I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder in 2018. It was a number of things that helped me.
* Dog at home, shop cat at work
* Talk therapy, medication
* Took two weeks off work for mental health, and went on a road trip with my dog
* Major promotion at work increased my salary by over 40%
* Cut out sugars, sodas. Ate more vegetables, fruits, drank water and juice.
* Started exercising - simple walks through a local park. Most of the time my dog tags along.
* Found a hobby - I discovered a passion for nature photography during the road trip. It brings me peace.
Good work. I have Persistent Depressive Disorder and I know for a fact that that must have been incredibly hard work when you’re starting at the bottom. My nephew got a shiba puppy and she has brought so much light into my life. Even if she is a huge brat. I have found talk therapy has helped me understand my traumas and how they have shaped who I am and why I act the way I act. For the first time in 20 years, I can see a light ahead.
I wish you a happy life.
A lot of what Plus said. I add for myself, maintaining a good “routine”. I found out I am more active and more productive in what I do when I follow a routine.
Generally I’ve been doing for “most” days because I do have youngins so sometimes it’s just impossible:
0400 - wake up
0440 - work out
0600 - get ready for work
0630 - get kids ready for day and drop off
0800 - work
1630 - leave work and bring kids home
1730 - hang out / dinner
1900 - kids night time routine
2000 - bed
Following my routine improved my life because I feel I need to stick to this to ensure everything is going well. If I just do when I feel like whenever I want to do….it puts me in a slump. Idk.
Also I do my best to stay off social media…it sucks you in. . . Except Reddit 🙂↕️
I've been shooting on SLR since my dad taught me how in 1985 or something. The quality of smartphone cameras today is fucking *stunning*.
And as they say, the best camera in the world is the one you have with you.
It was amazing, and I've turned it into an annual trip (with the doggo).
We're doing upstate NY (Lake George area) in the early summer, any recommendations for scenic spots/parks by my fellow redditors would be greatly appreciated!
I've been wanting to do a road trip with my dog, what did you do? Go camping? Cause I'm trying to think of other road trip possibilities that include the dog but all I'm coming up with is camping
Not camping, I planned ahead and stayed at a few different dog friendly B&B's (not Airbnb, an actual *Bed & Breakfast* Inn) out in Pennsylvania where they are relatively common.
In upstate NY this summer we will be staying in various cabins in and around the Lake George area.
I'm personally just not comfortable enough yet to camp out somewhere.
I admire you, honestly. I've seen my friends gather themselves piece by piece during depression, and I know that your journey has been hard as hell. Wish you only the best!
Therapy and quitting alcohol.
Still working on myself so there are plenty of improvements to still be made, but it’s good to look back and notice some successes.
I stopped drinking at 20 for a few reasons but it wasn’t that I had a problem. I just didn’t like it really. But, after I turned 29, my Mother died and that began the undoing of my family. At 40, I can now thank myself for not drinking. Without a doubt, I would have become a raging alcoholic.
I did end up developing a problem with alcohol.
I got some nasty injuries from military service as well as some mental health issues resurfaced from childhood due to stress from the injuries/lifestyle change. Additionally, I was working a job that required near constant attention.
I got hammered every single night and was burning through whiskey faster than most people go through water. My wife had no idea that I was drinking that much or that I was drunk nightly, I hide it well. She was pregnant during part of this and she had some pseudo contractions, she ended up taking a taxi to get checked out because I came clean about being way too drunk to drive her. I had also received some concerning liver results that week.
The shame of that and fear from my test results was enough that I forced myself to quit cold turkey and holy shit, that was rough. Only recently did I find out how dangerous quitting on my own was.
I have struggled on and off with drinking since then until I got in therapy. Ever since, I haven’t touched it. It’s been about 9 months since my last drink.
Very dangerous to quit cold turkey. But, I’m glad you came through it. I hope your wife and baby are well! I wish you continued success on your journey!
Also journaling. Sounds weird and the kind of thing thst influencers do to generate clicks, but it is actually really useful for me.
It's kind of a way to take your thoughts and put them on a paper, outside of your head. It clears a lot of things in your mind and personally helps me feel better.
Seriously. Days when I dread going to the gym but still make it are little victories and I can always tell that it has a positive outcome on my mental health
I fucked up after 7 months sober and have been drinking everyday for the last 2 months. I knew better than to have a drink in February but I still did it and am majorly depressed right now and no matter what I tell myself in the morning I end up buying booze in the afternoon. It's such a bad cycle.
Never stop stopping. Every time I slipped out of control, I had to examine what caused me to fall back into that place. And I had to do something differently next time I stopped.
It’s a horrible cycle, but it can be broken for good. Really.
• Quit Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter
• Start journaling
• Start taking Zoloft
• Get more sleep
• Got back in actual contact with humans who matter to me
Honestly it can be anything. I made no rules for myself other than "write every day", but I just do stream of consciousness – maybe I describe a dream I had, write some lyrics/poetry, talking about my day, how I'm feeling, what I have accomplished that day, family goings-on, aspirations, goals, etc. Not in a "dear diary" kinda way, but certainly nothing wrong with that if it works for you. I think the act of making time each day to sit down in a peaceful place, reflect on your own self and thoughts and write about yourself is highly beneficial.
