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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask for your good habits so I can copy them!?

356 replies

cloverlover · 17/03/2022 11:24

On the look out for great new habits. What are yours? Here are a few of mine to start us off:

  • floss and use interdental in the shower
  • take one old item out of the fridge each time I open it
  • get dressed as soon as I get out of bed to avoid lounging in dressing gown

what are your great habits that help your life run smoothly? I'm in need of inspiration! thanks :)

OP posts:
abigailsnan · 17/03/2022 11:27

Before going to bed I always make sure the sink and kitchen has been tidied up/cushions on the sofa plumped up my mum always said that a house looks tidy with no dishes in the sink when I first got married 46yrs ago tomorrow and always find it so true.

InDubiousBattle · 17/03/2022 11:28

I never leave the washing up etc over night. The kitchen is always clean and tidy to wake up to. I try to do the same for the whole house tbh, have a quick whizz around in the evening so it's tidy in the morning.
I run, does that count? I hate it with a passion but do it because I also have bad wine and biscuit habits!

InDubiousBattle · 17/03/2022 11:29

X post abigailsnan, great minds think alike!

Mamamia7962 · 17/03/2022 11:30

Clean one room every day to keep on top of housework and so the house is always tidy.

Regularly declutter.

Always put things away as soon as I have finished using them.

bettybyebye · 17/03/2022 11:33

Drink a pint of water as soon as you wake up

ColourfulOnesie · 17/03/2022 11:33

Always have a bottle of wine in the fridge - you never know how much you need a wine until all the kids are in bed so you can’t go to the shop and you haven’t got any in! Wine

HereComesTheSum · 17/03/2022 11:33

I walk DC to school then carry on walking with the pram (currently on mat leave) for 4/5 miles then go home for breakfast, tend to the baby then when he's napping do housework. Not every single day but maybe 3 times a week, then after school time I'd fun time or meeting up with a friend for lunch etc 😀

RandomBasic · 17/03/2022 11:33

I have a water bottle by my bedside and as soon as I wake up I drink a full tall glass. As soon as I finish the school run (am & pm) I drink a small bottle.

When I come into the house having been somewhere, even taking out the bin, before even taking off my coat, I have a big glass of water.

Those habits help keep me hydrated which is fundamental to health and wellbeing.

HereComesTheSum · 17/03/2022 11:34

Sorry to be clear my new good habit is not going straight home after the school run.

DropYourSword · 17/03/2022 11:35

I put things away as soon as I'm finished using them.

There was a thread on here today about people leaving the iron on by accident. It blew my mind that people wouldn't immediately turn it off, unplug it and put it away as soon as they'd finished ironing!!

SartresSoul · 17/03/2022 11:37

I wash up as I go so it never builds up. I also make sure the kitchen and living room are tidy before going to bed but eldest DS wakes before anyone else and it’s never tidy when I wake up as a result…
I go running 3x times a week and do HIIT workouts 3x a week which makes me feel great and keeps me slim.

ginslinger · 17/03/2022 11:41

If I am sending an email with an attachment, the first thing I do is attach the file before I even say who the email is to. Never forget an attachment agains

catscatscatseverywhere · 17/03/2022 11:46

I always prioritise my workout. Laundry, vacuuming the floors can wait, but workout nope, never.

ChangeAndHelp · 17/03/2022 11:48

I’m a messy person and have not learned good habits as a child.

One of my best habits has been to put away leftovers as soon as I have dished out all portions. It’s still out if it’s hot but as your habit slowly builds up it really becomes seemless and you get better at choosing the right containers. It’s then much easier to put away and wash up.
The other has been to clean out the fridge every week - when my OH is shopping and then put all shipping away neatly.
Again - with practice this becomes quicker

lurkingfromhome · 17/03/2022 11:52

This is a great idea for a thread.

My good habits are:

  • I really take care of my skin and never go to bed without a proper cleanse, serum, moisturize routine. I wear SPF50 every day on my face even if I'm not going out.
  • When I'm waiting for the kettle to boil/something to cook in the microwave, I use the time to do a quick chore like wiping the worktops.
  • I eat a piece of fruit with every meal.
TeacupDrama · 17/03/2022 11:55

if something takes two minutes or less just do it immediately
if you are not motivated to do something set a timer for 5 minutes and then go flat out doing it, then you decide whether to do a further 5 minutes it is amazing how much you can put away, wash up, clean or sort out in just 5 minutes

HereComesTheSum · 17/03/2022 11:56

@DropYourSword

I put things away as soon as I'm finished using them.

There was a thread on here today about people leaving the iron on by accident. It blew my mind that people wouldn't immediately turn it off, unplug it and put it away as soon as they'd finished ironing!!

How can you though because it would still be hot. Like hair Straighteners.
NannyOggsWhiskyStash · 17/03/2022 12:00

Get up to do a bootcamp or other exercise at 6:30, get so much more done and have more energy if I get up early.

Comfortableatlast · 17/03/2022 12:11

Regular savings.

Prioritising pensions over holidays for a few years.

Wiping down the sides.

Unloading the dishwasher before bed.

Putting bedding sets into the matching pillow case, this saves so much faffing.

chesirecat99 · 17/03/2022 12:11

take one old item out of the fridge each time I open it

Reduce food waste. Meal plan, buy exact quantities when possible, store the quantities needed in ways to prolong their life eg veg/fruit storage boxes, veg sacks, veg/herbs with stems in water (like a vase) and freeze/make use of the excess straightaway so there aren't any old things going off in the fridge.

madmomma · 17/03/2022 12:11

Great idea for a thread. I fear I have zero good habits though. Plenty of bad habits though!

RandomBasic · 17/03/2022 12:12

@DropYourSword

I put things away as soon as I'm finished using them.

There was a thread on here today about people leaving the iron on by accident. It blew my mind that people wouldn't immediately turn it off, unplug it and put it away as soon as they'd finished ironing!!

But it has to cool down first. I unplug it when I am done, but put it away when cool.
Triotriotrio · 17/03/2022 12:16

If a job is going to take 30 seconds or less then do it as soon as you notice it. 30 seconds is nothing alone but added together then it can mean hours. For example, if I see a stray sock on the floor I'll put it away immediately, even if I'm running late.

RandomBasic · 17/03/2022 12:17

I got this app called alarmy which only turns off when you take a picture. I've made the picture my kettle, so I go downstairs and make a cuppa. While the kettle is boiling I empty the dishwasher. I have my cup of tea and then feel awake and have done something, rather than getting up groggy and grumpy after multiple snoozes.

optionsgalore · 17/03/2022 12:17

Lots of bad habits but my two good habits are probably always drinking 2l of water a day (I bought a huge 2l water bottle after realising how little I drink throughout the day) and bookending my work day with a really good walk. Sometimes I'm dragging myself around but it has really noticeably made me feel better in the mornings