Author: Kaizen

From how and when we wake, to sleep, and everything in between, our lives are shaped by the daily habits we form. How we breathe, stand, walk, talk, and live day-to-day all rely on the routines we’ve developed over time.

When we think about our habits, it’s more than just actions — they reveal our current situation and give us insight into our future. Are your habits beneficial? Healthy? Productive? Or, perhaps, destructive, indulgent, or lazy?

The answers to these questions can guide us toward improvement and more.

Take eating, for example. What we eat on a daily basis will determine how we feel and look. For some, eating habits haven’t changed since childhood, I know this firsthand. I have a sweet tooth, which is a direct result of my emotional eating tendencies — especially when it comes to sugar.

Growing up, I didn’t realize how much this habit was mentally reinforcing itself through my words and actions. Now, I understand how deeply ingrained habits can be, especially when we let ourselves slip and forget our daily convictions.

We all have that “reptile brain” — a part of our brain that drives us to revert to our natural state, even when we’re actively working on improving ourselves. This happens unintentionally.

As we build or break certain habits, our brains sometimes fight back. It’s not always easy to shift these patterns, and there’s a lot of speculation on how long it takes to build or break a habit — anywhere from 21 to 90 days or more.

Personally, I believe the mentality you bring to the habit is more important than the time it takes. Take stretching, for example. I’ve been doing it every morning for well over 90 days, but there are times when I fall out of the rhythm, and I lose my pace. As much as I’d love for my journey to be a constant upward climb, life doesn’t work that way.

I’ve definitely slacked in the last couple of weeks, not living a consistently healthy life, and I know that needs to change. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has let productive habits slip.

Have you ever started something, only to inevitably give up on it? How did that make you feel? What emotions came up for you? And how do you feel now?

I know I feel better when I consistently stick to my good habits. When you have a clear path through the day, a sense of direction, it’s easier to make the right decisions.

Acting on your intentions — not just on your feelings — helps guide you back to your better self. So how do you get started again? What intentions did you have?

Start small, but start with your “why.” Why did you begin this habit in the first place? Can you remember how you felt when you first started? How do those emotions compare to the current version of you?

Whether you’re in a wave of good habits or bad, these emotions are what you need to embrace in order to understand why you may have let yourself slip.

Shame, anxiety, insecurity, love, and life itself can cause us to stray. But this is all part of life’s journey. It’s not easy, and it’s okay to stumble.

My daily crochet time may have lessened, and my motivation has waned, but with small steps we build up and work towards better again.

That’s why I chose the name “Kaizen” for my blog — it represents continuous improvement, even through small steps. You can always start again, no matter where you are, as long as you don’t let it be too late.

So, what is your determination worth? Can you ride the wave of good habits for as long as you can, improving with each bump along the way, knowing the journey isn’t over yet?

Can you believe it’s already March? Time seems to be flying by, and if we’re not careful, the days can slip away from us before we even notice. With the constant influx of information and the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it can feel like we’re always moving at a faster pace than we can handle. We wake up, and before we know it, the day is over. This rapid pace can be overwhelming, especially when we’re rushing to do more, accomplish more, and keep up with everything happening around us.

But what happens when we push ourselves too hard? The results can backfire. Like a crash diet, where we deprive ourselves of the things we want and end up binging soon after, backpedaling all the progress we made. The cycle continues, and instead of making lasting progress, we end up in a vicious loop—until something happens, whether it’s a realization or destruction. Life isn’t meant to be lived at full speed all the time after all—it’s meant to be enjoyed, because, in the end, we can’t take anything with us. It’s the little things that often go unnoticed when we’re in a rush, but those are the moments that truly need our attention.

Recently, I’ve found myself in what I can only describe as a “low-energy” mode. It’s an excuse I’ve given myself, but if I’m being honest, it’s a reflection of a personal slump. I’ve found myself slowing down—taking a step back and not pushing myself as hard as I usually do. Sometimes, when we overwhelm ourselves with too much too soon, things don’t go as planned. And that’s okay. It’s part of life’s learning process, the key to remember is you’re never too old to learn something new. That’s the beauty of life, never-ending learning.

