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 can go a full week at work without feeling fresh air during the day, or even seeing through a window. I'm sure this is why I frequently feel crap at work. :(

GOing back to the OP's situation.... when I had 2 DC under 5, I used to pop on a peppa pig DVD, or cbeebies, for 30mins each and every day.

The DC were thoroughly entertained for 30mins (ok, using tv as a babysitter, very un-mumsnet ) but it bought me 30mins to have a cuppa / stack dishwasher / have a shower or whatever I needed to do.

Not everyone's ideal, but a friend told me that she did this religiously every single day. It was the only tv her kids watched. I tried it, and loved it. I now have 3 DC, one still at home (2yo) and every day, half an hour before school pick up, she watches Mr Tumble or something similar, whilst I get together school run snacks / hang washing out etc.

I love sitting at my dining table (which I annex as a work table / desk) looking through the windows to the tree tops that have just turned green in the sunshine - we are on the fourth floor and at the very leafiest bit!

Spend time with happy people. Enjoy the small things.

Ha! My DC watched way more than half an hour of CBeebies every day sugarhoops though we still did loads of other stuff such as toddler group and park and nursery, and I did talk to them from time to time about the story line and characters - as well as other stuff obvs.
Warning stealth boast coming up I don't think it's done them any harm as I can hear Haydn's trumpet concerto wafting down the stairs ATM courtesy of DS(12)
< proud Mum emoticon >

I do meal planning and aim to try at least one new recipe a week. Not for everyone but it works for my family. We also don't scrimp on food - I only buy what I need for the meals but I try to get the best quality ingredients.

I stopped watching soaps several months ago. I used to watch Emmerdale, Coronation St and Eastenders. The storylines depressed me and I did not like the fact that my dd was becoming too engrossed.

I thought I would miss it. Not at all! I wasted 1.5 hours most weekday evenings on soaps.

I have more time to spend on mumsnet and pinterest with family.

I think ive lost my way somewhere or maybe it was just DD's arrival - she is a ticking bombshell, whirring dervish. Im not on great health at the moment. Reading many of these posts about the self care is very pertinent to me - I know they work - gym/walks/swimming/ flowers and candles. I must pick up some dropped habits.

But I would like to say something about decluttering your lifestyle...this is something I have done more really to do with DS. Before DD came along I took DS to everythig going, all local events, after school activities and I tried to keep this going for while. I just dont try to do as much stuff, fit everyone in. I also dropped out of a cliquey group. The relief of not havign to keep up with all the parents goings on at the groups and people I sued to see elsewhere - simplify your social life and plan weekends to do nothing but chill low level stuff with family

I now think very carefully before committing to anything. We have had a break from somethings and went back to them. I particulalry like planning things like a trip to park that dont have a start time, I feel less pressured.

I posted about health yesterday (at GP's tomorrow) but since then I have tidied up a good bit, done some real cleaning and I feel so much better in my mood. I find it both heartening and interesting so many people feel better when their physical environment is clean and organised. I wonder why this is?

I love to put on house music ear bleedingly loud when no one is in the house but me, when I doing boring chore stuff, makes me feel better, centred and calmer in a weird way. Makes tasks go quicker. Did a shed load of ironing to an ancient Pete Tong mix this afternoon! (PS: I ensure neighbours are out too, both work during the day and am semi detached!)

MTV top 100 tunes

YY to music - I did a two hour wardrobe de-clutter yesterday to the sound of Blondie, Sleeper and James. The time flew by, I felt relaxed and I have lovely, tidy clothes!

They could have two toys out each at any one time but if another came down one had to be put away

That's sad :(

Refuse to travel out of the village to work. I could find a better job in the town but nothing can beat working within 200 yards of home as I do now.

Hired a cleaner.

Thanks for the thread. Have just booked a pedicure and a wax. Am 30 weeks pg with DC2 and I struggle with being 'myself' sometimes

Use "while" time productively - while I'm waiting for the kettle to boil, I'll quickly empty one shelf in the fridge and clean it; while I'm waiting for the bacon to cook I'll scrub the shower; while my blueberries are on the hob I'll get the laundry in off the line and folded. I absolutely hate doing boring tasks all in one go so I do them piecemeal - I cleaned two of the kitchen cabinets yesterday and I'll do another two tonight. So stuff gets done but it never really feels like too much of an effort.

marsha- "I used to think it was a big luxury but now I feel like I rely on it for that re-boot each week. Not a must for everyone of course. "

Many have no choice.

andsmile - yes it is very marked on this thread how many people have put clear / clean / uncluttered house as the big way to improve quality of life.

My Brother-in-law and his wife live in a complete bomb site of a house - sweet house, but FAR too much stuff (bordering on hoarders). There is clutter everywhere. Their kids are 9 and 11, and they still hold masses of random baby / kids toys that our kids pull out whenever we go round. THere is stuff piled high on every surface, in every room. It is such a messy, confusing environment to be in. AS a family, they all suffer huge amounts of illness - kids both off school every term with illnesses, B-IL just been terribly poorly & off work for a month. Sis-in-law suffers with all sorts of problems (they are, basically, the sickest family I know). They also suffer money problems (can't ever seem to manage their budget even though they earn well). I am convinced its partly / all down to their living environment. It must be so awful to come home to that messy, untidy, cluttered house. Tried telling them to de-clutter but to no avail, they can't bear to throw stuff out (hence the baby toys!).

I point blank refuse to do any housework in the evenings. I do an hour of study after ds is in bed and come 9pm i just relax, read, watch tv. I absolutely need that time to de-stress. Anything needing doing gets done on my days off or before work as we're up early. I have a friend who does housework late into the night and i think she's mad.
I also try to get out into the country at the weekends, nature always makes me feel peaceful and relaxed.

I am not at all woo or religious but...mindfulness is really helpful.

Every day for 10 mins...sit in open air, turn face towards the sun, consciously feel the sun/air on your face, consciously hear the birds/leaves in the wind etc.

Lots of book on how to to do it, takes practice but is really good stress reliever, makes you feel clear headed even among the chaos of everyday life. Very restorative.

Decent night's sleep.
Drinking water or fizzy water.
A walk every day.
Taking time to sit down and have lunch and an afternoon cuppa or little pick me up.
A tisane at night is a civilised way to finish the day.
Wear a splash of perfume every day. Don't save it.

Time with the DCs just being friendly.
Time with the cat.

Take out the bin every night.
Prep for the morning as much as possible the night before.
Two slow cooker meals per week.
Two meatless meals a week.
Only grocery shop once a week.
Finish laundry all the way through from sorting to putting away. A dryer is essential imo.
Empty dishwasher as soon as it's done.

If clothes are bought, old clothes go to charity or bin. Same if clothes are passed down to younger DDs. One in/one out (or preferably two out).
Like is too short to be wearing underwear that is ratty and bras that do nothing for you.

Keep up with home cleaning -- a solid half an hour every day keeps on top of it, and I love the smell of polished furniture so I polish at least once a week. Handheld portable hoover is fab. Keeps couch and armchairs nice.
YY to opening windows and banishing stale air.
YY also to starting children young on helping with chores and taking care of their own stuff.

"And a cleaner for sure, but that is a must these days."

only on mumsnet

Deep - I know. And many wouldn't have one anyway and might get a takeaway or bottle of wine with the same amount. I didn't mean a must for everyone.

oh fgs