ROUGH AS GUTS: HABITS TO TURN AROUND
190 candidate ideas across 17 areas. Bad habit -> better way.
For men, women and high-school-age young people. Drafts to test with readers.

PERSONAL HYGIENE AND LOOKING AFTER YOUR BODY

001. Using deodorant to extend the working life of dirty clothes -> wash yourself and wear clean clothes.
002. Brushing your teeth only when someone important might smell them -> make dental care an everyday routine.
003. Leaving the wet towel in a floor heap, then complaining it smells -> hang it to dry and wash it regularly.
004. Leaving beard trimmings, hair or makeup residue as a bathroom signature -> clean up after yourself.
005. Emptying the toilet roll without appointing a successor -> replace it before leaving.
006. Treating handwashing as an optional finishing touch -> wash at the relevant times, including before preparing food.
007. Sharing personal care items because ownership seems complicated -> keep personal items separate and care for them properly.
008. Wearing yesterday’s sweaty sports gear because it has dried -> wash it and prepare clean gear.
009. Ignoring a persistent health concern because mentioning it would make it official -> seek suitable professional advice.
010. Mocking someone for taking care of themselves -> support the habit and consider what you could learn.
Guidance:
Healthdirect: dental care and teeth cleaning: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/healthy-living/hygiene-and-protection/teeth-cleaning

FOOD, COOKING AND EATING

011. Shopping for the organised person you imagine becoming -> plan meals you can realistically prepare and enjoy.
012. Buying a fourth sauce bottle because checking the cupboard takes effort -> check supplies before shopping.
013. Starting dinner before discovering what the recipe requires -> read the method and organise the ingredients and equipment.
014. Keeping a fridge full of unidentified historic events -> label stored food and follow storage and use instructions.
015. Treating a sniff as a complete food-safety assessment -> use proper storage guidance and date information.
016. Eating straight from a shared container, then returning it for everyone -> serve your portion using clean utensils.
017. Returning empty packets to the cupboard -> dispose of them and update the shopping list.
018. Calling a bench full of cooking mess “the chef’s privilege” -> include cleaning in the cooking job.
019. Buying takeaway because the groceries require too much imagination -> keep a few achievable meals in your repertoire.
020. Criticising every meal while contributing only appetite -> help plan, prepare, serve or clean up.
Guidance:
Eat for Health: meal planning: https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/eating-well/tips-eating-well/meal-planning
Queensland Health: recognising potentially unsafe food: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/staying-healthy/food-pantry/food-safety-for-consumers/food-safety-and-your-health/signs-of-potentially-unsafe-food

CLEANING AND SHARED SPACES

021. Building a rubbish sculpture above the bin -> empty it before the contents develop architecture.
022. Putting rubbish beside the bin to save opening the lid -> put it in the appropriate bin.
023. Leaving dishes “to soak” until somebody else takes over -> wash, dry and put away your share.
024. Vacuuming around the same piles every week -> put things away so the floor can be cleaned.
025. Giving every room the same treatment with one filthy cloth -> use suitable cleaning equipment and keep it clean.
026. Cleaning only the section visitors can see -> agree what the job includes and finish it.
027. Moving clutter from one room into another -> decide where it belongs, whether it is needed and who owns it.
028. Leaving spills for the household’s mysterious cleaning spirit -> deal with them appropriately and promptly.
029. Keeping broken cleaning equipment because buying it counted as effort -> maintain or replace it.
030. Treating a shared toilet as somebody else’s problem -> leave it clean and supplied for the next person.

LAUNDRY, POSSESSIONS AND DOMESTIC ORGANISATION

031. Promoting a chair to permanent clothes storage -> sort washing from clothes ready to put away.
032. Leaving laundry in the machine until the next person excavates it -> finish washing, drying and putting away.
033. Keeping clean and dirty clothes in one democratic heap -> give them separate, usable places.
034. Starting every departure with a search for keys, glasses and phone -> give essentials a consistent home.
035. Buying storage containers instead of deciding what to keep -> sort possessions before buying more storage.
036. Bringing home another “easy restoration” while six projects block the garage -> assess the work, space and actual use first.
037. Keeping broken things indefinitely because they might become useful -> repair, pass on or dispose of them deliberately.
038. Putting something somewhere “safe” that changes every time -> use a place you can remember and retrieve it from.
039. Using the last shared supply and developing selective blindness -> refill it, replace it or tell the household.
040. Keeping everyone’s belongings mixed together, then blaming them for losing things -> agree accessible places and respect them.

