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.

I thought about this some more and realised that these things also improved my life:

1. Threw away bathroom scales. I used to weigh twice a day, keep records and obsess.
2. Had a massive, whole-house, ruthless declutter.
3. Bought a very expensive (£1500) memory foam extra deep mattress.
4. Had my long hair bobbed, now its so much quicker to shampoo and dry.

Stop buying Xmas presents and cards, and putting up Xmas Dec's.

Very liberating and feels like I'm moving away from all the brainwashing.

Hey a goat

Get a goat, that should be. They are so funny. Love life, fear nothing and take no shit off anyone. And have self confidence and will give anything a go.

After reading The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo, I started only buying things with intention.

It’s made me a nightmare to buy presents for though as I don’t want anything!

This thread is wonderful. I'm going to choose some ideas from it including daily writing and trying a new thing everyday. Oh, and leaving the mobile phone in a different room. Maybe a monthly massage too.

I lost 3 stone which has done wonders for my confidence. I learned not to offload my problems so much on others. I massively decluttered. I quit a job I hated. I try to get outside for a walk each day.

I love this thread.

Moved to the seaside for daily beach dog walks.
Cut out the booze.
Good skincare (instead of lots of make-up)

Joined a knitting group, so I get one day out socialising every week.

Started exercise (strength and cardio) classes once a week at my local rehab centre.

I’m loving this thread. Interesting how many people cite meditation, exercise and not engaging with the news or Facebook.

I thought of my decluttering success at first, but my biggest change was seven years ago, when I gave up a well-paid but soul-destroying job to become self-employed. My income fell by about 2/3, but I’ve never felt happier or more fulfilled.

Meditation is something I’m going to try as I suffer from anxiety sometimes.

Consistent night's sleep, stopped going to bed later for any tv programme now there is IPlayer and other catch up services.

This sounds fascinating and inspiring, but a bit daunting. Did you manage to find something new to do every single day? Did it take a lot of planning and tracking to keep on top of it? I can imagine getting through a hectic day and then thinking - crap, totally forgot about my new thing. How did you manage it practically?

Echoing a few others above. I had a succession of losing people close to me that brought life into focus. Prioritising 'doing' rather than having. So choosing a day out over a new pair of jeans. Saying yes to meeting up with friends and family. Making sure I am bothering to do stuff, e.g I could message my friend to go to X event but I can't be bothered. Nope, wrong attitude, just do it. Buuuuttt make sure you aren't burning out, also be bothered to have a netflix day!!

Read The Secret
Practice manifesting and gratefulness
Meditate every day
Force positive thinking

I've picked up painting and cross stitching again (things I did before kids) and I'm finding it really therapeutic just to zone out for an hour or 2.

Such a great thread and lovely to read what other people do. Loving the idea of planning a monthly 'thing' be it a new restuarant/cafe to try, a new place to walk, a new city to visit, a new show to see. I will definitely try this.

Oh and I've recently bought a new notepad to jot things down in. I carry it with me everywhere so if I see something nice (coat in Monsoon) I jot it down or the fact that I saw 2 swans on our local river, they get a mention. It's lovely to read back on things and it seems to keep life 'simple' iykwim.

I have been thinking the same thing about a Filofax, may I ask which size did you get? Pocket?

Honestly....Ive loved this thread.

Thank you everyone.

I used to feel overwhelmed by all the projects and tasks, large and small, that I was responsible for.
I started asking myself what the 2-minute version of the project looked like. I tackled things in small bite-sized chunks. Game-changing!

This is the year I bought shoes that are comfortable and robust. Not ugly, but prioritising the need to be able to walk 20,000 steps in, not slip over in the rain, and not have to sigh with relief when I take them off. Goodyear welted sole tall boots, Skechers leather trainers, timberlands. All handsome and I feel good when I put them on, and I don’t have constantly sore feet.

Shared to do lists for shopping with my husband, on the Microsoft To Do app. Revolutionary.

Got outside more, found a job where I work flexibly from home/ outdoors. Not worry about materialistic things. Spend as much time as possible out in nature with the kids.

Listening to friends’ advice to try SimplyCook. I really look forward to dinner and no longer binge eat because I’m bored of eating the same old dinners.

Bought an e-bike and am having an amazing time exploring local cycle routes.

Lost 5 stones (in weight, not pebbles).

Started going into the Peaks, alone, once a month on a Sunday morning, and doing a long walk. Back home mid-morning but really clears my head.

Read more, less tv. Avoid the news as much as I can. Actively try to compliment people daily.