Small Choices, Meaningful Lives: Habits Beyond Productivity

In this episode of The Clinical Moment, the hosts are joined by Joe (LSI therapist, Des Moines) for a grounded, values-centered conversation about habits and self-care. Rather than framing habits as “fixing yourself” or becoming more productive, the discussion reframes habits as signals of what we’re valuing, avoiding, coping with, or moving toward. Joe shares how his existential, person-centered approach emphasizes meaning-making, identity, authenticity, and learning to sit with discomfort (instead of only trying to “cope it away”). Together, they explore how habits can support change when they’re rooted in values and identity, how language shapes commitment (“I’m trying” vs. “I am”), and how small shifts can compound over time, especially when approached with curiosity and grace rather than judgment.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode

Books & Authors

• Atomic Habits — James Clear
• How Not to Speak of God — Peter Rollins
• The Case for God — Karen Armstrong
• Hour of the Heart — Irvin Yalom
• A Year with Thomas Merton — Thomas Merton
• The Existentialist Survival Guide — Gordon Marino
• Man’s Search for Meaning — Viktor Frankl

Concepts & Approaches

• Values clarification / values card sort (narrowing down values and creating a personal values statement)
• Identity-based habit change (language + identity shift)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) (acceptance + values-based action)
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) (dialectics; coping strategies; “urge surfing” referenced)
• Solution-Focused “Magic Wand” question (imagining desired change)
• Time audit / screen-time review (where time goes vs. where you want it to go)

Practical Tools Discussed

• 5–4–3–2–1 grounding: 5 things you see, 4 feel, 3 hear, 2 smell, 1 taste
• Texture grounding: noticing tactile sensations (clothing, chair, objects)
• “Go touch grass”: literal reconnection with the present moment outdoors
• Sour candy grounding: lemon drops / sour candies as a quick sensory reset
• Accountability supports: trusted people, mentorship, community support (12-step mentioned as one example—acknowledging it isn’t for everyone)