Oct 15 ・ Written By Bella Kim
Oct 15 ・ Written By Bella Kim
Oct 15 ・ Written By Bella Kim
Habits Break, UX Can Fix It
Habits Break, UX Can Fix It
Habits Break, UX Can Fix It
Habits Break, UX Can Fix It
"Why We Couldn't Stick to Habits, and What That Means for UX/UI Design"
"Why We Couldn't Stick to Habits, and What That Means for UX/UI Design"
A while ago, I tried to build a simple nighty journaling habit. Nothing elaborate, just a few minutes of reflection before bed. It felt like the right thing to do like meaningful, grounding, even therapeutic.
A while ago, I tried to build a simple nighty journaling habit. Nothing elaborate, just a few minutes of reflection before bed. It felt like the right thing to do like meaningful, grounding, even therapeutic.
But despite my best intentions, I couldn't keep it up. I switched prompts. Tried new notebook. Downloaded beautiful apps. Still, the habit faded.
But despite my best intentions, I couldn't keep it up. I switched prompts. Tried new notebook. Downloaded beautiful apps. Still, the habit faded.
That made me pause. Not just as a person, but as a designer. Because if I wanted to do this and still couldn't, what chance do our users have with the habits we try to build into our products?
That made me pause. Not just as a person, but as a designer. Because if I wanted to do this and still couldn't, what chance do our users have with the habits we try to build into our products?
That single frustration pulled me into research on behavioural psychology, habit loops and motivation theory. And I realised that most people don't quit because they lack discipline. They fall off because the systems around them don't feel right.
That single frustration pulled me into research on behavioural psychology, habit loops and motivation theory. And I realised that most people don't quit because they lack discipline. They fall off because the systems around them don't feel right.
We're not wired to respond to reminders, timers, or to-do lists. We respond to how things make us feel such as the sense of progress, autonomy, purpose, connection, or even just a little delight. Like the sipping your morning coffee. No reward needed, it just feels good!
We're not wired to respond to reminders, timers, or to-do lists. We respond to how things make us feel such as the sense of progress, autonomy, purpose, connection, or even just a little delight. Like the sipping your morning coffee. No reward needed, it just feels good!
But here's what really stuck with me:
"Quick rewards paired with easy actions are powerful."
But here's what really stuck with me:
"Quick rewards paired with easy actions are powerful."
When something feels effortless and instantly satisfying, we're far more likely to do it again. No mental gymnastics. No waiting for some big payoff.
Just one simple, feel-good moment.
When something feels effortless and instantly satisfying, we're far more likely to do it again. No mental gymnastics. No waiting for some big payoff.
Just one simple, feel-good moment.
The best-designed experiences tap into that feeling. They remove friction, spark momentum, and make doing the thing feel better than avoiding it.
It's not about streaks or gamification. It's about shaping an environment where good behaviours become second nature.
The best-designed experiences tap into that feeling. They remove friction, spark momentum, and make doing the thing feel better than avoiding it.
It's not about streaks or gamification. It's about shaping an environment where good behaviours become second nature.
As UX/UI designers, our job isn't just to make things usable or beautiful. It's to design for real life, reduce the mental load, respect people's rhythms, and make consistency feel natural.
As UX/UI designers, our job isn't just to make things usable or beautiful. It's to design for real life, reduce the mental load, respect people's rhythms, and make consistency feel natural.
Since then, I've started thinking about behaviour design less like engineering and more like gardening. You can't force a plant to grow, but you can create the right conditions for it to thrive.
Since then, I've started thinking about behaviour design less like engineering and more like gardening. You can't force a plant to grow, but you can create the right conditions for it to thrive.
If you've ever struggled to stick with a habit or tried to help others do the same, I'd love to hear your thoughts!
If you've ever struggled to stick with a habit or tried to help others do the same, I'd love to hear your thoughts!
"What's one habit that's stuck with you for years, and why do you think it lasted?"
"What's one habit that's stuck with you for years, and why do you think it lasted?"
"What's one habit that's stuck with you for years, and why do you think it lasted?"
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