25 changes for 2025

[ToriTheStoryteller]

I started a thread at the start of 2024 called "one small change each week". 2024 thread
Loved updating it and chatting to people who were also trying to make changes but maybe felt a bit overwhelmed by the usual mindset of "right, I'm losing 2 stone, cutting sugar, getting a new job and taking up 3 sports" only to feel like a failure before January is out!

It went well - the old me would have said it was a disaster as I probably kept approx 8-10 habits, but the new me thinks that's brilliant, to have 8 habits that I wasn't keeping to a year ago.

So, onto 2025. Just to encourage a bit more oomph into my brain, I'm planning on 25 for 25: 25 small changes that will improve my life next year.

Wanna join? 🙂

1. Do a weights session 2x per week.

I've had to change gyms and I don't like the new one as much, but seeing a few older relations over Christmas, all with physical issues, is the push I need to want to get stronger.

@2in2022twoyearson is there anything that will make you feel better about Jan and Feb? Using a lovely moisturiser and hand cream every day, spending 15 minutes outside in the middle of the day to get the best daylight, doing a hobby/craft, listening to podcasts or messaging/calling friends in the evening to give the long nights a positive slant?

Then by the time Lent comes around, you'll have some positive habits already under your belt and be ready to tackle something a little bigger?

Great ideas. I'll have a think, and start on Saturday or Sunday. Maybe drink more water.

I have started by removing my NYE , red (now chipped) nail varnish and applying 2 coats of a lovely muted colour plus a top coat. Using a gorgeous hand cream which I was gifted morning and night. Really determined to keep on top of this.

I've just looked at last years thread and pleased to note that I did keep up some of my changes. Not as many as I'd have liked but pleased that at least some stuck.

Want to get back to doing Caroline Girvan work outs although need to go easy on my knees.

Need to go to bed earlier 5/6 hours is not enough.

Want to read more books, I have ordered one to add to my collection of unread books on my bedside table

Need to eat better, reduced white bread, crisps and sugar last year now need to add more variety of fruits and veg

Need to walk more, my dog died last year and I'm struggling to go anywhere that I used to walk her, which doesn't leave many places near me I can go.

You add new ones when the previous ones are now part of your routine.

So start with small adjustments 1st and then it's easier to add more, gradually.

Using hand cream every day and drinking more water is easier than starting a regular fitness routine.

I wasn't on the thread last year, but I was trying to drink more water. My dh bought me a surprise ice maker for my summer birthday and it has really been a game changer for all 5 of us in the family.

I thought I would put it away by November or so for winter, but we use it so much that's it's stayed out on the work surface.

A glass of tap water =not very appealing
A glass of tap water with ice = love it, will drink a pint easily. Who knew?

Only downside, it is noisy and somewhat bulky. Would be great in a utility room which we don't have.

My hands have suddenly gone cracked a couple of days ago so it's a sign I should be on this group. Might pop to tkmaxx to find some hand cream. I'm doing a paint by numbers in the evening when kids are in bed, started that just before the new year. I could do either 10 minutes or 45 minutes but doable daily. And water will be a focus.

So I have painting and water for this week. Next up moisturizer and some short home bodyweight excesizes.

Another one here with a 'go big or go home > get distracted and forget > go home' history 🙋🏻‍♀️ I'll start with a reasonably little one: I'm pretty much always dehydrated, so

1. Drink more fluids

A couple of months ago I started eating a jelly cube every day for my nails, and they are very strong now. That’s become habit now.
And a week or so ago I’ve added in the (apparently!) cortisol lowering drink , and that’s something I do daily now.

I've signed up for beginners yoga.
It starts on Tuesday.

Also plan on walking home from work starting next week ( snow permitting)

I’d love to join!

mine are:

• Cook at least 2 healthy meals a week in my new pressure cooker
• One PT session a week to try and start using weights - for 6 months and then I aim to continue by myself
• walk at least 10k steps per day
• stop doom scrolling at night and put phone away before 10pm

Loving the ideas in this thread. Was pointed here by @sortmyselfoutagain.

