Little rules you live by

[ladybee28]

Discussing this with a couple of friends the other day – the tiny 'rules for life' you've picked up or developed along the way, that aren't fundamental principles of being a decent person, but that do make life better.

Some of theirs:

• "If you can do it in less than 2 minutes, do it immediately"
• "Never say anything about someone that you wouldn't say to their face"
• "If you're going to say hello to the dog, say hello to the owner."
• "Open a window first thing in the morning, no matter what the weather."

A few of mine:

• "When someone (rightly) corrects you, say thank you." (This has transformed the way I feel about learning the language in my new country)

• "Wherever possible, replace the word 'but' with the word 'and'." (For example, "I love my sister, AND she drives me mental sometimes." Or "I'd love to try public speaking, AND I'm really scared.")

• "If you think a compliment, open your mouth and let it out."

What are some of yours?

Leave a room better than you find it (or at least no worse).

I always live by spreading co plummets where compliments are due

Not meeting trouble half way

Be a tornado of happiness, gratitude and acceptance

Co plummets = compliments

Never go to sleep on an argument
Treat others how you would like to be treated
Don’t lend money you can’t afford to not get back

Do small things with great love.

If in doubt, don't.
Go with your gut.
This too, will pass.
One day, these will be the good old days.

"stay on top of the laundry" is mine.

My favourite is 'If you can't get out of it, get into it', i.e. if there's a task you can't get out of doing (especially a regular grind one, like housework), you might as well try and find a way to enjoy it or put a positive spin on it, rather than make it doubly bad by being cross and grumpy about it!

For example I'm loving learning Spanish at the moment, so whenever I'm doing boring, mindless housework, I listen to my Spanish audiobook or talk to myself in Spanish (I expect I sound bonkers!). The time flies by.

If you’re going to do it, do it properly! I hate it when things are half arsed.

It’s just as easy to be kind.

• don't go up the stairs empty handed
• pass on compliments if you hear one
• never involve friends in money dealings of any sort
• enjoy the moment (that is the hardest one of all I find)

Focus on the people who treat you well

I’m an older student at a uni. I’ve learnt that my success does not depend on someone else’s failure. So I will help others if I can, and also not get annoyed if someone qualifies for something that I don’t qualify for, or gets into a course even though they don’t meet the entry requirements that I’ve busted my gut to meet.

Love someone when they least deserve it, because that's when they really need it.

(Within reason, of course)

Difficult relationship and situation “who is the person I want to be now.” Works wonders in the adult ‘school yard’ scraps!

If you can't get out of it, get into it

Awesome. I love this.

Don't put things off - I'm still learning with this one.

When you're anxious remember everyone else is usually just focused on their worries and their lives most people aren't spending 24/7 obsessing over that daft thing you said last week 😂.

Not my circus not my monkeys

Try and always be kind

Be on time

f you can’t think of a good reason for doing something, probably best not to do it. A good one to keep tweens and teenagers safer!

If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.

Pass on praise where it is due.

Smile.

Treat yourself as well as you treat others

Be more cat (as in chill, not lick my bum and bring my husband dead mice)

Punctuality is not just politeness. It shows you care, you are involved.

Make the bed everyday. There are days when that is all I can achieve.

Just breath

Do unto others as you would have done to you.

Love the idea and spirit of the thread.
I try to live by the idea that there is always a reason to love those around me. So when my housemates are driving me up the wall I think how lovely something about them is. It really helps prevent the annoyance I'd feel otherwise.

Don’t put something in writing you wouldn’t want the person you are talking about to read.

Do it properly first time (trying to teach DS this one).

No point reinventing the wheel. Keep it simple - less is more.

Worry about things you have the power to change, worry less about the things that you can't

For paperwork, stuff that comes home from school, etc I use OHIO.
Only Handle It Once.

So fill in the form to be sent back, write the cheque for the school trip deposit even if you can’t afford to send it in yet.