The right systems don’t trap you — they free you to live more lightly.
Life doesn’t always feel like a calm lake. Sometimes it feels like swimming in an open ocean. There are waves of emotions and endless to-do lists. You face unexpected changes. There’s also that voice inside your head reminding you that you still haven’t answered that email. In those moments, it’s easy to feel lost. And here’s the truth: no one from the outside can really swim for you.
This is where systems come in. Not systems in the sense of robotic routines. They don’t suck the joy out of life, but are small structures. These structures hold you when storms hit.
Habits vs. Life’s Magic
When I first came across James Clear’s Atomic Habits (big recommendation: his newsletter is gold), I thought: Habits for everything? Where’s the space for spontaneity, magic, dancing in the rain?
I had the wrong idea. Systems are not about turning life into a checklist. They’re scaffolding. They’re meant to support you in times when your own strength is shaky. They give you stability, not a prison.
Think of it like having rails on a winding mountain road. The rails don’t drive the car for you, and they don’t stop you from enjoying the view. But they stop you from tumbling down the cliff when you’re distracted.
Why Systems Matter When Life Gets Rough
Here’s what I’ve learned:
- Pressure is inevitable. Life will throw challenges, goals, and chaos at you.
- Systems keep you afloat. They’re what you fall back on when your motivation takes a nap.
- They’re not forever. A system that doesn’t work anymore isn’t failure — it’s feedback. Time for an upgrade.
And yes, sometimes it’s even good to get lost for a while. Getting lost shows you what doesn’t work. Without that, you’d never build systems that truly fit your life.
The Building Blocks of Helpful Systems
I won’t repeat James Clear word-for-word, but here’s how I’ve made sense of his key ideas — in my own messy, Homeless kind of way:
- Make it visible. If you want to work out, put your sneakers where you see them. If you want to eat healthier, keep fruit on the counter instead of cookies. Our brain is lazy — it goes for what’s easiest.
- Make it attractive. Pair something boring with something fun. Listen to your favorite podcast while meal prepping. Light a candle before you sit down to write.
- Make it simple. Big goals are great, but systems thrive on small steps. Meditating for two minutes every day is a system. You don’t need to start with an hour-long silent retreat in the Himalayas.
- Make it satisfying. Reward yourself. Not with a shopping spree after drinking one glass of water, but with little acknowledgments. Cross things off. Celebrate small wins.
In short: keep your systems human-friendly.
Systems + Freedom = Balance
The trick is balance. Systems are there to create space for life, not to lock it down. Schedule your deep work. Prep some meals. Have your workout plan. And then — leave gaps. Gaps for boredom, creativity, lazy walks, or meeting yourself in your favorite café just to stare out of the window.
What kills us is not the system itself. It’s clinging to the system like it’s the only way to survive.
When to Upgrade Your Systems
And finally: don’t be afraid to realize that a system you built just doesn’t serve you anymore. It’s not a failure. It’s the universe whispering: Update required.
Maybe your 5 a.m. morning routine worked when you were single and living in Bali. Maybe now, with a different life setup, it just makes you hate mornings more. That’s fine. Systems are meant to evolve with you.
Sooo…
Life will always have storms. And storms are not bad — they remind us we’re alive. But with the right systems, we don’t drown in them. We float, we breathe, and we keep enough energy to notice the sky clearing again.
So maybe it’s not about planning every step of the next 20 years. Maybe it’s about finding the little rails that keep you on track when life gets messy. Then, dare to take your hands off the wheel once in a while. Build systems that support you, not systems you have to serve. And then… enjoy the sun a little more, knowing life won’t collapse just because you decided to rest.
Katja, Creator of HOMELESS
