# One Month Into My "75 Hard" Challenge: A Journey of Growth
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Chapter 1: The Challenge Begins
Starting my “75 Hard” journey has proven to be quite the undertaking.
This is not for the easily discouraged. Establishing new habits, especially when tackling multiple changes simultaneously, requires a strong mindset. As I sit here at nearly 11 PM, I still have one task left from my list to complete.
Although this challenge has significantly reduced my tendency to procrastinate, it hasn’t eradicated it completely, and I don’t expect it to. However, I have observed a notable improvement in my time management skills, which I hadn’t anticipated as a benefit but is a valuable addition to the new habits I am forming.
Some tasks, such as taking my daily supplements and journaling, are so simple that they can be seamlessly integrated into my routine. I don’t foresee any issues maintaining these habits after the challenge concludes. Conversely, I struggle daily with others, such as writing and dedicating 20 minutes to yoga. Those particular tasks are the most challenging for me and have nearly led me to give up on the challenge.
I remind myself that failure is a part of the process, and I can always rise again and try anew. Still, my aversion to failure drives me to persevere. The thought of restarting after investing so much effort is daunting—I'd likely feel tempted to quit. Yet, I hope that my dedication will keep me from giving up.
Chapter 2: Discovering My Strengths and Weaknesses
Beyond merely establishing new habits, this experience has unveiled a lot about myself. I’ve realized that my struggles stem not from a lack of motivation but rather a deficiency in discipline. Prior to embarking on this challenge, I would get enthusiastic about yoga for a week or two, only to abandon it when life disrupted my routine. The absence of accountability hindered my ability to stay committed.
This realization prompted me to undertake this challenge. Although the stakes are not life-altering, my desire to avoid failure has fueled my determination to push through, even on days when every part of me wants to stop.
Through therapy, I’ve explored the reasons behind my fear of failure. While I’ve intentionally tried to embrace failure more often, I acknowledge that it’s an ingrained part of who I am. Instead of shying away from it, I am learning to recognize it and leverage it to my advantage—particularly in this challenge.
As I approach the end of week five, I feel a growing sense of confidence. Even on days I dread completing tasks, I find it increasingly manageable to check them off my list. I genuinely look forward to maintaining these habits long after the challenge is over.
See my reflections from week 2 here.