This week, I’ve been crocheting, but in a much more relaxed and minimal way. Surprisingly, this slowdown has led to some unexpected discoveries about myself and the craft in front of me. When I’m focused on something like crocheting, sometimes I’m able to step into a different mindset—a mindset where taking things slower is key. I’m not rushing through the process, nor am I stressing about the end result. Instead, I’m enjoying the journey. It’s easier said than done to enjoy a productive hobby, at our core we enjoy laziness.

I’ve mentioned this before, but as humans, we have a reptilian brain that influences how we react to stress and challenges. Things we remember can easily be forgotten after a while if they don’t align with our basic instincts. So even though I am working toward improvement, there’s still plenty to work on. I’m just as susceptible to regression as anyone else. This brings me to something important: our eating habits, or lack thereof, can sometimes reflect a deeper internal struggle. I’ve found myself avoiding my regular eating schedule, as if it’s a distant relative I’m dodging at the holidays. But my main goal has been figuring out why—digging into the deeper underlying causes that we often ignore is how we truly solve these issues.

This has been a learning experience. As I mentioned in a previous post, gaining a little weight or losing some muscle isn’t the end of the world. It’s all part of the process, and I’m learning to embrace it.

Have you ever had days where you wake up and everything seems clear? You’re on it right from the moment your eyes open, and it feels like you’re moving in the right direction. But then, there are those other days when you feel lost, unsure of where you’re going, and like you’ve lost your sense of purpose. Life can feel lonely, uncertain, and, at times, overwhelming. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and we can only take things day by day. The key is learning how to reassess and recalibrate when things don’t go as planned.

Life is a constant series of ups and downs. No one has all the answers, and no one is perfect. We all stumble through life, learning as we go. And while searching for love and connection is a universal part of the human experience, we can often rush into relationships without taking the time to build a solid foundation. Relationships, whether with others or with ourselves, require patience, open-mindedness, and care. It’s important to take the time to grow, build trust, and develop a deep connection—not just with those around us, but also with ourselves.

In today’s fast-paced world, we often forget to slow down. But sometimes, taking a step back is exactly what we need to move forward. Life is about growth, reflection, and learning from the experiences that shape us. When we embrace this journey with patience and mindfulness, we begin to see the world and ourselves in a new light.

Don’t give up on yourself—tomorrow is right around the corner.

In a recent post, I touched on the topic of slumps and setbacks. But what exactly defines these challenges? For me, setbacks have come in many forms: financial struggles, emotional lows, career difficulties, and health-related
issues. Through each of these, I’ve had moments where I’ve bounced back quickly and others where I’ve lingered in self-pity, allowing the impact to linger longer than I’d like.

Financial Setbacks: Learning From Mistakes
One of the most persistent setbacks I’ve faced has been related to my finances. I’ve made some poor decisions in the past—decisions I’m still working through today. The journey toward financial stability has been slow, but it
has taught me valuable lessons along the way.

Career Challenges: Jumping into the Deep End
I’ve also struggled with my career, especially when with my recent transition into a new profession. I jumped headfirst into a relatively advanced field without all the skills I needed, which was both exciting and daunting.
It’s been a steep learning curve, but I’ve embraced the challenge and have made some noticeable progress recently.

Health Setbacks: Navigating Physical and Emotional Struggles
Health setbacks are always another hurdle to overcome, both physical and emotional. There have been moments when my body didn’t cooperate, and my mental state was deeply affected. But through all of these challenges, I’ve come to realize something important: setbacks are part of life, and the way we handle them defines our growth.

Personal Growth: Overcoming Selfishness and Growing Beyond Childhood
As someone who was often spoiled and selfish as a boy—I understood the impact that these patterns could have had on my adult life. It’s tempting to blame our childhood or external circumstances, but the truth is, as adults, we
are responsible for our own growth and setbacks. Recognizing this has been a key part of my journey. It’s like chiseling away at a rock or sanding rough jade—it takes time and patience to reveal the beauty beneath.

