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

I focus on today and I don't do too much so that I can really enjoy what I do do.

Some weekends I will do very little, just some cooking, walking, gardening, board games. Other times we will go to something we really want to do and make the most of it.

I have had a period of not being able to afford what we needed and so I still take huge pleasure in just being able to pay the bills without worrying. I'm pretty grateful for what I have, have had some scares in my time.

Focus on all the positives in your life.
No point in hankering over the private jet when that is never going to happen, but by being positive about all the good things in life that have already happened and are happening makes you realise how good life is.
So deliberately cultivating a "glass half full" attitude if that isn't something you were lucky enough to grow up with.

These are all so lovely to read 🥰

Do things for me, I'm studying for a new career, I crochet, I've taken on an allotment and some chickens. I absolutely love all of these things so I make time for them all.

The thing that makes me happiest is being with my family. Talking to and spending time with the kids. Laughing with my partner, chatting to my mum and sister.

Spending time at home cooking, with a clean house everyone pottering about or watching a movie.

Cuddling all my pets.

Getting out in nature.

Being grateful for all that I have.

Love all these! I would add:

-Don't take myself or others too seriously, only care about the things that really matter and that I have some control over, otherwise accept things for what they are, don't get involved in unnecessary drama. There's a great blog and book called 'the life-changing art of not giving a fuck' that I like to try and live by!

-Have a positive attitude, by that I don't mean going about all hippy-dippy 'hello sun hello flowers what a beautiful day' but more training myself to habitually say yes rather than no to requests, opportunities and invites (I do still say no to some things but I try and start with 'why not?' rather than 'why yes'). My Dad also had a mantra 'never assume malice from what can be explained by incompetence or ignorance' and I frequently repeat this to myself when faced with irritating work colleagues, hurtful relationship issues or piss-poor customer service to stop my blood boiling! I try and forgive and forget wherever possible and although maybe some would think of me as a bit of a pushover on the whole I think I'm happier for it compared to those I know who wade into battle over what I think of as fairly trivial issues...

-Be at peace with who you are but also never stop learning and trying to improve yourself. It honestly took me so long to marry up the apparent contradictions between the whole 'be yourself' mantra but also the fact that there are desirable personal qualities that just make life easier if you cultivate, e.g. I'm a very shy person naturally and spent literally decades being miserable and awkward at social occasions but believing that because you have to 'be yourself' there was no hope for me, until one day I decided that the world was clearly not going to change around me so I have to learn how to be different and taught myself step by step how to interact socially, fit in and have friends - I'm not a different person as a result, I'm still introverted and find big gatherings exhausting but I'm certainly much happier for being able to generate acceptable chit chat and maintain a few close friendships...

It's the small things that makes my life happy, a good cuppa, time every day to sit and look out of the window, stopping to admire a plant, a cloud or other small moment. Refusing to take part in "must have" or care what anyone else has bought.

You sound wonderful and your list is really inspiring

Probably not the kind of idea you're looking for but anti anxiety meds (namely escitaloprám) have changed my life since I started them earlier this year.

I've had anxiety for as long as I can remember, definitely since childhood. I'd accepted it as just part of me until I started having major anxious episodes last year. I'd tried exercise, mediation, mindfulness, CBT etc. Escitaloprám has given me a whole new lease of life. I now enjoy all the small stuff, I look forward to life instead of dreading it, I've stopped obsessing over every thing I say and do, I've stopped worrying about every worst case scenario.

I feel free for the first time in a very long time.

I get so much enjoyment out of food and eating together.
I recently discovered essential oils and splurged on lots of oils and burning them in a diffuser has given me so much pleasure.

@beneathhereyes where do you buy your oils from and which diffuser do you have? Am keen x

I love this thread. I'm unemployed at the moment and struggling with the useless, hopeless, no purpose, failing at career feelings.

I'm going to try some of these ideas 😊

@CollieWobble22 I get oils from Holland and Barratt. I find the candle diffusers to be the best (where you put water/oil in the 'bath' and the candle heats it). I've tried 2 different electric ones and I couldn't smell anything!

@CollieWobble22 I'm sorry to hear that, when I had a terrible period lately and felt like an utter failure on every front, my therapist suggested on the first time I met her that I keep a list of things that I did achieve during the day. To start with it was things like took a shower, shaved legs and unstacked the dishwasher! I was also caring for the children every day, even if my work was not possible. Little by little I was able to add in other things, like a short walk, chatting to people in the local shop, movie night with the kids, eating out, repotting a plan, calling a friend to catch up. It made me feel a lot better that I was still doing lots despite feeling like I wasn't, if that makes sense. Just an idea that might help you as it's so easy to feel negative about everything when work isn't happening.

The number one thing was giving up alcohol three years ago. Most things I’m listing below followed on from that, or I got better at them as a result.

1. Exercise. At least three times a week, strength training, cardio, yoga and swimming.
2. Meditation. Every day.
3. Making sure I’m always learning. I’ve done a Masters, taken up French, am learning the guitar and having art lessons. I always have something on the go.
4. Grow things to eat from seed. Even some lettuce in a pot.
5. Keep a journal of three things I’m proud of and three things I’m grateful for. Every night, without fail.
6. Get outside every day, no matter the weather. I have dogs, so I’ve no choice.
7. Read the Stoics.

It is my birthday today. I am 64.
I still work because, although I have my own house with no mortgage, I do not have a pension.
I was never taught have to have fun or enjoy myself. Anything I liked or was good at, as a child, was dampened down.
I am fairly happy and contented, but have no close friends and was widowed at 45 after a short and not wonderful marriage.
I would really not like to be a teenager today.
I am happy with my lot.

I love that website '1000 Awesome Things' 🌻

I see one of my friends at least once a week
I go to the cinema frequently, it’s my happy place.
I go to the spa a couple of times a week .
Evenings consist of cat cuddles and candles.
Doing things on my own and having time to myself.
Hot chocolate.

IckyPop
That's really kind of you to say. Thank you 😊. I could add so many! One but of advice I always give my teen is to not bend himself to fit someone else's mould. To totally be yourself, you find people who love you for who you are. I wish I'd learnt that lesson significantly earlier in life. I'm always telling the kids to enjoy the simple things in life. Most of things can never be taken from you 🤷🏼‍♀️

Lovely list 🥰

Low expectations. Enjoying small pleasures. Having a colour and image filled home. Being fairly financially secure (not a high salary)
Fab friends (even though we don't see each other that often currently, our shared history and humour binds us together)

My job, which I love. My house, lighting the log burner, reading a good book, spending time with my DH, my dog and cat.

I absolutely love sport and travel, so try to do those as much as possible.
Love to hug my kids and get them to tell me about their day.
really enjoy spending time with friends and I make sure friends are a priority.
This keeps me sane! If I start to let friends or exercise drop off, my mental health does suffer.

Wrong post ! Sorry

Happy birthday to you @FelicityFlops , I hope you had a lovely peaceful day.
I’m so sorry to read that you weren’t encouraged to do the things you loved as a child tho. At the risk of sounding trite, it really is never too late,
I’m in my 40s and recently tried paddle boarding and pole dancing because I thought they looked like fun. Thepaddle boarding stuck and now I try and go as often as I can because I love it, there is still time to try new things and find new passions. All the very best!