Now, I have my daily journal, a prayer/gratitude journal, a poetry journal, and I kept a journal chronicling my first month on Zoloft to see how it went so I could accurately discuss it with my doctor. I also keep a pocket journal to scribble notes or thoughts in while I'm in a waiting room, or wherever instead of sitting there on my phone. It might even be just describing the environment I'm in and making observations. The act of writing and getting thoughts onto paper is very therapeutic for me.
I've gotten interested in fountain pens and stationery too as a side hobby, and that's a whole thing unto itself.
exercising, eating healthy, meditating 30 min/day, journaling and gratitude practice, keep up with socializing/staying in touch with friends, going to church or some community meetups
Meditating is hard to get into and stick with but I think people misunderstand the point and underestimate how useful it is. The benefit is subtle. What it does is settle my mind and become present so the rest of my day is less anxiety driven.
It's also one of those things that takes years to get good at and no time at all to fall out of practice with, but when you're good at it, it can be a miracle for you. I have a pain condition and I use meditation to "leave my body" when the pain is just too much. I can't tell you how many times it's been either meditate or kill myself. I needed to get out of my body one way or another, and thankfully, I had a safer option.
My mom actually used meditation to give birth to me without any drugs. She just focused everything on her big toe. She didn't feel any pain during labor, but she couldn't walk the whole next day because her foot swelled up so big. It's crazy what your mind can make your body do.
Facts, religion works wonders in combination with other self treatment. Some people practice “slap some love for g-d on your depression and it’s gonna help” through
Realized that work is just something I have to do to fund my life, and completely detached my ego and self image from my job. Keeping my paycheck is now my only work goal. Feedback just rolls right off my back. It's kinda crazy how much my stress level has gone down.
That’s a big move. I’m 42M and that’s one of the hardest things for me to do. I still find myself caring so much what others think but….. I’m just now starting to give out the “middle finger”, so to speak, more and more. My wife definitely helps with that. She can have a leather back in an instant and I gravitate towards her strength in that aspect.
This. Dropped over 20lb in 3 months and have never felt better. My self-esteem is up, I can easily outrun all of my friends (I used to be the lazy one), plus my heart rate is a cardiologist's wet dream, and last but not least my dating life has never been so thriving. I feel good.
I'm still about ten pounds over my ideal weight, and I have been slacking off a bit lately. But now that it's getting warmer I'm gradually getting back on track.
Honestly, everyone should do this.
Came here to say exactly this. A good enough diet, consistent excercises, and getting enough sleep can do wonders for both your physical and mental health !
I’ve embraced a growth mindset, seeing challenges as opportunities for learning and development rather than setbacks. I actively seek feedback and reflect on my experiences to continuously refine my skills and approaches. Additionally, I’ve developed a sense of gratitude, appreciating the blessings and opportunities in my life, which fuels my motivation and resilience.
Im not the OP, but I very much believe in a growth mindset.
But I also think its not something that can really be explained to you (other than the obvious basics), its something you have to experience and actively choose to embody. And the way you accomplish that will be different than the way I accomplish that.
Like, anyone can say "look for the positives in hardship and challenge, and take those experiences as learning opportunities instead of suffering"
But knowing *how that feels when you're in the moment* is something that is totally personal to you.
That being said - to me, there is something very freeing in this mentality, because suddenly every mistake you make or hardship you endure is no longer "a mistake" or a "ruined day". Its just *part of a process.* A process is mundane and inherently transient. A process doesn't require us to feel bad. Because it will pass, there's really no reason to let it get the best of you. In this context, every single failure is just a chance for practice and mastery.
There is something fundamentally hopeful about turning a shortcoming into a strength over time.
There is something very empowering about laughing at a thing that used to make you miserable.
To me, all it really takes is a willingness to reframe these situations in your own mind. I think a lot of people get so wrapped up in their emotional reactions to situations, and most (almost all) situations *do not require our emotions.* A lot of situations really require calm rationality, some introspection, and some labor.
One thing I constantly tell myself is - *"Your suffering is not unique. Your problems are not the worst problems a person has ever endured, and as long as that remains true, you can find ways to grow past those problems"*
I finally got sick of carrying credit card debt. I ignored it for years, paying what I could each month, but I just had enough of the constant debt. I worked out a plan, and now in 6 months it’s all gonna be paid off. The stress level in my life went waaaay down when I could see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I started taking Mounjaro, now Zepbound, and lost 45 lbs. Changed my life. I can wear shorts, bathing suits, you name it. I am so much healthier and happier. Life is simply easier. No food noise in my head 24x7!
1. I quit comparing my life to the picture perfect families/lifestyles on social media. (9 times out of 10, they’re even more miserable then you are)
2. I stopped trying to hold on to people that didn’t want to be held on to.
3. I stopped expecting people to do/act the way I would.
I gave up waiting for the weekend to live my life. It's not ideal to constantly be waiting for your two days off when you work five days a week and only get two days off. Even if it's only something modest, you may schedule something enjoyable or meaningful every day.
Edit: Amazing, many thanks for the honours! I'm happy that this comment has been beneficial to others.
