How do you habit stack?

Building systems and routines that help you get more accomplished or enjoy a moment more thoroughly - we're here for it. But, how? The idea of habit stacking includes taking one thing that is already an established part of your life (say brushing your teeth) and adding something to it. The established routine helps you hold on to the new addition and eventually it all becomes second nature - or, a habit. As Emilee put it, "The goal is to combine two action items and knock them out together." As busy moms who are constantly juggling, this approach is not only something we are already doing, but a way we can make daily changes as we work towards new goals. And, as Ali shares, "It turns mundane moments into something that feels productive, calming, or even inspiring."

Read on to see what we stack, how and if any new ideas jump out at you, too!

Rebecca, Woman's Leadership Coach from @PleasantlyAggressive

I love Atomic Habits by James Clear. I love the idea of habit stacking. I encourage my clients to do it. How do I habit stack? Well, I struggle with creating new habits. I struggle with my own distractability and forgetfulness (thanks, perimenopause). I’m also stubborn and obstinate. There are times when I feel the need to rebel, but since I own my own business, and I’m a grown-up, I rebel against myself. SMH.

It's complicated, but I’ve been successful with a few habits. 1) I get the coffee pot ready when I’m in the kitchen making dinner. There are always a few minutes when something is boiling, sautéing, or baking, and I work on dishes while getting the coffee ready. This is more about doing my future self a favor, but it works! 2) I take my vitamins after I press the start button on the coffee pot every morning.

Future plans: 1) Habit stacking around school pickup or drop off. What can I add to a daily routine around these two activities? 2) I love to write, but want to make more time for it. I’m going to habit-stack it right after I pour my cup of coffee in the morning. Set a timer for 15 minutes and see what I can crank out.

Ashley, Millennial Mom Nutrition Coach from @AshleyBreaksTheCycle

I don’t think I ever consciously said, “I’m going to habit stack now.” I’ve just always looked for ways to make life easier on myself—especially during busy seasons. Things like making my workout drink while packing lunches so it’s ready later, or starting dinner while the kids eat their afternoon snacks because once we’re home from sports, cooking feels impossible.

Last week, I started listening to Atomic Habits by James Clear, and suddenly all of this clicked. He talks about how we think we need to change the results—lose weight, be more consistent, have more energy—but the results aren’t actually the problem. The real issue is the systems that create those results.

When you only focus on outcomes, change is temporary. But when you change the systems—how your day is set up, what’s easy vs. hard—you create lasting change.

That’s what habit stacking really is. It’s not perfection or discipline. It’s building systems that work with your life instead of against it. If you can’t fit in a workout, do 15 air squats while brushing your teeth. Do lunges before your shower. Dance while cooking dinner. These tiny actions matter because they’re repeatable.

For busy moms and working women, health has to live inside real life—not on top of it. When the system works, consistency stops feeling so damn hard.

Emilee, Book Aficionado from @The BookClubCart

Considering this is the first I have ever heard this term used, I was very curious about what it meant. After looking up the definition and reading some more on it, it sounds like a very realistic approach to adding on new habits to your daily routine.

This concept had me reflecting on what I am doing currently in my day-to-day that follows this approach. I am very consistent about starting my day with drinking lots of water (thank you Ashley Breaks the Cycle!). I do this while I make breakfast and pack the kids lunches. It is just part of my routine. Which is probably why when I travel (and not making kids lunches), I struggle with this because I associate it with my morning to-dos.

Another ‘habit stack’ I do is listening to audiobooks while running errands. Now I can’t even imagine leaving the house without my AirPods!

A habit stack I didn’t know I was doing; meal prepping in sync with ordering my groceries. I didn’t always do this together and therefore had lists everywhere and grocery trips weren’t happening timely. Now I add to my list as I plan meals and have the groceries delivered at the same time. The goal is to combine two action items and knock them out together.

Although I am new to the concept, I am learning so much as I read more about this. What a great approach to creating new habits and routines!

Ali, Book Aficionado from @The BookClubCart

One of my favorite ways to habit stack is by listening to audiobooks while I tackle everyday tasks around the house—folding laundry, doing dishes, or picking up at the end of the day. These are things that have to get done anyway, so pairing them with something I enjoy or that helps me grow feels like a small win. It turns mundane moments into something that feels productive, calming, or even inspiring.

This question actually sparked my curiosity and made me realize there’s so much more opportunity to be intentional with how I spend my time. I’m excited to look for more ways to habit stack in my day-to-day life—adding positive, life-giving habits into moments that already exist instead of trying to cram more into an already full schedule.

Kim, Home Connoisseur from @Reverie.and.Root & Founder of Spilling Goodness

My love for efficiency runs deep! And, I love routines, so the idea of habit stacking to get a little more accomplished or stay commited to a new goal by tapping into an established rythm - I'm here for it! Just how do I apply habit stacking - there are a few ways and this is giving me incentive to add a few more. Does blow drying my hair with one hand while applying makeup with the other count? Maybe this just explains why neither are done particulrly well? I digress.

Here are a few ideas:

• Every morning, I wear a red light cap for 15 min. I'm now trying to use that 15 min to either read or do a meditation on the Peloton app. Hair growth help + starting the day grounded -check, check.

• Whenever I drive anywhere solo or fold laundry, I listen to a book or podcast.

  Get somewhere + learn something - yes, please.

• Here is one I'm aspiring to in 2026 - learning a new language after I make the kids' lunches. I want to spend 10-15 min with Duolingo after dinner in the pocket of time when kids are either at a sports practice or getting ready for bed. Seems like a better use of time than scolling!

Pin this post for later:

How do you habit stack?