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Good Habits | 5 Habits to Develop Like the Proverbs 31 Woman

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

This post may contain affiliate links. You can read my disclosure policy here.

New Year’s resolutions don’t really work for most of us. It’s really more about the slow and steady changes we make in our lives, those little habits that really make difference. But, I do love this time of year and setting new goals for the coming year energizes me! Today I’m sharing 5 good habits to cultivate in the new year – things I’ll be focusing on for my own life!

The chapter of Proverbs 31 is filled with wisdom and can help us visualize good habits we can develop and work on! Be sure to download my free printable Goal Planner and Habit Tracker at the end of the post!

The truth about new year’s resolutions: they don’t really last more than three weeks. In fact, only 8% of the population manages to achieve their new year’s resolutions. Is that crazy? Maybe you’re thinking at this point. “why bother?”

Even though January 1st is just a date on the calendar and really no different from any other day of the year, it does feel like a new beginning. I look forward to this last week of the year and reflecting on the past year – which naturally leads me to set new goals for the coming year.

2020 was a pretty awful year for most of us. Do you agree? In our house we started off with pretty high hopes and by the end of the first week of January 2020 everything started going wrong.

Not to mention the crazy March that seemed to change the course of the year and nothing has been the same since.

After experiencing such a trying year, I’m definitely ready for some good news and serious motivation. So before I talk about 5 habits to develop in the new year, I want to talk about how to develop good habits.

Table of Contents

  • How to Develop Good Habits
  • 5 Habits to Develop Like the Proverbs 31 Woman
  • Actions Steps to Take Today
  • Free Printable Goal Planner & Habit Tracker

How to Develop Good Habits

Okay, so if new year’s resolutions don’t work, is it even worth working on new, good habits? Yes! Actually it is. But let’s not call them new year’s resolutions, okay?

#1 Pray about it. Before you even choose which good habits to develop this year, ask God for wisdom and guidance in your goal setting. Write down your thoughts and vision for the new year and new habits.

#2 Unrealistic expectations make goal-setting feel overwhelming right off the bat. It’s important when trying to develop good habits that we don’t set our expectations too high. In other words, be realistic about what you can accomplish.

#3 Don’t try to change your whole life all at once. It’s just too overwhelming. Choose one or two small things to work on and as you make those new habits a solid part of your routine, add in more. Start with the easiest new habits first.

#4 Take baby steps toward your new goal. Think about the small steps you need to take to create a good habit. For instance, if you want to get in shape but you’ve never exercised in your life, going to the gym for an hour every day might be an unrealistic goal. Instead, commit to taking a 15-minute power walk three times a week. Get used to that goal and then add in more.

#5 Ask a friend who’s doesn’t mind telling you like it is to hold you accountable. Explain to your friend your goal of creating a new habit. Ask them to check in with you on a regular basis to help you reach your goal.

#6 Make a plan for when you fail. Let’s face it. If you’ve been struggling with a bad habit or just not doing something you know you should be doing (i.e. that new habit you want to develop) you’re going to mess up along the way. And that’s normal and okay!! Instead of beating yourself up, accepting your fate and quitting, decide now what you’re going to do when you fail. And write it down.

James Clear, author of the book Atomic Habits, says, “Slipping up on your habits doesn’t make you a failure. It makes you normal. What separates top performers from everyone else is that they get back on track quickly. Make sure you have a plan for when you fail.”

That’s great advice!

#7 Reward yourself. Determine how you will reward yourself along the way. Set small goals within your bigger goal and reward your progress as you go! Remember the reward should match the goal – so if you’ve met a small goal, the reward should be small. And if you’ve met a bigger goal – the reward should be bigger!

5 Habits to Develop Like the Proverbs 31 Woman

#1 Reading your Bible every day.

“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30

This is the single most important habit you can develop. Like the Proverbs 31 woman, your faith is the foundation on which every other aspect of your life is laid. Be a woman who fears (reverences) the Lord.

Reading your Bible and staying close to Jesus will change your life. It helps you be a better wife and mother and all around person. If you are new to reading your Bible and studying God’s Word here are few ideas to get you started:

  • Best Devotions for Busy Moms
  • How to Study the Bible
  • Bible Study Methods for the Proverbs 31 Woman
  • How to Start Reading the Bible Every Day

#2 Keeping a Tidy Home

“She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.” Proverbs 31:27

Homemaking is a precious gift you give yourself and your family. Like the Proverbs 31 woman, you can be a good homemaker and seek to look well to the ways of your household.

