How do you make the most of your life ? How do you enjoy it as much as possible

[GingerKittenTail]

just interested in what others do

Hobbies.
Nice friends.
Good self care plus exercise.

It's the simple things for me. Life is far from instagram perfect so I appreciate and practice some regular things

1. I love a good cuppa
2. I always stop what I'm doing when the DC ever do want to talk to me. They're getting so big I relish these opportunities more now
3. Music always lifts my mood
4. Liza Tarbuck on Radio 2 is my go to if I'm ever feeling fed up
5. Get some fresh air every single day. I have a needy dog who loves constant contact so he's great therapy.
6. A good sleep routine keeps me happy and my bedroom is my sanctuary. No TV and lots of twinkly lights
7. Spend time with people who are good for your soul. Friends are like family at the age I'm at and I'm lucky to still have both parents
8. Life throws challenges with kids, illness, job losses etc but me and the DP somehow make each other belly laugh most days.
9. I love a good Pinterest board

Im far from a head in the clouds person, I think life can actually feel quite bleak at times. I've survived an abusive marriage so with that survival comes some appreciation for the very simple things in life for me

I say no to things that I know fundamentally would not make me happy and that would over stretch me

I try to say yes to new things once in a while to keep things fresh.

i also like to get outside,

Gratitude

Be grateful for the small things- having a cuppa in peace before the baby wakes, getting into a really good book, having something nice to eat or drink, listening to songs that make me feel nostalgic

Spending as much time with people I love as I can and distancing myself from people who I don't think bring anything positive to my family/ me as much as possible

Getting out every day, even for a quick walk really does wonders for me

Try and have something to look forward to in your diary. Doesn't have to be big/ expensive. I have a drive through coffee and listen to a podcast I love whilst my baby sleeps in the car on my day off. An hour to myself to just relax and switch off a little bit

I always stop what I'm doing when the DC ever do want to talk to me. They're getting so big I relish these opportunities more now

Excellent tip.

I spend time with people who are cheerful and positive. Lots of fresh air, exercise, sleep and home cooked food. Lots of creativity and recognising the little things that make me smile.

Avoid anyone who wants to be competitive or negative. Anyone who bitches about others.

I've stopped watching the news. I don't watch gloomy documentaries or dramas about child exploitation or domestic violence etc. None of those 'end of civilisation' films. I don't read the papers much any more.

I do a less stressful job on lower pay, and prefer it.

I have a lovely family and friends, and an even lovelier dog! I’ve suffered from depression all my life though, so sometimes it’s not easy.

As a default I say no. Then, if I think it will be ok, I then say yes.
Learning to say no is very liberating.

Lovely thread.

I have the 99 Things That Bring Me Joy book which I often flick through to remind myself the things I really love.

Sometimes I get stuck in a fog of grey and forget all my favourite things.

I don't have as many friends as I used to. Everyone is so busy. I'd love to make more

Make the most of special moments. I love it when DH brings me tea in bed every morning. I love to watch DFS playing a game of cricket and it can go on for up to 6 hours. I take a picnic and bottle of wine and DH and I just love watching him bay and bowl. I like to chat toy adult DS's on phone. I like pottering in garden and cooking a meal for my family. I read and watch TV. DH and I like to go out for a meal every week and have a takeaway. In the Spring we have holiday booked to go to Amsterdam to see tulip fields. We have Xmas to look forward to.

I love this question!

1. Small things every day - definitely find time to add enjoyment to each day - make a good cup of tea or coffee in the morning, feed the birds then watch them, cuddle the cat and kids, put on your favourite music morning and evening, when folding laundry or prepping food. Stop to admire the sky, a shiny beetle, silvery cobwebs, autumn leaves etc - lots of nature fixes. Read a poem when you are on the loo. Do squats when you clean your teeth or leg raises when you boil the kettle. Run a bath with an uplifting scent, put candles on the dinner table - any small thing that makes you feel good.
2. Do something new every day or at least every week - visit new places, try new foods, music, arts, sports. It keeps life fresh and exciting and can open unexpected doors.
3. A great rule to live by is:
4. have a tiny thing every day to look forward to - coffee from your favourite cafe, a TV programme you love, a fitness class
5. have a couple of small things to look forward to each week - dinner or a hike with friends, a night at the cinema etc
6. have a couple of bigger things to look forward to each month: a special theatre show or music gig; a weekend away; a big party or get together with people you love
7. have a big thing to look forward to each season - a holiday, house renovation project, signing up for a course you really want to do, acquiring a new skill
8. achieve one or two milestone things each year - moving house, a new job or promotion, starting a business, losing weight or getting super fit, having a baby, graduation from college, a wedding, publishing a book or recording a CD, mounting an exhibition etc - anything which make you feel your life is vibrant and active, moving on, and these were the landmark events for this year.