TIME, ATTENTION AND GETTING THINGS FINISHED

041. Snoozing every reminder until it becomes background music -> act on it or deliberately reschedule it.
042. Saving an appointment screenshot and expecting destiny to remind you -> put the commitment in a usable calendar.
043. Planning an arrival time without allowing for getting ready or travelling -> plan the whole departure.
044. Saying yes to commitments that cannot all fit -> give an honest answer before others depend on it.
045. Starting another project whenever the current one becomes unglamorous -> finish, pause or retire projects deliberately.
046. Watching tutorials instead of practising -> use suitable instruction and actually try the skill.
047. Rewriting the to-do list as a substitute for doing it -> choose a real task and work through it.
048. Checking every notification while complaining about interruptions -> choose when to check messages.
049. Calling something “nearly finished” while everyone waits for the usable result -> agree what finished means.
050. Treating asking for help as proof of incompetence -> ask a useful question and learn the part you do not know.

MONEY, BUYING AND BORROWING

051. Buying something because it is discounted rather than wanted -> check the need, total cost and budget.
052. Avoiding the bank balance so the money can enjoy its privacy -> review spending and upcoming commitments.
053. Collecting subscriptions you no longer remember joining -> review recurring charges and cancel unused services.
054. Treating several instalment purchases as several tiny prices -> consider all repayments together.
055. Buying duplicates because finding the original seems harder -> check what you own first.
056. Borrowing on terms that become conveniently vague -> agree the terms and keep your promise.
057. Lending money you need for your own commitments to avoid an awkward conversation -> set an honest boundary.
058. Hiding purchases from someone who shares the financial consequences -> discuss the shared budget and decisions.
059. Keeping receipts in six vehicles and three washing machines -> keep purchase records somewhere retrievable.
060. Spending to look successful while neglecting things you actually value -> decide what you want your money to make possible.
Guidance:
ASIC MoneySmart: buy now pay later services: https://moneysmart.gov.au/other-ways-to-borrow/buy-now-pay-later-services

SLEEP, ENERGY, EXERCISE AND RECREATION

061. Treating bedtime as the beginning of tomorrow’s scrolling -> make room for a workable wind-down and sleep routine.
062. Giving everyone nearby front-row access to your late-night videos -> use headphones and respect their rest.
063. Buying exercise equipment for a person who never arrives -> choose movement you can realistically enjoy and return to.
064. Collecting workout videos while remaining seated through all of them -> choose an appropriate activity and participate.
065. Turning every friendly game into a personal selection trial -> agree the spirit of the game and include everyone’s enjoyment.
066. Copying someone else’s training without understanding it -> get suitable guidance for your ability and circumstances.
067. Treating pain or exhaustion as a competition -> pause and seek appropriate advice.
068. Scheduling every spare moment until leisure becomes another shift -> protect time for rest and unstructured enjoyment.
069. Making every social gathering depend on drinking -> include enjoyable options that do not depend on alcohol.
070. Abandoning an activity because you were not immediately impressive -> practise with support and notice what improves.
Guidance:
Healthdirect: sleep: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/sleep

CONVERSATION, FRUSTRATION AND CONFLICT

071. Preparing your next story while somebody else speaks -> listen and ask a relevant follow-up.
072. Turning every conversation into a comparison you must win -> let another person’s experience stand on its own.
073. Giving instructions when a friend wanted someone to listen -> ask what kind of support would help.
074. Delivering an apology with a fully loaded “but” -> name your action, acknowledge its effect and make amends.
075. Saving unrelated complaints for the next argument -> discuss one specific issue at a suitable time.
076. Sending the furious message while your thumbs are still at full throttle -> pause and rewrite the actual concern or request.
077. Treating a changed opinion as a public defeat -> acknowledge new information and update your view.
078. Using “I’m just honest” to excuse unnecessary cruelty -> be truthful with care and a useful purpose.
079. Taking a bad day out on everyone within reach -> explain that you are struggling and ask for space or help.
080. Continuing the joke after its target stops laughing -> stop, listen and repair the interaction.

