AIBU to ask you if a daily habit has transformed your life?

[CarlyWarly1980]

Just that, really..
Do you have a daily habit that has transformed your life for the better? A friend recommended a book along these lines but am I being unreasonable to think a daily habit can't really transform your life?
My friend has said the new habit of drinking water and putting on mascara every day helps her feel confident and think clearer improved her skin and helps her concentration. So I'm asking others on here AIBU to think one habit done daily can't really "change" your life?

@Mabelface

Started taking antidepressants a few weeks ago and my horrendous anxiety has gone.

That is fabulous Mabelface, I'm glad you are feeling better.

I like the idea of having a few small goals to maintain for the week, it’s when I start thinking about forever I get overwhelmed.

So for this week I’d like to:

Drink 2l of water daily
Only eat between 12pm and 8pm daily
Go for a walk daily

This is a brilliant thread, thank you!
So far I have been doing 16:8 fasting/low carbing for 4 weeks and have lost 7.5lbs, which I’m happy about. I attempt 10,000 steps per day, but mostly fail, to be honest. Have got into a bit of a slump, but last week I started yoga zoom classes and an 8 week mindfulness course. This thread has inspired me to order some well-woman supplements, a guided journal and the Miracle Morning book, so I’m hoping to make some positive steps!!

KatherineParr4

I use OptiBac

This thread is a breath of fresh air on here compared to some I've read recently!

This is a lovely thread. I get up early - usually 5.30am - which really helps me to prepare for the day. I do generally go to bed before 10pm though. Mornings I write a gratitude list and I pray, to a higher power rather than a god, just for patience and guidance and a sober day 😀. I've been in AA for many years. In the evening I do an inventory of my day if I have had fears, anger or resentments. The theory is that it's these kind of emotions that led us to drink, so we unpick them before they lead us down the same path. I haven't actually done that for some time but felt the need to over the weekend after some toxic family stuff. I add that if I had picked up a drink over that, it would have been entirely my choice and responsibility - this isn't assigning blame to anyone else, ever.

I'm longing to try the one legged balancing planning though!

I am really enjoying this thread, OP and posters. I have bookmarked so can read all of it

Yoga - but only 10 minutes a day. I can't stick to a longer session but 10 minutes seems fair to rid me of backache.

I meant to add, one of my mindfulness practice ‘homeworks’ was to complete one activity a day in a mindful way, so I have combined that with a skincare session ...double cleanse, tone, moisturise, eye cream and eyelash serum...I’m normally rushing through this (on the days I remember!), scrubbing at my skin with the radio blaring, so not I take my time and do it in 5 minutes of silence. I also have a black coffee waiting to cool next to me too, so take the time to absorb the smell of that. It’s only a little thing but it feels more luxurious now 🙂

twobignoisyboys

That sounds blissful! And eyelash serum?! Please tell me more..... I'm loving all the tips on this thread!

Morning routines are a recipe for disaster, guilt, and feelings of failure, as I can never stick to anything, unless I really want to do it. So I just go with the flow and feel better for it. Sometimes I feel like doing yoga and sometimes I don't, sometimes I'll just do little stretches in bed, and it's ok, etc.

However:

Half a litre of water while getting ready in the morning, before breakfast, for a long time now. This always sets me up for a better day food wise and I drink more water than ever before. Also I take an iron pill will OJ as soon as I wake up, then sip on the water, as iron needs Vit C to absorb. I realised that I'm thirsty, and not hungry, in the morning.

Also I've stopped trying to quit coffee as it gave me headaches for years, but I love the taste so much, so I've been only drinking decaf for about 2 years and have a lot less headaches.

For everyone interested in habit formation check out "THE FOUR TENDENCIES" BY GRETCHEN RUBIN. I put it in caps because I want you to see it :) You can google a four tendencies quiz, for free on her website. This framework is about how different people respond to inner and outer expectations, very helpful in helping yourself and other form habits. This really helped me understand myself better, and my partner.

She also has a fantastic podcast "Happier with Gretchen Rubin". All about habits and creating a happier life.

@Cananyoneelseseethis it’s a serum I bought from Amazon, to encourage growth, as my eyelashes are ridiculously stumpy! It seems to be working, as when I put mascara on now it sometimes transfers onto my upper eyelid from my top lashes before it’s dried, does that make sense? They didn’t reach before, I’m sure! I’ll try to find the link if you like?

What a lovely thread!
I am in a bid to change my life and there are some lovely ideas here.
I'm off to find a few of the books mentioned here but for now I think I might try the following -

• Dig out my water bottle and make sure I drink it twice over today (I have a weird sensory thing about water from a glass - I can drink fizzy water or flat bottled water from a glass but not tap water. Tap water I have to drink from a bottle - I think it's becuase I can smell the chlorine)
• Make sure the kitchen is tidy before I go to bed so I get up to a sorted space not a cluttered one *Restart keeping a planner and review it morning and evening
• Also adding the standing on one leg thing and squats - my core is awful. My physio did recommend the one leg thing when I had really bad PF because apparently I 'clutch' the ground with my toes when standing as my balance is so awful - this leads to tense calf muscles which leads to bad PF.

Thank you for such a positive thread.

Eyelash serum, for anyone that’s interested 😊
Eyelash Growth Serum,BESTOPE 2020... www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07MHK1PZV?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Yoga and drinking loads of water, I am losing weight, can sit cross legged again and sleep much better. Also use The Ordinary products for my skin

Plenty water and stretches every morning. I feel great if i do this every day, and notice a real difference if I fall off the wagon for a few days.

Also, double cleansing and moisturising every night. Had totally sorted my skin out.

You'll think I'm nuts and possibly outing as I tell everyone but I play "beat the kettle" every morning first thing. I try to empty and reload the dishwasher in the time it takes to boil the kettle for 4 brews! It makes me giggle and takes the "chore" away!

Getting up and getting dressed for the day . Bag packed once I get home , so if I need to go out I literally pick up my bag and shoes and walk out( learnt this when my first born were twins ) . My dh takes about 15 mins to leave the house !

Some of these are great. I only have two that I do consistently:

AM & PM skincare rountine - I started a Dermatica subscription at the end of last year and my normally oily & acne-prone skin has transformed with tretinoin. It's made a huge difference to my self-confidence.

Tidy house before bed - it's such a joy coming down in the morning to a pristine kitchen, it sets you up so nicely for the day.

What I love most about virtually all of these habits is you can start tomorrow. You can just pick one and start

@bravefox

Charging my phone in the kitchen at night and relying on an alarm clock to wake up. Sounds stupid but if you've tried it, you'll know what I mean...

We also do this and have done for about the last year and it’s been amazing. We got an alarm clock that lets you have two alarm times set so when my husband gets up stupid early I can set my alarm for a more normal time! Leaving phones downstairs at night has meant I sleep much better

@eatyourcake thanks for that recommendation. I did the quiz and it sums me up perfectly! I've followed her on Spotify so I'll have a listen to her podcasts later.

Sounds ridiculous but if you're feeling old and creaky, make a new rule that if you have to put your shoes on or take them off, you SIT down on the floor and get back up afterwards. I actually was finding it very hard to get up and down before doing this but it's made me more flexible.