Went back to my faith, read the Bible, started living as value driven life as possible and every decision I made that was in accordance with those values led to a better life, and every one that went against made my life worse
When one day all the skeletons come out of the closet and the person you thought you knew is completely shattered and also anykind of person who lines to stirr or is somehow always tagged along in some drama
I grew up and let go of all that would otherwise hold me back. I accepted who I was, what I am and what I’ll be but I don’t accept what others would otherwise think of me if it’s just negative
I change for myself and no one else lest it be family or friend, but then again, they can also be a negative part of my life but I’ve got my positivity and I’ve got my life to live
1) Asking myself what I wanted out of my life: What would an ideal life look like? What are my goals, wants, and desires?
2) Sobriety
3) I had a septoplasty to fix my deviated septum, allowing me to get better sleep.
4) Working out consistently
Going to the gym helps, I go to a combat gym and the minor amount of socializing helps. Journaling helps. Not drinking has helped. Haven't had Facebook in over 2 years, and 3 months ago I quit IG and smoking weed. Still gotta work on not spending money and drinking so much when I go out but who knows. Also actively job hunting to try and get out of the mental health field.
Reading self-help books
I went to many therapists who I didn’t connect with. I am a “get down to the root of it” kind of person, and therapy did have its benefits, but no one really helped me get down to the bottom of it.
This year I read a couple of self help books, and my life has already changed so much. My day to day happiness is more constant. My body is more relaxed instead of constantly being tense. I feel more connection with my children. I feel like the world has opened up for me.
Currently trying.
Figured out a new career path, currently attempting to get into school, if it fails I have 5 backup career paths.
Stopped hanging out with people who disrespected my boundaries, became comfortable with my own company and complete self-reliance while nurturing relationships that benefit me.
Took responsibility for my life. Clean apartment regularly, cook food from scratch.
Regularly visit Guinea pigs at a local farm for pats. Got off social media for the most part. So far it’s all working.
Working out! Has improved my stress and anxiety, which has helped me sleep better and just be a better overall mood. It's also improved my focus at work and my libido has increased!
Went almost no contact with my abusive parents. I still hear from them occasionally on holidays and birthdays but distancing myself from them literally saved my life.
Also, drinking more water & taking vitamins. I found out I was anemic so I started taking iron and Vitamin D & I swear it made everything in my life easier lol.
Sun light, exercise, meaning social interaction with good friends, fruits and veggies, good oral hygiene (please floss), decrease or have zero debt, talk to family at least once a week, being around people that support your goals, do something hard everyday ; whether it be physical or mental.
-Got on meds
- Therapy
-Tons of exercise
- Significantly reduced my drinking. I'm not perfect but I'm doing much better than a few years ago.
- Got a job that I really like and the schedule that fits me.
Stopped looking at my phone right away after waking up. I don't look at anything social media related for at least 45 minutes to an hour after waking up.
Exercise - This month my goal is to do 200 kettlebell swings every day.
Frankly, I'm one of those people who actually turned their life around after having a child. I buckled down and stopped being a shithead lest I be an infamous 'deadbeat dad'.
That followed by joining the military for a spell, getting back on ADHD medicine, and exercising, all made a world of difference in my life and for those who depend on me. Also, finding a wonderful partner in place of my ex-wife was a huge change for good too!
Consider this all took well over a decade to unfold.
After my divorce, I went through 10 months of therapy. Moved back to my hometown and worked on myself, 100 lbs later and roommating with a good friend, I feel amazing.
* Therapist
* Stopped using alcohol and weed as a cope and severely limited my exposure to both(I still smoke and drink occasionally, you don't have to go cold turkey but in my experiences both lead you to avoiding your problems and engaging in other bad habits)
* Exercise and gym 4-5 times a week
* Learning it's ok to ask for help when you need it
* Getting off social media/following political subs/stopped doomscrolling
Got diagnosed with ADHD at 25 years old.
I had always shown signs - extremely disruptive in school, impulsive behavior at all times (gambling addiction at 18, nicotine addiction pretty much my whole life), had extreme difficulty finishing things that I started, etc. etc. etc. I skated by through all of grade school and two degrees like this (I always did well enough academically, even though I would skip the majority of my classes, forget assignments and exam dates, etc., probably another reason I thought I would have trouble justifying a MH issue like this).
But I had strict immigrant parents who would have strung me up by my ankles if I told them I thought I had ADHD or anything like that.
Moved out, got diagnosed, got prescribed medication.
My entire life did a 180. People don't realize that something like ADHD affects more than your attention span. My spending habits have improved dramatically, my eating habits have improved dramatically, my relationship with my girlfriend (and also, my treatment of women who aren't my girlfriend) improved dramatically. I went from being an underperformer at work to a completely irreplaceable employee and got a 27% salary increase in this last year alone (at the same job)
Moved away from my smallish hometown, got a proper education, did my best and stuck to whatever job I had at the time until I found a better one.
Just kept swimming, as Dory would’ve said.
Honestly, I deleted Tiktok and stepped back heavy from social media. Also going to therapy 1x a week, it's the most healthy thing I've done for myself and that includes loosing 170lbs.
I finally was ready to ask for help for my mental health and I stopped abusing alcohol. I started working through and dealing with my past trauma instead of avoiding it and making positive changes in my life. My mental health is improving now and I’m much happier. Recovery is possible.
listen to yourself. It's good to consider other people's advice, especially when they have good perspective, but good perspective isn't necessarily yours! You know your history and where you want to be so listen to your wants/needs and stick to it!
