2026 #5 the ultimate self-improvement guide
Everything I'm sharing here is based on what genuinely helped me become the healthiest, happiest, and most realistic version of myself. This is about building habits, changing ur mindset, and slowly becoming the best version of who you already are. u don't have to follow every single tip everyone's journey is different, so take what resonates with you and leave what doesn't. Think of this guide as a roadmap I'll be writing more detailed blogs about each topic in the future , rn I wanted to put everything together in one place so u can clearly understand the foundation of my approach and have a starting point for your own journey.
1 forgive the old u : the moment most people step into this whole "becoming a better version of yourself" journey, they drag the old them right along with it. They keep replaying every mistake, every missed opportunity, every version of themselves they're not proud of and then they wonder why they can't move forward. You cannot build something new while you're busy punishing yourself for what you used to be and yk I get it. I do it too sometimes I catch myself thinking I can't do this because of how I was, because of what I didn't do, because of time I wasted and that mindset will keep you stuck every single time. So I'm telling you right now to let her go. That girl from last year, last month, even last week she wasn't bad she was just where she was she did what she knew how to do with what she had and she got you here, which means she did something right. u don't have to forget her completely that's not even realistic but u have to forgive her and I mean really forgive her, not just say the words think about it you would forgive a friend for the exact same things without a second thought. You'd tell her it's okay, you were going through something, you didn't know better. So why is she the one person you refuse to extend that grace to?
2 quit that one side of social media : when I say you need to quit social media, I don't mean all of it I mean that side of social media. u know exactly what I'm talking about the videos of the "perfect" girl who does Pilates every morning, spends hours at the gym, has flawless skin, buys every trending product, and somehow makes her life look effortless. Watching that content every day only makes you compare yourself and feel like you're not enough. I deleted social media in april 2023 and it taught me something important : you learn to think for yourself. People ask me where I get my ideas my blogs ideas how i find answers for everything , and the answer is they come from my own mind because I reflect, read and watch thoughtful YouTube videos instead of constantly consuming trends. I'm not saying every creator is bad but the part of social media that leaves you feeling insecure isn't helping you grow. It's like sitting in a classroom full of people you think are "perfect" of course you'll compare yourself . Instead of spending hours watching influencers and buying whatever they recommend, spend that time learning, creating, and building your own life. reeeeeeal growth doesn't come from copying someone else's routine it comes from focusing on yourself and taking realistic steps toward becoming the best version of YOU .
3 detect ur bad habits write them down : This one is more important than most people realize and it's exactly why so many self-improvement journeys quietly fail. People jump straight into building new habits without ever stopping to look at what they're actually working against. So they build on top of the old habits without dismantling them, and eventually those old habits pull them right back. What you need to do first is sit down and write them out. Not all of them don't overwhelm yourself trying to fix your entire life at once. Pick four ur four worst most consistent bad habits, and write them down. Then, for every single one, replace it with something better for example a bad habit like skipping meals the good habit to do instead is cook ur own food . so replace it because that's what actually works ur brain needs something to go to instead otherwise it just defaults back to what it knows. This is what helped me stop procrastinating. It's what helped me stop snoozing my alarm, stop staying out too late, stop falling into all the little patterns that were quietly keeping me stuck. I didn't just tell myself to stop I gave myself something to do instead. And that shift makes all the difference. ur habits will look different from mine so detect yours write them down, and swap them out one by good one.
4 rest days programmation : prioritize your rest days this is really important. Instead of scheduling them the same way every week, recognize that not all weeks are the same. Most people have Sunday off, but some have a lot of homework or work to get through. So each week, schedule your own rest days or rest hours. You're not forced to take the exact same day every time. Understand that your schedule is changeable. take your rest seriously so you can actually stop and recover. This matters for productivity too: when you schedule your rest, you're more likely to stay focused during your work hours because you have something to look forward to whether that's a hangout, extra sleep or just time to yourself.
