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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe idea of a low-key book club has been rattling around in my brain and showing up in my writing notes for a while. I was recently inspired by this post<\/a> by Alicia<\/a>. I loved the format of the back and forth discussion and getting to see two different perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I looked over my book basket and immediately thought of Niamh Celeste<\/a> recommending the book Tiny Habits<\/a><\/strong><\/em> by BJ Fogg<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n I think this book is perfect for the transition from summer to fall because many of us have schedule shifts, the weather change often affects our habits, and there is a natural move towards more structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m excited to work with Niamh because she is an avid reader, fellow Substack writer, and we have had fun collaborating in the past. [check out this post<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n April:<\/mark><\/strong> You mentioned to me before that this book made an impact on you. Can you tell me about your experience with this book?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Niamh:<\/mark> <\/strong>I\u2019m so happy to be talking with you today about Tiny Habits<\/em>, April. Let me start out by telling you my own Tiny Habits<\/em> story. I was working as a personal development coach in low income housing, and I was always trying to find new ways I could help my clients. I was looking for something that would help a client with severe ADHD and a history of brain injury. I googled and one of the results was a webinar on Tiny Habits for ADHD. I had to click on it. I have ADHD, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I was so amazed that these people were claiming that you could build a habit in 5 days by doing just the first simple step towards it every day. I\u2019m pretty sure I snorted some tea out of my nose at that claim. But they offered a free, 5-day email coaching program, so I signed up. I could definitely prove them wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n April:<\/mark><\/strong> I love that you went into it with skepticism and with the plan to help other people.\ud83d\ude1c How did the coaching program work?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Niamh:<\/mark> <\/strong>They have you commit to 3 habits for the week. That seemed like a lot to me, but I did it. They insist that one of the habits be what they call the \u201cMaui habit.\u201d When your feet touch the floor first thing in the morning, you simply say, \u201cIt\u2019s going to be a great day.\u201d And then you celebrate for having done your new habit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n April:<\/mark><\/strong> How did that go?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Niamh:<\/mark> <\/strong>It did not go well. I am not a morning person. I am not awake when my feet touch the floor. I\u2019m a zombie. With the coach, we changed it to fit how my brain works in the morning. About 15 minutes into my day, I\u2019m generally awake, and that\u2019s when I take the dog for a walk. So when I put the leash on her, I would give her a little rub down and say, \u201cWe are going to have a great day, Bri!\u201d and then we would dance out the door together. I\u2019m still doing that habit and it\u2019s been 3 years now I think.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The thing that convinced me to learn more though was my habit of leaving dirty dishes in the sink. Here\u2019s how we attacked that. I always took leftovers for lunch, and I always washed out the Rubbermaid containers at work after I finished eating so that they wouldn\u2019t mess up my pretty lunch bag. That was an established habit. Here\u2019s what we added on. As soon as I got home from work, I unpacked my lunch bag and put the Rubbermaid in the dishwasher. That\u2019s it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I had been just throwing it in the sink with the other dirty dishes and dreading them for days until I finally got my executive function working long enough to get me to the sink. But the genius of this habit is that there I was at the sink already with the dishwasher open. All you ever have <\/em>to do is the first step, but BJ Fogg really understands how the brain works. You\u2019re on the slippery slope now. It\u2019s almost automatic that you\u2019re going to do the dishes at that point because you\u2019ve overcome the biggest obstacle: getting started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m glad we\u2019re going to do this book club because I\u2019ve retired now, and I\u2019m not bringing Rubbermaid containers home from work anymore. I need a new tiny habit to deal with my daily dish disasters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n April:<\/mark><\/strong> The dishes in the sink are so real! I get that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Niamh:<\/mark><\/strong> What about you? What are you going to be working on?