Ways you upped your game in life

[Anonymous]

Better planning: meals, exercise, activities (not too much for the kids). This allows us to do fun things (baseball games, family hikes).

I'm also taking baby steps with some re-decorating in our house in arenas that are really dated and it's making me so much more content at home. Taking more time than I like but I'm breaking it into small pieces so it's manageable.

[Anonymous]

Not working every night after the kids go to bed, going to be early (at least 7 hours of sleep in order to get up to workout in the morning). It's hard not to putter around after bedtime but it's worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not working every night after the kids go to bed, going to be early (at least 7 hours of sleep in order to get up to workout in the morning). It's hard not to putter around after bedtime but it's worth it.

Curious - how did you reconcile your workload? I wish I could do this, and I do for a stretch of a few days, but then I feel like I'm behind.

[Anonymous]

Listening to books on tape instead of watching videos, TV, Netflix, etc. Right now I'm listening to the Power of Now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Np and I do all this, have multiple young kids but I SAH. Not sure if that makes it harder or easier.

[Anonymous]

I made more of an effort to follow the cliche, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."

It really helped me cut back on being unduly judgmental, and it has a way of naturally curbing gossip.

I also noticed that it helps avoid the downward spiral of complaining and negativity. When I'm actively focused on this in my conversations, I find it also carries over to my thoughts.

When something is truly bad, I notice/think/say so, but the small stuff doesn't move the needle as often.

[Anonymous]

Small thing, but I now set appointments in advance to have my dark hair highlighted every 7 weeks instead of trying to stretch it to 9 or 10 weeks (or beyond.)

It adds a bit more cost more per year (money and time), but I realized for me, there's no point in paying for highlights at all if they look somewhat grown out and sloppy almost 1/3 of the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

I only see friends two or three times a month. It's nowhere near enough for me but I guess my friends are happy with their nuclear families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Started long distance running.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

SAHMs lose their minds, in one way or another. Not worth it.

Not true. I am so much happier now that I SAH. I have time to do the things I want to do and I'm not at the whims of a petty boss. SAH is not for everyone, but I am much more involved in my community than when I worked for pay.

All your kids in school full time?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pre-prep meals so that I don't have to do it all when I actually start cooking. I am my own Blue Apron, with no extra money, wasteful packaging or lag time.

That's awesome. I would love to get motivated / organized enough to do that

PP here. I usually do it the night before. I have the kitchen to myself, I watch "Real Housewives" on my iPad, and I knock it out: salad gets made, meat gets marinated, veggies are trimmed, etc. I do everything I can do ahead. Sometimes, I'll even come back to the house after I drop the kids off at daycare to set the table and other last-minute things. (Or I put something in a crock pot while DH takes the kids to daycare.) Sometimes it stinks, because I am tired at night, but I am ALWAYS so glad I did it the next day. I also make large quantities so we have leftovers to freeze or to eat later in the week.

When do you spend time with your husband?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in the District. I make sure that I get out in nature, away from other people, 3-4 times a week. Hiking or biking or kayaking or trail running.

Different strokes -- I would never be content with working out on equipment in the basement. This thread is interesting

You are so very obviously childfree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not working every night after the kids go to bed, going to be early (at least 7 hours of sleep in order to get up to workout in the morning). It's hard not to putter around after bedtime but it's worth it.

Curious - how did you reconcile your workload? I wish I could do this, and I do for a stretch of a few days, but then I feel like I'm behind.

Do less and delegate more. I am in bed between 10 and 10:30 every night and I work full time plus commute plus two teenagers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Np and I do all this, have multiple young kids but I SAH. Not sure if that makes it harder or easier.

Who watches the kids while you exercise and get mani/pedis?

[Anonymous]

Regular skincare - facials/serums, etc. Will look into the laser treatments mentioned in a pp.