5 goals : I won't go into detail here since I've already covered it on my blog. u can click the link to learn more. I recommend following a structured goal-setting system.
6 productivity system : Track your productivity to discover when you're naturally at your peak. Most people assume they should work hardest in the morning because that's what they're told, but that's not true for everyone. ur brain follows its OWN biological rhythm, meaning your focus, memory, and mental energy naturally rise and fall throughout the day. The key is figuring out YOUR pattern instead of copying someone else's routine. rate your focus every hour on a scale from 1 to 10. Pay attention to how easily u concentrate, how often you get distracted, and how much work you complete. You'll almost certainly notice patterns. Maybe you're laser-focused between 8–11 a.m., hit a slump after lunch, and regain energy in the evening. Or maybe your best thinking doesn't happen until late at night so once you identify those patterns, schedule your most important tasks during your peak hours and leave emails, meetings, or repetitive work for lower-energy periods. think of it like driving a car , u wouldn't floor the accelerator with an empty gas tank ur brain works the same way. If you constantly force yourself to do difficult work when your energy is low, you procrastinate more, and the quality of your work suffers but when you align your schedule with your natural energy levels, you'll accomplish more in less time TRUUUUUUUST ME u stay focused longer, and feel far less mentally drained by the end of the day.
7 routines : I like organizing life into three clear categories because it makes everything simpler and more intentional: rest routines for vacation, lock-in routines for exams weeks , and daily routines for normal days. Each one has a different purpose but all of them still work with your biology instead of against it. Rest routines are for recovery slowing down, sleeping better, moving softly, and letting ur nervous system reset without pressure. Lock-in routines are for high-focus periods like exams, where you tighten ur schedule, reduce distractions, and use your peak energy hours more efficiently while still including short breaks so you don’t burn out. Daily routines are the balance between both simple habits that keep you stable, productive, and grounded without feeling extreme. The key is knowing that you don’t need one perfect routine for everything u need different systems for different phases of life. When you switch between these intentionally, you stay consistent without overwhelming yourself, and you perform better because you’re always matching your routine to your current situation instead of forcing one fixed lifestyle all the time.
8. do a 7-day challenge : A 7-day challenge is one of the best ways to build discipline and prove to yourself that you can stay consistent. This step is really important because it's where you start applying everything you've already planned: your routines, your habits, your goals, and all the daily actions you've been working on. Instead of thinking, "I have to do this forever," tell yourself, "I'm only going to do this for seven days." That mindset makes it feel much easier challenge yourself to show up every day, even if you don't do everything perfectly. Remember, discipline isn't about perfection it's about consistency. During those seven days keep following ur routines, and practicing your habits. Some days will be easier than others, and that's completely normal. I'm not saying you'll do everything 100% perfectly every single day, but the more you repeat your habits, the more natural they become. By the end of the challenge u'll notice that you're getting used to your new lifestyle ur routines will become familiar, and ur habits will slowly stick with you. Sometimes all you need is one week to prove to yourself that you're capable of becoming more disciplined once you experience that feeling, it's much easier to continue.
9 self-care : ur goals should never come at the expense of your mental health. Whether your goal is getting better grades, becoming healthier, or improving yourself, make sure self-care is part of that journey It's not something you earn after working hard it's something that helps you keep going. Take care of yourself inside and out. Spend time doing things that genuinely make you feel refreshed. Go outside, do your skincare, , take a relaxing shower, journal, read a book, or simply spend some quiet time alone. Self-care looks different for everyone, so do whatever helps you feel calm and recharged. Rest days are just as important as productive days as i said . Rest means you're allowing your body and mind to recover so you can come back stronger. You don't have to follow a ten-step skincare routine every single day or spend hours on self-care. In fact, trying to do too much can become overwhelming. As women, our nervous system and hormones affect almost everything our mood, our energy, our motivation, and even our skin. When you consistently take care of yourself, you're supporting your mental health as well as your physical health u become more emotionally balanced, you recover from stressful days more easily, and you have more energy to keep working toward your goals.