ADULT DATING, AFFECTION AND PARTNERSHIP

081. Treating a date as an audition for your autobiography -> show curiosity and make room for their story.
082. Negotiating a declined invitation like a used-car purchase -> accept the answer without pressure.
083. Assuming affection gives permission for whatever comes next -> check that the other person wants the same thing.
084. Expecting a partner to read clues instead of hearing a request -> say what you need clearly and respectfully.
085. Calling jealousy proof of love -> discuss boundaries without monitoring or controlling the other person.
086. Keeping a secret scoreboard of every favour -> talk about whether the arrangement feels fair.
087. Announcing “I would have helped if you’d asked” after watching the job happen -> agree responsibilities and own your share.
088. Leaving one person to organise every enjoyable occasion -> contribute ideas, preparation and follow-through.
089. Making jokes about your partner’s private vulnerabilities in public -> protect their dignity and keep private matters private.
090. Expecting romance to survive on whatever attention is left over -> agree time to enjoy each other’s company.

PARENTING AND THE EXAMPLE ADULTS SET

091. Shouting “stop shouting” from the opposite end of the house -> move closer and model the voice you want.
092. Demanding apologies while refusing to give them -> demonstrate acknowledging mistakes and repairing harm.
093. Calling every question backchat -> hear the question before deciding how to respond.
094. Doing every manageable task for a child, then calling them incapable -> demonstrate, practise together and hand over responsibility.
095. Expecting children to know household skills nobody taught them -> show the steps and allow supported practice.
096. Promising family time while remaining absorbed in your phone -> protect a period of available attention.
097. Comparing siblings as a motivational strategy -> recognise individual effort, needs and progress.
098. Telling children to respect others while mocking strangers yourself -> model the behaviour in ordinary situations.
099. Making a child responsible for keeping the adults emotionally settled -> seek adult support and let the child be a child.
100. Passing down “that’s how I was raised” without examining the result -> keep what helps and learn another way where needed.

HIGH-SCHOOL LIFE, FRIENDSHIPS AND GROWING INDEPENDENCE

101. Copying an answer to conceal not understanding -> ask for an explanation and practise the difficult part.
102. Saving assignment reminders without opening the assignment -> read the task and clarify what it requires.
103. Packing yesterday’s bag for today’s timetable -> check what the coming day needs.
104. Leaving lunch containers sealed until they become biology projects -> unpack, wash and prepare them for reuse.
105. Laughing along with a pile-on to avoid standing out -> stop contributing and support the person being targeted.
106. Calling harm “only a joke” -> acknowledge the effect and help put things right.
107. Accepting a dangerous dare to protect your reputation -> use a refusal you can say and leave with support.
108. Treating somebody’s possessions or family circumstances as their rank -> judge how people treat others.
109. Repeating an adult’s hostile behaviour because it looks powerful -> practise a response that protects your dignity and other people’s.
110. Assuming one failed attempt proves you are useless -> get feedback and try again with appropriate help.

PHONES, GAMING AND ONLINE BEHAVIOUR

111. Posting the group photo because you look excellent -> check whether the other people are comfortable with sharing it.
112. Forwarding screenshots before remembering they contain someone else’s business -> check permission and protect private information.
113. Sharing a headline without opening the story -> check the source and what the evidence actually says.
114. Leaving incorrect information online because correcting yourself feels embarrassing -> make the correction clearly.
115. Giving your phone the best seat at every meal -> agree when to put it aside.
116. Staying in an online argument until everyone else falls asleep -> ask whether anything useful remains and step away.
117. Calling abuse “gaming banter” -> keep competition enjoyable without targeting people.
118. Sharing passwords as proof of friendship or affection -> keep accounts secure and respect each other’s privacy.
119. Buying game extras without checking the real-money total -> understand the cost and agree spending limits.
120. Recording the entire outing while barely joining it -> take some agreed photos, then participate.
Guidance:
eSafety Commissioner: sharing photos and personal information: https://www.esafety.gov.au/kids/I-want-help-with/personal-information-online