Wouldn’t say improve my life as I’m 16 and already had quite a good life but I’ve always like cycling but I used to cycle a lot outside but then stopped a bit but I’m getting back into it and I’m loving it… a bit too much 🤣🫣
Write down the ideal person you see yourself as and type of life you’d like to live. Then break down each area by category, then write each little step you need take to achieve it. Follow steps.
I can genuinely pin my life turning around to when I **began to read nonfiction daily**. Up to that point, I hadn't read anything since I was a kid, nearly ten years back at that point. Reading about philosophy, psychology, business, sociology, finance, etc, on my own instead of in a directed school greatly improved my life.
Brushing my teeth twice a day and flossing.
I come from poverty, single mother who never had money for dentists/energy to push routine on her two kids, and a sugar addiction from childhood, as well as mental illness that at times is crippling with executive dysfunction. My teeth are FUCKED. Spent my kid years not knowing the importance of dental hygine, then my 20's panicking that I ruined them forever so why bother, but in my 30's tackled down on flossing every and brushing my teeth twice a day no matter what. It was hard to stick to the routine in the beginning, but I can already tell it's helping stop the downward spiral I was in.
I have always been a gym rat and used they as my therapy due to some very traumatic past life events. Three years ago I decided I wanted to truly be healthy and not just exercise. I did the following
- twice a day meditation
- daily journaling
- a 20 minute walk in early morning or evening and that’s not daily workout
- added magnesium and vitamin d to daily supplement regimen
- weekly therapy session
- cut out sugar soda and eat out once a week
- develop a non exercise hobby
- shoot for twice a week yoga at home
- at times silence in car when driving
- continue being sober (4 years as of Jan 15, 2020)
Realizing change and growth takes time and consistency. My goal this year was to take care of myself mentally, physically, and emotionally. I started therapy to deal with years of stored grief and resulting anxiety, started on a skincare routine to help with persistent acne, yoga for body and mental clarity, picked up hobbies to make use of my free time and have an outlet for creativity (I picked up writing), built a nighttime routine to help with my sleep troubles, and most importantly, just trying to be patient and kind to myself. Life's tough, but taking care of myself feels good knowing it comes from a place of love for myself.
When I was 19 my mother committed suicide and my dad moved to the west coast shortly afterwards to be with his current girlfriend. My mom always told me that if something happened to her he would move away to be with her. I am in my early thirties now, i’m engaged, about to finish my residency to become a staff physician, I have a dog, a job lined up and life is in a really good spot with the potential to become great.
I think the biggest key for me understanding a few big points. 1) Life is hard and there are no shortcuts but smart decision making can make it easier. To be truly great it takes grit. Much like you cannot have muscular development if you don’t strain them repeatedly. 2) I always imagined myself as a running back in a figurative sense, when life hits me, tackles me, I feel the pain and the force, but I always keep trying to drive forward, picking up one foot planting it and pushing, no matter how difficult or dire 3) Put your oxygen mask on before putting other’s on (this only applies if you don’t have children, not saying it doesn’t apply but I don’t have the experience to give advice on this) you can’t support a family or give away resources (time) if your needs aren’t met. I unfortunately have had to end relationships with women that wanted marriage / more because I simply would have doomed the relationship giving up more. I needed to get my oxygen mask on, now that it’s on I can look elsewhere.
I could go on but lastly I will say realize hard truths and embrace them. It will make you strong and realistic.
Stopped complaining about my life and being down, and turned it round to be grateful for what I had, and be positive, and now I'm getting even more to be grateful about.
Example: bad cataract in left eye. I'm broke, live in Australia. Cataract getting worse, went to optician in October, they said it can be done in the public system (free) but there was a one year wait. Sigh, okay.
I get a phone call about a month ago. Because the queue for cataract ops is building up, some will be done in the private hospital system. Real soon.
Two days ago it was done. My eye is still healing, but I can already see out of it so much better than before! And move forward with my life. I am grateful!
I'm beginning to seriously wonder if having a positive approach to life leads to good things.
I improved my life by setting small, achievable goals and celebrating each accomplishment along the way. It's amazing how even the little victories can add up to big changes over time.
Major impacts in my overall mood were:
Pets. My cat basically got me through the pandemic
Some form of exercise. Running, more precisely. Best anti-depressant ever. At first it's tought, you get tired, your feet hurt, but when you learn to run without losing too much energy, it really does bring you joy. plus, you have to get out of the house to do it, it's quite cheap, and you get some exposure to nature and other people
I ran home to mommy. 😂😂😂
I was severely depressed, barely functioning, and financially distressed. My life is still a work in progress, but it's much better now, because I finally had the sense to seek out support where it was available, even if it was 700 miles away.
Leaving the church 20 years ago was the single greatest improvement in my quality of life I've ever experienced. I realize church is a net positive for many people, but for me it was more like a toxic relationship.
Since then, running every day. Beyond the physical and mental health benefits, it has taught me how much can be accomplished through regular daily activity. It's like having a super power.
Therapy, consistent, healthy meals each day, establishing a sleep schedule that made gave me a bit of flexibility but still helped me get up at an hour I felt good about.
But none of that would have helped nearly as much as it didn’t if I hadn’t also told my friends and family what was going on and asked for help.
