Ways you upped your game in life

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a black thumb city person. Started a garden reno and plant pretty things. Hated it at first, but over couple of years it grew on me so much that it became the best way to relax. It is very peaceful activity and garden forums are so friendly, I enjoy interacting with people there.
I stopped pushing myself to other people standards (read "rat races") and distanced myself from toxic competitive "friendships". I don't need to hear "oh, you renovated your kitchen? I have to top it when I redo mine!"
I choose people who talk to my very heart, whom I click with, and things that make me smile - $$$$ and not at all.
I started running with my faithful partner, my dog, go out with a few but real friends who will take a bullet for me (mutual), and devote more time to my BF.
Life became good.

I love this so much. This sounds like what I did when I got divorced and moved out on my own. I was broke as hell but happier than ever by learning to appreciate the simple things that are all around. This is what "upping your game" means to me, not wearing nail polish or coloring my hair. Being your authentic self and rocking it.

[Anonymous]

Working part time was the biggest game changer.

[Anonymous]

Left my cheating husband, dropped his last name and returned to maiden name, filed for bankruptcy, returned to school, started drinking more water, taking vitamins and being more mindful about how I treat people.

[Anonymous]

12:25 Could you please share where you have IPL and Botox treatment?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Everything goes on my calendar. As soon as I think of something, I calendar it out. So it's not a vague "check tire pressure" or "buy present for nephew's birthday" on some to-do list, it's put it on the calendar in a realistic time frame. If I need to reschedule the time, fine, but it is a block of time that gets moved.

this is a really great tip. Thank you, thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I started doing barre classes on my lunch hour at work. I have small kids at home so exercise before or after work is too hard.

I stopped buying clothes that 'almost' fit. If it doesn't fit absolutely perfectly (and is too expensive to get tailored), I return it. I now have a set of 10 work dresses from Nordstrom Rack, Neiman Last Call etc. that fit really well and that's two weeks of work outfits that I never have to think about. Just throw on dress and jewelry.

I got a robot vacuum and now I don't get annoyed walking on crumbs every day. I run it in the middle of the night.

Love he vacuum idea. Is it very noisy? We are a one story, so I wonder if this would be feasible for us.

[Anonymous]

One big change in how I relate to others: I assume good intent until proven otherwise. Keeps me from walking around generally vaguely pissed off and defensive. Also I prioritize sleep and real down time over almost everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Just seeing this, I'm the first poster. Yes, I have two ES aged children and work full time outside of the home. My gym has childcare or I go after my kids are in bed while my husband is home. My husband "watches" them as you say while I am getting my nails done every other week for an hour and a half. It does take some time that I guess I could be spending doing other things but it really doesn't take too much time. I do have a short commute (which I haven't always had) which has enabled me to invest more time in myself.

[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.

Love this! What nationality are you... out of interest.

[Anonymous]

I quit drinking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One big change in how I relate to others: I assume good intent until proven otherwise. Keeps me from walking around generally vaguely pissed off and defensive. Also I prioritize sleep and real down time over almost everything.

I think this is the most important one on here. All the organization and good skin and neat house in the world won't help you in the long run if you're still basically a negative person. So I too started here.

[Anonymous]

I started doing more things for myself. Instead of puttering around as much on the computer, I have taken to doing something useful...conditioning the furniture while listening to an audiobook, washing those windows I never seem to get around to, weeding the flowers, etc. Our place looks better and I sleep better if I am physically tired.

Addressed my lack of energy before by taking a thyroid supplement. I feel so much better. Plus my kids join me outdoors most days to do "projects," so we end up spending more time outside and less on screens. I also feel less guilt about screen time if they've been really active and helpful, and it teaches them a good work ethic.

[Anonymous]

Re-committed to running (half-marathon distance) after I turned 50. I'm not gonna lie, it's hard.

[Anonymous]

Stopped surfing the internet.

Well, except for right now, of course.

[Anonymous]

Went to a psychiatrist and got antidepressants, which helped me in a lot of ways. I sleep better, I concentrate better, I am less irritable and I cope with stress better.

I work downtown next to a church and I started going to church and to musical performances at lunch.

I'm still working on upping my game as far as clothing and shoes. I want to do Stitchfix but I don't have the money.