Resilience: The Power of Perseverance
So, what does a slump or setback mean to you? The way we perceive setbacks can make all the difference. If you’re willing to give yourself grace, allow time for self-care, and weather the tough moments, you can always bounce
back—whether it’s immediately or after taking some time to regroup. The key is perseverance. Do you give up when things get tough, or do you keep pushing forward, emerging stronger and more resilient?

I understand how hard it can be to keep going, especially as we get older. Not everyone is taught how to cope with life’s challenges. But resilience isn’t something we’re born with—it’s something we learn through experience.
Life continues to knock us down, whether due to bad luck or forces beyond our control, and each time we rise, we become stronger.

Building Resilience Through Daily Habits
I’m constantly working on improving my resilience and spiritual strength through small daily practices. I call these my “dailies.” Some are simple—like learning Japanese or practicing piano on Duolingo. Others are more physical,
like taking a walk each day and doing stretches to improve my mobility. Recently, I’ve added something new to my routine: I’ve been posting daily updates on TikTok, sharing my crochet journey as I build my brand.

Even though I’ve only been at this for 30+ days, I’m committed to continuing because building my brand is important to me. It’s a driving force that helps me stay motivated, even when life gets in the way. Sure, I’ve had moments
where I’ve fallen off track—like last week, when work changes threw me off my routine. I found myself eating poorly and missing my regular HIIT group sessions.

But instead of letting that slump drag on, I made a decision to get back on track. I knew I had responsibilities I’d set for myself, so I focused on making improvements. By Monday, I was eating healthier meals again, moving my
body more, and getting better sleep.

Taking Action: The Key to Overcoming Slumps
The key to breaking free from a slump is simple: Do what you know you should be doing. The longer you put things off, the harder it becomes to get back on track. Time waits for no one—what you need to do will still be there when you return. I always try to remind myself regularly: The more annoying decision is usually the right one.

We all love the comfort zone, but when challenges arise, it’s easy to fall back into old habits that provide temporary relief. Unfortunately, if those habits aren’t beneficial, they’ll only hold you back. If you truly want to
achieve your goals, it’s crucial to push yourself to act even when it’s uncomfortable.

Stay Focused: Progress Over Perfection
What do you want to achieve? What are you doing to get there? Remember, there’s a big difference between being busy and being effective. It’s okay if you’re not always firing on all cylinders, but how long will you let yourself
wallow when you could be taking small steps toward progress?

The spirit of kaizen—the philosophy of making continuous, small improvements—reminds us that even incremental progress adds up over time. If you don’t improve every single day, that’s fine. The key is to keep moving forward, even if you stumble along the way. Eventually, you’ll reach the destination you’ve been working toward.

I’ve always had an appreciation for artistic skills—people who can create something beautiful with their hands have always amazed me. There are so many paths an artist can take, because as long as your heart is in it, any skill
can lead to something beautiful.

I’ve tried my hand at drawing, learning an instrument, singing, and many other creative outlets because I wanted to create something of my own. But since I didn’t start early, it’s been tough to reach the level I was hoping for.
(My inner perfectionist from childhood is showing!)

One day, I was walking through Joann’s—a craft store—with a friend when I saw an Amigurumi kit for a bear. For those who don’t know, Amigurumi is a DIY crochet kit. I stood there thinking, maybe this is the artistic outlet I’ve
been searching for. As I considered the possibilities, I realized that if I bought it, this could be the start of something new. But I had to ask myself—was I ready to take the next steps?

As an aspiring streamer, I immediately thought about incorporating commissions into my brand. It felt like the perfect fit. So, I bought the kit and got to work. If you haven’t read my post about my little Frankenbear, check it
out here (link). But in short, that first project helped me start the journey I’m on now—a path filled with both challenges and excitement.

Of course, when before I opened commissions, I knew I wasn’t ready to dive in without first laying the groundwork. I had to grasp the art, hone my skills, and build the foundation before anything else. I started by creating
practical, handmade items like scarves, gloves, tote bags, scrunchies, and even potted plants. These were things that I thought would have wide appeal if they were handmade.

With each project, I learned more. I recreated some items to improve and learn from my mistakes. I’ll still call myself a beginner for a while, because I’m my own toughest critic, but I’m proud of the progress I’ve made.

