To ask what you have done to change your life for the better

[Littlecatonthefence]

Im not depressed, or desperately unhappy maybe just a bit meh alot of the time but on the other hand grateful for what i have.

But i feel like life is passing me by and i want to make more out of it.

What have you done for yourself to make your life better or just more productive.

well this last year I had enough of my life, so moved 250 miles away, left my career there, basically trying to start again, I would say though some of the ideas on this thread are much less radical & I wouldn't recommend doing what I did unless you feel you have really had enough!

Sounds lovely. I’m working on getting a horse again too. Riding is one road to happiness for sure and family x

Well done on ditching the asshole.
Thumbs up to saying yes. Every year my NY resolution is saying yes without overthinking and no without apologies. I'm getting better every year!!

Does this help you sleep?

Retire

Great thread!

Here's mine, in no particular order:

Started Yoga

Saw a nutritionist

Started reading properly again

Stopped taking phone to bed with me

Get outside frequently and, importantly, look up at the sky, makes you feel much better

Left my last job, I simply refuse to waste my life working for an inexperienced micro manager.

Lost 6stones and bought a puppy.

Travel and education, both expand the mind and your horizons. Even if you don't have any money, use local facilities, the library, explore your local area, free museums and art galleries.

I use the Medito free app and do ten minutes of mindfulness meditation every night. So relaxing.

This.

Like you, I stopped reading books when the DC were young, so just used to read the occasional story in a magazine. During the first lockdown I started reading novels again and realised what I had been missing! Am back to being an avid reader again.

I have slowed down, meditate regularly, and remind myself that I have finite number of hours in this life, I prioritise myself more often and listen to my gut more, if it feels off, it's off.

Divorced abusive H

Got promoted.

Met and married a wonderful kind man who taught me that chores didn’t come before fun (they’ll still be there tomorrow to do together or he’d do them while I was busy having fun).

Rejoined a band after 30 years gap.

Started HRT.

Picked up other hobbies and learned to cook meals from scratch using produce from my own garden.

Adopted a simple things are best mindset - no need to please people who don’t please you.

Learned to accept that I was never going to get the approval from my DF that I’d spent my life seeking.

Lovely thread idea.

I've actually become more of a home person - I've had some great life experiences being out, but feel I want a nicer "staying in routine". Plus better for the bank balance.

So I've got a new "big screen" to watch things on, got into as many online things as possible (like yoga with adrienne), a Tassimo for hot chocolate, upgraded home furnishings for a Zen look (just cheapish things from argos but right colours).

Also lounge wear that isn't odd looking and tatty and dirty.

A pp talked about "romanticising your life" and I'm slowly getting there.

Currently keeping up to date with cleaning and waking up to a clean kitchen, and clearing out junk etc (Kondo) makes me happier than dashing out the door in a fitted dress to go to an event or date. Stages of life - this wasn't me last year...:-)

So many good ideas !! So many people loving audio books. Any recommendations of sites ?

Great thread. I need to 'feel better' and know I'd feel better running and reading more. Crazy how many on this thread have done this.
Something I've done this year is 'simplify' my life which started when DH was made redundant. Thankfully he was quickly in work again but I realised how much money I spent on 'stuff'. Clothes, house stuff, random food while wandering the supermarket. I stopped buying clothes overnight (have plenty), buy and sell kids clothes on Vinted, use cheap beauty products, and generally buy stuff I need rather than want. I've saved so much money and feel in control which is great.

Wonderful, uplifting and thought provoking thread. Well done OP.

As for me -

I took the package and retired many years before I should have. I have an adequate income for my lifestyle, I am single no kids and enjoy my own company but not all the time!

I gave up listening to the news on any medium. I just skim the headlines on the phone each morning and that's that. I am so much better for it. News and analysis and talking heads, and time filling discussions and endless round and round about the same shit different day is very draining and often distressing. I would advise everyone to reduce news consumption.

I went a bit mad and introduced colour into my neutral, minimalist decor. I bought fuschia pink and bright yellow occasional chairs with teal and red cushions. Added some great colourful prints on the walls. I smile every time I look at this riot of colour! Those visiting think it's hilarious, but it brightens me up every day.

I plan a city break every two months or so, mostly go on my own as others cannot afford it anymore with COL, and I don't want to put any of my friends or family under financial or time pressure. They are not in my position. It's just as well I like my own company and can talk to myself very coherently!

There are many more things I do to love myself, to use the time I have, and not to waste my reasonably good health when I can. I count my blessings every day too.

Playing rugby 3 times a week. I'm rubbish at it, but I've met the most amazingly strong funny incredible bunch of women.

Stopped buying stuff that I don't need - meaning the house is less cluttered.

Stopped getting annoyed about the small stuff - for example if DH hadn't hoovered the living room (normally one of his responsibilities), I'd sit all evening and seethe quietly - now I spend five minutes hoovering it myself and we're both happy.

In a similar vein try and give people the benefit of the doubt - or all least assume they are well intentioned. I was spending an inordinate amount of time feeling angry or stressed about little things. Letting go has been cathartic

It’s great to know that there are so many
women out there who have empowered themselves to make the most of life. Interesting to read the different things chosen to help them achieve this. After a long and sometimes difficult marriage my husband died. My life had been quite restricted up to then. Now I go out whenever I get the opportunity. I alway have nails, hair etc done regularly. I’ve joined a choir, I go away, did a professional photoshoot, made a lot of new friends. It’s just a question of taking that first step to do something different, not always easy but the confidence will follow.

Rented an art studio and started painting, I am not very good, but I enjoy it and am improving. Started growing cannabis, I make topical balms which are the only thing that soothes my arthritis. Also make my own candles and face oils. Making things really brings me joy

Couldn’t agree more, we owe it to ourselves and those around us to be kind to ourselves in whatever way, no matter how small, makes us happy!! Life’s too short 🥰😘

Gave up dieting, researched intuitive eating, started respecting myself and I now like myself. Im working on loving myself now. It has been life changing!
Im now starting the career I thought I couldnt do until I was the perfect version of me, and Im doing pretty bloody well at it too, if I do say so myself!

Thank you for the post @Littlecatonthefence I love reading these types of things

Changed a boring 20 year + desk job to join a completely different sector and now no 2 days are the same, keeps me on my toes and brain active + huge payrise. Learnt to say yes to things outside my comfort zone, think heights..for now! And learnt to say no to people and things I simply have no interest in. Got rid of toxic people in my life but also tied to 3 who I love dearly, so am learning to except them and our 'differences'.
Reading, walking in nature and learning how to just 'be' and not feel guilty for not having some me time, ie: answering calls, messages, emails straight away. Every day to give yourself 3, or more, positives, no matter how small, some of you might be rolling the irises but in my darkest 2 years, this has really helped and given me a better look on life ... try it