The start of a new year often comes with big goals and plenty of advice about how to change your life overnight.

At Larita Academy, we keep things practical, human and grounded in what actually works.

Our coaches are well trained, passionate about wellbeing and focused on helping young people learn how to build good habits that fit real life. Through Larita EmPath™, they share tools that support confidence, momentum and long-term growth.

Mind Your Monkey Psychology delivers all Larita EmPath™ training and workshops across the Academy. This article was written by Larita Founder and Mind Your Monkey Psychology CEO Anita Pahor, alongside Dr Eamonn McCarthy (DFP, MAPS, FCFP), Chief Psychologist at Mind Your Monkey Psychology.

Together, they share six simple, science-backed ways to build habits in 2026 that are designed to stick:

- Go small. Tiny habits beat big promises every time

- Look back at moments in 2025 when you felt good and build from there

- Choose a vibe you want more of (calm, energy, confidence) and match actions to it

- Turn habits into simple rituals you can repeat, even on tired days

- Reframe your “flaws”, they’re often strengths that just need boundaries

- Build habits with people who support you, not pressure you

You don’t need a perfect year. You need small choices, repeated gently, in a life that’s already full.

Be kind to yourself. That’s the habit that makes everything else stick.

Read the full article on the Herald Sun website: Six ways to build habits that actually stick in 2026