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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

309 replies

Littlecatonthefence · 30/10/2023 11:14

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.

OP posts:
DistrictAndCircle · 30/10/2023 20:46

  1. Decided to get up half an hour earlier each day, and spent that half hour exercising. Makes me feel good physically, and I’ve already done something worthwhile in the day before I’d otherwise even be awake!

  2. Bought a Kindle. The ability to have it in my pocket to dip into whenever I want means I read so much more.

  3. Stopped looking at Facebook and Twitter.

  4. Eat my 5-a-day

I am so much happier and healthier doing all of those things.

Heyhoherewegoagain · 30/10/2023 20:48

Lost 14.5 stones (of me, I didn’t get rid of a useless dh 😂)

DustSalad · 30/10/2023 20:48

@StarlightLady @HoboSexualOnslow

Get a plug-in. Can't beat it for lasting power. I've had my doxy wand ten years. There's simply no comparison to battery operated or rechargeable.

MindfulGrateful · 30/10/2023 20:54

I did Couch to 5k, Park Runs and a 10k run. It really changed the way I saw myself and I liked the world more.

That said, I've been too lazy to go for a run for months now! I must get back into it

ElevenSeven · 30/10/2023 21:00

Switched off the news
Deleted FB and Instagram

Ring friends who life afar instead of texting
Light candles every day
Massges
Food supermarket deliveries chosen a month in advance on a rolling basis so it’s a surprise what turns up for dinners that week

girlfriend44 · 30/10/2023 21:00

Taken a back seat from organising everything. It's so stressful, let someone else do it. Feeling better.

tothelefttotheleft · 30/10/2023 21:03

Heyhoherewegoagain · 30/10/2023 20:48

Lost 14.5 stones (of me, I didn’t get rid of a useless dh 😂)

That's amazing. Well done!

I'd love to know more.

menopausalmare · 30/10/2023 21:04

I make an effort to keep in touch with friends and arrange regular get- togethers. Life is richer with a good set of friends.

Meadowlands · 30/10/2023 21:12

I started volunteering at my local animal rescue centre walking rescue dogs.
Life changer for me.

Guesswho88 · 30/10/2023 21:13

Onethingatatime23 · 30/10/2023 12:27

My daughters play The Sims and I used to play it as a young adult- I do sometimes sort of think of things in terms of needs like a Sim has - social, learning, food, energy, health, family, work, fun, comfort, etc, to keep the little diamond above my head bright green, LOL.

If I'm feeling a bit grey or pale green then it's usually because I'm lacking in one or more areas.

https://sims.fandom.com/wiki/Plumbob

Probably not quite as simple as forgetting to build a door in a room 😂, but you get the picture.

https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html

OMG I do that Sims thing too!

Octavia64 · 30/10/2023 21:21

Got cats.

Three adorable batshit kittens who are super cuddly.

I really looked forward to coming home tonight to curl up in the sofa, read my thriller and get cat cuddles.

TotalOverhaul · 30/10/2023 21:24

Tree12 · 30/10/2023 18:39

Started seeing a women’s coach. I used to scoff at ‘life coaches’ but she’s helped me change my life in ways that I couldn’t do on my own.

In what ways? I'm intrigued. Please would you say more about this?

Chasingup · 30/10/2023 21:29

Lost 6 stone! I spent many years being unhappy, it was surprising just how much my weight impacted things. My mental health has improved no end too

scoobydoo1971 · 30/10/2023 21:33

After a recent diagnosis of sarcoma, I have promised myself that once I am over surgery and getting better that I shall devote one day per week to ME. Not the kids, not the dogs, not the cats, not the goldfish, not the DIY, not the volunteer work, not the business, not the book keeping, not the home education of our youngest, and not the housework. Just me, me and more me time, doing non-essential hobbies and other me stuff that just benefits me, and makes my life more about me, and less about everyone and everything else.

