Small Things That Help Me Have A Better Life
40 habits and discoveries that have improved my life
It’s been a difficult few years for me, but I have learnt many small ways to help me get through.
Jodie at Slower Space shared her list of small things that have improved her life and I was inspired to share my own. So here they are!
Doing yoga with Yoga with Adriene.
Discovering and continuing to practice tai chi. It makes me so zen (and I feel like an airbender!).
Drinking green and herbal teas.
Volunteering with and getting to know members of my local community.
Decluttering and selling my stuff.
Walking outside multiple times a day.
Travelling alone even though it’s scary.
Remembering I am mentally and physically stronger than I feel.
Reading cosy books and playing cosy games.
Playing co-op games with my partner and friends.
Starting therapy.
Using screen time blocker apps, it helps me restrict the time I spend on social media and other distracting apps on my phone.
Writing about whatever I like here on Substack.
Seeking out and spending time with fellow neurodivergents (the joy of unmasking!)
Slowly learning to unmask and accept who I am.
Wearing fidget rings, I have long nails and unbitten fingers for the first time in my life.
Taking the bus. It takes an hour to get to central Cardiff (a 20 minute drive) but I like that it makes me slow down and appreciate where I live.
Accepting that people come in and out of your life and there’s nothing you can do about it.
Using task management tools at work and in my personal life (not sure how I survived without them!)
Reading with an e-reader (I love physical books but it’s so much easier and reduces clutter).
Creating a colourful ‘granola girl’ wardrobe that feels more like me.
Dying my hair red and painting my nails (with eco friendly products).
Learning how my brain works and how to work with it, not against it.
Learning to live with moderation. Because of my chronic pain and health issues, I can’t let myself overindulge in anything.
Listening to what my body is telling me.
Using noise cancelling headphones (this has been transformative).
Having a bedtime routine.
As an empath, learning to not feel responsible for others’ mental health.
Trying to not be so harsh on myself for not being the perfect vegan or environmentalist. As KC Davis says, you can’t save the rainforests when you’re depressed.
Switching to Monzo bank and finally being able to keep track of my money (here’s my referral link, if interested!)
Accepting that it’s worth spending money on things that will benefit my wellbeing.
Getting to know my local patch of nature intimately.
Taking it day by day when darkness threatens to overwhelm.
Knowing that thoughts and feelings are not facts.
Not reading or watching the news.
Not feeling guilty for not spending time ‘productively’.
Getting a cleaner.
Listening to audiobooks and podcasts when my brain can’t focus on reading.
Listening to sleep meditations and stories.
Banning my phone from my bedroom (a recent change but a significant one!)
What small things have improved your life?
Thank you for writing 🌱 If I could choose one small thing, it would be moving my body each day in some way