4 Ways to Make Big Improvements in Your Life
Photo by Diogo Fagundes on Unsplash
Most are aware of all the things that they should be doing. They should work less but somehow make more money, exercise more while getting enough sleep, and spend time with friends while also building in alone time. When it comes to life improvements, the problem isn’t not knowing what to do. It’s more about not knowing how to sort through the mass of contradictory advice or to make room for one more thing when life already feels as though it’s full. The four concrete tips below are all things that can improve the lives of most people, and they don’t require you to use big chunks of time, money, or energy that don’t exist.
Replace One Scrolling Session
If you’re like many, you probably feel like you don’t have enough time for anything, yet a look at all of your phone time would tell a different story. You don’t have to exchange your smartphone for a dumb model or pledge to go on a digital detox to make a difference here. Just choose one time each day when you’d normally pick up your phone and scroll and replace it with something else.
Maybe it’s when you’re waiting in line at the grocery store, or maybe it’s over your morning coffee. It doesn’t matter what you put in its place as long as it isn’t screen-based. Maybe you’ll even end up with your own thoughts for a few minutes. You might be surprised at how your sense of the time you have available begins to expand when you give yourself even the smallest taste of a few unoccupied minutes.
Follow Impulses to Connect
How many times a day do you think of a friend or loved one? Maybe you’ve just finished reading an article or a book that you really enjoyed. The next time someone comes into your mind in a positive way, drop them a line. Tell a friend you’re thinking of them or thank them for a kind thing you remember that they did for you once. Leave a comment or write a quick email to someone whose work you’ve admired.
This can and should all be very low stakes. You don’t have to compose even a whole paragraph. A couple of lines or even a sentence will do the trick. “I was just thinking of you!” works and so does, “I loved this article. Thanks!” Don’t do it with the expectation of getting something back. You probably won’t every time you do it, but you may hear back more often than you realize. Then, you can take the next steps and invite friends over in the comfort of your own home.
Take Care of Your Teeth
This one may not be very exciting, but the benefits are huge. If you’re on the younger side, creating a foundation of good dental care now will pay dividends as you age. If you’re older and you’ve been delaying getting the care that you need, now is the time. Your teeth can affect your appearance and how you feel about yourself.
Cost is one of the big factors that keeps people away from dentists. But there’s an option to get treated now and pay off your dental bills in monthly installments. You can apply for a payment plan and get the unique link from your practice. You can also find the link online. It only takes seconds to apply, and applying won’t affect your credit score. A fantastic smile and the confidence that comes with it could be just a few clicks away.
Counter a Negative Thought
Are you the kind of person who gets tired of being told to think positively all the time? Does the idea of affirmations make you feel more queasy than grateful? Even if these things are true for you, this can still be a useful exercise. The next time one brings its ugly head out, try challenging negative thoughts. If you’ve just said to yourself, “There’s no point in applying for this job because I’m not qualified,” try responding to that. “Maybe I haven’t thought enough about how to tailor my qualifications to the job description” works. So does “They might not get any applicants who have every single qualification.”
The point of this exercise isn’t to remove all negative thinking. But it’s easy to get into the habit of always expecting disappointment, and you can stop yourself from pursuing opportunities with this mindset. You don’t even have to try to counter all your negative thoughts. You can decide to do it just once a day. However, once you get into the habit, you might be surprised to find that you are more open to taking a few calculated risks that can improve your life.
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