What is a cheap/ simple/ uncomplicated habit (or thing) that you started following (or bought) that dramatically changed your life for the better...

[Bookbooks]

That's it really.
Same if you had the same effect with abandoning a habit or a thing.
Looking for inspiration.

@CobraChicken
My adult DC bought me an extravagant gift for my recent birthday.We're going to travel overseas as a family soon and I was thinking that I shouldn't take it along in case it got damaged, but the risk of that is small and the pleasure he'll get from seeing me actually using it, rather than it being stuck in a closet and only brought out for "special occasions", outweighs any risk.

This is a very different issue- not using stuff/saving it for best is completely different from taking it travelling.

I was taught as a child by a wise aunt "never travel with something you couldn't bear to lose". I think it's good advice and something I've always stuck by.

It depends what it is you are talking about. If it's a Rolex, I'd leave it at home. The amount of people who 'forget' a watch on a hotel bedside table, leaving in hurry to catch a train is unbelievable.

If it's a luxury suitcase, crack on. Now is the time.

I write a gratitude list every night of things that happened that day that I'm grateful for, to, or about.

It takes me less than 2 minutes most nights and it makes a real difference to my state of mind going to sleep.

I also bought a yearly subscription to Calm and use a sleep meditation every night. It works out at less than £5 a month.

Drinking more water.
Spot breakouts have improved MASSIVELY, skin overall looks a lot healthier and makeup sits on it a lot better.
Gut health has improved - had no idea how sluggish my digestion was before, now I don't feel 'heavy' in the evenings. Plus, don't feel hungry all the time any more.
Sleep quality is better.
Recover from hangovers quicker.
Just overall feel better!

Journaling

Ooh! Details, please?

Commuting to work by bike. Been doing it since 2000. Sets up the day and the evening and keeps me fit, takes half the time of public transport, not affected by strikes and has probably saved around £30,000 in that time.

"Don't let perfect be the enemy of good"

This I need to do too. I just can't seem to start. I need 10 minute workouts and to build from there but need to motivate myself

Great thread. Cutting down on alcohol, exercising and restarting hobbies i enjoy.

What? Not up for a 5am 10mile run every day? 🤣 yeah I came here for the magic beans too 👍🏻👍🏻

Wax earplugs as opposed to foam earplugs. I was dubious but heard Sara Cox rave about them and they really are so much more effective!

Start the day with a dog walk
good water bottle to sip through the day (cold & leak proof)
no alcohol
run

These all sound really dull but I swear I’m the happiest and healthiest I’ve ever been 😀

King size duvet even though I have a normal double bed, the extra duvet has been life changing!

Embarrassingly expensive, large (60l) brabantia general waste and recycling kitchen bins. With previous 30l bins the recycling seemed to need emptying daily, and getting bin bags in/out was always a struggle, so these have been a real noticeable improvement.

Smart home stuff - my husband loves it and I’m now hooked. Can turn on/off all the lights, close the blinds if the cat’s sat on me and the sun is glaring on the telly, and I can unlock the front door from in the car, so no struggling with the keys when I come home with a big shop. Probably a lot of money overall, but just bought bit by bit over the last decade.

Not dramatic improvement but just the feeling that I am training my brain - I do Duolingo Spanish for 5 minutes a day, wordle, wordiply, globle, framed.
Heardle sadly is not around from 5th May so I guess I was in the minority.

Regular yoga. I’m a bit obsessed now, I practice a hour a day now. I started five years ago but wish I’d started much earlier. It’s been a massive help reducing back pain and I can even do fancy stuff like climb over styles and do up my laces now which I was struggling with six years ago. Helps me get out of my head too.

Absolutely! I use my fancy things every day because it makes me feel fancy and I love it.

The thing that improved my life above all else is the pomodoro technique. I apply it to my working day and my career is flying with what feels like no effort at all.

I've just started gentle yoga stretching daily; 10 minutes max. My sore knees and lumbar stiffness are already improving.

Readily app to pursue the papers and magazines.

getting up at 630 to excercise

Pilates for me. When I don't do it regularly, my back really starts to shout.

I've never been a big drinker, but I've cut back even from that as I hate that dull, thuddy head even after one drink. Shout out to Brewdog AF beer!

And finally started HRT. The Rage has subsided and I sleep so much better.

Me too. Best decision ever.

My advice to stick to at home workouts is to -

A: have a little place set up with your weights and yoga mat, even in the corner of the garage or something - just somewhere that you don't have to have a load of faff putting things together, it's all there for you to start straight away before you can talk yourself out of it.

and B: Lie to yourself. I always promise myself that all I have to do is one set, or 5 or 10 minutes or whatever. Just a bit, and if I don't feel like carrying on, I can stop. I never do though, I always keep going, because as soon as I start I feel better. I get a bit of an adrenaline rush or something and it spurs me on.
But I give myself that 'out' of if I'm not feeling it today then stop, at least I tried, something is better than nothing etc. It seems to work for me.

I also do in person pilates classes, which I have already booked and paid for in advance, so if I don't bother going I will feel guilty and that I have wasted the money so that motivates me to go. Plus I know I always feel better afterwards.

Walking whilst listening to audiobooks. You just going for ages and don't notice it.

Buying a Tangle Teaser. No more wet hair ripped out. It’s brilliant!

Absolutely this!