Weird. I didn't add all those numbers. They appeared after I posted!

Sounds so simple but find what you love and make sure you enable it
All my clothes are from eBay and we are so frugal about heating and eating out but I go on holiday to my favourite places three times a year. The payoff is more then worth it for me.
Eg we might book a package holiday for low cost then hire a car and explore. I never get lunch out at work because I have in mind how much I can get when I'm away.

Dancing as if no one is watching, singing as if no one is listening, loving like I’ve never been hurt. 😎

Going on the climbing frames, swings, etc with my daughter. (Why do grown ups stop enjoying the play areas or dancing at concerts?)

Eating ice cream.

Stopping to enjoy the view.

Avoiding the news, there is no point stressing about things I have no control over.

cuddling my cat.

Loving myself enough to give myself time to keep fit and active and treating my body with respect, so eating good food.

Nice idea for a thread.

I am not sure I do make the most of my life. I seem to waste alot of time doing things out of obligation rather than joy (like working )

But things I like to do;

-go places (day trips and holidays) with the DCs. I pay careful attention to areas I can save in order I can do that.
-I like to go to the cinema.
-I have started swimming with the Dcs every weekend. DS1 has dyspraxia and cannot swim a stroke and he and his swimming teachers were getting frustrated (plus the expense). So I take the boys on Sundays and we splash around and we love it.

I am currently in a lousy working situation so am now proactively looking to make a change. That will hopefully make a difference.

I do things that I enjoy

I spend time with people that I like

I have hidays & hobbies that I enjoy

I enjoy the small things
Sunset
Hot drinks
Laughter
Good sleep
Love
Smells

I don't do things that I don't want to do

I think this is a brilliant attitude. We never spend money on stuff that doesn't matter to us. We have a creaky old car and a very unfashionable kitchen, but we go to loads of theatre shows and the occasional Michelin restaurants and have great holidays. Like @Sugarsandwiches whenever I catch myself thinking about buying something new I realise I'd far rather spend the money on experiences than stuff. work out what brings you joy and focus your free time and money on that.

Exercise. Yoga, meditation.

Get outside for a run or just a walk, even a short walk, day or night (we see barn owls and bars on late, post 9pm, walks).

Self care- small things. Lots of good examples already given by other posters. Relaxing baths, read, nice hot drink and water bottle in peaceful surroundings.

Don't just consume - produce.

I.e. don't spend all your time absorbing other peoples content. Make some thing of your own.

I learned to crochet and made unique gifts. Learned new software and use it to make my ideas come to life. Photography. Writing (I'm not good but learning) I'm designing an educational game for my SEN child. Coming up with new recipes. Made novelty or occasion cakes for friends and family. Make art.

It doesn't have to be something tangible or costly. I'm going to a friends house this week to drink wine and brainstorm her wedding.

Love this thread. I MUST listen to my soon to be 13 yo DD more before I lose her to teenagerhood!

Have loose tea to make in a nice pot to drink with my feet up on my day off work when I get the house to myself, with reality tv crap on, bliss!

Bats not bars!

Great thread. I agree with so much that PPs have written.

Not engaging with the news is a big one for me - I find this helps me be positive and present for my DC, friends and colleagues.

I also realised that watching TV makes me feel depressed, so I try to do it a lot less and read more which I love.

I used to daydream about all the things I would do when I retire, then one day I realised I was wishing my life away. I went part-time so I had time to do some of those things now. I have less money, but am much happier.

I love being by the sea and try to get there as much as possible.

If I'm feeling a bit blah, I make a list every evening of 10 good things about the day. They can be really small things like seeing a nice plant or a particularly enjoyable cup of tea. This really helps me appreciate what I have.

Spending time with family and friends is a big one.
I also like to spend the time doing things rather than just meeting for coffee or going to someone's house.
We arrange to meet at parks, National trust places, beaches, museums or head up to different towns.
I make the most of cheap tickets if I come across anything interesting.

I enjoy the simple things in life too like a nice cup of tea in my favourite mug or making some nice food and trying different recipes and eating around the table.

Reading books and watching films with the family.

I also love learning about the world and will do random courses or watch lectures and Ted Talks