WORKSITES, WORKSHOPS AND EARNING TRUST

121. Signing task paperwork as though autographing a fan’s shirt -> read it, check it fits the job and ask about uncertainty.
122. Treating a new starter’s question as an interruption -> explain, demonstrate appropriately and check understanding.
123. Hiding damaged equipment so the next person gets the surprise -> report it and follow the workplace process.
124. Reporting hazards into a bottomless suggestion box -> acknowledge reports, act and tell the crew what happened.
125. Blaming attitude when the job lacks time, equipment or clear instructions -> fix the conditions needed to do the work properly.
126. Calling gear in a walkway “temporary” for three months -> provide suitable storage and keep access clear.
127. Returning a borrowed tool without its accessories -> check and return the complete kit as agreed.
128. Declaring the job finished while leaving the mess as somebody else’s inheritance -> include clearing, storage and handover.
129. Pretending to understand an unfamiliar task to avoid looking new -> ask before proceeding.
130. Making speed the only achievement anyone notices -> recognise careful work, useful reporting and helping others learn.
Guidance:
WorkSafe Queensland: reporting safety: https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/safety-and-prevention/creating-safe-work/reporting-safety

FIFO CAMPS, TRAVEL AND THE OUTDOORS

131. Conducting a full-volume conversation outside sleeping quarters -> move the conversation away from people resting.
132. Treating camp laundry machines as personal storage lockers -> collect your washing promptly.
133. Assuming off-shift means available for your entertainment -> ask whether someone has time and accept their answer.
134. Packing for six imaginary holidays while forgetting this trip’s essentials -> prepare for the actual plans and conditions.
135. Treating the fuel gauge as a test of optimism -> plan suitable stops before departure.
136. Assuming phone reception follows you into the scrub -> check the trip’s communication and navigation arrangements.
137. Changing a remote-trip plan while your contact follows the old one -> communicate relevant changes.
138. Leaving a property gate however it happens to land -> follow the property’s instructions and check it is secure.
139. Bringing a dog and announcing that everybody loves dogs -> check access rules, care arrangements and other people’s comfort.
140. Leaving rubbish beside a full bin as an act of faith -> use suitable disposal or carry it out.

FRIENDS, NEIGHBOURS, CLUBS AND ENJOYING LIFE TOGETHER

141. Complaining that the club is dying while the same three people run it -> take on a useful job you can reliably complete.
142. Volunteering everyone else for the working bee -> ask them and commit your own contribution.
143. Arriving at the shared picnic with a chair and an appetite -> agree what to bring or how to help.
144. Saying “probably” to an invitation while waiting for a better offer -> give an honest answer and update the host.
145. Returning borrowed gear with a mystery fault and no explanation -> report what happened and help resolve it.
146. Greeting newcomers with a test of whether they belong -> introduce yourself and explain how to join in.
147. Treating shared venues as places with invisible cleaning staff -> leave them ready for the next group.
148. Coaching children from the sideline as though national selectors are listening -> encourage effort and let them play.
149. Offering a running commentary while others do the work -> ask what help is useful and take part.
150. Waiting for somebody else to organise all the fun -> invite people into something achievable and share the preparation.

