What small habits you have that make your life better?

[misscheery]

Obviously posting here for traffic

As part of "new year new me"resolutions, I am trying to establish a set of habits/small things to do in order to be either happier/healthier or look better/be smarter

What I do now-
-Gym 3 times a week (either zumba or cross fit for now)
-Have a nice cup of tea in the morning
-Reading 30 mins a day either the book I am currently reading or a nice magazine
-Bubble bath

Nothing else crosses my mind now. What do you do?

I hope this post makes sense as I have an exam tomorrow and am a bit crazy today

@hollowtree this is actually v useful! Thank you! Will make mine soon!

@KakunaRattata I just hate apps. Last year I had a green floral pattern planner, this year I got a Moleskine Alice in Wonderland themed one. They are all daily, I am not a particular fan of weekly planner though they might be useful. And I love it. I have it in my bag all the time... I even write things such as "buy x y z", or "appt here".... as you say, helps with my sanity, as ridiculous as it might sound

• I don't iron.
• I put kids uniform on a hanger the night before (including pants and socks) and just carry the hanger down in the morning.
• Second toothbrush and all hair stuff in downstairs bathroom cabinet so don't have to run up and down stairs once we get down for breakfast.
• School bag / swimming bag packed night before.
• Family calendar to put everyone's plans on.

Go to the gym before work, as if I say I'll go at lunchtime or after work, I find a reason to not go.

Pack work clothes the night before, so I just pick up bag and go.

Make the DCs lunch the night before.

Weekly supermarket delivery - it is hard to say how much time I save with this, flipping loads.

Small fan in my room, as I like the white noise and am a very light sleeper. As soon as I turn it on, I think it is time for sleep, so it really helps me get off, instead of listening to creaks, pins dropping etc.

Me too Ophelia!

My grannies would think I was taking notions of myself :)

I am reading all this with very big interest.

All washing gets fucked into the machine at once at 30 degrees. DD 4 knows where to put her stuff. If it's not in the machine it doesn't get done.

Meal planning

I love my cleaners - though I've just collided with them and it's so uncomfortable - remove the working class guilt people!

Getting my shopping delivered. I plan my meals and order what I need. Still pop elsewhere for bargains but it is a lifesaver. Also keep on top of hair, brows, teeth, nails and my weight.

A master shopping list with everything we might ever need from the supermarket on the fridge. As I notice something I highlight it on the list. Then the day DH goes shopping I read the whole thing to see what we might need. Means I don't have to think about anything.

Everything prepared the night before. Bags by the door. Sports kits packed.

Family planner week to view.

Batch cooking. (Unfortunately our freezer isn't very big otherwise I'd do even more)

Don't do birthday cards for DC friends - not in the culture here. Unfortunately it is in the culture to give presents with the gift receipt so can't buy much in advance.

Washing load every day.

Mattress protector, sheet, mattress protector, sheet to make changing the bed in the middle of the night so much easier!

JFDI - just fucking do it. If it takes longer to write on my to do list than to do, then I do it straight away.

Something else we built in to our daily routine: leaving for school 20 mins earlier. Then, when we get to school we sit in the car and read DD’s book and practise her spellings. Much easier than fitting it in after school.

I'm amazed by all the cleaning going on! It's something that has become less and less important to me over the years. I'd do much rather do almost anything else!

The other thing is all the meal planning going on. I see this "sworn by" so frequently yet I actually find it much easier, and more economical, to base a meal on whatever is in the cupboard/fridge/freezer/garden - more a "what have we got?" rather than "what do we want?"

I have started going to the gym 3 or 4 times a week, I have started using a night cream, and not a habit but I have acquired a tumble dryer so I can get the washing on without worrying about the weather.

Cleaned my house today and bought flowers for all the vases I own, I even put one in the kitchen! ❤️

I have a big box with wrapping paper, address book, cards, stamps, gift bags, birthday badges etc. This has saved me so many times, and gives me the opportunity to purchase cards I like from art galleries, online stores etc, rather than grabbing one from Sainsbury's

Someone said about 5 navy skirts, 5 white tops for work.... I have 5 identical pairs or black trousers (Asda, £5 a pair) and then about 12 tops / jackets that can be worn in different combos. So much easier for work to grab trousers and patterned top + one of the black jackets or trousers, plain top and a kimono or patterned jacket.

Snuggly I do this! And make packed suppers/snacks.

Set up yoga mat & iPad stand the night before, so Adriene and I can have our morning 'date' without delay!

Gave up alcohol👍🏻

Uht milk. I know some people hate it but my kids don't care. I always have a few cartons at home so we never get that no milk panic dash ever. I also buy it for when we get back from holidays etc bliss

That's a good idea queen I hate it but maybe the kids would tolerate it in an emergency. Must get a litre to have for emergencies!

White fairy lights round my mirrors and windows
Looks v homely and welcoming and it's very pretty
Installing a woodburner x

Charis it just takes the pressure off - I used to freeze milk for after holidays I can't even be arsed to do that now.

Trying at least one new recipe a week.
Making a pudding in the weekend for the week.
Only shopping for clothes (mine and dcs) online and during the sales so I get all the purchases, deliveries and returns/refunds over with in the same cycle.
Prior to buying clothes for dcs, getting them to try out all their clothes so I know what they have grown out of, what they have in the next size up and the gaps to fill. Just get them to throw it all into a big pile in the middle of the room and sort as they wear.
Throw out/donate all their old outgrown clothes to make room for new ones. Saves time in the mornings if drawers are not bulging.

This thread is great.

queen I'm going to buy a carton of UHT, why did I never think of that? The kids are very skilled at not mentioning they've finished the milk before I get tea!

I rotate my wardrobe and switch big winter coats for summery dresses in about May and October. Same for sandals and boots. It stops my wardrobe bulging and makes it easier to find things.

As I do this I also get boots reheeled if necessary and sort sandals so that scruffy cheap flip flops don't get put away. I also get my heavy coats dry cleaned ready for next season. At the end of summer I do the same with my summery trench coat.

Buying non iron dresses and trousers for work
Wash- hang to dry / wear
Decide on a theme for outfits for the week
Eg
Dresses

Trousers and tops
Less thinking required early mornings !