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

Make all the little things you have to do into special things.

I rationalised my wardrobe and am ruthless with what I have - I only keep things I love, and then only if they are in good condition. That means that getting dressed is a pleasure, every day, and I am never dissatisfied with what I am wearing. It had an unexpected side effect - I hardly ever need to buy anything new. Might be eighteen months or more since I added a new garment to my collection.

My cup of tea is Yorkshire Gold, no milk or sugar, so I have the bliss of the flavour, warmth and colour sometimes four times a day.

My footwear - walking shoes, my most expensive purchase other than my winter coat.

Washing up - I love the hot water and bubbles... 😂 OK, I'll stop there.

The ability to say no.
Being self employed, doing a job I love.
Only working 30 weeks a year.
Cooking lots of epic food for the people I love and sitting down to eat together every day without fail.
Being content with what we have - our house is tiny but we have no need for more space/stuff/mortgage debt.
Travelling a lot. It doesn’t matter where, the world is big and although I love my house I want to see places. Bonus points for being by water.

Know your limitations and don't take on too much.
Always have something to look forward to.
Get enough sleep.

I think your definition of what makes you happy changes as you move through life & learn more about yourself. Experience also teaches you how to be appreciative of little things, simple pleasures that maybe once you took for granted but after a few corners have been knocked off you, you really do learn how to value the time you have & the opportunities you have during the day to enjoy that time.

I enjoy being in my house, making it cosy, going to bed and snuggling down in my room. I love my bedroom, and I enjoy being in it alone - I go up a few hours before my DH & after the kids have gone down & we’ve had dinner. I don’t really f do I anything up there, just potter around a bit, lie down, watch the stars out the window & enjoy the peace & quiet. I do this and then doze off.

I like making a nice dinner that I know I’ll enjoy at the end of the day. I like being financially solvent - I don’t have much money but I manage my money well & I like doing this. I actually enjoy being frugal with my shopping - I like looking at deals, saving a few quid here & there, being thrifty.

I like not having too many superfluous people in my life. I stay well clear of people who have over-inflated egos and/or are drama llamas. They only bring trouble and unnecessary worry to my door. I could go up to five days at work but I choose to stay working four; it’s a better life balance.

I like it when my 3 yr old falls asleep on me in the rocking chair just before I put him in his bed. Those are lovely, precious moments that I will always cherish. No matter how stressful things may have been in the day I always try and have a good put-down for the kids, & me, so that sleep re-sets things.

I love sleeping

Happy birthday!

Sex with DP. Sleep. Tea. My dog. Fresh air and exercise. Comedy. Spending time with young people, very old people, school friends. Music. Driving. Gardening. Relishing my home because it’s all mine.

By always having something to look forwards to even if it is just lunch with a friend.

And taking pleasure in small things like an autumnal walk.

And always having a good book on the go and knowing it is OK to not finish one if l am not enjoying it!

@totallyoutnumbered I loved your list! And so many others with lovely ideas, too.

Personally, I practice yoga, meditation & self-care in lots of small ways as well as spending time with people I love and really enjoy talking to (or even just being quiet with) are a few of the ways I feel as though I'm making the most of life - and of myself.

I write and read (constantly) and love watching interesting documentaries and films and listening to music. Going on trips to interesting places and really immersing myself in the culture and street life of a city is also something I love doing, as well as long, lazy holidays in rural France with my family and my husband, where we all sit around long into the night watching fireflies bouncing around, playing music and making one another laugh like idiots.

I've recently gone back to having music lessons, playing an instrument that I learned as a child, but never kept up into adulthood.

Cooking, trying out new recipes, feeding friends and family, planning lovely meals and gathering people around a table for food, wine, laughter and conversation makes me inordinately happy!

I'm not a big believer in 'bucket lists' - I take each day as it comes and try not to worry too much (which I think is VERY important), take my vitamins, maintain a keen curiosity of the world about me and wend my way as gently upon the earth as possible.

For me it is about finding joy in all parts of my life.

Giving my kids a really happy and settled home and watching them take it for granted. I had an appalling upbringing and giving my kids the emotional security and freedom I never had is very healing.

Sewing - I sew almost every day. It makes me happy, calm and proud of myself.

Wearing clothes I feel great in - for me this is very white trainers, jeans and a sweatshirt. I feel confident and comfortable.

Sorted.

I am grateful every day I wake up & can go about my ‘boring’ day, I’m not ill in bed, I haven’t just been given bad news. When I think ‘this is boring’ I always correct myself & think someone, somewhere would love to be able to just do this.

every Friday I have a sleepover with my DD where we have face masks/Bluetooth in my big bed!

I absolutely love my morning coffee - 4 heaped spoons of coffee & 3 sugars! Sounds indulgent but I have water the rest of the day.

I also stop what I’m doing if my DD wants to show/tell me something. Likewise, if my dog pulls out a stinky toy & brings it to me to play - I do it. No matter how busy I am, even if I do 5 throws.

I always try to have a meal/drinks out booked for every 6-8 weeks.

I treat myself to Prosecco & a nice tea on a sat that I don’t feel guilty about if it doesn’t include veg! Me & my DD always have Pringles/Doritos too!

Bluey not Bluetooth!

Wonderful ideas thank you so much

I love this list. This completely chimes for me. I'm going to try all the things on it that I don't already do.

I love getting bargain tickets for things.
All comedians do try out small gigs for their upcoming stadium or big theatre tours. You get a smaller more intimate venue and an early version of the show.
Lots of big name bands do small acoustic gigs or promo gigs for new albums for free or almost nothing. Again in smaller close up settings. I much prefer these to stadium gigs that cost £££
West End shows and opera often do special deals with seats for as little as £10.

There were years when we couldn't afford going to the theatre when DC were small and I missed it so much. Now I really hunt for the good price tickets so we can go about once a month.

I love getting bargain tickets for things.

All comedians do try out small gigs for their upcoming stadium or big theatre tours. You get a smaller more intimate venue and an early version of the show.
I do that too, my thinking of an hour and a half laughing is so good for me.

What a brilliant list of ideas
thanks so much for your insight
foing to work on some of these
trying to focus on more positive things

If you’re going to read the Stoics, I recommend The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday. There’s a lesson and a little meditation on it for every day. I keep it by my bed and read it every morning. Takes five minutes but it’s very useful.