Do Good, Be Good
Self-reliance
Astronauts look after themselves in space, and new habits can take weeks to stick! Discover how small daily jobs make you more independent and confident.
Did you know?
More than 100 years ago in Rome, Italy, Maria Montessori opened a school where even small children learned to pour, sweep, wash up and scrub tables themselves. She wanted children to grow independent in every way.
Astronauts on the International Space Station must look after their own bodies. They exercise for about two hours every day, because in space their muscles and bones would otherwise grow weak.
How long does it take to build a new habit? In one study, adults took 66 days on average before a new daily habit felt automatic (done without thinking). Missing a single day didn't spoil their progress!
Try this: My 'I Can Do It' Chart
Choose one new job to do by yourself every day, like packing your school bag, folding your clothes or watering a plant. Make a chart with 21 boxes, one for each day of three weeks, and tick a box each day you do the job. Missed a day? Don't worry, just carry on! At the end, does the job feel easier?
Go further: Self-reliant, Not Alone
Being self-reliant doesn't mean doing everything alone. Even astronauts, who manage so much by themselves, follow careful checklists and ask experts on Earth for help when they need it. Being self-reliant means knowing what you can do yourself, and knowing when and whom to ask. Make a 'Who Can Help?' list: a teacher for schoolwork, a librarian for books, a family member for cooking.