we make to support ourselves.

So today, before you reach for motivation or grit, take a moment to look around. What in your environment is helping you? What might be holding you back? Remember, it’s not about being perfect or pushing harder. It’s about setting yourself up to succeed—with grace, patience, and a little bit of intention.

You don’t have to do it all at once. Just one small change can start to shift the whole rhythm.

Keep it simple, 

-Ashley 💛 

💛 Ready to Take a First Step?

If today’s message spoke to you, I’ve created a free reflection guide to help you pause, reset, and move forward with purpose—right from where you are.

This reflection guide is filled with thoughtful prompts and space to reflect on what you read today.

Download it below and carve out a few minutes for yourself—you’re worth that kind of care.

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