365 Changes

The Happy Hour Alternative

Written by

Craig Constantine

in

Happy hour persists as default because no one suggests alternatives, not because everyone loves bar food. Research by Thaler on choice architecture shows defaults persist through inertia. A walk, coffee, or activity provides the same connection without derailing your goals. Be the one who suggests something different—many people secretly prefer alternatives. This companion covers why happy hour exists, why alternatives rarely get suggested, options that work, and how to propose them. (3 min read)

One thought like this, every morning.

You don’t need more information about eating. You need the right idea to show up at the right time — before hunger, before decisions, before habits kick in.

Every morning, 365 Changes sends you one. Not a meal plan. Not a rule. Just a question or idea to sit with while you make coffee. Each one is simple, but they accumulate — and slowly, the way you think about eating starts to shift.

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There’s more to read here — a companion essay that goes deeper into this topic. It might explore why willpower fades by evening, how your kitchen layout shapes what you eat, or what it really means to become someone who simply eats well. Each one takes a few minutes and leaves you thinking.

There are 84 of them across five areas — identity, environment, knowledge, decisions, and troubleshooting — and a Reader membership unlocks them all.

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