It’s my desire in the coming year to help elevate the role of the homemaker. Homemaking can feel overwhelming but it doesn’t have to. Keeping a neat and tidy home doesn’t have to take all of your time if you develop a few good habits:

  1. Pick up clutter and put things away every time you enter and leave a room.
  2. Follow the one minute rule and teach it to your family.
  3. Clean as you go when cooking in the kitchen.
  4. Make your beds every day.
  5. Always go to bed with a clean kitchen.

If you struggle with cultivating good habits at home, my 30-day course, The Disciplined Homemaker is designed to help you create little habits that make a big difference in your homemaking!

#3 Take Time to Plan Every Week

“She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.” Proverbs 31:21

The passage of Proverbs 31 shows us many different ways a woman cares for her home and family. To do it well takes planning!

Planning your week on Sunday can help ensure that you’re making the most of your time. Not only can you schedule items from your to-do list around important appointments and events, but you can ensure the most important things get done and that your priorities are met.

Sunday is the day that works best for me. I usually sit down sometime on Sunday afternoon to make plans for the week and work on prepping for the coming week. However, if another day works best for you, that’s okay! Just try to make your planning time consistent.

Planning your week doesn’t have to take a long time. I like to sit down with my Purpose 31 Homemaking Planners and write down those tasks I know I have coming up. Ask my girls what I always say and they’ll tell you, “If it’s not written down it doesn’t happen. Write it down.”

Each of my homemaking planners helps you keep track of what you need to do to keep your home neat and tidy. With daily and weekly checklists, you don’t need to wonder what needs to be done each week.

Here are a few ideas you can use to help you get started planning each week. This list is merely a suggestion. Choose the ideas that work best for you!!

  1. Reflect on your previous week.
  2. Plan for the coming week.
  3. Set your goals for the week.
  4. Write down your to-do list.
  5. Plan your weekly menu.
  6. Plan your outfits for the week.
  7. Check and plan your budget.
  8. Plan when you’ll exercise and write it into your schedule.

#4 Practice Gratitude and Choose to Be Content

“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.” Proverbs 31:25

The Proverbs 31 woman’s joy comes from the Lord. Contentment is a practice of the heart.

Practicing gratitude for the life you have and learning to be content right now isn’t always easy. But practicing gratitude, cultivating a spirit of contentedness is something you can learn to do. By making it a habit to show gratitude, you’ll feel happier!

“Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” 1 Timothy 6:6-8 ESV

Being content with the life you are living right doesn’t mean you can’t plan or have new goals. But it does mean that you are living in the here and now instead of always pining for the future.

Another one of my favorite Bible verses is: “aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.” 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 ESV

To mean it speaks volumes about living a life of contentment. Living a quiet life, working hard, being content with the life you have. Developing the good habit of contentment is a worthy goal to have! But it also means you must be intentional with your day. Writing down those things you are grateful for each day can help you keep gratitude and contentment in front of you.

#5 Eat Healthier and Move Your Body

“She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.” Proverbs 31:17

Making good food choices and moving your body are two good habits you can start in the new year. Like the Proverbs 31 woman you can make small changes in your daily habits to make your body strong. God wants you to live an abundant life and making healthy choices helps you do that.

“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 ESV

Some of the things I try to do each day are:

  • Eat raw veggies every day. I like to eat a fresh salad or other fresh veggies every day. It helps me feel better!
  • Don’t go back for seconds. One plate of food is usually enough. Resist the temptation to go back for seconds. Instead, portion up that really yummy dish you’re dying to have a second taste of and save it for tomorrow. I even do this for Thanksgiving dinner. I’ll make a second plate and wrap it up for the next day so I don’t feel like my family of 24 is going to go eat all the food I want to eat again!
  • Don’t eat late at night. I try to eat my biggest meal of the day early. Eating after 6:00 is a surefire way to gain weight.
  • Choose healthy snacks. I like to snack on fruit instead of less healthy options. If I’m really hungry between meals I’ll grab a handful of almonds or walnuts and a piece of fruit.
  • Move your body every day – even it’s just for a few minutes. Whether it’s taking a walk, going for a short run, swimming, lifting weights, or stretching on the floor doesn’t really matter. Just do something. God made us to move. It’s important for your physical and mental health.

