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.

Yep:

Don’t eat in between meals. I normally only have one.

House hoovered every morning before I start work.

No dishes left unwashed before bed.

Bathroom and kitchen cleaned fully every day. I’m immunosuppressed, so this is a must.

Only one rule in this house - never just cook one jacket potato.

I'm always astounded by the immediate bed makers! Don't people realise?

@EasilyPleased but the OP asked what your non negotiables are and as I said my main ones involve my dc.

When they are older it would be different hence why I asked the age of posters.

I didn’t think it was that complicated 🤷🏻‍♀️

Anxiety that I might fail can be much worse than failure itself. So then I'll deliberately fail just to stop the anxiety. Hence I try to avoid strict rules in my life. Lots of things I strive to do or not do, of course.

A really good example is that I went to Overeaters Anon for 2 years. Their definition of failure was eating inbetween meals. My horrible anxiety about eating inbetween meals would make me eat something just to stop the anxiety. To progress recovery I had to leave OA.

Realise what? So no in answer to your question! But then I didn’t realise until a thread this week that you were supposed to wash recycling.

You are supposed to "air the bed"... pull back the duvet/blankets, turn your pillows, open the curtains and the windows.
All the sweat and dust mites need to be dried and shaken out before "making the bed". My dad was a dermatologist and said ALWAYS air your bed. Eczema increases if your bed is not fresh.

No I always air the bed.

Im a daily bedmaker but yes my bed is always aired. I sleep with the window open, bed covers are pulled back whilst I shower/dress. My version of bed made has the duvet draped 'artfully' across the bottom so the bottom sheet carries on airing during the day. Pillows fully plumped and turned. Im not one of those with fancy decorative cushions & throws.

I also leave the mattress bare for 10-12 hours on change day, and hoover it. (And duvet hung over bannister to air at same time. Washed twice yearly.)

Most of mine are about my finances/pointless/wasteful spending, which has made very disciplined and with a pleasant, comfortable life and strong assets to show for it.

I also make my bed every day (after leaving it to air).

Try not to drink caffeine after midday unless there is a special reason.

One cup of coffee max a day and have it first thing in the morning

Never, ever drop litter and always pick up after my dog

No meat

No drugs - never have - and minimal alcohol

Always have a shower as soon as I get up while the bed is airing and the bedroom windows are open wide

Lots actually - too many to mention

I shower first thing every morning however I feel. It’s ritualistic for me.

My teeth. I got told off by the dentist for not tp-ing twice a day. Now I'm determined to do it. The whole dental regime takes about 20 minutes though. I feel like that's too much but I can't lose any more teeth! In fact I think I do actually need two wisdoms removed.

I've got inattentive ADHD so I can't do much. I'm useless at housework and cleaning and that stuff.

I do take my medication every day. And my vitamins. It took me ages to get used to it and I used to skip doses all the time. But after 4 years I'm finally in a routine with it!

Always take the stairs
never eat more than 2 biscuits at once.
5 fruit and veg a day
no phones at the table

It’s not a rule, I just can’t think of anything. Maybe it’s the terminology, it makes it sound enforced and conscious. Obviously I eat and drink every day and brush my teeth, go to work, look after the family, etc. I wouldn’t really class them as rules though, it’s just stuff you do. I’ve never forced myself to do exercise if I don’t feel like it, or given up any food or drink items, etc.

Nope, no rules, well I brush my teeth and shower most days but the whole thing about being a grown up (especially when kids have left home) is you can do as you please outside of work. If I want to sit in my dressing gown until 2pm I do, legging it downstairs in my dressing gown to open the door to the postman at 11am isn’t uncommon

I do this as part of my wellbeing. I generally define it as stuff that makes me feel better.

Like I try to drink enough water, eat 5x fruit/veg, connection with someone, yoga/5 min guided meditation minimum.

Since my dad died, dinner with my mum every week. It’s a non-negotiable because it would be too easy to skip a week and slide into missing dinner for the smallest of reasons. So every week without fail, because one day she won’t be here.

Sounds like too much hassle to me.

57 years old and no ill effects from making my bed straight away 🤷‍♂️

@Hotandbothered222 thats a good one

No rules re bed making as DH & I get up
at different times.

My rules are the same as yours except I sleep as long as I like on weekends.

My other rules are:
“work before pleasure”
(so get the stuff that needs doing done before sitting down to relax or going out) ;
”save before spending”
(so I always used to put a good chunk of money into a savings account then use the rest - now tbh there is less need but I continue to stuff my pension then live off the rest.
”keys stay in handbag, handbag stays on desk chair”
(so I can find them)
”one treat pudding a week”
(so I don’t put on weight)

I have pretty much the same rules!
Although if Im sick or busy and something doesnt get done it doesnt bother me.

I think this is disgusting - the bed needs to air. I pull the covers back and let it air all day then make it late afternoon/early evening.

Mine is aired while I shower, then gets made after I’m dressed. Surely that’s enough time?