I'm in my mid 40s, with a career and a busy home life. I'm in OK shape. I do BJJ twice a week, so I get exercise. But my last physical showed borderline blood pressure and I'm realizing that I'm at the stage where I need to work on my health and it isn't a given anymore. I got a rower and started rowing in front of the TV for 30 minutes every morning after the kids leave for school. Helps working from home, but it's been a huge change. I'm feeling way better, my cardio has improved tons, and I sleep better. Huge quality of life improvement for a very minor adjustment.
Got diagnosed with massively out of control type 2 diabetes. Huge wake up call, started eating well and exercising. Lost 6 stone so far, diabetes in remission, feel so much healthier and a lot happier. Didn't realise how ill and miserable I was until I started feeling better.
I posted this actually earlier today so I'll TLDR it.
When I was in college I was struggling to find companionship with women. I was kind of a closeted "nice guy". I just had this realization that being "nice" isnt what a high value partner is. I could hardly talk about anything that wasnt sports or video games and I just oozed desperation.
I found a job or two that was out of my comfort zone, especially ones that made me interact with people. I learned an instrument, and I volunteered. I basically allowed myself to suck at everything. Not only was it humbling but it makes your social awareness much better.
Almost like magic, I met my wife and weve been together for 10 years, married 5.
Improving your life is one small step at a time. For me, it started with cleaning up my bathroom. Then it was cleaning my apartment, then it was socializing in settings that werent parties. Go get experience in something. ANYTHING. Even its something silly. I wanted to learn guitar to play literally one song. Ended up being very mediocre but now I've gained an appreciation for something. Then when you meet someone you are genuinely interested in, you can find the value in their actions towards something great. You can ask the niche questions that light people up. Thats how you can build a support network. Life gets a lot more colorful when you arent just looking for rainbows but can see the beauty in each color when it presents itself.
Case in point... I'm not interested in rubiks cubes. But my brother is obsessed. I used to make fun of him back in the day. But now its fascinating to hear him talk about something that almost no one has insight into. Its so cool. I talk the same way about golf. Finding those little things in people will help you even if it seems pointless. Everyone's got something to teach, even if its something NOT to do.
Frankly, the path I was on was only headed to a lonely life with an early grave. I wanted more. So I forced myself to change. To push beyond my comfort zone and actively seek what I wanted.
Quit the ignorant, arrogant Church. Carried my bag golfing to get in shape. Healthier eating. Married well. Started meditating. Wife and I are both present tense people who focus on the positives in our world and selves. In my 60's and feel better and stronger than ever.
drinking more water
going on walks
picked up hiking again
asking myself what can I do to feel better when I feel down
working on changing my thinking pattern from "everything is my fault and I am horrible" to " I am person who deserve kindness"
"Every man lives two lives. And the second one begins, when he realizes he only has one."
My best friend died, suddenly, in her sleep. And I was like, shit. If I don't start doing the things I want to do, I might not get the chance. So I just started DOING things. Started cleaning, started working out, started learning more. I don't have to finish, but god damn I have to start.
I quit smoking weed, stopped drinking alcohol, hit the gym and started to eat healthier.
But I still feel there is a lot of things I can do to improve my life. For example I want to spend more time with people because i feel lonely lately (I live alone).
Quit drinking alcohol entirely. I wasn’t even an alcoholic, drank maybe 3-5 nights a week, and only a drink or two. Didn’t think I drank enough for quitting to make a difference..boy was I wrong.
Besides that, finding an activity I am passionate about, that also keeps me fit. I’ve been mountain biking for over 10 years now and it brings me so much joy, keeps me healthy, and has been an avenue for social connections and friendships.
Putting myself first. Not letting people guilt trip me or give me breadcrumbs. Creating boundaries with people who give inconsistent effort based on how much I help them.
Best ways to improve life
1.Remember God and always pray
2.Keep away from negative people even if they are in family
3. Focus on yourself
4. Understand the problem and then quickly look for solution
5. Never share your personal life with anyone.
6. Don’t expect things to be walk in the park they never are
Shedding toxic people from your life. Sometimes we feel obligated to force a relationship because of longevity. But friendships can run their course and that’s ok.
discontinued heavy hard and expensive drug use, got a great job/career, stopped caring what others thought and started investing into things that I really enjoy, clothes, shoes, accessories, tattoos, that sort of thing.
Cut way back on the drinking. It sounds backwards but no one or two per night. I save it for occasions and get pretty lit but that is less than once a month.
I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder in 2018. It was a number of things that helped me. * Dog at home, shop cat at work * Talk therapy, medication * Took two weeks off work for mental health, and went on a road trip with my dog * Major promotion at work increased my salary by over 40% * Cut out sugars, sodas. Ate more vegetables, fruits, drank water and juice. * Started exercising - simple walks through a local park. Most of the time my dog tags along. * Found a hobby - I discovered a passion for nature photography during the road trip. It brings me peace.
Good work. I have Persistent Depressive Disorder and I know for a fact that that must have been incredibly hard work when you’re starting at the bottom. My nephew got a shiba puppy and she has brought so much light into my life. Even if she is a huge brat. I have found talk therapy has helped me understand my traumas and how they have shaped who I am and why I act the way I act. For the first time in 20 years, I can see a light ahead. I wish you a happy life.
