21-Day Challenge Ideas To Upgrade Your Routine Life

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Discover some cool 21-day challenge ideas with the power to level up your health, happiness, and productivity.

Five years back, I found my dad’s tattered copy of You Can Win in a storage box, and it changed my life in a way I never would’ve thought.

Even though the whole book is insanely good, it was just a small yet significant part of the book that did it for me.

At the end of each chapter, the author Shiv Khera gives you a task to complete.

One of those tasks was to set three goals, create a timetable around them, and follow it diligently for the next 21 days.

He said that if you commit to something for 21 days, you will see that commitment through till the end, no matter how tough it might be.

I don’t know how applicable this is to the masses, but ever since I learned about this, I have been obsessed with the number 21 for building habits and working on goals.

Now, whenever I need a good life reset, I set myself up for 21 days of patience and persistence. And let me tell you…it works!

There’s a famous saying that it takes 21 days to build a habit and 90 days to build a lifestyle.

I don’t know about 90 days, but my 21-day challenges are what make habit-building so fun for me.

Even if your goal isn’t to form habits, you should keep taking such challenges because they make you more focused and aware of yourself.

Your slip-ups tell you where you are lacking, and every successful challenge makes you more consistent and confident.

So, if you’re even a little interested in this idea, then please keep reading.

Below, I share some of my favorite 21-day challenge ideas that have the power to change you for the better.

Let’s dive in!

21-Day Challenge Ideas You’ll Love

1. Journal Before Bed

Bedtime journaling can raise your awareness like nothing else, and for this powerful reason, it’s something you should try to work on at least once in your life.

You get to vent your frustrations, relive the simple pleasures, and chitchat with your inner self.

For 21 days, sit down with a journal in your bed, and write down what’s on your mind.

You’ll meet a lighter and stronger version of yourself at the finish line, I can promise you that.

2. Drink Warm Water Every Morning

Start your day off by hydrating with a cup of warm water. This one’s easy enough, but the benefits are huge.

It wakes your digestive system, hydrates your body, and sets the tone for a healthier day.

But the biggest reason to do it is to flush out all the toxins in your body that get accumulated overnight.

Try it for 21 days and see how you feel. Spoiler alert: Your skin will love it.

3. Read 10 Pages of A Self-Help Book

Who doesn’t want to level up their mindset? I certainly do.

I’ve always believed that growth of any kind is impossible if your mind isn’t challenged to alter its thoughts and reality.

Pick a book that speaks to your goals and read just 10 pages a day.

It might not sound like much, but in 21 days, you’ll have finished the book (and perhaps started a new one) and absorbed some life-changing insights.

Bonus: It will help you build a reading habit that sticks!

4. No Sugar

Let me admit right away that this is the hardest challenge on the list, or at least, it is for me.

It’s hard to resist sugar when it’s everywhere and tastes so darn good.

But when you cut out sugar from your diet, beautiful things happen.

You start eating food in moderation because there is no sugar spiking your insulin, and thus your hunger cues work right.

Your gut health improves day by day, and the result is a better mood, sharper focus, and a glow-up that even the most expensive skincare products can’t buy you.

I’m not asking you to quit sugar for life; even I don’t want that for myself.

But challenge yourself to go just 21 days without sugar and see what happens. It’s something everyone should live without at least once in their life.

5. 10-Minutes Of Deep Breathing Or Meditation

If there’s one thing that can really change how you feel every day, it’s this.

Take 10 minutes to just breathe deeply or meditate.

It helps reduce stress, brings mental clarity, and makes you more present.

You’ll feel calmer and more centered after three weeks of this.

Don’t miss: 12 Awesome Ways To Relax At Home And Unwind

6. Work Out (However Long That May Be)

The key to building a workout habit is consistency, not duration.

Yet I see many people make the mistake of going hard and fast into their exercise in the beginning.

And that leads to failure and a blow to their morale.

If you’ve ever wanted to make exercise a part of your routine, then challenge yourself to stick to it for the next 21 days.

But this time, just focus on being consistent.

Ten minutes or half an hour, move your body for whatever duration you’re up for every day.

By the end of it, you’ll feel stronger, more energized, and likely more motivated to keep going.

7. Spend Time Learning A Language

I have met people with many unique goals and ambitions, but one thing almost everyone wants to do is learn a new language.

If you have too, then it’s time to start putting in real work and make it happen.

Language learning takes time, and it’s only by taking a few minutes every day that you can master a new language.

Dedicate 10–15 minutes a day to practicing it. Use apps, watch videos, or take notes to memorize what you’ve learned.

Familiarize yourself with the culture as well, as that’ll help you connect to the language naturally.

8. Practice An Instrument

Just like learning a language, an instrument is also something I see people wish to master.

It could be our shared love for music or just the fact that it makes you look cool, lol.

If you’ve got an instrument collecting dust in a corner, pick it up and do right by it.

Spend some time practicing it each day, and you’ll definitely see a huge improvement at the end of 21 days.