<\/p>\n\n\n\n April: <\/mark><\/strong>Well, I homeschool my youngest 2 (currently ages 11 and 14) and I\u2019ve been a teacher for over 20 years. The beginning of the school year always feels like a good time to adjust my habits, personal routines, and household rhythms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This summer has been super busy with my adult kids at home, my daughter\u2019s wedding, lots of hosting, serving as a leader at High School summer camp, and family adventures. It has been a wonderful change of pace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, getting back into our fall school routine will be a challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because I choose to homeschool, the planning, motivation, and overall atmosphere of our home rests on my shoulders. So, to get myself back into the very structured August\/September environment I have to mentally prepare. Reading non-fiction is one of my favorite ways to \u201cget in the zone\u201d. \ud83d\ude01<\/p>\n\n\n\n Several years ago I read Atomic Habits<\/a><\/strong><\/em> by James Clear<\/a> and it was life-changing. Even though I currently have a foundation of deliberate living and intentional habits I definitely feel the need for a refresher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, I have a tendency to \u201cgo big\u201d and then get overwhelmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Niamh:<\/mark><\/strong> Honestly, I\u2019m overwhelmed just reading all the things you do!<\/p>\n\n\n\n April:<\/mark><\/strong> Yes, I tend to juggle a lot. \ud83d\ude1c<\/p>\n\n\n\n So off the top of my head I can quickly come up with a list of routines and habits I need to work on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Projects I need practical help with right now:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Niamh:<\/mark><\/strong> Oh my goodness! Overwhelm!<\/p>\n\n\n\n April: <\/mark><\/strong>See, even with my list I went too big! I probably need to break each of these down into smaller pieces and then start with one or two. I\u2019m sure BJ Fogg has some thoughts on that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I have learned in my burnout recovery that small simple solutions are more lasting and effective. Just reading through the introduction solidified that this book is just what I need right now. \ud83d\udc99<\/p>\n\n\n\n Niamh: I\u2019m really excited about doing this together. I think that this kind of book can really come alive when you\u2019re sharing the process with someone else. We can be so blind to our own issues. Support is good!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Explain how the book club is going to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n April:<\/mark><\/strong> Awesome! Here\u2019s the plan\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Grab your copy of Tiny Habits<\/a><\/strong><\/em> by BJ Fogg<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n (\ud83d\udcd6hardcover, \ud83d\udcf1digital, or \ud83c\udfa7audiobook = whatever works for you)<\/p>\n\n\n\n We will post our discussion every Thursday starting on September 3 (in 2 weeks so you have time to get the book).<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can follow along at our pace, read slower, or speed ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s up to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But please share what you are learning, habits you are tracking, and personal stories along the way. We can all benefit from your wisdom and experiences!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udcd6We would love for you to read along with us!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Please share: Have you heard of or read Tiny Habits before?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Leave a comment<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you read every chapter, listen while doing dishes, or slowly make your way through the book over the next few months, you\u2019re welcome here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are no deadlines, no homework, and no pressure to keep up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We simply hope these conversations spark a few ideas, encourage a tiny change, or remind you that lasting growth often begins with surprisingly small steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019re looking forward to reading with you!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n .<\/p>\n\n\n\n .<\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember we are posting every Thursday starting in 2 weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" a book conversation to spark a few ideas and encourage a tiny change This post is written by: April Edwards and Niamh Celeste (check out her Substack!) The idea of a low-key book club has been rattling around in my brain and showing up in my writing notes for a while. I was recently inspired… <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/https3A2F2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com2Fpublic2Fimages2Fd54c28a7-3581-481c-af06-a7edb1386060_383x412.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nSo, welcome to Book Club!<\/strong><\/em><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nNiamh Celeste<\/a> and I are co-reading Tiny Habits<\/a><\/strong><\/em> by BJ Fogg<\/a>. <\/strong><\/em>\ud83d\ude01<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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a quick note: This is not sponsored. No commission or kickbacks. \nJust two enthusiastic readers having a lively discussion of an inspiring book.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nLet\u2019s get started!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Plan:<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWe hope Book Club is a place where you feel welcomed and encouraged.<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Happy Reading \u2013<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udc99\ud83d\udc9c<\/strong> – April Edwards<\/a> & Niamh Celeste<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nAction Steps:<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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