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!

Why is it depressing to want to live in a well-kept home?

It's the opposite that's depressing - not bothering with your home.

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!

Most people are sticking to the premise of the thread, if not the 'one thing' aspect of the OP, so 'little ideas that could make life with two dcs under 5 and a busy husband' is what you are seeing.

And a lot of people have said things like taking a walk, spending time with pets, spending enjoyable time with children and OH, being pickier about friendships, eating healthy food and drinking more water, planning some nice break, appreciating the small things, planning ahead and using planning apps. Some of it is just good, fundamental management skills -- there's nothing inferior about good management just because it takes place in a domestic setting. I think there are many men who could learn a lot here. While women are catching up, men tend to be the ones who get heart attacks in middle age.

I was a bit surprised and slightly disappointed by the way the thread has gone myself hugo but I think mathanxiety is right in that it is all in the strap line/small print - so not just responding to the title?

I realise I didn't actually answer the thread title and i can't think of a good answer

I like to be able to articulate my thoughts to myself in peace. It really helps clear my mind, and is just as good as talking to a friend (who I love dearly, of course). I think I'd make a good therapist I don't actually talk to myself. I just think.

And I love a Frijj milkshake and literally sigh with happiness after the first gulp. They're quite expensive for what they are so I don't get them often. And I stand by what I said before, in that an organised house would cheer me right up. One less thing to do and all that.

I love domesticity. Having a lovely home and family is what it's all about, as far as I am concerned.

Of course, homes and families have to keep on evolving, which requires going out into the world and getting inspiration all the time.

I do my own cleaning but working full time I did outsource my ironing. And its lovely. Its normally DH's shirts and I was getting hot and sweaty doing them on Sunday's.

Feel much much better leaving a bag of un-ironed stuff and the next day having them delivered back to the house on hangers and ironed!

Ooh, thanks for that Sillylass
Thich Nhat Hanh is great isn't he? I love his simple and wise writing

Trouble is the domestic sphere has been denigrated for so long that I find it hard not to do so a little myself - not so much raising children though, I'm OK with finding great value in that. Just all the other stuff that suffers a bit with me.

I always think you are a long time dead, so I try to spend as much time travelling, reading, doing things I enjoy as I can/can afford. Spending time with dd falls within that. Dusting and ironing doesn't . My nan is 86. She spent her whole life running round after others, cleaning things, cooking things, stressing about hoovering and other such bollocks. She has osteo-arthritis and is on morphine patches. She can do nothing now. She has no interests, she never put the effort in to making friends, having hobbies etc. Her life was the family and the house. The family grew up and the house is now beyond her capabilities. She is very lonely and bored these days.

Absolutely nothing wrong with the domestic, but children grow and leave home (I hope) and if that is your whole focus; then I can see that adjusting might be harder when circumstances change.

a likkle baby- congratulations.

My baby is nearly 12 and my big boy nearly 16 so I am at a different point- the horizon is there in front of me.

Of course I am still totally involved with looking after them; but I have for the last few years had half an eye on the future and made an effort to pay attention to my career and my relationship with dh.

I can relate to a lot on this thread.

But there is a bit of smugness and competitiveness. I mean really - does anyone really thing that cooking a full cooked breakfast for the family makes their life easier???

Ah, don't knock Ma Larkin I thought she was great!

notcontent, the OP asked "What one thing do you do to increase your energy, or improve the quality of your day?". She did not ask 'what makes your life easier?'

For each of us the answer to that questions is going to be different .... because we are all different. And isn't that great?

If someone finds that the quality of their day is improved by making a daily cooked breakfast then that is their answer. You cannot tell them that they are wrong, because you don't live their life so how would you know? That poster was not complaining that her life was too busy. She sounded blissfully happy, highly organised and in a good place.

Success I've have meal planned for the week. Chore one down already feel the energy flooding

My day is improved by having slots of time when I am free and don't have to do 'jobs' or have them hanging over me.
Therefore if I wneed to do washing up or tidying, I do it by 8pm so I can relax for the rest of evening.
I am not a last minute person, but get an improved day from having completed work and other tasks I do t really enjoy earlier.

Lovely quote Silly.

For me, the point of having an organised home is that it leaves me with more time and energy to enjoy other things. But also, like Gandhi sitting daily at his spinning wheel, regular housework keeps me grounded.

I don't think I "wash the dishes to wash the dishes", though. I wash the dishes to have the opportunity to let my mind wander, and probably to process the things that have happened before.

The car thing is an interesting one for me. I'm absolutely not interested in cars and drove the same sedate old lady car for 10 years. DH persuaded me to get a new car just before Xmas. Driving it is an immeasurable improvement to my commute (1hr each way). It's much easier to drive, I can overtake much more readily (was often stuck behind farm vehicles on rural roads before as previous car was so underpowered) and even being able to easily use mobile hands free is great as I can speak to my mum etc on way home rather than that being another chunk from the evening.

I spend a fair bit in beauticians and hairdressers. Always having nice nails, eyebrows etc makes me feel better.

Also use nice perfume every day.

Wear a lot of designer denim as am tall and thin and seems to be the only way to get a nice non saggy fit.

Having not had a lunch break at work for years have started meeting a work colleague/friend for lunch or coffee once a week. So nice to catch up with different people and also a career investment as it keeps up a network.

Springhassprung, I always felt that chore hanging over me like a ton of bricks until I started planning. It made a huge difference not to have to think about dinner first thing Every.Single.Morning.Of.My.Life -- and we ate a better variety of dinners when I could see it all on a list. It also resulted in cutting down on money spent on groceries as I could plan meals based on gussied up leftovers.

The one thing that gives me a clear head and energy is a good night sleep. The quality of my life would be enhanced infinitely if I could have uninterrupted sleep everyday.
This is not possible due to having a son with special needs.
Doing excercise is also a booster.