Print this page Be Kind to Yourself: Small Changes for Better Days

Imagine a day that feels just a little better. More time for what you enjoy, more movement, or routines that work well for you. Sydney is home to people from all over the world, and we celebrate the new year at different times. Some of us start fresh on 1 January, others in February, March or later in the year. Whenever your new year begins, it often comes with big goals: exercise more, eat better, get organised. After a few weeks, many of us give up and feel we've failed. But a better life doesn't need big changes, and you don't have to do it alone. In a relaxed and friendly class, you'll meet people from different backgrounds and learn how small changes can make a real difference. We'll look at why willpower only takes us so far, how habits form, and how a simple method called habit stacking can help you build new habits on top of the things you already do.

Along the way, we'll ask a simple question: what would you like more of in your days? Movement, creativity, learning, time with friends? There are no wrong answers, and everyone's ideas are welcome. You'll leave with one small change to try, support from the group, and a real sense that better days are within reach.

DELIVERY MODE

Face to face

COURSE OUTLINE

• Rethinking the New Year’s resolution – why good intentions don’t always become lasting changes
• Understanding habits and the everyday patterns that shape our lives
• Motivation, expectations and common barriers to maintaining change
• Wellbeing in everyday life – considering what gives us energy, connection, enjoyment and meaning
• Moving beyond “all or nothing” thinking towards flexible, realistic approaches
• Small changes, bigger impacts – exploring how repeated behaviours can build over time
• Introducing habit stacking – using existing routines as prompts for new behaviours
• Identifying opportunities for small, personally meaningful changes
• Creating a simple small-change experiment to take into everyday life

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Describe how everyday habits and routines can influence wellbeing.
• Understand why small, realistic changes may be easier to maintain than ambitious resolutions.
• Explain the basic concept of habit stacking and how it can support behaviour change.
• Identify everyday opportunities for positive and personally meaningful change.
• Develop a simple strategy for experimenting with a small new habit or routine.