Ways you upped your game in life

[Anonymous]

Started saying no to shit I don't want to commit to.

Go the Revlon spin brush and cut my long nasty hair to a nicer style.

Started spending on free time on stuff I really want to do.

Made my kids pull their own weight around the house.

Started planning fun shit to do at least once a month with whomever wants to do it with me..unfortunately its not my husband because he's a stick in the mud but I'm done letting that stop me from having fun.

Found someone I trust to run my business when Im gone and pay her through the nose so she doesn't leave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I stopped being flaky and stopped being late.

I started investing in my friendships more. I live overseas and my friends are all scattered around (my closest friends live in NYC, DC, SF, London, and Shanghai) and these long-term friendships are really important to me. I make a point to reach out and see how everyone's doing regularly.

I raised my standard of cleanliness for my home. By keeping the house neater, my mood tends to be better overall and I have more energy (I'm not kidding).

I'm already pretty minimalist, but now I regularly get rid of things rather than doing a big purge. More manageable.

I refuse to engage in drama with anyone, ever.

I stopped being self-deprecating. It's not to say I act like a cocky a**hole, I just started to realize my value and worth and no longer present myself that way.

If I don't feel it, I don't do it. Friendships, undertakings, books, whatever - life is too short.

This is an awesome list, PP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I stopped being flaky and stopped being late.

I started investing in my friendships more. I live overseas and my friends are all scattered around (my closest friends live in NYC, DC, SF, London, and Shanghai) and these long-term friendships are really important to me. I make a point to reach out and see how everyone's doing regularly.

I raised my standard of cleanliness for my home. By keeping the house neater, my mood tends to be better overall and I have more energy (I'm not kidding).

I'm already pretty minimalist, but now I regularly get rid of things rather than doing a big purge. More manageable.

I refuse to engage in drama with anyone, ever.

I stopped being self-deprecating. It's not to say I act like a cocky a**hole, I just started to realize my value and worth and no longer present myself that way.

If I don't feel it, I don't do it. Friendships, undertakings, books, whatever - life is too short.

All of the above! YES to no drama and to "if I don't feel it, I don't do it." If my MIL sends me an e-mail I don't feel like dealing with, I just hit forward to my husband, or I just delete it. If someone asks me to buy crap for their kids' school, I send a check to the school instead in their name so that I don't have dumb crap cluttiering up my house. If someone invites me to an MLM party, I just say "No, thank you" and if they are pushy about it online, I just flat out say "I don't buy MLM products."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I exercise daily, get biweekly manicures, spend a ton of time taking care of my skin and body, make sure my eyebrows are always groomed, and invest in mid-range nicer clothes and shoes (not high end, but not Old Navy or Loft either).

Do you have children and do you also work full time outside the home?

[Anonymous]

Quit a stable government job, and got the job with a lot of flexibility that allowed me and my kids to travel around the world.
Downsized: rented out my 3,500 sq ft house and moved to 1500 sq ft condo.

[Anonymous]

I started a new hobby.

We also hired every other week cleaners, which has increased my mental well being considerably. Not only do I clean less, I don't think about when we're going to get cleaning done, which is a big relief.

[Anonymous]

DCUM will love this...

After 15 years as a SAHM, returned to the workforce. I know I was getting too focused about house things like home improvement, minor repairs, room makeovers...and DH couldnt be less interested AND we didn't have extra money with the one income. Now I'm working and no longer, clean, cook, chaperone, grocery shop and everything else I was solely responsible for over a decade. It's DH's turn to help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I started a new hobby.

We also hired every other week cleaners, which has increased my mental well being considerably. Not only do I clean less, I don't think about when we're going to get cleaning done, which is a big relief.

Same, and add a yard maintenance service.

Now we can enjoy weekend family time without stressing over the cleaning and the yard work!

Also to echo a pp, I've learned to say "NO" when asked to volunteer for things. I still volunteer, but I used to have a bad habit of taking on too much and getting stressed out about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I make Pinterest boards for every party/holiday meal that I plan, so I can "see" everything and notice what's missing, what I have too much of, what I'll need to buy or borrow, etc.

Generally, overall, I've ramped up my level of organization.

Wondering about this -- isn't Pinterest about collecting outside images/content, not your own stuff? Just wanted to understand your method a little better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DCUM will love this...

After 15 years as a SAHM, returned to the workforce. I know I was getting too focused about house things like home improvement, minor repairs, room makeovers...and DH couldnt be less interested AND we didn't have extra money with the one income. Now I'm working and no longer, clean, cook, chaperone, grocery shop and everything else I was solely responsible for over a decade. It's DH's turn to help.

I've never stayed at home, but that's exactly what I would fear would happen, universe gets small, and you carry it all on your shoulders. Working creates lots of options - in more ways than one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stopped pulling my hair up every day, got a nice haircut that can be easily styled (thanks Revlon hair brush dryer).

Upped my game on clothes thru online shopping / sales (Nordstrom Rack)

Started "training" for a 5K by running weekly, and now 2x/week.

This is almost me to a tee except yoga 3/4x per week.

[Anonymous]

Peapod grocery delivery. Costs me $10 per delivery, but I save several hours of leisure time each week.

[Anonymous]

Put home gym equipment in my basement. ZERO excuses not to work out now so I never miss a workout. The hassle of getting kids out the door to the gym to sit in care after a day of school/work always hindered me. Now I just go downstairs and work out and come up 45-60 later and make dinner. Huge game changer.

[Anonymous]

17:57. Another one was I dialed way back on accepting social invitations and hosting. Felt like we had no family down time and I was constantly planning a get together or getting something to take to another. Love my friends but cut WAY back and life is significantly better.

[Anonymous]

I bought an activity tracker and committed to getting at least seven hours sleep every night. I sometimes care about the exercise bit, but sleep was more important.

I learned to meditate.

Both actions lowered my stress level and improved decision making. And that gave me clearer thinking about all the other things I needed to change, which would be too much to list here. Overall, though, I'm better at problem-solving and figuring out how to prioritize my time and money.