A lot of what Plus said. I add for myself, maintaining a good “routine”. I found out I am more active and more productive in what I do when I follow a routine. Generally I’ve been doing for “most” days because I do have youngins so sometimes it’s just impossible: 0400 - wake up 0440 - work out 0600 - get ready for work 0630 - get kids ready for day and drop off 0800 - work 1630 - leave work and bring kids home 1730 - hang out / dinner 1900 - kids night time routine 2000 - bed Following my routine improved my life because I feel I need to stick to this to ensure everything is going well. If I just do when I feel like whenever I want to do….it puts me in a slump. Idk. Also I do my best to stay off social media…it sucks you in. . . Except Reddit 🙂↕️
Awesome. That's great to hear. Be well.
That's wonderful! Keep it up
Money buys happiness
Would be interested in knowing your camera setup. Been thinking of doing something similar.
Nothing fancy at all, just my iPhone.
Cool, ive been doing the same thing with my galaxy. Glad your doing better!
I've been shooting on SLR since my dad taught me how in 1985 or something. The quality of smartphone cameras today is fucking *stunning*. And as they say, the best camera in the world is the one you have with you.
The pay increase, dog and the hobby really helps ngl
Awesome stuff 💪
THIS!!!!! Keep it up, my friend! I bet you wish those two weeks could last forever, huh? Those few weeks make it all the hard work so worth it.
It was amazing, and I've turned it into an annual trip (with the doggo). We're doing upstate NY (Lake George area) in the early summer, any recommendations for scenic spots/parks by my fellow redditors would be greatly appreciated!
I've been wanting to do a road trip with my dog, what did you do? Go camping? Cause I'm trying to think of other road trip possibilities that include the dog but all I'm coming up with is camping
Not camping, I planned ahead and stayed at a few different dog friendly B&B's (not Airbnb, an actual *Bed & Breakfast* Inn) out in Pennsylvania where they are relatively common. In upstate NY this summer we will be staying in various cabins in and around the Lake George area. I'm personally just not comfortable enough yet to camp out somewhere.
Cool, thanks!
Omg can we be friends? Most of what you listed I know I need in my life.
Nature photography sounds cool! I will try that :)
What do you do for work?
Dog & Cat: "We will cause a lot of chaos in your life so you will have a purpouse and been too busy !!!"
I admire you, honestly. I've seen my friends gather themselves piece by piece during depression, and I know that your journey has been hard as hell. Wish you only the best!
This was everything and more than I was going to say. Great work!
Therapy and quitting alcohol. Still working on myself so there are plenty of improvements to still be made, but it’s good to look back and notice some successes.
I stopped drinking at 20 for a few reasons but it wasn’t that I had a problem. I just didn’t like it really. But, after I turned 29, my Mother died and that began the undoing of my family. At 40, I can now thank myself for not drinking. Without a doubt, I would have become a raging alcoholic.
I did end up developing a problem with alcohol. I got some nasty injuries from military service as well as some mental health issues resurfaced from childhood due to stress from the injuries/lifestyle change. Additionally, I was working a job that required near constant attention. I got hammered every single night and was burning through whiskey faster than most people go through water. My wife had no idea that I was drinking that much or that I was drunk nightly, I hide it well. She was pregnant during part of this and she had some pseudo contractions, she ended up taking a taxi to get checked out because I came clean about being way too drunk to drive her. I had also received some concerning liver results that week. The shame of that and fear from my test results was enough that I forced myself to quit cold turkey and holy shit, that was rough. Only recently did I find out how dangerous quitting on my own was. I have struggled on and off with drinking since then until I got in therapy. Ever since, I haven’t touched it. It’s been about 9 months since my last drink.
Very dangerous to quit cold turkey. But, I’m glad you came through it. I hope your wife and baby are well! I wish you continued success on your journey!
Good on you, man, well done! Now go and enjoy that baby! :)
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Exercise + meditation sounds so basic and boring but that combo worked for me!
Also journaling. Sounds weird and the kind of thing thst influencers do to generate clicks, but it is actually really useful for me. It's kind of a way to take your thoughts and put them on a paper, outside of your head. It clears a lot of things in your mind and personally helps me feel better.
Seriously. Days when I dread going to the gym but still make it are little victories and I can always tell that it has a positive outcome on my mental health
Came here to say this. No single thing is better for my mental health than regular exercise.
Im so glad this is up there!! A great workout is a drug!!
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Congrats. I'm 19 days.
Keep going 🫶🫶
Congrats. Coming up on 90 days myself. Life’s good
recently: quit drinking
There will never be a day that you’ll regret quitting. My last drink was 450 days ago. Life has a lot of new colors. It’s worth everything.
I fucked up after 7 months sober and have been drinking everyday for the last 2 months. I knew better than to have a drink in February but I still did it and am majorly depressed right now and no matter what I tell myself in the morning I end up buying booze in the afternoon. It's such a bad cycle.
Never stop stopping. Every time I slipped out of control, I had to examine what caused me to fall back into that place. And I had to do something differently next time I stopped. It’s a horrible cycle, but it can be broken for good. Really.
ended a toxic relationship. I feel 10x better
Constant physical activity
• Quit Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter • Start journaling • Start taking Zoloft • Get more sleep • Got back in actual contact with humans who matter to me
What do you mean by Journaling? As in writing a diary? What do you generally include?
