What one thing do you do to increase quality in your life?

[Springhasspung]

What one thing do you do to increase your energy, or improve the quality of your day, I'm trying to steal little ideas that could make my life with two dcs under 5 and a busy DH tips are appreciated!

I just want to reiterate the benefit of organizing and decluttering (without sounding obsessive). We moved house 2y ago from rented where everything was crammed in, not enough storage, couldn't do much about it. In the new place, there is more space and I have put ion lots of storage and now literally everything (bar a box of photos I haven't done yet) is organized and in its designated place. I can't tell you how much happier this has made me - and how much time it has save dme - I can go straight to the thing I need now without wasting time trying to find it.

You also enjoy your stuff more and get more out of it - eg I can squeeze in a bit of arts and craft type stuff again now, despite not having much time, because I have space to do it and can find everything easily.

My car is a genteel old-lady of a VW Polo, and my mobile is so old it can't even take photos...yet I only ever wear Chanel foundation and I sleep under a pure goosedown quilt, that was eye-wateringly expensive

Same here, old ancient mobile, pay as you go.

Old ish car but I am not in the slightest excited by cars at all. But I agree, on duvet, ours is not goose down but we will be up grading soon, however it was expensive. So was our mattress topper.

We are not bothered by sky, or even i pads etc....i phones...but we like a good camera to take excellent pics of the children.

Having said that, I must say getting a larger washing machine with dryer has also made a huge improvement to my life, esp with small children.
I adore the dryer.
Also a great hoover has made life easier.

These are things one uses all the time.

A power shower is fab too.

My car is a filthy old man of an A3 and my phone is normal. I sleep on a thousand mattresses lest I feel a pea, though.

Do I win £5?

Is that an Audi A3?

If so, no £5.

God yes I have an old nokia pronounced 'vintage' by ds and his mates! Old rust bucket estate and absolutely don't get the bag thing. But bedding,coffee,and art takes all my £

I agree with having time to yourself in the loo and shower. A lock on the bathroom door allows you to feel your soul is your own. Even with the lock, I told the DCs they could knock on the door only if the house was on fire.

Every day, I try and ensure I do:

1 x physical thing (run, swim, cycle or just walk)
1 x social thing (coffee, meal with friends, cinema, catch up or if no one is about a phone call)
1 x intellectual thing (usually work! but sometimes reading, even if just a short poem)

and, if I have energy

1 x shag/"personal time"

Have a dryer
Comfy mattress
Clean bedroom
Fresh bedding

I think Forago has inspired me to de-clutter. I dream of that kind of organised life, though I wonder if its actually possible with 2 DC under the age of 10.
Definitely got me thinking though...

The best washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher, iron, hoover and hairdryer you can afford. Saves time and drudgery.

Pro blow dry followed by pro manicure - amazing how soignee and confident this can make you look and feel after any low day, or in advance of any difficult one.

If you can afford to install a pump, YYY to good water pressure for the power shower. Just done this and I feel so energised every morning.

I swear by having my shirts and blouses washed and ironed at the drycleaner. Nothing says you've got your shit together like a sharp crease down your sleeve and no creases anywhere else.

One calendar, one 'to do' list, and one notebook. Doesn't matter if analogue or digital, but if you are switching between two sources or systems, something will fall between the cracks and make you look and feel an idiot.

How could I forget this bit - I'm always banging on about it on MN - Vitamin D seems to have changed my life.

Been taking high dose capsules for two years and no longer suffer from low moods (even in winter), my skin has improved, my periods are no longer painful and I have much more energy and a greater capacity for stressful situations.

Exercise, I prefer team sports but just getting out for a walk is good too. It sets me up for the day and makes me happy.

I agree about decluttering and living in a very organized house. I am not obsessive about it being immaculate but everything has a place and it's very organised. Even in my cupboards. Paperwork is all dated and filed and all my storage boxes are labelled carefully. Nothing makes me happier than a trip to the tip or the charity shop to get rid of things.

Thesaurusgirl - where do you get the Vit D capsules and what was your information source for deciding on dosage, please?

thesaurus yy to vit D! I completely and utterly agree with you. However, high dosage of vit D can lead to vascular calcification, are you keeping an eye on that?

thesaurusgirl - I am über obsessive about laundry and get lots of the ironing done (but not the washing - I do it better myself in my state-of-the-art machine and personal cocktail of detergents and stain removers ) at the dry cleaners where it is done so beautifully (far, far better standard than anyone who has ever come to my house to do it).

I agree - perfectly cared for clothes make such a difference to well-being.

LadyVet I'm a director of our company and we have to get an annual medical as part of our insurance. I'd just come back from a two week holiday somewhere very sunny and exotic so couldn't believe it when the doctor said I was deficient.

I now take 5000mg a day (bought from Boots, cheaper than a prescription) three months on, three months off (to guard against the calcium deficiency Kia mentions).

I wasn't "ill" so wasn't expecting to feel better but a kind of lethargy seems to have lifted and I feel so much better physically and mentally even though the last two years have been really hard (split with LT ex-DP, house move, tough promotion etc).

Sorry Ladyvet should have said it was a blood test. I think you can ask your GP for the same test.

Thank you, thesaursgirl! I'm amazed that so much is needed. I imagine that most of us are deficient in vitamin D - it certainly explains why I feel so gloomy and tired outside of the summer months, despite the fact that I'm not outdoorsy and like winter activities more than summer ones!

Sounds terrible but hiring a cleaner!