I’m Kayla, and I’m picky about advice. But this summer got messy—busy work, school forms, and a laundry mountain that kept staring me down. So I made a deal with myself: read a few self help blogs, try the tips, and see what sticks. Real life tests. No fluff.
You know what? Some of it worked. Not all. But enough to keep.
Let me explain.
Why I Did This (And How I Tested)
- I picked seven well-known blogs.
- I read two posts a week from each.
- I tried one idea per blog, for at least five days.
- I tracked simple stuff on a sticky note: sleep, steps, mood, mess.
It felt nerdy. It also felt good.
James Clear: Habits That Don’t Fight Back
James Clear writes about habits. The 2-minute rule is his thing (here's his full explanation). Start so small you can’t quit.
My test:
- I put floss next to the hand soap. I told myself, “Just one tooth.”
- I used a paper habit tracker on the fridge. Little boxes. Black pen. Very satisfying.
What happened:
- I flossed 26 out of 30 days.
- Also, I started wiping the sink for 2 minutes after brushing. My bathroom looked less… tired.
What I didn’t love:
- His posts can feel same-y if you binge them. I had to pace myself.
Mark Manson: Tough Love, With Fewer F’s Please
Mark Manson is blunt and funny. He talks about choosing your problems. He also swears a lot. Sometimes I laughed. Sometimes I winced.
My test:
- I used his “What pain will you choose?” idea.
- I said no to being the extra “reply-all” person on a school email chain.
- I said yes to one hard thing I do want: a 20-minute walk after dinner.
What happened:
- I had less guilt and more calm. Not zero, but less.
- His “feedback loop from hell” idea helped me stop worrying about worrying. That was big.
What I didn’t love:
- The tone can be loud when my brain is tired. Not a bedtime read for me.
Tiny Buddha: Soft Edges, Real Stuff
Tiny Buddha posts feel like a deep breath. They mix stories and simple tools. It’s gentle but not mushy.
My test:
- I tried a nightly “3 good things” list.
- I used one of their prompts: “What did I do right today?”
What happened:
- I slept faster on four out of five nights. My mind had less noise.
- I also forgave myself for a burnt grilled cheese. Small, yes. But it helped.
What I didn’t love:
- Pop-ups. Too many. I wish the page felt calmer.
Zen Habits: Simple Routines That Don’t Nag
Zen Habits is clean and slow on purpose. Leo talks about one change at a time.
My test:
- I picked an MIT (Most Important Task) each morning on a sticky note.
- I sat for 2 minutes before email. Just breathing. No app. No candles. Just me and a timer.
What happened:
- I got my big task done before lunch on most days.
- Less doom scroll. More doing.
What I didn’t love:
- When life was loud, the posts felt almost too quiet. I wanted a checklist. That’s on me.
Farnam Street (FS): Big Ideas, Clear Wins
This one is for thinkers. Mental models, better decisions, that sort of thing. Yes, it sounds fancy. It’s also useful.
My test:
- I used “inversion” to plan a fall road trip. I asked, “How could this go wrong?” Then I fixed that list.
- I packed snacks, a spare charger, and printed the map.
What happened:
- No hungry kids. No dead phone. No arguing over exits. Magic.
What I didn’t love:
- Posts can be long. I read them with coffee, not at night.
Nerd Fitness: Make It a Game
Nerd Fitness is fun. It treats health like a quest. Less shame, more play.
My test:
- I tried their “walk to Mordor” idea and tracked steps.
- Goal: 8,000 steps a day for a week.
What happened:
- I hit the goal five days out of seven.
- My jeans fit nicer. My knee got sore one day, so I stretched more.
What I didn’t love:
- The pop culture jokes are cute, but sometimes I just wanted the plan, plain and simple.
Daily Stoic: Calm Like a Rock
The Daily Stoic is about what you can control. It’s steady. It’s not shiny. Good for mornings.
My test:
- I made a two-column list during a shipping delay: “Control” and “Not Control.”
- Control: my tone with customer service, my plan B.
- Not control: the truck, the weather.
What happened:
- I didn’t snap. I made tea. I emailed once. Then I moved on.
What I didn’t love:
- Some posts link to books and merch a lot. I get it, but still.
The Stuff That Fell Flat
- Too many newsletters at once. My inbox groaned.
- Some sites blast pop-ups like confetti. I closed the tab, more than once.
- Long essays after 9 p.m.? I zoned out. That’s not the blog’s fault—just real life.
My Simple System Now
I kept a tiny mix. Not seven blogs. Three.
- Sunday: pick one idea for the week. Only one.
- Morning: write an MIT on a sticky note.
- Night: list 3 good things.
- Fridge: habit tracker with black squares. Feels like points in a game.
On the days when reading felt like a chore, I switched to audio and tested a handful of self-help shows aimed at women; spoiler alert, only a couple stuck and you can see which ones in my podcast breakdown.
It’s boring. It’s also the only reason it works.
Who I’d Recommend Each Blog To
- Need quick wins? James Clear, Zen Habits.
- Want straight talk? Mark Manson.
- Need kind words and prompts? Tiny Buddha.
- Love brainy stuff? Farnam Street.
- Want fitness without shame? Nerd Fitness.
- Crave calm mornings? Daily Stoic.
Little Tricks I Still Use
- Floss after brushing one tooth. Then keep going if you feel like it.
- Two-minute sink wipe. My future self smiles.
- MIT on a sticky note. One task rules the day.
- “Control / Not Control” list when stuff breaks.
- 3 good things before sleep. Short is fine.
What I Wish These Blogs Fixed
- Fewer pop-ups, please.
- More printable checklists.
- Less “read more” that jumps away from the point.
My Take, After 8 Weeks
Did self help blogs change my life? No. They changed my Tuesday. And my Thursday. That stacks up.
I’m calmer by a small but clear margin. My house is tidier. I walk more. I worry less about worrying. That last part matters.
One unexpected gem I found along the way was HowMuchJoy.com, a site packed with quick creative prompts that jolt you into action when motivation sags. And for anyone looking for book-length guidance tailored to Black women, I pulled together what hit home (and what didn’t) in this book review.
If part of your self-improvement quest includes leveling up your dating life rather than just your desk habits, check out this candid rundown—Is One Night Friend legit? Honest review—it breaks down real user experiences, pricing, and safety tips so you can decide if the site deserves your profile before you spend a dime or a minute.
Thinking about sugar dating instead of traditional swipe culture? Get the facts on local arrangements through this deep-dive guide to Seattle’s east-side scene—Sugar Daddy Bellevue—so you can weigh membership costs, learn safety best practices, and see whether the perks match your dating goals before ever scheduling that first coffee.
Keep one or two blogs you like. Use one idea a week. Write it down. Make it tiny. Then repeat. It’s not flashy, but it works—like a good pair of shoes you forget you’re wearing.
And if you’re starting now? Pick one: floss one tooth tonight. You’ll see.