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.

I joined Slimming World at Christmas and have lost 2 stone since then. I've been overweight for years.

I also joined the library and save a fortune on books. I enjoy the lovely experience of the library and find that I am more adventurous with the books I choose as if I don't like them it's not cost anything.

@Krustykrabpizza another one here wanting to know the name of the face yoga app!

Ear plugs at night. Perimenopause has completely stuffed my sleep patterns and I was waking at all hours, unable to get back to sleep and sensitive to the slightest noise.
Wearing ear plugs helps me get to and stay asleep for a decent chunk of the night and I feel like a different woman after a good sleep.
Cutting out alcohol (just an occasional drink now) and upping the exercise working out from home/long daily walks with my dog have also helped me generally feel much better.

Getting a planner that displays month and week view, and writing EVERYTHING in it. So much more organised now.

Prime reading and Libby app from library - free books whatever and whenever I like. Well Prime is paid but not everyone knows about Prime Reading I have found.

@Echobelly THANK YOU so very much for that neck yoga video and the mention that it helps your tension headaches. I had one coming on tonight and mine can get nasty - 3 days bed bound, type of nasty - and I did that yoga video. Feeling much better now and headache is pretty well gone. THANK YOU!

lol. Me too! A magic wand and 100000 free wishes

Current favourites:

The White Rabbit ASMR
MeShe ASMR
Be Brave Be You ASMR

But each person will prefer a different style, so I would encourage anyone trying ASMR to explore different artists and find what works for them. Each artist unique and their content is different.

Since I started listening to ASMR, I have felt more relaxed in general, found it easier to cope with stress, my sleeping has improved and it's taught me to slow down and take time for myself each day.

Oo sorry, forgot to tag @alabamathunderpussy

I'm in my sixties and have everything I will ever need but not everything I will ever want. About 4 years ago (after the absolute trauma and labour of clearing out my mum's house) I adopted a policy of 'one thing in, one thing out' and often two or three or even four things out. Nothing is wasted -it's all recycled or given away or sold and it has made so much space and freedom.

It has also saved me money because when I am mesmerised by a new set of glassware/eyeshadow palette/party dress/handbag/kitchen gadget etc etc I mentally ask myself 'what would I give away to own that?" And very often the answer is "nothing -everything I already have is as nice or nicer than that'.

i]

If it takes less than two minutes just do it immediately. Changes your mindset and I feel a lot more organised/on top of things.

Buy the frozen veg, microwave rice, pre-chopped stuff etc.

Every other drink you have, ever, must be water. This rule has made my skin better, I'm less jittery from caffeine, it completely eliminated hangovers, etc.

Ive started intermittant fasting after listening to delay dont deny and fast feast repeat audiobooks. Im enjouing learning about which foods make my body feel good amd what makes me feel awful. My cravings have disappeared and my energy is through the roof after years of feeling sluggish. Its changed my life and whole relationship with food.

I leave my phone upstairs for three hours every evening. It means I unplug and relax at night.

@Krustykrabpizza OI we need this face yoga app name please!

Yoga and daily chia pudding for breakfast.

a sub-19 5k is amazing! I’ve been running regularly for six years and I think I’ve cracked a sub-25 5k once or twice

@restisall thanks but honestly, I really believe that with running, all pbs should be celebrated. That is another great thing about joining a club - we have people of all abilities (starting from couch to 5k groups) and everyone gets recognition. It's such a lovely community.

Please could someone that’s started weightlifting at home point me in the right direction? I’m desperate to start this but overwhelmed with how to start!

I love the water idea! That’s really smart as I struggle with drinking enough and that feels like a
fun challenge

Listen to albums from your younger years end to end lying in bed, sooooo relaxing...

Getting a cat, my 13 yr old cat passed away aloof, no a loving 7 yr old,bliss and so loving xx

I started walking every day with a friend during covid, when we were allowed to meet up, and we’ve kept it up. We walk about 5k most days at a fast pace and it’s so good for my mental health as well as physical. I am much fitter than when we started although no thinner…

We talk and rant and sort out life during our walks and I definitely feel it if I miss going.

We’ve walked in all weathers and it really frees my soul to go tramping through the woods in the rain!

Good decision 😉🚴

@CarpeDiemCarpeDontem have a look at Caroline Gorvan on YouTube. I do her 30 min dumbbell workout and weighted abs a few times a week.

Deleted the news app on my phone to prevent doomscrolling.

Use Vinted to declutter clothes and make money to buy better ones.

Refusing to wear uncomfortable bras.

Not taking responsibility for the feelings/behaviour of others- realising I don’t have to worry about other people as much and allowing them to take ownership of how they feel.

Buying pens that I enjoy writing with.

Accepting that good enough is fine- perfection doesn’t exist and it’s no fun.

Not making myself finish a book if it’s rubbish.

Regular workouts- schedule them in and treat it as an appointment.

a few lazy but game changing things I do

always use moonpig or funky pigeon to send cards, costs a few quid more but I don't need to remember to buy stamps and I don't end up buying cards and forgetting to post them

probably obvious but I just realised that putting the same type of cutlery in each section of the dishwasher cutlery bit makes putting away so much quicker!

on a personal note, I take time to have a coffee alone every morning, I stopped drinking 2 years ago and feel a million times calmer and my triglycerides level has reduced, and I don't go above and beyond in my job any more.