GARDENING

151. Buying plants because they look good beside the nursery checkout -> choose plants suited to your space, conditions and care capacity.
152. Putting a sun-loving plant wherever the spare pot happens to fit -> check the plant’s light and space needs before choosing its home.
153. Planting for the weather you would prefer to have -> use suitable local seasonal guidance and the conditions you actually have.
154. Watering everything on autopilot, including yesterday’s puddle -> check the plants, soil and weather and follow local water guidance.
155. Giving a struggling plant extra fertiliser before finding out what is wrong -> check its growing conditions and seek suitable advice before adding products.
156. Treating fertiliser directions as a conservative opening bid -> use products only as labelled and store them appropriately.
157. Leaving tools in the garden until the mower discovers them -> clean, check and store tools after use.
158. Keeping a hose across the path because the garden is nearly finished -> put it away so people can use the path.
159. Buying seeds for a market garden while owning two usable pots -> plan a growing space you can maintain and enjoy.
160. Forgetting what you planted, then asking every green shoot for identification -> label plants and keep useful growing notes.
161. Letting weeds set up headquarters while waiting for a heroic cleanup day -> identify them and use a suitable local control approach before they spread.
162. Throwing everything into the compost and expecting gardening magic -> follow suitable compost guidance and keep unsuitable material out.
163. Planting first and checking the mature size when it reaches the gutter -> allow for the plant’s eventual size and nearby structures.
164. Digging as though underground services are somebody else’s plot twist -> check the location and requirements for services before ground disturbance.
165. Choosing unfamiliar plants without considering children or pets -> check suitability with reliable local guidance before bringing them home.
166. Using a spray because the bottle has a picture of something green -> identify the problem and follow the correct product label and conditions.
167. Pruning somebody else’s garden according to your personal artistic vision -> ask the owner and learn the suitable method before cutting.
168. Planting edibles without checking the growing site or materials -> check that the site, containers and materials are suitable for food growing.
169. Taking the community garden’s harvest while missing every working bee -> agree how produce and work are shared and contribute accordingly.
170. Turning gardening into a competition over whose lawn fears them most -> choose a useful, manageable garden and make time to enjoy it.
Guidance:
Queensland Government: waterwise gardening: https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/water/residence/use/garden
Before You Dig Australia: plan before ground disturbance: https://www.byda.com.au/before-you-dig/

PREPPING AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

171. Buying a dramatic survival gadget before learning the local hazards -> check official local advice and prepare for the emergencies relevant to your area.
172. Keeping the household emergency plan entirely inside one person’s head -> make a shared plan that everyone can understand and access.
173. Treating last year’s emergency kit as a sealed time capsule -> check the contents, condition and dates and replace what is needed.
174. Buying supplies for an imaginary siege while everyday essentials run out -> use an official household kit checklist and plan around actual needs.
175. Keeping the torch in one drawer and its batteries in a mystery location -> store suitable working lighting and its power supply where they can be found.
176. Saving important phone numbers only on the phone that may be unavailable -> keep accessible backup contact details as part of the household plan.
177. Waiting for a rumour in the group chat to become the warning system -> know the official warning channels for your location and follow current advice.
178. Assuming everybody will find each other without discussing it -> agree contact arrangements and meeting options suited to the household.
179. Making a plan that only works for the fastest person in the house -> include mobility, communication, medical and other support needs.
180. Remembering the pets when the car is already packed -> include animals, their care needs and transport arrangements in the plan.
181. Storing emergency supplies behind furniture nobody can move -> keep them secure, accessible and known to the people who may need them.
182. Relying on a single charged device as the entire communications department -> plan suitable backup power and ways to receive official information.
183. Packing food that nobody in the household can eat -> include suitable dietary needs and items the household can actually use.
184. Buying emergency food once and rediscovering it a decade later -> check dates and rotate supplies through ordinary use as appropriate.
185. Leaving essential documents scattered across the house -> keep suitable protected copies accessible as part of the plan.
186. Assuming a neighbour will organise your transport without being asked -> discuss support and transport arrangements before they are needed.
187. Planning to improvise unfamiliar equipment during an outage -> learn its correct use beforehand and follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions.
188. Keeping old contacts and last year’s household arrangements in the emergency plan -> review it when people, contact details, needs or living arrangements change.
189. Putting on a brave face while having no idea what the warning means -> ask, learn the local warning system and follow the relevant official instructions.
190. Treating being prepared as a reason to distrust everybody nearby -> build practical neighbour connections and discuss how to help each other.
Guidance:
Get Ready Queensland: make a plan: https://www.getready.qld.gov.au/prepare/make-plan
Get Ready Queensland: pack a kit: https://www.getready.qld.gov.au/prepare/kit
Get Ready Queensland: pets and animals: https://www.getready.qld.gov.au/pets-and-animal-resources