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Things you have done to make your life better/calmer

428 replies

PersephoneParlormaid · 09/01/2026 06:55

Ive just been reading a post where someone is talking about doing things, or stopping things, to make life easier and calmer, so I thought I’d ask what you have done to hopefully help and inspire others.
For me the loft being jammed packed was really weighing on my mind and causing low level stress for years. So a couple of years ago, in the spring when it’s cooler/warmer, I committed to cleaning it out. It was hard work but I was ruthless, and all that’s up there now is the kids toys and Xmas decorations. I can’t tell you how much happier it’s made me feel getting it done. I think it was reading about Swedish death cleaning that inspired me.
Another thing I do is regularly unsubscribe to emails, especially after Xmas. I couldn’t see the things I needed to see for all the crap in there.
Then I stopped sending Xmas cards. It surprising how many less you get when you don’t send them, so I assume those people didn’t want to send them to me eitner.
And I gave up drinking. It was affecting my sleep and making me so tired the day after. I honestly don’t miss it.
Finally, I say no. If I’m asked to do something I often say no straightaway and then think about it. If I decide to then do it that’s fine. Having a clear calendar with empty days to do nothing is bliss in my book.

OP posts:
ScrollingLeaves · 23/01/2026 13:55

dogsarebetterthanppl · 23/01/2026 02:29

i was never a great drinker but when i did, i went too far. finally gave up in october after drinking too many cocktails at a halloween party, i won't go into details because i want to curl into a ball and die at the memory but lets just say it was a grand finale. so glad i did, i will never be drunk again and think the world would be a much better place if everyone made the same decision.

And the interesting thing is, contrary to what you might think, not drinking does not mean not enjoying yourself at a party for example. It’s the opposite really as you don’t begin to feel awful and you are fine the next day.

Lovemycat2023 · 24/01/2026 17:15

Daisy12Maisie · 14/01/2026 21:48

Part of my declutterring is that whenever my 18 year old visits and then goes back I clean the room/ bedding and put a bag of what I would consider junk under his desk in a bag for life. Then when he comes back the next time I cook him a meal, chat to him and then bring out the bag of things for him to go through. 90% of it he then doesn’t want so I can take it to charity when he goes back again. I want him to feel welcome and I love him visiting but I don’t want years worth of rubbish being hoarded in his room as then there is nowhere to put things when he does want to visit with a bag full of stuff. This will be an ongoing process. It’s a tiny room but we have made it nice with photos on the walls etc and I’ve decorated it for him.
it might sound like a small thing but it means his room is nice and welcoming and not a cluttered tip.

This is a good idea - I finally cleared all my stuff out of my dad’s house at 28 (when I bought my own house), and most of it went to the tip.

Worryabouteverything · 25/01/2026 17:23

Brilliant thread.
Towards the end of the evening we put YouTube on and listen to songs of our youth.
Reading at the same time.
This replaces the news on the TV. Nothing but bad news.
Both of us are relaxed and sleep so much better.

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