Actions Steps to Take Today

  1. Pray and ask God to help you choose a few good habits to work on in the coming weeks.
  2. Write down your new goals and be intentional about creating good habits.
  3. Ask a friend to help you stay accountable.
  4. Remember, baby steps are the key to developing lasting good habits.
  5. Download my free printable Goal Planner and Habit Tracker below, if desired.

Free Printable Goal Planner & Habit Tracker

How to Download

  1. Just fill out the form below and you’ll receive an email giving you instant access to my free printable Goal Planner and Habit Tracker.
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About Melissa Ringstaff

My name is Melissa Ringstaff and I've been blogging here at A Virtuous Woman since 2001. I'm a pastor's wife and homeschooling mom living in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains of Southeastern KY. I believe in finding freedom from perfection and living life with purpose and I want to help you do exactly that.

I'm so glad you've stopped by to visit with me. I hope we can be friends!

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purposenotperfection

Freedom from perfection. 🪁
Live with purpose. ✝️
Proverbs 31 for modern women. 👱‍♀️
Wife + Mama + Homemaker + Kentucky
Life: @melissa.ringstaff

Melissa Ringstaff
Not gonna lie. 2020 was a hard year. And not just Not gonna lie. 2020 was a hard year. And not just because there was a pandemic. Our family has faced many trying times in the past but 2020 gave us some doozies.  I’m looking forward to a new year. The beginning of the new year always feels like a fresh start to me. It feels like HOPE.  But the truth is, whatever heartaches and hardships you and I were facing on Dec. 31 will most likely still be there on Jan. 1.  That’s why it’s hard to keep New Years resolutions. It’s easy to feel motivated for a few days or a couple weeks until we realize life hasn’t really changed and things are still hard.  But if we want to see real change it takes hard work and real effort. It takes showing up every day - even when it’s hard.  Whether that means working on your fractured relationships or setting healthy boundaries or cultivating self disciple... whatever that hard thing is that you need to work on ... it will only get better if you work on it.  We aren’t promised an easy life. But we are promised an “Ever Present Help in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1  *
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#faithblogger #faithfulness #faithandfamily #bibleverseaday #christianbloggers #dailyverses #christianlife #jesuscalling #shereadstruth#proverbs31women #proverbs31life #10virtues #daughteroftheking #jesuslovesme #womenoffaith #faithquotes #proverbs31
We’re coming into the new year with all the same We’re coming into the new year with all the same problems we had in the last year. And that’s okay! Life doesn’t have to be perfect to still be amazing. Perfectionism is a joy stealer. Let’s determine to enjoy life right now in all its messiness.  I believe you can find freedom from perfection and the confidence to live your life with purpose. #purposenotperfection  #christian #Jesus #love #quotes #quoteslife #quotestoliveby #godisgood #votd #lifequotes #inspirationalquotes #life #motivationalquotes #inspiration #bible #bb #bestoftheday #happiness #wordofgod
🏠 Being a homemaker is such an important role. 🏠 Being a homemaker is such an important role. It’s a ministry to your family and all who enter your home.  But I want you to know: You don’t have to be perfect. ❤️  There’s a fine line between teaching your children to be neat and insisting on perfection. No one can meet that kind of standard and it can be detrimental to the emotional health of your family.  What we want for our homes is to provide a space that is neat and clean enough that your family and friends feel comfortable and well loved.  There is freedom in accepting the fact that you’re not perfect. Not to make excuses for slovenliness - but to give yourself grace.  It’s when we recognize our weakness that we find ourselves reaching out to Jesus to receive the power that comes only from him. As homemakers, when we can find grace for the moment when we accept His Gift.  “But now for a brief moment grace has been shown from the LORD our God, to leave us an escaped remnant and to give us a peg in His holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and grant us a little reviving in our bondage. Ezra 9:8  Let His Grace wash over you, cleanse your weary heart. Homemaking isn’t about creating a perfect space. It’s about creating a home where loved ones feel cared for and nurtured. 
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#proverbs31 #proverbs31woman #purpose31 #10virtues #homemaking #homemakingministries #happyhomemaking #homemaking101 #cleanhome #cleanheart #fromchaostocalm #housekeeping #cleaningroutine #inspiredhome #makingahome #lovewhereyoudwell #homemaker #homebody #biblicalHomemaking #wearethehomemakers
❤️Your attitude about homemaking matters.⠀
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A homemaker by definition is someone who manages and makes a home. 🏠⠀
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But, anyone can clean and organize a home. ⠀
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☑️ Homemaking is about more than checking off the items on your to do list.⠀
