What improved your quality of life, so much, you wish you did it sooner?

[piddocktrumperiness]

For me it's a few things:
-Learning what past trauma is and how it plays out in relationships
-Learn to say no to things and people and not feel bad about it
-Realising no one really notices or cares what I do or look like; felt liberated to not always wear lots of makeup, dress in a new outfit or have my roots done, or eat out alone, or do anything alone.
-Not watching much current tv and picking up a book instead
-Listening to James O' Brien on LBC ( I know he's not everyone's cup of tea- but I learned alot)
-Waking up v early to have some me time. This was hard as I was a night owl for many years.
-Declutter and only buy when I need something. To be honest this started as I had to downsize to an empty flat after my divorce and am on not much money but it has helped with not worrying about possessions and all the cleaning involved.
-Divorce my ex husband- biggest impact haha

What improved yours?

Proper exercise that I enjoy enough to genuinely want to do. Not tickling around the edges, or forcing myself to do it and hating it so much I latch on to any excuse to skip it. That has made more difference to my life and general feeling of well-being and contentment than everything else put together. Maybe aside from relationships.

@Boood What exercises do you do that you enjoy?

Waking up early and having a lovely hour and a half before anyone gets up and talks at me.
I am not a morning person and used to stay in bed until the very last minute I possibly could in order to get everything done before leaving.
I now wake up and get up at about 5:30 to just go downstairs and potter about. Now it’s light in the mornings I open the back doors and sometimes sit outside in peace, unload the dishwasher and make ds packed lunch, sort the washing out etc and give the kitchen a little spruce up.
I thought this would also have the benefit of encouraging an earlier bedtime but this hasn’t happened so far!

Antidepressants.

A bullet vibrator.

Yoga.
Marriage therapy.
Antidepressants.

Counselling for my childhood. I thought it was coping with it ok, but really it was just there under the surface waiting to reappear. Feel much better now that I've processed it healthily and I'm not constantly triggered.

Appreciating the small things focusing in being grateful for what I have rather than what I haven't got.

Being less busy. Busy me is stressed out and overwhelmed, and not much fun for my DH and kids to be around. I now make time to unashamedly do nothing, or a "pointless" hobby.

Get off (most) social media. Comparison is the thief of joy.

Getting a cleaner.

My lovely dog.

Nice gym membership, place I can go for me time.

@piddocktrumperiness I run and I do yoga. The running has to be outside in a nice place, because at least half the enjoyment for me comes from the fresh air and the scenery. Running on a treadmill in a gym is soul-destroyingly boring and there’s nothing to distract you from the hard work. And following up with a nice, slow, stretchy yoga practice doesn’t even feel like exercise, it’s just a form of relaxation.

@Boood i tried a yoga class once. The lady was lovely, really informative and helpful as I was a total newcomer but I just don’t think it’s for me sadly. I wanted to feel rested and stretched but in reality I just felt stressed and bored! I like my exercise to be high intensity (like running and spinning), I know people get fully into the zone with yoga but I just wanted it to be over asap!
I’m tempted to give it a go at the end of a run or spin to see if that’s more helpful.

Try a vinyasa flow class. You are constantly moving from one position to another and it can be very fast-paced and cardio heavy, and as you're always having to think you don't get bored. Lots on YouTube but you have to find am instructor who doesn't irritate you! I love the DownDog yoga app as you can pick what workout you want, how long, what to focus on, the music, pace etc. Etc so you can get a different class each time.

My hysterectomy.

Going part time.

Great idea for a thread.

-Left EA ex and have decided to remain single.
-Began letting go of people's opinions - they are not facts or truths, nor am I responsible for other people's opinions, beliefs and behaviour.
-Got a family pet.
-Rearranged priorities, for my and DC's ultimate benefit, not for anyone else!

Stoping drinking. Going alcohol free was such a game changer for me.

Healthier. Brighter. Better sleep. No mood swings.

I was such a wine o clock Prosecco cliche mum. So embarrassing.

Leaving my abusive ex.

It was only a few weeks ago and I am still in temporary digs but while I am worrying about the financial side of things I am so much calmer and happier.

Yes I am mourning for the relationship and future I wish we had, and I wish dc didn't have to split time between us (because ex has a good relationship with dc and was only horrible to me) but life is so much less stressful.

Getting an adhd diagnosis and treatment. Absolutely life changing.

Moving to a house in the country, I feel there is space to breathe here.

Botox
Vaseline for eczema
Audio books
Writing to do lists
Pole dancing

Cleaning the dishwasher filter once a week.

Thanks for the advice @Penguintears - they offer these at my gym so I’ll book myself on to one.

Bluetooth over the ear headphones
Dyson cordless
handbag sized version of my scent
(buying eau de parfum not toilette so it actually stays on my skin all day). I’m low maintenance, virtually no make up but I love to smell expensive!
giving up coffee and coke- realised it was the link to my back ache and plantar fasciitis.
buyung quality not quantity in everything
starling bank for day to dat life
handbag sized slim but powerful phone charger always with me
first class train travel is often only a few pounds more but makes a huge difference to the journey.

Going to the gym. Started in February. First time I've ever done anything physical since evil PE lessons in school. Absolutely loving it. Took me 50 years to get there.

A hot tub

Making local friends.

Installing an outside tap. Who would think that tiny thing could be so useful.