10 remember ur priorities every day : One of the easiest ways to stay motivated is to remind yourself of your priorities every single day. For me my biggest priorities are my Deen, my education, my health ur priorities might look different, but you should always know what matters most to you. A lot of people recommend making vision boards filled with aesthetic pictures, expensive houses, dream vacations, and luxury lifestyles. If that works for you, then that's great. I visualize the life I want whenever I start feeling burned out, lazy, or stuck in procrastination, I remind myself why I started I picture my future, I remember the promises I've made to myself, and I imagine the feeling of finally achieving my goals. That alone gives me enough motivation to get up and keep working. ur priorities should always be stronger than your temporary feelings. Whenever your motivation disappears, remind yourself why you started.
11 self-confidence is built over time : after practicing all of these habits consistently, you'll slowly begin to build real self-confidence. Confidence doesn't magically appear overnight, and it definitely doesn't come from someone else giving it to you. It comes from proving to yourself that you can trust yourself. When you start seeing progress, even if it's only 1% every day, you naturally begin to believe in yourself more. You feel mentally stronger, physically healthier, and more balanced overall. That feeling creates genuine confidence. Many people think confidence comes from having perfect looks, perfect clothes, or being exactly like someone they admire. I completely disagree honey cuz confidence has very little to do with appearance. It starts with how you see yourself and how you treat yourself. Don't copy someone else's personality or lifestyle just because you think it will make you more confident. Be yourself. Build your own routines, your own habits, and your own life. That's the healthiest way to develop confidence because it's based on who you really are. Confidence takes time some days you won't feel confident at all and that's okay. Keep showing up anyway. After months of working on yourself, taking care of yourself, and staying consistent u'll look back and realize how much you've changed. That's when you'll understand that confidence isn't something you find it's something you build.
12 live ur life : this is your life, so live it for yourself. When I say "live your life," I mean making sure that most of the things you're working toward are things that truly matter to you not things you're doing just to impress other people. Of course, we all care about our families and the people around us, but at the end of the day, your life should reflect your own dreams, your own personality, and your own values. When you're honest with yourself about your journey, you stop feeling like you're copying everyone else u stop chasing someone else's version of success and start creating your own. That's one of the most freeing feelings you can have. There will always be ups and downs some days you'll feel amazing, and other days you'll feel like giving up. That's normal. But don't let your circumstances convince you that you can't live the life you want acne shouldn't stop you hijab shouldn't stop you ur insecurities shouldn't stop you other people's opinions shouldn't stop you even your fears shouldn't stop you. If there's something you've always wanted to do, go for it. Nobody is living your life except you wear what makes you feel confident, learn new skills, start new hobbies, travel when you can, work toward your dreams, and create a life that makes you genuinely happy. At the same time, always remember to take care of yourself and make healthy decisions. Living your life doesn't mean doing things that hurt you It means choosing the life that feels authentic to you and becoming the person you've always wanted to be !!
13 always always forgive urself : forgiveness is one of the most important parts of becoming the best version of yourself. In fact, it connects back to the very first step of this guide letting go of your old self. If you want to grow, you have to stop punishing yourself for who you used to be. Before I go to sleep especially in my prayers I always forgive myself. It has become a habit, and I genuinnnnely think everyone should practice it. Every single day, remind yourself that u're human u're not a robot, and you were never meant to be perfect. There will be days when you don't finish your to-do list. There will be days when you skip a habit, lose motivation, or make mistakes. There will even be times when you feel like you've gone backwards instead of forwards. That's part of every journey. Instead of blaming yourself, learn to speak to yourself with kindness. Treat yourself the way you would treat someone you love. If your best friend made a mistake, you probably wouldn't tell her she was a failure u would encourage her to keep going. Give yourself that same kindness one thing that really helps me is imagining my old self as a different person the version of me from years ago still exists in my mind sometimes. She comes back with old habits, old fears, and old ways of thinking. Instead of hating that version of myself, I forgive her. She didn't know what I know now. She did the best she could with what she had. As you continue growing, you'll almost feel like there are two versions of you: the old you and the new you. The old version may still whisper doubts and bring back old habits, but the new version keeps choosing growth. Don't fight your old self with hate thank her for getting you this far, forgive her, and continue becoming the person you're working so hard to be.