Similar post: 21 Interesting Hobbies For Adults

9. Practice Morning And Evening Skincare

Unless you’re one of the blessed people who have normal and naturally good skin, you can’t expect glowing skin health without putting in effort.

Regular skin care is a must for good skin, and what better way to make it a habit than with a 21-day challenge?

Set up a simple routine for the morning and evening and stick to it no matter what. Keep it simple and use the right products for your skin type.

By the end of three weeks, your skin will thank you, and it’ll feel like second nature.

10. Wake Up 30 Minutes Earlier

I am tempted to challenge you to wake up at 5am, but eh, let’s keep it realistic and human.

Push your wake-up time just 30 minutes earlier. Use the extra time in the morning to meditate, stretch, or just enjoy a slow cup of coffee.

Waking up earlier will give you a calm start to the day and keep you feeling bright all day long.

11. Declutter One Area Each Day

Have you ever thought about decluttering on a daily basis instead of doing loads of it in a month?

I have, and it really simplifies the organizing process.

Spend 10-15 minutes each day decluttering a different area. Could be your desk, your closet, or your digital files.

By the end of the 21 days, your space (and mind) will feel so much clearer.

Recommended: How To Organize Your Life In One Week

12. Do An Activity Outdoors

Fresh air does wonders for your mind and body.

No truer words have ever been typed on this blog (no kidding).

Spend some time outdoors daily. Could be walking, reading, or just sitting in a park.

Give yourself the joy of connecting with nature every day.

It’s the most natural way to unwind after a busy day and get some much-needed sunshine (or moonlight, because that counts too).

13. No Social Media Before Bed

This one might be tough, considering most people I know use their phones before dozing off.

But as we all know, screens do us more harm than good during bedtime.

If you’re up for making your bedtime more peaceful, ditch your screens before bed and swap them for something feel-good like reading or journaling.

It will help you sleep better and be so good for your mind that after 21 days, you might not even want to go back.

14. Send A Text To Someone Every Day

All we need to stay connected to our people is to reach out, yet we don’t do it out of fear of rejection or awkwardness or a dozen other reasons.

If you can relate, then it might be time to become more comfortable with reaching out.

Send a text to a friend or family member every day just to check in, share something fun, or say hi.

Bonus points if you can turn it into a call!

15. Work On A Gratitude List

Write down three things you’re grateful for on a page or in your journal, and keep adding three new things to this list for 21 days.

This little practice will shift your mindset toward the good things in life and make you more positive.

By the end of this challenge, you’ll have a long list of things to love about life, and you’ll know just how blessed you are.

16. Try A New Recipe Every Day

For 21 days, challenge yourself to try a new recipe each day.

It could be as simple as a smoothie or a whole dinner menu.

You’ll expand your cooking skills, have fun experimenting, and also discover some new favorite dishes along the way.

17. Catch The Sunset

I understand that life can be hectic during the day and it might not be possible to slow down, but that’s what evenings are for.

You deserve a few minutes away from your responsibilities and pause your mind, and watching the sunset will do that for you.

It’s a calming reminder of the beauty around you and will help you appreciate the little things.

It’s also very Instagram-worthy, hehe!

18. Stretch Every Morning

I have my days when I work out like a beast in the morning, but mostly I like to take it slow.

Stretching is the perfect balance between starting your mornings softly while also getting your body active.

Try morning stretches for 21 days to increase your flexibility, reduce tension, and get yourself moving gently.

You’ll notice a lovely difference between your morning mood and health.

19. Drink 8 Glasses Of Water

Hydration is key to…everything.

When your body is properly hydrated, it thrives and that helps your mind thrive in return.

You’ll be less stressed and more calm, and your relationships also thrive as a result.

So, a whole lot of thriving, as you can see.

If the perks appeal to you at all (as they should), then take the 21-day hydration challenge.

Track your water intake and hit eight glasses a day to succeed. The glow-up will be so worth the effort.

20. Compliment Someone

Brighten up people’s day by giving out free (but genuine) compliments for the next 21 days.

It’s such a small thing, but it can make a big difference, both for them and for you.

You learn to focus on the good in people and they, in return, get a confidence boost.

And being able to do that for someone is a super skill if you ask me.

A lovely post: How To Be A Good Person – 10 Tips That Will Make You Think

21. Unplug For An Hour

Set aside one hour every day to be completely tech-free.

No phones, no laptops, no TV. Just you and the world around you, plus whatever activity you decide to indulge in.

It’s going to be quite fun and astounding in the beginning when you wander around looking for stuff to do, but over time, you’ll find yourself loving this one hour of digital detox.

It’s the best way to kill the noise from the virtual world and make yourself one with the universe that you belong to.

Up For A 21-Day Challenge?

The magic of 21 days is real, dear friends.

You’ll be surprised at what you can accomplish with a little patience and commitment for just 21 days of your life.

So, what’s your first challenge going to be?

Share with me down below, please. It’ll help you feel accountable and make me happy too!