After creating a list of items I could offer, I decided to create this blog site. I saw the potential for it to double as a place to showcase my work and take commissions. But I won’t lie—it’s been slow. I’m over a month into
blogging, and my site is far from finished. But that’s okay—beacause I’m learning as I go, and I’ve come to accept the inevitable slumps and setbacks along the way. What matters is that I keep moving forward.

When I first opened for commissions, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Thankfully, I didn’t get overwhelmed with too many at once. I’ve only had one commission so far, which gave me the chance to focus entirely on it. As I worked
with the client, I asked myself countless questions: Would they like the fit? Would the gloves be comfortable? Was the design too plain? These doubts made me nervous, but I pushed through. I eventually created a second pair,
feeling more confident in the process.

After completing the commission, I sent it off with a note of gratitude for my first customer. A few days later, I received their feedback—they loved the gloves! My heart soared. This is just the beginning, and I know I have
so much more to learn. But like every journey that begins with a single step, I’ve taken mine, and I’m excited to see where it leads.

Do you have a skill you’ve wanted to monetize? In today’s world, side hustles are more common than ever. As the saying goes, if you’re good at something, don’t do it for free. You probably have more valuable skills than you
realize. There’s no harm in trying to turn them into something that benefits your life. The possibilities are endless if you’re willing to step outside your comfort zone and take that leap.

Setbacks are expected, and slumps are inevitable. This is something I remind myself of daily, because let’s be honest, I’ve had my fair share of both—especially whenever I start making progress in—well, pretty much anything.

Over time, I’ve come to understand the truth behind the saying, “Those who don’t learn from the past are doomed to repeat it.”

When I reflect on my own experiences, I realize how often I’ve repeated similar mistakes, simply because I forgot the lessons I’d learned before. It’s not that I didn’t learn; it’s that I didn’t retain those lessons in the
moments when I needed them most.

To give you a specific example, I’ve been into fitness on and off since high school. I’ve tried everything—from HIIT classes to martial arts, power lifting, and CrossFit. Every time, I’ve seen relative success in some form, but eventually, life gets in the way. The intensity wanes, excuses creep in, and my fitness routine drops to near non-existence. All that hard work feels like it goes down the drain only for me to have to start over.

Though muscle loss and fat gain might seem like the end of the world, in the grand scheme of things, each time I’ve experienced this, I realized I took something from the experience every time. And I try to use those lessons in the next round of attention I give to my body.

This time, however, I’ve taken a different approach to things. My focus is no longer on short-term results tied to vanity. Yes, aesthetics are nice. It’s a great feeling when you see results in the mirror—a testament to your dedication over a period of time. But I’ve decided to shift my focus to longevity—for both my body and mind, something I’ve come to prioritize more as I get older.

Now, my fitness approach is centered around functional strength. I focus on daily stretching and building my bodyweight strength with calisthenics, working the areas of my body I’ve neglected. This time, I’m working on thinking in the long-term—slow and steady wins the race when it comes to building self-discipline. I know that if I don’t keep my body moving regularly, I’m only setting myself up for failure in terms of long-term health. With this mindset, I’ve given myself grace because I know not every day will allow me to give 100%. Life rarely goes as planned, and as a human, I’ve had to come to terms with my lack of self-discipline that put me in previous slumps.

To continue from earlier, I had issues with my lower back from sitting at a desk for work and gaming. I feared those problems would stick with me for life, and I knew if I didn’t take action now, they would. That’s when I realized I needed to change how I viewed my body. So, I focused on gradual improvement, appreciating the small steps of progress I’ve made along the way.

Enter Kaizen: small, continuous changes instead of obsessing over immediate results. I’ve had days when I didn’t work out at all or light stretching and mobility work, but I’ve learned to embrace my imperfections and give myself grace during those times.

Progress, not perfection, should be the goal—slowly weaning myself off the need for immediate gratification that so often dictates our actions in today’s world. I want to be functionally strong, and that means being consistent—even when motivation fades.

