Shifting the focus from strict discipline to personal devotion may hold the key to building lasting habits and fostering well-being, according to new insights highlighted in a recent feature by CNN. The article, published on June 26, 2025, explores emerging expert perspectives and real-life experiences, challenging the traditional narrative that willpower and self-control are always the most effective tools for personal development. As Thai society continues its journey of rapid change and self-improvement, the question of how to nurture sustainable health and wellness habits is more relevant than ever.
For generations, discipline has been upheld as the cornerstone of success, whether in classrooms, offices, or gyms. Thai parents, educators, and even popular culture often reinforce the idea that personal achievement hinges on one’s ability to exercise self-control and grit in the face of temptation or adversity. However, as new voices in health psychology and behavioral science challenge this narrative globally, more Thais are grappling with daily routines—diet, exercise, digital detox, and self-care—that feel either like an endless burden or a source of quiet joy. The latest research offers nuanced answers that connect profoundly with Thai lived experience, especially as traditional notions of discipline intersect with the rising importance of mindfulness and self-compassion rooted in Buddhist culture.
Central to the article’s argument is the distinction between discipline, devotion, and habit. Social media influencers—like fitness motivators and lifestyle authors—have popularized the message that discipline is essential to forming new habits. However, newer creators and thinkers suggest an alternative: what if lasting habits stem less from rigid self-control and more from devotion, or a self-chosen sense of care and commitment? Liv, an artist and content creator, embodies this new approach by transforming daily routines—like cooking and self-care—into acts of devotion, characterized by patience, self-respect, and connection to purpose, rather than obligation or external pressure (CNN).
Research cited in the article explains that habits—such as washing hands after using the restroom or brushing teeth in the morning—are formed through repeated exposure to contextual cues, eventually becoming automatic behaviors. “You don’t have to try or make a decision to form habits,” said the Provost Professor Emerita of Psychology and Business at the University of Southern California Dornsife. In contrast, true discipline involves conscious effort, often requiring emotional and mental energy. Studies suggest this is not a sustainable long-term strategy. “Discipline and self-control and willpower…are short-term motivations that we can control in the short run. When you see people who seem to have a lot of self-discipline, what you find is they’re really not struggling with the decisions they’re making. They do so automatically,” she explained.
Another critical voice, the Harold M. Brierley Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School and author of “The Ritual Effect: From Habit to Ritual, Harness the Surprising Power of Everyday Actions,” adds that rituals—distinct from both habits and discipline—are filled with emotion and meaning. For many, building a meaningful routine around a practice, such as mindfulness meditation or careful food preparation, creates a sense of belonging, intention, and joy. He points out that the difference becomes clear when routine order is disrupted: discomfort indicates the act has become more of a ritual or a practice of devotion than an automatic habit.
These distinctions have direct, practical meaning in Thailand, where personal improvement is often positioned between wishful New Year’s resolutions and the grind of daily survival. While some Thai office workers meticulously follow company codes (discipline), others turn morning almsgiving or evening walks in the park into meaningful, self-chosen rituals (devotion). Clinical psychology experts cited in the article emphasize that the best approach varies by person and situation—even for a single individual, workplace routines may benefit from traditional discipline, while personal health behaviors flourish with a spirit of devotion.
There is no universal prescription. As the clinical psychologist and author of “Taming Your Inner Brat: A Guide for Transforming Self-Defeating Behavior,” points out, understanding one’s motivations—internal or external, short-term or rooted in deeper purpose—is essential. Setting a target to lose weight before a wedding, for instance, may drive short bursts of disciplined action. However, research suggests that only goals aligned with personal values and inner purpose are likely to endure after the external event passes (CNN).
For Thai readers, where Buddhist mindfulness is already integrated into much of daily life, the emphasis on devotion over cold discipline resonates at both cultural and personal levels. National health initiatives increasingly encourage not just adopting healthy habits but finding self-compassion and intrinsic meaning in those choices. Examples can be seen in school-based mindfulness programs, temple retreats for stress management, and community-based care for elders—all emphasizing gentle repetition and personal meaning over strict enforcement.
Despite this rising interest, challenges persist. Societal expectations, especially regarding academic achievement and career advancement, can pressure young Thais to view self-improvement as a relentless struggle of willpower. The rapid spread of technology and social media may exacerbate this by glamorizing intensive “grind culture” or fleeting influencer challenges. For many, the cycle of starting, failing, and restarting healthy routines leaves a sour aftertaste of self-blame.
Experts caution that lasting change requires patience and compassion. Research highlighted by both the University of Southern California and Harvard Business School suggests breaking large goals into manageable steps and rewarding small victories along the way. “It’s a kind of more sustainable way to live because it’s rooted in patience and compassion and showing up for yourself,” the content creator Liv explains. Ultimately, success may not lie in forcing oneself to comply with strict regimens, but in aligning goals with a sense of devotion—“not pride, but more about aligning with the way that you want to live.”
Looking forward, these insights are poised to reshape the way Thais approach health and education goals, from urban schools to rural health stations. As mental health and emotional well-being receive greater official attention—from Ministry of Public Health campaigns on stress resilience to school counseling—expect to see a growing embrace of devotion-based strategies. International research also provides clues: for example, studies in behavioral economics demonstrate that habit formation is far more likely to succeed when activities are personally meaningful and grounded in positive emotion (SpringerLink).
For the many Thais seeking change—whether it’s carving time for quiet reflection, preparing nutritious meals, minimizing smartphone use, or learning new skills—the message is clear: start with small, meaningful steps. Rather than attempting a wholesale overhaul fuelled purely by discipline, cultivate devotion by identifying what truly matters to you, and structure your routines as self-honoring rituals that reflect this. Actively reward consistency, not just achievement, and integrate compassion when routines falter. By drawing on Thailand’s own rich traditions of mindfulness, caring communities, and inner reflection, individuals can forge habits that are not just sustainable but deeply fulfilling.
For further reading on building habits through devotion and ritual, see: “Why devotion rather than discipline may be the key to habit formation” (CNN), “The Ritual Effect: From Habit to Ritual, Harness the Surprising Power of Everyday Actions”, and research on Mindfulness and Habitual Behavior.