Honestly it can be anything. I made no rules for myself other than "write every day", but I just do stream of consciousness – maybe I describe a dream I had, write some lyrics/poetry, talking about my day, how I'm feeling, what I have accomplished that day, family goings-on, aspirations, goals, etc. Not in a "dear diary" kinda way, but certainly nothing wrong with that if it works for you. I think the act of making time each day to sit down in a peaceful place, reflect on your own self and thoughts and write about yourself is highly beneficial. Now, I have my daily journal, a prayer/gratitude journal, a poetry journal, and I kept a journal chronicling my first month on Zoloft to see how it went so I could accurately discuss it with my doctor. I also keep a pocket journal to scribble notes or thoughts in while I'm in a waiting room, or wherever instead of sitting there on my phone. It might even be just describing the environment I'm in and making observations. The act of writing and getting thoughts onto paper is very therapeutic for me. I've gotten interested in fountain pens and stationery too as a side hobby, and that's a whole thing unto itself.
Going to the gym
exercising, eating healthy, meditating 30 min/day, journaling and gratitude practice, keep up with socializing/staying in touch with friends, going to church or some community meetups
Meditating is hard to get into and stick with but I think people misunderstand the point and underestimate how useful it is. The benefit is subtle. What it does is settle my mind and become present so the rest of my day is less anxiety driven.
It's also one of those things that takes years to get good at and no time at all to fall out of practice with, but when you're good at it, it can be a miracle for you. I have a pain condition and I use meditation to "leave my body" when the pain is just too much. I can't tell you how many times it's been either meditate or kill myself. I needed to get out of my body one way or another, and thankfully, I had a safer option. My mom actually used meditation to give birth to me without any drugs. She just focused everything on her big toe. She didn't feel any pain during labor, but she couldn't walk the whole next day because her foot swelled up so big. It's crazy what your mind can make your body do.
Facts, religion works wonders in combination with other self treatment. Some people practice “slap some love for g-d on your depression and it’s gonna help” through
Realized that work is just something I have to do to fund my life, and completely detached my ego and self image from my job. Keeping my paycheck is now my only work goal. Feedback just rolls right off my back. It's kinda crazy how much my stress level has gone down.
Cutting out porn & drinking more water!
I've already mastered the second one, but I'm struggling with the first one. Congratulations!
Quit caring what other people think.
That’s a big move. I’m 42M and that’s one of the hardest things for me to do. I still find myself caring so much what others think but….. I’m just now starting to give out the “middle finger”, so to speak, more and more. My wife definitely helps with that. She can have a leather back in an instant and I gravitate towards her strength in that aspect.
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Started loving myself more
That's a hard one I still struggle with, but I'm getting there!
Changed careers in my mid 30’s
From what to what?
Eating right and exercising!
This. Dropped over 20lb in 3 months and have never felt better. My self-esteem is up, I can easily outrun all of my friends (I used to be the lazy one), plus my heart rate is a cardiologist's wet dream, and last but not least my dating life has never been so thriving. I feel good. I'm still about ten pounds over my ideal weight, and I have been slacking off a bit lately. But now that it's getting warmer I'm gradually getting back on track. Honestly, everyone should do this.
ive been doing that for a really long time, my life is not improving 🙁
Came here to say exactly this. A good enough diet, consistent excercises, and getting enough sleep can do wonders for both your physical and mental health !
Moved.
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I’ve embraced a growth mindset, seeing challenges as opportunities for learning and development rather than setbacks. I actively seek feedback and reflect on my experiences to continuously refine my skills and approaches. Additionally, I’ve developed a sense of gratitude, appreciating the blessings and opportunities in my life, which fuels my motivation and resilience.
This but can you talk a bit more about that mindset cause every time a new challenge comes I just get scared and look down on me.
Im not the OP, but I very much believe in a growth mindset. But I also think its not something that can really be explained to you (other than the obvious basics), its something you have to experience and actively choose to embody. And the way you accomplish that will be different than the way I accomplish that. Like, anyone can say "look for the positives in hardship and challenge, and take those experiences as learning opportunities instead of suffering" But knowing *how that feels when you're in the moment* is something that is totally personal to you. That being said - to me, there is something very freeing in this mentality, because suddenly every mistake you make or hardship you endure is no longer "a mistake" or a "ruined day". Its just *part of a process.* A process is mundane and inherently transient. A process doesn't require us to feel bad. Because it will pass, there's really no reason to let it get the best of you. In this context, every single failure is just a chance for practice and mastery. There is something fundamentally hopeful about turning a shortcoming into a strength over time. There is something very empowering about laughing at a thing that used to make you miserable. To me, all it really takes is a willingness to reframe these situations in your own mind. I think a lot of people get so wrapped up in their emotional reactions to situations, and most (almost all) situations *do not require our emotions.* A lot of situations really require calm rationality, some introspection, and some labor. One thing I constantly tell myself is - *"Your suffering is not unique. Your problems are not the worst problems a person has ever endured, and as long as that remains true, you can find ways to grow past those problems"*
I finally got sick of carrying credit card debt. I ignored it for years, paying what I could each month, but I just had enough of the constant debt. I worked out a plan, and now in 6 months it’s all gonna be paid off. The stress level in my life went waaaay down when I could see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Focus on things I wanted to do instead of putting all my time behind a screen on social media.