I can say I haven’t completely learned from my past nor have I rid myself of all my imperfections, but I will continue making small steps toward better, since that’s all any of us can do.

Take a moment and think about your own life. Can you recall a time when you’ve faced similar struggles? Maybe with dieting, studying, learning a new skill, or work—anything where motivation quickly fades for whatever reason.
Those are the moments when slumps sneak in, and setbacks become even more pronounced, when you feel lost.

But here’s the truth: it’s only through consistency, even during the lows, that we can continue to grow and improve—that’s how you build spiritual strength to handle life as it comes.

As I said in the beginning, setbacks are expected, and slumps are inevitable. You’re only human—you’re imperfect by design—so don’t be too hard on
yourself. What really matters is how you handle yourself during those downtimes and how quickly you can get back to it.

You experience a setback or slump because you’re attempting something new, and for that alone, I’m proud of you. Don’t let yourself get discouraged from getting what you want, because you deserve to get what you want, as long as you’re willing to work for it.

So, whenever motivation dips, remember that it’s not about being perfect—it’s about making small, steady progress. That’s how we overcome setbacks and continue to move forward.

The Spark of Motivation

Motivation is like the spark that gets us started. We’ve all been there: that excited feeling of starting something new, whether it’s a fitness routine, a new hobby, or a personal goal. It feels energizing, doesn’t it? Like the world is yours to conquer. But as time goes on, that excitement starts to fade, and the challenges begin to feel more like obstacles. The truth is, motivation is often short-lived—and that’s where the real work begins.

I look back and see how this played out in my life. As a kid starting school, I was eager to learn, to explore, to make friends. But when school became a routine, I started losing interest. Instead of engaging with my studies, I found myself distracted, skipping homework, and scraping by with minimal effort. I even earned an award for “Best at Pretending to Sleep While Gaming” in high school—not exactly something I’m proud of. But it was a perfect example of how easily motivation can fade when something stops feeling exciting.

The Challenge of Staying Consistent

This mindset carried into my adult life. I came to realize that the key to making meaningful change is learning to push through that dip in motivation to make those long term changes. Life is a constant series of lessons, and how you respond to them—whether you take the initiative or just react to circumstances—makes all the difference. For me, it became about being proactive in my growth, instead of waiting for motivation to magically appear. And that’s where the philosophy of Kaizen, or incremental improvement, became a game-changer.

When we set out on a new path—whether it’s hitting the gym, learning a skill, or breaking a bad habit—we start strong. Think of the gym on January 1st, packed with people eager to start their “New Year, New Me” routines. It’s easy to be excited in the beginning. But by February, the gym is back to its usual crowd, and most people have already fallen off track. The challenge isn’t starting; it’s staying consistent once the novelty wears off.

Consistency Is Key

Consistency is the true test of commitment. After that initial rush of motivation fades, daily habits can feel tedious. That’s when your reptilian brain kicks in, urging you to return to your comfort zone—the place that feels safe and familiar. New things, even when they’re good for us, are uncomfortable, and our minds and bodies will resist them. I’ve experienced this firsthand.

Take my struggle with food, for instance. I’ve always had a soft spot for sweets. As an emotional eater, I would often turn to a bag of gummy bears to cope with stress or boredom. Of course, the short-term satisfaction never lasted long, and the long-term effects were less than ideal. This time, I decided to make a change by tracking my food and water intake every day—focusing on eating whole, nutritious meals while avoiding processed foods. But some days, life happens. I get distracted, I forget, or I just don’t feel like it. Tracking my meals feels like a chore, or sweets sound extra good right about now, and it’s easy to slip back into old habits.

It’s About Progress, Not Perfection

But here’s the thing: it’s not about perfection. It’s about making the decision every day to stick with it, even when motivation dips. This is where Kaizen comes in. The philosophy of Kaizen teaches us to take small, consistent steps forward, even when the journey doesn’t feel exciting. It’s about progress, not perfection. And even on the days I don’t track my food or work out or indulge in a snack, I remind myself that one small step is better than no step at all.