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Learning how to be a homemaker means you learn how to make your home feel like haven of peace and love. You seek out ways to make your home feel inviting. You work at it.⠀
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There is no easy button for homemaking. There are easier, more efficient ways to do chores, but the chores still have to be done. If you live in a house, you will create the need for the house to be tidied every day and cleaned on a regular basis.⠀
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Having the right attitude about homemaking is the first step in learning how to be a homemaker.⠀
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The good news is, even if you’ve been struggling with your homemaking, you can always go to God and ask Him for help. ⠀
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He sees the unseen work of your hands. And He loves you very, very much. He wants to help you succeed. ⠀
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#proverbs31 #proverbs31woman #purpose31 #10virtues #homemaking #homemakingministries #happyhomemaking #homemaking101 #cleanhome #cleanheart #fromchaostocalm #housekeeping #cleaningroutine #inspiredhome #makingahome #lovewhereyoudwell #homemaker #homebody #biblicalHomemaking  #youngwife #housewife
🙏 If you’ve found it difficult to have a regu 🙏 If you’ve found it difficult to have a regular time with Jesus every day, you’re not alone. Lots of busy Christian women struggle to find time for a daily prayer and devotion time. ⠀
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But I still want to encourage you to start your day with God! ⠀
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⏰ If it’s hard to spend 30 minutes in the morning for a quiet time, I want you to remember you can still begin your day with God – even if that means saying a short prayer before your feet hit the floor in the morning.⠀
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✝️ I also want to encourage you to memorize this verse:⠀
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“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.⠀
Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” Psalm 143:8 📖⠀
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In the morning you can recite this verse and say a prayer. It doesn’t have to take a long time. Although – if you do have time – you will be greatly blessed by spending more time in prayer and devotion.⠀
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📌 Free Printable Morning Prayer Prompts on the blog today: https://avirtuouswoman.org/morning-prayer-prompts/  #linkinbio ⠀
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#faithblogger #faithfulness #faithandfamily #bibleverseaday #christianbloggers #dailyverses #christianlife #jesuscalling #shereadstruth #Christ #Church #Christian #Jesus #Jesuslover #JesusChrist #JesusisLord #CreatorGod #Devotional #verseoftheday #Love #Faith #biblestudy #God #dailydevotional
🏠 As a homemaker, one of my goals is to be inte 🏠 As a homemaker, one of my goals is to be intentional with how I plan our days. I love any opportunity to create a good memories at home for my family and guests. ⠀⠀
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📌 If you're looking to make this holiday season really special, you need to be intentional. Goodness knows 2020 has had a lot of ups and downs. And maybe you feel like it's been mostly downs. ⠀⠀
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🎄 But the holiday season is a chance to focus on celebrating the life we have right now. Things don't need to be perfect for us to celebrate life right now!!⠀⠀
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☑️ Inside the pages of my Purpose 31 holiday planner, you'll find 8 weeks of planning and cleaning all laid out for you. Recipe pages, journaling pages, and more - 120 pages total. ⠀⠀
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✏️ The Purpose 31 Holiday Planner is by far one of the most popular resource I produce each year. ⠀⠀
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Thousands of women have downloaded it over the last four years I've offered it.⠀⠀
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So, even though it's early still, you can go ahead and downlaod it. Print it out and then set it up so you're ready to go.⠀⠀
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I usually take my holiday planner down to Office Depot and have them spiral bind it with a plastic cover for about $5.00. This year, though, I just bought a new 3 ring binder at Walmart, printed off extra cover pages to slip in the clear sleeve, and created a binder with it. ⠀⠀
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📌📌📌 If you use the planner this year, be sure to share and tag me in your photos! ❤️⠀  Download: https://avirtuouswoman.org/holiday-planner/ #linkinbio
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#proverbs31 #proverbs31woman #purpose31 #10virtues #homemaking #homemakingministries #happyhomemaking #homemaking101 #cleanhome #cleanheart #fromchaostocalm #housekeeping #cleaningroutine #inspiredhome #makingahome #lovewhereyoudwell #homemaker #homebody #biblicalHomemaking #christmas #holidayplanning #planningaddict #plannercommunity #freeprintables #thanksgiving #christmastree  #plannerobsessed
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