And of course I want to do everything all at once!

I do one session a week with a PT at the gym but I don’t really do anything else so I think my first goal should be to add in one more strength session on my own at least. Although I’m having dental surgery on Tuesday and can’t exercise for a week afterwards.

I also need to get sorted at using my dental water flosser. I will have two implants and need to be meticulous about dental hygiene.

I definitely need to drink more water. Some days I only drink tea and wine!

I used my instant pot yesterday to make a mash up (veggie) sausage casserole. The seal needs replacing apparently so it wouldn't pressurise, but it did get used and it did cook my food 😅 and I didn't have the mac and cheese bites that were in the freezer taunting me, so veganuary win!

I'm aiming to use the instant pot 25 times this year, so roughly once a fortnight unless I get hyperfocused on it. It's mainly to get used to using it as I always forget about it.

We also spent a couple of hours outside yesterday for forest school 😊

Any chance you'd be willing to post your recipe please @Sturnidae ? I need to widen my repertoire!

I’d love to join.
Last year I cut down on bread and sugar and want to continue this habit. First 2 new habits for 2025 are
To drink more water
To go out every day and get some fresh air even if it’s a short walk to the shops.

@Sturnidae - we have had an Instant Pot for about 18 months. And it’s never been used! So you have inspired me to aim to use it once a month.

My husband uses it a lot! I don't 😅

I didn't really use one I'm afraid! I had four leftover sausages so sautéed some onions and carrots before throwing it all in the pot with potatoes, squash, herbs, passata and water to cover and then let it simmer as it refused to pressurise.

I have started leaving my phone downstairs at night so I'm not tempted to endlessly scroll at night. I've slept much better since.

I've given this some thought now for a few days - I've landed on journaling: One Good Thing - just noting one good thing that made me smile - every day. I'm using the Day One app. If I journal more, fine - bug the One Good Thing is my aim, and I can tag it as such and then look back as the year comes to a close. I'm hoping is beneficial

Only my second day, but I started straight after I posted last night then forgot completely till mid afternoon 🙄 Back on the wagon! I doubt I've reached the 2 litre recommended target, but loads better than usual ⭐💦

@2in2022twoyearson painting by numbers is a great idea, it's so therapeutic!

@FoolShapeHeart your description of my (usual) mindset is spot on, and sounds like there are lots of us like it. It makes me so happy to see lots of different ideas on here, aside from the normal big, scary ones that New Year can bring out in us. I think a gentler approach can only be a good thing, and that was why I never wanted to put the thread in the weight loss section. It was always about the endless other things that contribute to our wellbeing.

@happinessischocolate that's great that you feel positive about the changes you made last year. It's easy to forget how much we've achieved, especially as some habits might be small, but combined they make a big difference.

So, end of Week 1. Goal was 2x weights sessions. Really happy as I have done those plus a cardio session and a hilly bike ride. Glad I'm off to a good start as its back to work/school tomorrow so will be good to see how I can slot the exercise into the normal routine.

I've just been reading a news story about the Dull Men's Club and I love that vibe: very gentle, positive, celebrating quite small things in an underwhelming way! That's what I'm aiming for here - we aren't 'failing' if we forget to drink 10 glasses of water or don't find time for the gym one day. We are on the long path to feeling good and every step is a positive one. God that sounds wanky but actually I don't even care.😅

I've just seen your thread OP so count me in too! What a good idea.

I'd like to cut my phone use/scrolling to a minimum, I feel that it's become an extension of my arm to the detriment of other things I used to make time for .

Drink more water, walk more regularly - & it's a bonus if it's with the dog - & build on the resistance training I started last year.

Theres probably lots more but when these new habits become a regular part of my life then I can add another one

Was in work Thursday and Friday and introduced and hoping to stick to getting everything ready for work the night before. So lunch box, handbag, clothes (incl underwear and no surprises as in oh shit cant wear that needs an iron) and anything else needed (tying off rubbish so I can take it out with me in the morning, any parcels etc I want to return in my lunch hour). Really hoping it will grow in to a proper habit as it made a huge difference the two days last week x