What Are Your ‘Broken Windows’?

I had a ‘broken window day’ yesterday.

I can't actually remember where I first came across the term, but it relates to the ‘broken windows theory’. The belief is that if minor examples of disorder or petty crime (like broken windows, graffiti, dodging through the ticket barrier without paying) are tolerated, then people are more likely to commit more serious crimes.

Whether or not it's true on a community level, it's certainly relevant on a personal level.

Personal ‘broken windows’ are the small things that we don't do that lead us to having an off day at best, or a growing feeling of disorder and overwhelm at worst.

Mine include:

• staying in my yoga kit the entire day

• not going outside

• piles of dirty laundry

• leaving my hair unwashed a day too long

• not making my bed (this never happens, the consequences are too dire!)

Does fixing a broken window really matter? After all, in the context of a happy life, an unmade bed doesn’t feel like that big a deal. But research shows that implementing small signs of order make us feel more in control - and happier.

We never regret making our bed, or having a good hair day, or getting on our yoga mats. These small rituals create a sense of order, self respect and calm. Our nervous system feels regulated by structure. It loves routine and predictability. It looks for patterns it can count on.

These small actions create structure, and structure creates safety in your system. When our nervous system feels safe, we respond instead of react. We think more clearly and live with intention.

Daily rituals are more than routines, they’re how we build self trust. They ground us, reduce overwhelm and shift our perspective of ourself.

The little things add up. They shape our life and the world around us.

What are your ‘broken windows’? Do you agree that small signs of disorder can make you feel out of control, generally?