14 stay clean and put together : being put together isn't about looking expensive or perfect It's about respecting yourself enough to take care of your hygiene, your appearance, and your health. start with the basics stay clean, smell good, and create little getting ready routines that make you feel like the best version of yourself. one thing I personally love is perfume. I always have one signature scent that I wear for the whole year. When the bottle finishes, I buy it again because I love having a scent that people associate with me. It's a small detail but it makes me feel confident and put together. find ur own signature. It could be a perfume, a hairstyle, a piece of jewelry, or even a certain style of clothing it just has to feel like you. for skincare, keep things simple u don't need ten different products or every viral skincare item online consistency matters much more than having a complicated routine. Also remember that healthy skin doesn't only come from skincare. A huge part of skincare comes from inside your body ur sleep, your stress levels, and your overall health. do ur hair however you like it. If you love curly hair, wear it curly. If you love straight hair, straighten it. If you like blowouts get a blowout. I honestly don't understand WHYYYYYY people judge others so much over hair or clothes. There are millions of girls with straight hair who curl it because they like the look. There are girls with curly or wavy hair like me who enjoy straightening it. I have naturally wavy-curly hair, but I personally love wearing it straight because I have layers, and I love how it frames my face. That doesn't mean I hate my natural hair it just means I enjoy styling it differently. It's your hair It's your body It's your life. People will always have opinions, but they're not living your life. Don't let someone else's judgment stop you from expressing yourself in a way that makes you feel beautiful and confident. ( I'm not saying you should be insecure about your natural features or feel like you need surgery or cosmetic procedures to be beautiful. My point is simply that there's nothing wrong with enjoying different hairstyles, makeup, fashion, or other forms of self-expression. )
15 clean eating : When I say "clean eating," I don't mean following an unrealistic diet or only eating salads every day. I simply mean eating in a way that makes your body feel good. Please don't starve yourself. Eat until you're full. Your body needs food, especially if you're still young and growing. Don't let social media convince you that eating one apple a day is healthy because it isn't. If you want a burger, eat a burger. Better yet, make one at home using good-quality bread, fresh vegetables, and good meat. Homemade meals are often much healthier while still letting you enjoy the foods you love. I personally think breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day because it gives you energy don't skiiiiiiiip it I also like having dinner earlier in the evening and keeping it lighter before going to bed. u don't have to cut out every food you enjoy. Life is meant to be enjoyed. Just try to find balance. Try to reduce soda as much as possible. I know that's hard because I personally love Coke especially when I have headaches (i think im the only one hh) but I've noticed that drinking it too often affects my skin so I try not to drink it every day. the same goes for processed snacks like chips I rarely eat them anymore because they don't make me feel good physically hh i don't really know how to explain it too much salt makes my body feel awful i also loove these girl dinner plates omggg . Everyone's body reacts differently, so pay attention to the foods that make you feel your best and the ones that don't. Try to eat a balanced variety of foods instead of eating the same things every day. Include vegetables, fruits, protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates. If you're grocery shopping and your budget allows it, sometimes buying higher-quality ingredients is worth it. If you're a woman try learning about eating according to your menstrual cycle It won't solve every problem, but many women find that adjusting their nutrition around their cycle helps with energy levels and overall well-being.
