Ways you upped your game in life

[Anonymous]

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

Hey I am 52 and just committed to running my first half marathon. I never ran before, so at least you are re-committing! We can do this!

[Anonymous]

Changed careers and now work on a school schedule. If the kids have a snow day, I have a snow day. No more panicking or wasting vacation days. It meant I'll likely never make 6 figures, and dh can't take certain business risks because we have less of a cushion, but I am grateful that he makes just enough money to make this possible and we agree that a giant house and fancy neighborhood isn't necessary.

I am working on scaling back on "stuff". Recent example, why do we have a billion water bottles and travel cups? Every household member keeps the one most functional one, not the one with the best superhero on it. Also, makeup. I laid it all put by category and kept one of each. Got rid of little sample products and extra bottles. Everything fits in one small case. I toss things that annoy me, like the kids kazoo, when he's not looking.

I take time for myself. A morning in the park with a good book does wonders. And I give dh the same flexibility. We both deserve to take care of ourselves.

I know what to splurge on and what to save on. I've scaled back on even occasional indulgences like pedicures. $40 is a lot for a fleeting experience. Taking the time to do it myself also looks and feels good, and I bought decent tools to do it right.

[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 did this for a long time, then realized it made me naive. People don't want to be my friend, they'd rather hate what they don't understand. Hell, they don't even want to be kind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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 did this for a long time, then realized it made me naive. People don't want to be my friend, they'd rather hate what they don't understand. Hell, they don't even want to be kind.

But do you want to be associated with people who have such a negative reputation? Life is too short for that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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 did this for a long time, then realized it made me naive. People don't want to be my friend, they'd rather hate what they don't understand. Hell, they don't even want to be kind.

That's my post. I realize I am more likely to be taken advantage of now, but it's worth it to not be generally pissed off at the world. A small price to pay, TBH. I will admit that's trump has put this practice under major stress as I strain to give his supporters the benefit of believing in their basic decency.

[Anonymous]

oh, that's what you mean by upping your life.

I got laser hair treatment many years ago. I'm sure the price is a bit cheaper now. It's so great to have hairless leg. Don't have to shave. Did the same to my underarm. If you hate hair, I would suggest doing the underarm first. Also, did laser eye surgery. This took a while because we are talking about your eyes. Decision on doing that took months. It was expensive for me because my eyes were so bad. Did that when it first became popular. All these about 10 years ago.

Can't wait to change jobs and hopefully have a short commute. It's 30 minutes now to go 6 miles, 1 straight road. Starting slowly on organizations and de-cluttering. This seem to never end. Trying to eat healthy. Cutting a lot of processed food but really hard to do that. Have cut out a lot of pasta, noodles, bread. I don't eat it on a daily basis. This is challenging because I'm hungry often. I go by how my pooh looks and smell. If it's bad and not solid, than, I won't eat what I ate yesterday. Kale-can't believe I actually like this now.

[Anonymous]

I joined a CSA and get a big box of vegetables each week. It makes me creative because I find myself cooking with things I don't normally use like kohlrabi and rhubarbs!

I've also been trying to lift weights more often.

[Anonymous]

Started keeping good snacks in my center console to eat at my leisure as I roam about town. Hello marcona almonds and dried mango

[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.

This would scare me to have running at night. Can you hear it? Is it running on your bedroom level?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I quit drinking.

I started drinking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stopped using the phrase "upped my game."

Agree. There's a difference between "upping your game", which seems to be focused on "winning," as opposed to being your kindest and most authentic self. So, yes, I'm with those who said they learned to say no to things they didn't really value, but I started to say yes to helping others. That's made me a happier, kinder and more authentic person.

Oh, PLEASE. Be sure to get caught up in semantics, agree with someone who insulted the OP, and then call yourself a kind and authentic person.

+1

Preach. Stay FAR away from someone who has to TELL you they are "good"!

[Anonymous]

I stopped using the term "preach."

[Anonymous]

Ditched the house and moved into an apartment near Clarendon metro. I can't even begin to describe how much I DONT miss taking care of a house and a yard. Plus, downsizing forced us to ditch stuff we didn't need. And we go out more, do more, spend less time sitting in the car in traffic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

I used to just sit in church for my own silent prayer at lunch time. It made me feel much better. I'm not a church service type person. I like quiet time wih God. It's better when i haavew Him all to myself. The quietness is so relaxing too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

This would scare me to have running at night. Can you hear it? Is it running on your bedroom level?

I got a really quiet one, I don't hear it unless I'm already awake. I run it downstairs at night in the main living area and kitchen. Sometimes before I leave for work I bring it upstairs to run in the bedrooms while we are all at work/school. Run in the basement on weekends. This thing is one of my favorite purchases ever!
http://m.thesweethome.com/reviews/best-robot-vacuum/