Be Inspired..!!

One simple psychology trick + cheap Amazon finds that finally helped me stick to my goals

I really appreciate you checking out my blog! Just so you know, some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you buy something through them, I might earn a little bit of money, at no extra cost to you. There’s absolutely no pressure to buy anything, but if you do, it genuinely helps support the time and love I put into writing these posts.

I used to think reaching goals required willpower, discipline, or maybe a personal life coach who followed me around yelling motivational quotes. But the truth? I kept starting strong and fizzling out. The gym membership became a donation. The planner collected dust. The kale spoiled in the fridge.

What changed wasn’t me suddenly becoming “disciplined.” It was me discovering a simple psychology tool called habit stacking—and pairing it with a few inexpensive Amazon finds that made it ridiculously easy.

The psychology hack: habit stacking

Habit stacking is attaching a new habit you want to an old habit you already have. Think of it like piggybacking. You already brush your teeth, make coffee, or check your phone. So why not stick a small new habit right on top of those?

It’s not about forcing willpower—it’s about tricking your brain into letting a new habit ride along with an old one.

And honestly, when I combined this with some cheap little products from Amazon, it was the first time I actually stuck with my goals.

Coffee + Gratitude = My sanity starter pack

Every morning, I already brew coffee. So I started stacking gratitude journaling with it. Nothing long—just one line while the coffee’s brewing.

To make it feel fun, I grabbed this Kraft Paper Journal 3-Pack. It’s under $10, small enough to toss in a bag, and doesn’t feel intimidating like a big fancy planner.

Now, my coffee mug basically whispers: “Write something down.” And it works.

Water + Movement = Sneaky steps

I’m terrible at drinking enough water, but I know I always refill my cup during the day. So I stacked a quick walk onto that—every refill means one lap around my house.

To make it stick, I bought this Simple Motivational Water Bottle (about $15). It has little time markers on the side that cheer me on. Somehow seeing “Keep Going!” at 2pm gets me to actually sip. And since it’s refillable, it reminds me: refill = walk.

TV + Mini Workouts = No-guilt Netflix

I love TV. But I also know sitting for hours isn’t helping my goals. So now, if the TV is on, I have to move at least a little.

I keep this Set of Resistance Bands (around $12) in my living room. I can do squats, arm pulls, or stretches while watching. It doesn’t feel like “exercise.” It just feels like something to fidget with during my shows.

Honestly, I now associate Netflix with “time to move” instead of “time to melt into the couch.”

Brushing Teeth + Affirmations = Starting strong

I never forget to brush my teeth. So I stuck a new habit onto that: saying one positive affirmation while brushing.

To keep it fun, I stuck these Motivational Sticky Notes ($7) on my bathroom mirror. They remind me to say something like, “You’ve got this today.” It feels silly at first, but it’s wild how it shifts my mood before I even start the day.

Phone + Stretching = Screen time upgrade

Every time I grab my phone (which is a lot), I now do one tiny stretch. Just 30 seconds. Neck roll, shoulder shrug, whatever.

To help, I grabbed this Cheap Yoga Strap ($10). I keep it on my desk so when I reach for my phone, the strap stares at me like, “Hey, stretch first.” Simple, but game-changing.

Sunday Coffee + Meal Prep = Week saver

I already drink coffee on Sunday mornings, so I decided to stack meal prep with it. I chop veggies and pack a couple of easy grab-and-go bowls while sipping.

I use these Glass Meal Prep Containers ($25 for a set). They make the fridge look organized, and honestly, opening it mid-week to see prepped food feels like Future Me left Present Me a gift.

Alarm + Morning Movement = Less grumpy wake-ups

I stacked stretching with my alarm. When it goes off, I roll onto a mat and stretch for two minutes before even leaving the room.

This Basic Yoga Mat ($20) sits right next to my bed as a visual reminder. No excuses. And somehow those two minutes make mornings way less painful.

Why this actually worked for me

Before, I kept trying to build habits out of thin air—telling myself I’d “just do them.” But habits don’t stick that way.

Now, each new habit rides on something I was already doing. I don’t rely on motivation; I rely on autopilot. And the little Amazon tools? They’re like physical reminders that make the stack easier.

And because they’re cheap, I don’t feel guilty if one experiment doesn’t stick. (Though, surprisingly, most of them have.)

Your turn

Here’s the fun part: habit stacking works for everyone. You don’t need to buy fancy gadgets or spend hundreds of dollars. Just pick a habit you already do, stack a tiny new action onto it, and maybe grab a little tool that makes it obvious.

For me, that’s journals, water bottles, sticky notes, bands, containers, and a yoga mat—all under $30, all from Amazon, all surprisingly effective.

So tell me—what stack are you going to try first? Because honestly, I might steal your idea for my next one.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases, but this does not affect my recommendations.I only suggest products I’ve personally vetted.