16 go outside : going outside is one of the simplest things you can do for your mental health, yet so many people underestimate it. Whenever you feel stressed, overwhelmed, anxious, or even a little depressed, try getting out of the house. u don't need an expensive activity or a lot of money. Sometimes I only have a few bucks, and I'll still go to the supermarket just to walk around for a while. Other times I'll go for a walk, listen to music, sit somewhere peaceful, or simply spend time outside. I genuinely love walking. Fresh air helps clear my mind, especially in the morning when the sun is out. Morning sunlight can completely change your mood and help you feel more awake and motivated. Go to parks, green spaces, cafés, shops, or anywhere that gets you out of your room. If you have friends, ask them to come with you. Don't be afraid to reach out first. Sometimes all you need is a short walk before going back to studying or working. It gives your brain a chance to reset so you can focus again. go touch some grass.
17 unf*ck ur life very month : every month, give yourself a fresh start . after weeks of working hard, dealing with setbacks, celebrating wins, and learning new lessons, it's important to stop and reflect. at the end of each month, look back at your progress. Ask yourself what went well, what didn't, and what you can improve next month. Growth is about constantly adjusting. I also think it's nice to do a little shopping if you've been saving money. Buy something you've genuinely wanted, even if it's something small It doesn't have to be expensive. Sometimes rewarding yourself for your hard work reminds you that your effort is worth something. Another important part of your monthly reset is cleaning your space. clean your room, organize your desk, throw away things you don't use anymore, donate clothes you never wear, delete unnecessary files, and remove anything that's creating unnecessary clutter. Think of every month as shedding old skin. u're leaving behind old habits, old mistakes, and old versions of yourself while growing into someone stronger. Not every month will be amazing ofc some months you'll make huge progress, and other months you'll simply survive and that's okay. If you realize you've been pushing yourself tooooooo hard, slow down a little. If you've become too comfortable, challenge yourself again. ur monthly reset is your chance to realign with your goals and remind yourself why you started in the first place. Every month is a new opportunity to become someone even better than you were before.
18 have FUN : One of the biggest lessons I've learned is to be friends with everyone. I don't mean becoming a people pleaser or trying to fit into every group. I mean being open enough to talk to everyone, no matter who they are. In high school especially, people judge each other way too quickly. Some people get bullied, ignored, or labeled as "smart," "lazy," or "weird," and most students never look beyond those labels I decided to talk to everyone. I became friends with the top students last year , and while I respected how hard they worked, being around them all the time made me feel like my value depended on my grades . Most conversations were about school, exams, and achievement, and I constantly compared myself to them (toxic nerds) . Then I became friends with the students that everyone looked down on THIS YEAR . People thought I was crazy for hanging out with them but what I realized is that most of these people didn't need someone to judge them they just needed a little push ( I AM AN AMBITIOUS STUDENT ). Many of them weren't lazy or incapable they had simply stopped believing in themselves because everyone else had already given up on them. Sometimes all it takes is one person who believes in you, includes you, or motivates you. I even noticed that some of them started trying harder just because they were surrounded by someone who believed they could do more. At the same time, they taught me lessons that no textbook ever could they taught me empathy, resilience, humor, and how to enjoy life without constantly comparing myself to others. Of course, having friends from every group doesn't mean copying everyone's behavior. Some of my friends made choices I didn't agree with, and that's where boundaries become important. u can care about people without following their path. u can respect someone without making them part of your inner circle. The point is to stop being so picky about who you talk to. Every person has a different story, a different perspective, and something valuable to teach u. Some people will inspire you, others will warn you, but everyone can teach you something. If you only stay around people who are exactly like you, your world stays small. The more kinds of people you meet, the more you understand life, and the more you grow as a person.
There are plenty of other habits that can help shape your personality. Start journaling, read more books, learn a new language, and stay curious about the world. Small, consistent habits like these can make you more confident, knowledgeable, and interesting to talk to. Most importantly, stay positive. A positive mindset will help you through challenges and make your journey much more enjoyable. Learn to forgive yourself when you make mistakes, spend time with people you care about, and don't forget to have fun. I know some people might disagree with this last point, but I genuinely believe it's important. Go out, try new experiences, and do the things you've always wanted to do. Those experiences will give you stories to tell, help you connect with others, and make everyday conversations feel much more natural. That's why I encourage you to stay open-minded and embrace new opportunities
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