What little things did you change that really did make a difference?

[BlastedPimples]

So I keep reading inspirational posts about things like how little changes, one day at a time, consistency is key, can really make a difference to you if you're in a rut, had a bad time and are looking to recover.

Things like journal writing. Positive outlook with silver lining, grateful mentality. Exercise.

Do you really think little things can generate big change?

What have you done that you've found made such a difference?

Getting rid of Instagram changed my life. Honestly.

I have better concentration, less anxiety, better moods and I don't feel slightly panicky all of the time. I sleep better and have more time for other hobbies like crochet and jigsaws. I can also read better. I have read 49 books so far this year. Last year was 20.

I make myself say three things each evening that I was grateful for in my day. Even when I’ve had a stressful shitty day or something bad has happened these little reminders can bring you back down to earth and remind you actually you have a pretty great life.

some examples:

I woke up and get to go to sleep in a safe warm place

I was able to walk outside on my own two legs and see the beautiful sky and nature

i had someone I could message/call/speak to about my day who cares about me

They same seem silly but all the things we take for granted are the things we should be truly grateful for.

Yes definitely.
Walking in nature is like therapy so I try to do it every day.

Have a clean and tidy home makes me happy and calm so I clean a big every day.
I'll light a nice candle and be grateful that I have a comfortable and clean home.

Eating lots of nice wholesome food. It doesn't mean I don't indulge or eat crap every now and then but having that base of nourishing food makes me feel better.

Meeting friends for walks hits my needs for social connection, activity and benefits of nature. This one thing makes a massive difference.

I don't use Instagram at all. But I can go down a Reddit (or Mumsnet) rabbit hole. I think just less screen time generally is a good idea.

I clean & tidy my kitchen every night. Even though the lawn may still need mowing & the washing/ironing basket may be full ..having a clean kitchen makes me feel I'm coping with it!!

Going to bed earlier has made a ludicrously big difference. I still have a perimenopausal early wake quite often but if I'm already several hours up, it's all less stressful.

Cut out sugar and lost an imperial fuckton of weight. Can now fit into my older, lovelier clothes - very grateful for that. Plus health benefits. Don't miss sugar at all, didn't have cravings.

Stopped caring what people think, stopped arguing with idiots: 'ok, you do you' , is my mantra.

Mind you I'm hitting 50, so it might just be the joys of ageing!

Gratitude, definitely counting my blessings regularly helps. I’ve forgotten to do it for a while but it really does make you feel so much better and helps you focus on what is really important.

Deleting x, I get sucked in during every election, get stuck on it then have to delete it again.

@elQuintoConyo interested in the sugar thing... was it a cold turkey situation? I wish I could kick my sweet tooth 😣

Cold turkey. I just thought 'fuck this' and stopped. I didn't crave it, weirdly, as I was such a cake/biscuit/ice cream/chocoholic. Within a week I could go round the shops, down the crap aisle, and not feel any temptation to buy any. I feel less tired, I don't have a mid afternoon slump, I have more energy. I don't think there's a secret, just willpower and then not wanting it anymore. If I have a square of chocolate now, I just think 'holy fuck that's sweet!'. This is going to be my first healthy Christmas.... so we'll see how long I last.!

No screen (phone/computer) an hour or so before bed. Makes such a difference to how I sleep and how I feel when I wake up in the mornings!

I taught myself not to worry about things. I always ask myself one simple question when there's an issue, "can I do anything about this right now". If the answer is no, then I set aside. It takes practice and sometimes you need to find ways to distract yourself. But the more you do it, the easier it becomes. I live by the saying "I'll cross that bridge when I come to it".

Little things that have made a big difference to me are:

Stopping watching the news. I put the radio on for 10 minutes in the morning while I'm making DDs breakfasts and my morning coffee so I will hear the headlines on the radio or I'll occasionally scan them on the BBC News site but that's it. I am less anxious and happier for stepping back from it. I'm convinced 24/7 news reporting and the barrage of depressing headlines is harming people's mental health.

Intermittent fasting. Not even for weight loss purposes but giving my body a minimum of 12 hours and ideally more like 16 hours break from eating every day has made the world of difference to my digestive system. I have less bloating and stomach issues and feel far better. I heard a gastroenterology doctor on a podcast earlier this year saying humans are not designed to constantly be snacking and digesting food and we should all give our systems a break and I think he's right. I now tend to skip breakfast, eat my lunch and dinner somewhere between 12pm and 8pm and then just have black coffee and water outside of those times. I feel brilliant.

Implementing a bedtime routine. Upstairs at 10pm to get ready for bed and then reading a chapter of my book every night then lights out. I'm no longer staying up late scrolling on my phone and am sleeping better and enjoying reading again.

Skipping breakfast. Only eating when I am truly hungry in the morning. And when possible exercising on an empty stomach in the morning. It has helped me control my weight and be able to enjoy treat foods in the afternoon when I need them.

Cooking my way through whole cook books has worked to teach me more about good food. I start on page one and aim to do every meal in the book. It has forced me to try new foods and it’s easy because you don’t have to choose.

Artificially imposed limited choices in as many areas of life as possible to help reduce energy waste on having to keep making decisions about things that don’t matter so much. Eg daily clothing, food, exercise etc.