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

[cloverlover]

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 :)

@Thethuthinang

You are all amazing. Mine: Every time child asks for something when shopping that is not on the list, the answer was always no, every time. Every time child asked for extra time at an event or visit, I would usually refuse but very rarely if begged would offer five minutes then ultimately concede ten minutes. Child even as a teen has very poor sense of time passing and really still has no idea that ten minutes isn't very long.

This sounds a bit miserable and controlling, IMHO, refusing to buy anything / stay 5 mins longer

Children will learn not to waste your / their time asking. I guess that's your goal

But they will also learn that what they want doesn't matter

Yeah that sounds like a fun joy filled childhood 🙄. Happy memories of a mean mum for that kid.

Mine is to do an hour of cardio every morning then to not eat anything til lunch. Also limit snacks. Lost 2 stone and kept it off

What a great thread.

I spend one hour a week on house/life admin to keep on top of it all.

I do my food shop online to save money and buy what I need only.

Meal plan

When my shop gets delivered. I prep all salad/veg/fruit so I don't need to prep/chop/peel everyday.

Build up sufficient savings by not doing unnecessary impulsive purchases so that I have a significant financial buffer.
It means I don't have any financial stresses for the "what ifs" like appliances breaking, car repairs, bill increasing. It's proving invaluable just now with price hikes and offers peace of mind too.

I like the idea of flossing in the shower. I’m going to try that.

Do you mean standing under the shower with water running while you floss? That would be a waste of water.

@Thethuthinang
Every time child asked for extra time at an event or visit, I would usually refuse but very rarely if begged would offer five minutes then ultimately concede ten minutes. Child even as a teen has very poor sense of time passing and really still has no idea that ten minutes isn't very long.

I don't understand this? Are you saying it's a good thing your teen has no concept of time passing? That sounds like a huge negative to me. Surely this is a life skill you'd want your child to develop?

@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!!

I'm always doing this. My husband bought me an Iron that switches itself off. I get distracted got off to do other things and forget.

@Ticksallboxes

Another one here who drinks a big glass of water first thing.

I follow this with a large kiwi and then wait 20 minutes before eating anything else to allow it to absorb (learnt this from a personal trainer).

For lunch I always eat what needs to be eaten (ie with the soonest use by date). I've been trying unsuccessfully to get my family to do the same for years - I hate waste.

When I wash my hands I always just turn the tap on to wet them and them rinse them. I thought this was just logical, but so many people, family included, have the water running the whole time.

Why a kiwi every day? Seems so random!

Rest when you need to.
It's okay sometimes to act that you need that down time. ☕️

...acknowledge

I practice yoga 3 or 4 times a week.

This is such a good thread and it's definitely given me some good ideas. Most of mine have already been mentioned

Savings are put aside on payday, not at the end of the month. The money is never included in the household budget or even really considered to be money we get paid

Multivitamin every day. Dh, the kids and I all take one with dinner. The kids (2yo and 3yo) have those chewy flavoured ones and they think they're sweeties so they always ask for them if we forget

Before I start getting dressed/getting the kids dressed I open the bedroom window, no matter what the weather is like. Close it again when dressed if not a nice day. Means every bedroom gets a few minutes at least of airing out

Every person has their own laundry basket in utility room, clothes come straight off airer/line/dryer and folded into each basket. When the kids are older they'll be responsible for putting their own laundry away

Meal plan every week and really try hard to stick to it, and cook double of things that freeze well like spag bol/lasagne/stews/chilli so if I'm knackered and can't be bothered to cook I can grab something out the freezer

Hook new habits to old ones (This is why I keep my moisturiser in my underwear drawer)

Don’t put things down; put them away. Even if it means running upstairs (anyway it’s great exercise)

Never buy an item of clothing unless you know what you’re going to wear with it.

Anybody else reading this thread whilst lounging in bed and procrastinating - at least I am drinking water ?

@Triotriotrio

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.

I've been trying really hard to do this and it is working. I'm trying to train my husband to do the same. The other day he cleared up some stuff to take up stairs, and then left it at the bottom of the stairs - why not just take it up and save a job later?

My parents house was/is VERY cluttered and dusty and its taken a long time for me to train myself into "seeing" clutter. Our house is far prom pristine but we don't have last weeks socks/old mugs/broken lego etc etc out which is an improvement

@Ragwort

Anybody else reading this thread whilst lounging in bed and procrastinating - at least I am drinking water ?

I should be working. Instead I am avoiding work whilst reading this and thinking, but only thinking, determined thoughts about becoming as efficient as these people

Staying busy is my ultimate good habit!

When you do things after work/school run it's easy to keep adding to your list and stay active and do fun things/necessary things.

When you bunker away, rush home and sit on the sofa all night, doing one simple thing can feel like the end of the world.

I'm not sure I have too many good habits but here is a few:

Get up as soon as I wake up if it's after 6am. Lying in bed doesn't make me feel good.

Before bed I tidy the living room and kitchen, put the dishwasher on, fold the laundry etc.

Don't put off something until later if it can be done now. Empty that bin, put that wash load on, just get it done and then I don't spend all day thinking about it.

Exercise before work, plenty of 6.30am classes at our sports centre, otherwise go for a run.

Have a "universal" food shopping list with spaces for meal planning. Cuts costs and we never run out of anything.

Keep a relatively healthy ready meal available - jar of pasta or curry sauce for example- then no temptation to get takeaways.

Do a job everytime you're waiting for something. Eg waiting for the kettle boiling, empty/fill dishwasher, hang washing or clean worktops etc. Waiting for the bath to run, clean toilet and sink, put stuff away etc. Doesn't take any extra time in your day and all those little 5 mins make a difference.

*Ragwort

Anybody else reading this thread whilst lounging in bed and procrastinating - at least I am drinking water ?*

No I was at a 7am yoga class, already hung out a load of laundry and been working for an hour.

@Ragwort

Anybody else reading this thread whilst lounging in bed and procrastinating - at least I am drinking water ?

Yes! And not getting the floss in shower thing or why you'd wear SPF50 if not going out. Also hate meal planning or putting clothes out the night before as I like to decide on the day what I'm wearing or eating. I don't shop every day, I mean look in the fridge and see what seems tasty. I have told DH off for opening windows before people are dressed, too cold! If you don't make the bed that saves time and airs it.

I like the tips about put away, not put down, and the ones about looking after yourself - place your oxygen mask first so to speak.

After reading this thread last night I got up this morning I drank a large glass of warm water as soon as I went downstairs and after breakfast (banana cake 🤷‍♀️) I cleaned my teeth standing on one leg!!
I am trying!! 😂
The standing on one leg when cleaning my teeth was harder than I expected!!

Figure out something that you do really regularly throughout the day - could be changing a nappy, answering the phone, putting the kettle on etc. Every time you do it, you complete 10 kegels and 10 pull ins (contract your tummy muscles, hold then release) By the end of the day you'll have actually done quite a few reps without even realising it, strengthening your pelvic floor and working your abs.

At least 30 minutes walk every day.

Hang worn jumpers outside the cupboard for 24 hours to air before putting away (so I only wash them after three wears, which saves on bills etc and prolongs their lives - obviously not if I pour food down me 😱 ).

A place for everything and everything in its place.

Cash budget daily on a spreadsheet