Butterscotch81 · 30/10/2023 21:36

I started taking Wegovy to help me lose weight, I joined a new social group and started a night class. I've also started to be more consistent with my make up routine as having my make up on makes a massive difference to my day and how I feel.
I also have poker straight hair but prefer my hair wavy so I curl my hair a couple of times a week and I always feel it makes me look better.

Butterscotch81 · 30/10/2023 21:38

@Octavia64 love this! I am a cat lover as well. Kittens/cats are one of the few things in life that bring me true joy

theduchessofspork · 30/10/2023 21:42

AceOfCups · 30/10/2023 11:35

started using an old-fashioned paper planner.

originally got it to keep track of upcoming work trips, but found it really useful for managing my life in general, and now I wouldn’t be without one.

I use it for appointments, daily to-dos, project planning, lists etc. There are blank pages at the back where I jot down useful info like NHS number, passport number etc. The planner I use is small and slim so I can take it anywhere and I’m so much more organised and productive now as I can see where my time is going. It makes me more accountable and I make conscious choices about what I want to prioritise. It’s hardly a revolutionary idea but it’s been life-changing for me and I really wish I’d discovered the magic of a paper planner years ago!

@AceOfCups

Would you mind sharing which one you use?

TheUltima · 30/10/2023 21:47

justalittlesnoel · 30/10/2023 11:38

I take care of myself - be that getting my nails done, doing a face mask, having a slug moment and moisturising head to toe, reading my favourite book, having a walk alone to listen to good music, going for a coffee and shopping date on my own etc etc.

If I feel good then I take more joy in the everyday things, which makes me appreciate everything more. Romanticising my own life has definitely made a huge difference, felt silly at first but the mindset is something that'll stay now.

Slug moment 😂 I imagine you crawling on the floor covered head to toe in moisturiser. I’d get absolutely covered in fluff and cat hair

Ratfinkstinkypink · 30/10/2023 21:48

Stopped work and started fostering.

EvlisPersley · 30/10/2023 21:50

Jacked job in, retired early, sold up, packed up and fucked off to sunnier climes ….. 😎☀️🙌🏻

vipersnest1 · 30/10/2023 21:52

Got divorced (l had lost a lot of 'me' - I still haven't got it all back and I'm still terrified of making men angry, years and years down the line).

Got diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. It was a horrible thing to go through, with a lot of time off work and worry about my future, but it finally validated what I'd been experiencing for at least twenty years.

Worked with DC2 to give them the best chance at a normal life despite a severe sensory impairment - awful and heart-breaking at the time as I so wished I could take it away from them, but so worth it.

Smaller things:

Finally paying off my mortgage (I know I'm lucky, but I've worked damn hard to be able to do it). In monetary terms it's a big thing and I'm grateful I've had that weight lifted, but nothing in comparison to the above when it comes to my mental health.

Applying for a promotion / responsibility at work which makes me feel validated and gives me a huge boost as I know what I'm doing is making a real difference.

MegBusset · 30/10/2023 21:54

Quit drinking. Can’t overemphasise the difference this made.
Gave up high impact exercise. Stick with walking, swimming and yoga - so much better and more enjoyable.
Getting outside for a walk every single day.
Dropping to a four day week.

NeedToChangeName · 30/10/2023 21:54

Exercise

Declutter

Less time on WhatsApp, more effort to meet friends in person

Ohwhatadag · 30/10/2023 21:55

Listen to podcasts, get a dog, walk dog and listen to podcasts at the same time.

Madamlulu · 30/10/2023 21:57

mrmagpie · 30/10/2023 12:31

I started to listen to audiobooks. It sounds silly but I used to feel a bit stressed that I never had time to read, and I love reading, but I bought some wireless headphones and joined the library and audible and I love it!

I listen while I walk, do housework, drive, shop, everything. It makes mundane jobs pass more easily and gives my brain something to focus on - it's honestly helped my stress levels. I listen to books and podcasts, there are so many to choose from and I'm never bored.

This too! I love audio books now and they bring me so much peace x

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