This is what the real challenge is: staying consistent when you feel like quitting. And it’s the same in every area of life. Whether you’re trying to improve your health, build a new skill, or change a bad habit, the beginning is easy—but long-term consistency is what separates those who succeed from those who give up. We have to push through the discomfort, trust that the small steps we’re taking will add up, and remember why we started in the first place.

Kaizen: Small Steps, Big Changes

The idea of Kaizen—small, incremental changes—reminds me that every day is a chance to get better. Even when I don’t feel like tracking my meals or going to the gym, I remind myself that small actions are still progress. Time will keep moving forward, whether I’m working on my goals or not. The day will end whether I achieve my to-do list or not. And as time slips away, I want to be able to look back and say I made the most of it, even in those small moments.

So, when motivation fades, dig deep and find the reason you started in the first place. Remember, short-term discomfort is worth it for long-term growth. Small steps, taken consistently, can lead to big changes—and those little improvements will add up over time.

A question for you

What small step can you take today to stay on track? Let’s embrace consistency, even when it’s tough, and remind ourselves that progress, no matter how small, is still progress.

My First Amigurumi: A Bear with Extra Character
I’ve mentioned my first project before—an amigurumi bear with a little extra character. Everything I needed came in one package, so I was eager to dive in and get started right away. Armed with a cheap hook, yarn that was more like twine, and absolutely no crochet knowledge, I opened the instructions… and froze.

Terms like magic ring, single crochet (SC), double crochet (DC), increase (INC), decrease (DEC), and slip stitch (SL) filled the page, and I realized I couldn’t just dive in without doing a bit of research first. But where to begin?

Repetition: My First Teacher
When I first started, repetition became my best friend. All I had was enough yarn to make one bear, so wasting any of it was not an option. I was determined to make this work, but I’ve always had a tendency to start projects I’m excited about… only to quit halfway. It’s not something I’m proud of, but it’s something I’ve been working on improving.

Because of this, I didn’t want to invest any more money into my crochet journey until I was sure I was committed. So, I kept it simple—repeatedly making a magic ring after watching a tutorial, then learning how to single crochet (SC) into the ring. Once I got a few stitches done, I’d unravel everything (a.k.a. “frogging”) and start over.

I must have restarted over a hundred times, each time getting a little further along. I had to account for increases (INC) to expand the base and eventually decreases (DEC) to close it up at the top. The head and body of the bear looked more like a deformed peanut than anything close to a bear, but it was my peanut, and I was proud of it.

Learning to Tackle New Challenges
After a certain point, I knew I had to proceed to the next steps of the project. To move forward, I had to finish off my little peanut and proceed to the next body part. Since each body part started the same way, I felt more confident about completing the project.

Yet, as always, things didn’t go exactly as planned. When I reached the legs, I was surprised to learn I had to work into the back loop only. This would give the legs their shape, but it was a challenge with my small hook. I had to wrestle through each loop, especially since I had kept the tension too tight—another lesson I’d take with me for future projects.

But I didn’t let that stop me. After finishing the body, I knew there was no going back. Despite my desire for perfection, I pushed on and completed the arms, legs, ears, and muzzle. I took my time at first, repeating the steps, but as I grew more comfortable, I rushed through the process until I was at the stage of putting everything together. Of course, it wouldn’t be completed that easily—when does it ever?

The Final Stitches
I had to stuff each part with cotton and figure out how to sew the body parts on, all while making sure the stuffing held its shape. Sewing was a skill I hadn’t yet mastered, and my little bear’s body parts didn’t line up perfectly. As a result, my bear transitioned from a cute peanut to… well, a slightly mangled teddy bear in need of a little TLC.

But despite all that, my bear still needed a face to show off to the world. So, I sewed it on as best I could, albeit haphazardly, given my limited knowledge of embroidery. When I was done, I couldn’t tell if he was happy or just plain crazy, but I didn’t care. No matter how he looked, he was mine—and I was proud of him. I knew I could take the lessons he taught me and apply them to my future projects.

Lessons in Patience and Persistence
Crocheting isn’t just about making something with yarn—it’s about patience, persistence, and learning from every twist, turn, and frogged stitch. I’ve come a long way since that first bear, and I’m excited to see where this journey takes me.