Optimizing Life Through Patterns

Themes are something I like to think about a lot. I’m always looking for patterns—they give me a better sense of the world and just enough predictability to help everything run a little smoother.

We all have our patterns. This is why advertising is so powerful. Every move, every keystroke is tracked, and that information is used to create something we’ll find valuable.

But what if we turned those same concepts around and pointed them at ourselves?

We’d get a detailed layout of who we are, the choices we make, and the life we’ve built. We are the creators of our world, and every decision is a building block. If we want change, we have to choose differently.

Lately, I’ve been optimizing my life around my own patterns. I’ve spent a long time journaling and mentally tracking how I respond to stressors, triggers, and choices. Then, I figure out how to game the moment.

• What needs to shift in my environment?

• What kind of support would help me choose better?

• Is there a mindset roadblock?

• Am I sabotaging myself with certain thought patterns?

• Is there a way of being that no longer serves me?

• What works? What doesn’t?

Keep What Works, Change What Doesn’t

Let’s keep what works and do more of that. Let’s change what doesn’t and go there less.

I say “less” because breaking patterns isn’t a clean, overnight process. We’re creatures of comfort—we will return to old ways at times. But success isn’t about never slipping back.

It’s about how much less you return. That’s progress.

We don’t expect perfection. We’re human—we do what we do best.

The Tools That Have Been Key in My Progress:

1. Habit Stacking

This is the art of pairing a new habit with an existing one that’s already solid.

For example:I eat the same breakfast every day because I like the routine and predictability. To make Spanish practice more consistent, I stack it onto breakfast. Instead of hoping I remember to do it later (and forgetting), I now always do Spanish while I eat.

The challenge? It’s easy to scroll while eating instead of learning. So I actively protect that habit. Now, it’s a solid part of my routine.

2. Boundaries

Kids aren’t the only ones who need boundaries—we need them with ourselves, too.

A great example? Late-night eating. If you struggle with snacking or overeating at night, try setting:

• A bedtime

• An eating cutoff time

• Or both (highly recommend)

Setting boundaries for yourself is not about restriction—it’s about alignment with what you actually want.

3. Support Systems

Support isn’t just people—it can be tools and systems too.

For example:I know myself. I’m forgetful. Time flies, and suddenly, I’m eating past my cutoff. So, I set an alarm every night to remind me it’s time to stop.

Alarms work for me. Maybe for you, it’s a planner, a checklist, or another method.

The point?

Create safety nets that help you follow through.

4. Reframing

Come from a place of understanding. A place of empowerment.

When something goes wrong, how do you frame it? Do you ask yourself, "Is this a failure? Does this make me a failure?"

Those aren’t empowering questions.

Instead, ask: "How can I move through this moment toward a better place? What did I learn? How can I use that information to improve?" The way you frame situations determines the way you experience them.

Your self-talk matters. Reframe setbacks into resources to move forward.

5. Rinse & Repeat

Consistency > Perfection.

When I wake up, my goal isn’t to be perfect. It’s to stick to the plan the best I can. If I need to adapt, I do—because adaptability is a survival tool. Those who fail to adapt, don’t thrive.

So if yesterday didn’t go as planned?

Rinse off the missteps and repeat the routine.

If you pay close attention to how you move through the world, to the choices you make, and to the roadblocks you keep encountering, you can create a game plan. You can optimize your life. The tools are there—you just have to use them.