Small changes that have made a big difference

[Idtwins]

Talk me through small changes you have made in your life that have mad a big difference particularly in terms of your mood/self esteem. Thanks

Started volunteering a year ago and cannot believe how it has transformed my perception of life and has made a difference to other people, not just by fundraising but just by being there, giving people the time of day and learning about them.

Nothing else I have changed matters as much.

Bought a water bottle marked with hourly intake lines.

It's only a few sips an hour but really adds up over the day. Feel so much better now I'm properly hydrated and I'm finding I snack less as well.

Also meditation. Simple stuff, just 10-15 mins a day. I'm not brilliant at doing it every day but I notice my head is clearer when I do it regularly.

I put my phone on Do Not Disturb. At the start of lockdown I was getting upwards of 300 texts a day, I felt like I had to answer them but then it meant I couldn't enjoy reading a magazine or watching a bit of telly because of the constant phone checking.
Now I only check my phone sporadically and when it suits me, life feels calmer.

@Idtwins, thanks for starting this thread, so wholesome to read, and so many good ideas!

I got a clothes analysis, and lost a stone in weight. Consequently, made more effort with clothes, which makes me feel better. Eg. Wearing my better clothes more frequently, rather than saving them.

Leave the curtains open a touch so the sun light wakes me up naturally.
Early morning walks when DH is home to watch the kids.

Declutter the house! I’m two rooms in so far, still a lot to go but it’s really made a difference, my head feels so much clearer.

Taking a step back from emotionally draining people and making time for myself.

I once cut out chocolate/sweets and drank lots of water for 10 weeks and felt amazing and my skin was lovely. I ate a chocolate bar and went back to my old ways but would like to cut down again! I get spots like a teenager when I eat a lot of sugar.

Started taking care of my skin properly. Nothing very complicated or time consuming just cleanse, tone and a good quality moisturiser followed by a Vitamin C brightening serum in the morning. Cleanse, tone and a good quality night cream before bed. 5 minute red clay face mask a couple of times a week. I used to just wash my face and slap on a bit of cheap moisturiser when I remembered. The difference is very noticeable, people have commented on how good my skin looks whereas I feel it always looked a bit tired and dull before.

I gave up booze, meat and I don’t have sex with anyone unless I’ve known them for 6 months, works for me. I have a lot more control over my life and I feel better about myself.

More recently I got an old bike repaired and started spending more time in the countryside, it’s so much better than shopping and coffee with mates. Without the lockdown I may have carried on doing the same old things on repeat.

Online food shopping and menu planning. So much easier and cheaper.

Another thing-sunlight on your skin every day (when it’s out lol). The benefits outweigh any risks. I think the demonisation of “the sun” is counterproductive

Couch to 5k
Deleted Facebook years ago
Haven't touched alcohol in over 3 years
A 'line a day' style 5-year diary that I write in each evening - a way to record nice memories and remind myself of what I'm grateful for in life

Started (and finished - graduated yesterday!) C25K!

Walking each evening. I have found a podcast I find hilarious (shagged, married, annoyed) and it is great to get some time away from my family while on lockdown. Really lucky to have found some really nice walls nearby which I wasn't aware of.

For me stopping drinking and getting a family dog.

Got a nice magazine subscription on trial that I'd been wanting for ages. Baking once or twice a month. Gardening and a bit more exercise. Cutting hours at work to have more work/life balance.

I’ve got quite choosy about the threads I read on here as I was wasting a lot of time & getting unnecessarily wound up!

So a thread like this I think sounds interesting and I can get some good ideas for my own life, but a thread like ‘what do you think schools will be like in September’ serves no purpose except to wind me up, so a small change I’ve made is just to walk on by

OP, the biggest difference a small change has made in my life was a challenge to myself a few years ago to do something I'd never done before every single day. Could be tiny (walk down a new street, try a different herbal tea, listen to a different style of music etc) or bigger - apply for a new job, book a holiday in a new place etc.

I can't really explain how, but it moved me on from a low mood permanent rut to having one of the best years I've ever had. I slipped out of the pattern of it, but even now if I feel low I just do it again and it gives me energy and happiness, which in themselves improve your self-esteem.

Deleted social media.

Let go of the guilt of not replying to emails.

Chopped my friends list on FB to 18 people.

Used the ignore function on TES so I don't read idiotic posts.

Started reading the Digital Spy Corrie forum after every episode- it is hilarious.

Yoga (saved my brain from chaos)

Low-carb high-fat (saved my body from IBD)

The book 'Complex PTSD: from surviving to Thriving' (made my now-saved life worth living)

I now only have one coffee a day and that's in the morning, I feel less irritable and anxious and sleep better for it. I used to drink 3 cups a day.

Someone on Mumsnet recommended Brooke Costello life coach school podcasts and I’ve got a lot from them. Also enjoyed Anna Faris unqualified and Youre dead to me(history). I’m late to Podcasts but they’re great for pram walks etc and stop me dwelling.

Batch cooking and meal planning. I eat better and it’s calming to have meals in the freezer ready to go.

Asking for help and carving out time for myself here and there. You can’t run on empty and nobody likes a martyr!

Having a weekday routine in lockdown. Really helps me keep focused and disciplined.

Dh and I started keto and I have gone from a size 20 to a 12/14 in less than six months. I’m still not at my goal weight, but lockdown stalled me a bit. Dh has lost almost 6 stone (he was morbidly obese and had many health issues) and the weight loss has changed his life. We both also run and do Joe Wicks in the morning with the dc.

I’m feeling so much healthier and and lockdown has been a lot easier for me than I thought it would. Most importantly, the weight loss and exercise has massively improved my mental health.