Better Than Before: What I Learned About Making and Breaking Habits--to Sleep More, Quit Sugar, Procrastinate Less, and Generally Build a Happier Life

by Gretchen Rubin

It’s human nature: we seek loopholes. Even when we’re deeply committed to a good habit, even when we enjoy that habit, we’re often seeking possible justifications to excuse ourselves from it … just this once. With a little ingenuity, there’s a loophole for every occasion.

I was fascinated by each of the 21 strategies for habit change, but I must say, I most enjoyed working on this chapter. We're so imaginative about coming up with loopholes! I loved collecting great ones, and I had to cut out dozens of dozens of examples that I initially included. I got such a kick out of each one; it was hard to pick the few most striking or typical ones. Maybe one day I'll do a little ironic "Book of Loopholes," just for fun. They're hilarious.