To ask what was the most prolific thing you have done to change your life for the better?

[Dotdotlineline]

I'm in a bit of a funk today so want to know what other people do when faced with an idea of changing something.

Has anyone ever made a drastic or even a small change for the better? Whether that be spiritually / money wise or with themselves?

I keep thinking about the notion that 'life is what you make of it' and questioning where I am going wrong.

@SmashingBlouson

Thanks FatCatThinCat I wouldn't mind learning a language and picked up French well at school, but being older, it isn't retained as well as when you're 14 years old!

I have heard so many good things about Scandinavian countries regarding QoL and social mobility. I find a lot of people who move away from the UK are always surprised by how much better family life is abroad, and how much easier it is to get ahead if you are willing to work for it. It's nice to read about positive stories about this.

One of the biggest differences which I think impacts QoL is attitude to children. It's only having left that I realise how hostile Britain is to children. Obviously parents love their children just as much but generally Britain has a 'your kids, your problem' attitude to kids. They should be seen and not heard, don't have them if you can't afford them kind of thing.

In Sweden there's much more of a 'they're OUR kids' attitude. They are the jewels of the community. And that filters through the whole of society. So it's unthinkable here that any child wouldn't get a school dinner, or be left out of birthday party or exclude in any way. On national day my council lay on a party for the all the kids. The entire town centre is taken over by bouncy castles, fire trucks, candyfloss machines, hotdog stands, all completely free for the children, and nobody objects to taxpayers money being spent in that way.

@Moonlight1972

I have learned to not eat emotionaly anymore and lost a lot of weight and earn a great relationship with food. I have given up alcohol and life is so much more beautiful without it

Please tell me how you stay in control of this.

Started praying. At first out of desperation, but over the years it has become a faith that has changed my life.
Started bullet Journaling
Stopped all alcohol for my MH
Learned to compromise with my husband.
Taught myself to cook.

@madmomma
I'm really interested in how praying has helped you so much, would you be happy to expand please?

@Window1

I've noticed that a few people give credit to therapy for changing their life. Is this therapy that you sought out and paid for yourself?

Could anyone share how they went about finding a therapist, how many sessions and appropriate cost please?

I’d imagine it was private therapy, nhs won’t treat long term and it’s often required to produce lifelong changes. You can find a therapist on either counselling directory, or the BACP website.

For me it was yoga and minimalism. I would just like to say that I have recently slipped away from this mindset and this thread has reminded me to focus on it again.
It was unbelievably refreshing to finally aspire to having less rather than having more. I started following blogs and facegroups where people were intentionally downsizing their lives and their homes.
It made me realise that what I was aspiring to I already had, it just needed perfecting. It needed streamlining. I made a friend around this time who had very little of material value (small 2 bed flat with 2 kids, very little spare cash) but she was wonderful, her home was warm and comforting, her outlook positive and infectious. I strongly believe that changing your mindset can revolutionise your life, and there is so many books to read and blogs, you can really throw yourself into a new way of living.

Thanks to everyone for responding to my thread I am so grateful. It's been the wake up call I needed - this thread is so good for the soul!

I have decided to look into therapy and take baby steps from there. Maybe a change in career in the future once my young children are a bit older.

I have the urge to get my swimming costume on and run into the swim just because .

@Dotdotlineline

Thanks to everyone for responding to my thread I am so grateful. It's been the wake up call I needed - this thread is so good for the soul!

I have decided to look into therapy and take baby steps from there. Maybe a change in career in the future once my young children are a bit older.

I have the urge to get my swimming costume on and run into the swim just because .

*the sea 🌊

@Ibelieveinghosts

Found a great therapist, daily yoga, daily ceremonial magick rituals, started studying esotericism. Embraced my introversion only accepting invites to social events I wanted to go to.

I'm interested in studying esotericism too. Would you mind recommending some reading materials for me please? @ibelieveinghosts

@Moonlight1972

I have learned to not eat emotionaly anymore and lost a lot of weight and earn a great relationship with food. I have given up alcohol and life is so much more beautiful without it

@Moonlight1972 if love to know how you did this!

@FatCatThinCat - that sounds so lovely. Makes me wish we'd moved there when DC were small. Which country are you in?

Sorry - you said Sweden. I read Scandinavia. My quality of life would improve if I paid better attention

@Moonlight1972 sorry just saw you replied earlier! I've downloaded your podcast recommendation, thanks

Love this thread.

Cutting down alcohol. I think I'd like to give up.

Putting my phone outside the bedroom at night so it's not the first thing I pick up.

I'm beginning to stop shopping. Has anyone got any recommendations for minimalist insta/blogs?

@ZombieEthel is there anything you are particularly interested in or any particular angle?

Lots of inspiring stuff on this thread, but your one really jumped out at me, @LindaEllen :

*Started anti depressants, lost 12 stone in weight, plus an extra 15 stone of dead weight by kicking out abusive arsehole ex.

Seriously well done !

It's interesting how some of the same things are coming up again and again, like yoga, running, giving up alcohol etc.

Started bullet Journaling

Me too - been doing it for 6 or 7 years now. Game changer!

I passed my driving test when I was 27. It changed everything. From that I had a rush of confidence that I re took my gcses, went to college and am now at uni

@almahart minimalist blogs simple happy zen, minimal mom, Joshua Becker, not exactly minimal but living in smaller places tiny house big living

Thank you @TeacupDrama

@buffysbuffet

Started saving money Started going to get my nails done regularly Separated from husband Stopped stressing the small stuff Drank less alcohol Realised that being alone isn't lonely, it's freedom Accept that I'll have bad days but it's ok

All help to make me feel better

I love this, "being alone isn't lonely, it's freedom". Well said! I love my own company, and after a series of traumatic relationships I tell everyone who pressures me to be in a couple as they think it's 'normal' (whatever that means) to f-right-off.

Quit my job. Moved country away from everything I’ve ever known. With 4 months between decision day and moving day.

Absolutely the best decision of my life. Never been happier

@Whycantibeapuppy Did you go alone? Did you know anyone where you moved to?

[quote ButYouGottaHaveASkillJeff]@Whycantibeapuppy Did you go alone? Did you know anyone where you moved to? [/quote]
Not alone, my partner and dog. Didn’t know a single person here and had only been here once on holiday. We chose here because it is renowned from its friendly and welcoming people, beautiful scenery and lower cost of living. Just ticked all the boxes. The U.K. was a traumatic place for me but being here I am so calm and content

Went to university at 38. Best thing I ever did.