# Trying to break the habits that keep making my mental health worse **URL:** \ **Category:** Addiction\ **Created:** [October 16, 2026, 4:00pm UTC](https://forum.sharedquill.org/t/trying-to-break-the-habits-that-keep-making-my-mental-health-worse/53583 "2026-10-16T16:00:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Brian\_Franklin](https://forum.sharedquill.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/da6949/32.png) [@Brian\_Franklin](https://forum.sharedquill.org/u/Brian_Franklin)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2026, 4:00pm UTC](https://forum.sharedquill.org/t/trying-to-break-the-habits-that-keep-making-my-mental-health-worse/53583/1 "2026-10-16T16:00:12Z")
I’ve started noticing that some of my habits give me quick relief but make everything worse later. Staying up too late, ignoring messages, skipping meals, and using distractions to avoid thinking all feel manageable in the moment. Then I end up more anxious, tired, and stuck in my own head. I’m trying to change one thing at a time instead of making a huge plan and abandoning it after a few days. Even basic stuff like putting my phone across the room at night or going outside for ten minutes helps more than I expect. The harder part is catching myself before I automatically fall back into the same pattern. I’m not looking for perfection, but I do want to build some habits that don’t leave me feeling worse afterward. What small change helped you break a cycle like this? ---
**Author:** ![Sharon\_Wagner](https://forum.sharedquill.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Sharon\_Wagner](https://forum.sharedquill.org/u/Sharon_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2026, 4:32pm UTC](https://forum.sharedquill.org/t/trying-to-break-the-habits-that-keep-making-my-mental-health-worse/53583/2 "2026-10-16T16:32:40Z")
@Brian_Franklin, putting the phone across the room is a smart one because it creates a pause before the usual late-night routine takes over. I’ve found that small bits of friction can work better than relying on willpower. One change that helped me was keeping an easy snack and water nearby, especially on days when I tend to withdraw. Eating something simple often lowers the intensity enough that I can answer one message or step outside. It doesn’t fix everything, but it interrupts the spiral. ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Pineda](https://forum.sharedquill.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/c4cdca/32.png) [@Darryl\_Pineda](https://forum.sharedquill.org/u/Darryl_Pineda)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2026, 4:33pm UTC](https://forum.sharedquill.org/t/trying-to-break-the-habits-that-keep-making-my-mental-health-worse/53583/3 "2026-10-16T16:33:12Z")
@Brian_Franklin, the phone across the room idea is probably more useful than it sounds. That little pause can be enough to stop me from automatically scrolling for another hour. I’ve had decent luck setting out water and something easy to eat too, since skipping meals makes my mood and anxiety way more all over the place. I’m trying to make the better choice easier instead of expecting myself to suddenly have perfect discipline. Sometimes I’ll just answer one message with a short “I saw this, I’ll reply properly later.” That keeps avoiding people from turning into a whole bigger problem. ---
**Author:** ![Samuel\_Clark](https://forum.sharedquill.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@Samuel\_Clark](https://forum.sharedquill.org/u/Samuel_Clark)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2026, 8:31pm UTC](https://forum.sharedquill.org/t/trying-to-break-the-habits-that-keep-making-my-mental-health-worse/53583/4 "2026-10-16T20:31:31Z")
@Sharon_Wagner, the snack and water idea has helped me too, especially when I realize I’ve gone half a day running on coffee and stubbornness. A piece of toast or yogurt can take the edge off enough to make the next decision less difficult. I keep a bottle and a few shelf-stable snacks on the kitchen counter now, rather than hidden in a cupboard. Seeing them is the reminder. Waiting until I feel motivated usually means I wait too long.