Do you have “rules” for yourself or “non-negotiables”? How disciplined are you?

[Redballer]

I only have two rules that I can think of but would like more because my habits are awful, I lack discipline and probably undiagnosed ADHD that means my executive function is off.

1. Wash face, brush teeth, moisturize every night without fail.

1. Get out of bed by 8am on weekends.

The second one has come from the fact that now my kids are older and can sort themselves of a morning, I was finding I could still be in bed, on my phone, at 11:30am.

Maybe I’ve got more but they’re not jumping out right now or they are subconscious.

Anyway, looking for inspiration on what habits or mini rules you have for yourself that are constructive and make you feel good.

I don’t give myself any rules.

You don’t have any non-negotiables or good habits? Or things you do automatically and couldn’t not do?

Due to perimenopause causing sleep issues I go to bed at 10 pm every night, no alcohol, leave my phone downstairs, take my magnesium, and read a paper book before going to sleep. It’s helped me.

On one route I run there is a triangular bit of grass verge I go past and I always make myself go the long way round it. I tell myself if I’m not going to make the effort to do that, I may as well just stay in bed and never do any exercise ever again.

It is about 3 extra steps on runs of at least 4 miles 🤷‍♀️

Also, Saturday night is pizza night.

I have plenty of things I do very regularly to make sure I get stuff done. But try not to say this is a RULE and I HAVE to do it as I like flexibility and my brain will either obsess or rebel!

saying that though:
Kitchen always clean before bed/ going out as walking into a dirty kitchen ruins my mornings

3x gym classes as week. Walk the dog daily

mental note of what I’ve eaten/ veg portions and calories mainly.

sunscreen/ mascara light makeup daily.

only have alcohol at weekends/ or once a week if it’s a midweek social thing

In my head I frame it as things I’m aiming for, so I’m not to hard on myself as I can be very self-critical and trying not to be

No caffeine after 1pm

Always do the washing up and wipe down my kitchen before I go to bed for the night.

Make my bed in the morning.

Get at least 7.5K steps in per day

Go to the gym five times a week

God I’m boring 😁

My only non negotiable is I won’t leave the house for the day without make up on. Can’t say it’s a rule though it’s just something I won’t do

I don't think I do. Obviously brushing teeth and washing face is something nearly everyone does without thinking, it's not a special personal rule for anyone I don't think.

I don't like feeling like I've failed, so the fewer rules I have the less likely I am to feel that way. I go to the gym, but not for a set number of days each week. I don't drink a lot, but if I fancy a trip to the pub on a weekday and at the weekend I'm not going to stop myself. I get more pleasure from being spontaneous and flexible than I do from ticking 'achievements' off.

A daily walk, doesn’t matter how long or short, just a walk to get moving and clear my head. Otherwise my mood will plummet.

Bed by 10pm latest.

No coffee past 2pm otherwise my sleep will be affected.

2 x gym classes a week.

I’m a writer. I think my only rules are writing-related, like not stopping for the day without knowing how to continue, and writing through blocks.

Do my physio stretches every day
Walk an hour a day
Limited cheese and red meat, no alcohol.

The above is all for medical reasons.

Think twice before purchasing anything, this has been lifelong.

Don’t know if it’s a rule, but get out the house every day for a walk (unless I’m ill) as otherwise I feel like shit. Have a dog so that helps…but there’s days when it’s chucking it down when it’s clear she doesn’t have the same rule and looks at the rain and slinks back off to the coach.

never eat cheese with fruit in it.

Prioritise sobriety. (6 years next week!)

What kind of things do you write? I'm so intrigued by the process and in awe of people who can think up stories)

Tons of them.
Plus, I rely on routines for everything to stay organised. Otherwise I forget important stuff.

• run at least 5 miles a week
• no junk food or alcohol on weekdays
• no devices at the dinner table
• read minimum 20 books per year
• full housework blitz every Sunday

I’m sure I could go on.

Cleaning teeth and cleanse and moisturising face routine morning and night.

Making a breakfast smoothie.

Making sure I get out of the house to go somewhere every day, whether it be a walk, a visit to the library a trip to the shops or something more exciting.

I would like to add doing my exercise regime but that has fallen by the wayside a bit in the last few months following an operation. So i need to get back to everyday and not just some days .

Congratulations! 💐

Apart from the rule that you’ll have no rules?

Also ADHD and pretty much the only rule I have is the sames as your first one: clean off make up, moisturise, and clean teeth at night. I never ever go to bed without doing that, even if I've had a very late night or am jet-lagged.

I would love to have a rule of leaving the house every day. I WFH and often see noone and don't leave at all. It's so bad mentally and physically but I just don't enforce that rule.

Skin care regime am and pm. It’s the pm one I have to force myself to do sometimes if I've left it late and I’m tired.

Floss teeth with actual floss not just water flosser. I don’t like the sensation of floss but it’s better for my teeth.

Only eat between 12midday and 8pm. I know I feel better when I stick to this and mostly I don’t struggle sticking to it.

Reduce salt in my diet and limit upfs. Sometimes I just crave salty snacks and fall off the wagon.

Just because it is in my head I don’t have to say it. I tell myself this and practice biting my tongue on regular occasions so as not to give unasked for advice about things I find frustrating but ultimately aren’t my business eg friend’s relationships.

Stop buying plants because there is no more room in the garden. Total failure. I admit addiction.

I make my bed every day.

Like a PP, I don't give myself 'rules' or non-negotiables, but there are things I just do irrespectively (in addition to a very basic hygiene routine).
Always wash, dry and 'put away' the kitchen last thing at night.
Savings out on the first day after salary.
Positive self-talk.
Tell my DC how much I appreciate x, y or z thing they've done, told me about or just 'been' every day.

I live by myself and I'm very socially isolated so I have the rule about leaving the house as much for my mental heath as my physical health.
It must be very isolating for you wfh @
Tonissister

Facial sunscreen every single morning. Brush teeth and use teepee floss thing every single time I brush.