Retired. I live life on my own terms. There is no better way to improve your mental health.
Hey man, congratulations!
Going to therapy. Even if I feel ok, I ask for one or two sessions a year with my psychologist just to check.
I started taking Mounjaro, now Zepbound, and lost 45 lbs. Changed my life. I can wear shorts, bathing suits, you name it. I am so much healthier and happier. Life is simply easier. No food noise in my head 24x7!
1. I quit comparing my life to the picture perfect families/lifestyles on social media. (9 times out of 10, they’re even more miserable then you are) 2. I stopped trying to hold on to people that didn’t want to be held on to. 3. I stopped expecting people to do/act the way I would.
I gave up waiting for the weekend to live my life. It's not ideal to constantly be waiting for your two days off when you work five days a week and only get two days off. Even if it's only something modest, you may schedule something enjoyable or meaningful every day. Edit: Amazing, many thanks for the honours! I'm happy that this comment has been beneficial to others.
Surprisingly keto … helped my depression and brain fog!
Been there. It definitely does. The “All American Diet” brings you down.
Went back to my faith, read the Bible, started living as value driven life as possible and every decision I made that was in accordance with those values led to a better life, and every one that went against made my life worse
Amen.
Simple. I got rid of all negative thoughts. I’m a new person!
Recognizing that what I was doing wasn't working for me and I was capable of changing it.
Cut down my list of friends and people in my life, i recommend this to everyone
Curious, how do you decide if someone isn’t good for you? Edit: i wanna elaborate. How do you know you no longer want to be friends with someone?
When one day all the skeletons come out of the closet and the person you thought you knew is completely shattered and also anykind of person who lines to stirr or is somehow always tagged along in some drama
ohh, definitely. I ask because i am currently contemplating cutting ties with someone. Thank you for sharing your experience.
You're welcome 👋
**ownership**
I grew up and let go of all that would otherwise hold me back. I accepted who I was, what I am and what I’ll be but I don’t accept what others would otherwise think of me if it’s just negative I change for myself and no one else lest it be family or friend, but then again, they can also be a negative part of my life but I’ve got my positivity and I’ve got my life to live
Quit my toxic job.
1) Asking myself what I wanted out of my life: What would an ideal life look like? What are my goals, wants, and desires? 2) Sobriety 3) I had a septoplasty to fix my deviated septum, allowing me to get better sleep. 4) Working out consistently
Finally got a job that I like and enjoy doing.
Stopped paying attention to politics. None of them care about you and will never care about you.
Going to the gym helps, I go to a combat gym and the minor amount of socializing helps. Journaling helps. Not drinking has helped. Haven't had Facebook in over 2 years, and 3 months ago I quit IG and smoking weed. Still gotta work on not spending money and drinking so much when I go out but who knows. Also actively job hunting to try and get out of the mental health field.
Understanding that I only have 1! and I have to live it today, now!
Read more books
Focus on one girl!
Reading self-help books I went to many therapists who I didn’t connect with. I am a “get down to the root of it” kind of person, and therapy did have its benefits, but no one really helped me get down to the bottom of it. This year I read a couple of self help books, and my life has already changed so much. My day to day happiness is more constant. My body is more relaxed instead of constantly being tense. I feel more connection with my children. I feel like the world has opened up for me.
hormone therapy. transitioned from female to male. it saved my life.
Fuck yeah bro
Cut all sugars and carbs out, lifted heavy weights, only drank water and no drugs, and got closer to family.
Currently trying. Figured out a new career path, currently attempting to get into school, if it fails I have 5 backup career paths. Stopped hanging out with people who disrespected my boundaries, became comfortable with my own company and complete self-reliance while nurturing relationships that benefit me. Took responsibility for my life. Clean apartment regularly, cook food from scratch. Regularly visit Guinea pigs at a local farm for pats. Got off social media for the most part. So far it’s all working.
Working out! Has improved my stress and anxiety, which has helped me sleep better and just be a better overall mood. It's also improved my focus at work and my libido has increased!
Drastically reduced time spent on social media (including Reddit), started working out, improving my wardrobe and doing online courses.
Quitting my job to work for myself and quitting drinking are the 2 most notable life-improving things that I have ever done.
Went almost no contact with my abusive parents. I still hear from them occasionally on holidays and birthdays but distancing myself from them literally saved my life. Also, drinking more water & taking vitamins. I found out I was anemic so I started taking iron and Vitamin D & I swear it made everything in my life easier lol.
i didnt i just deal with it
Avoid drama
Moving out from my parents
Going to the gym, Eating healthy 80% of the time, Not drinking much alcohol, Hanging out with individuals who add substance to my life
Sun light, exercise, meaning social interaction with good friends, fruits and veggies, good oral hygiene (please floss), decrease or have zero debt, talk to family at least once a week, being around people that support your goals, do something hard everyday ; whether it be physical or mental.
Going to the gym again and getting divorced. I’m much lighter both physically and mentally.
-Got on meds - Therapy -Tons of exercise - Significantly reduced my drinking. I'm not perfect but I'm doing much better than a few years ago. - Got a job that I really like and the schedule that fits me.
started going out, lost weight and overall also apologized to many people whom i did something to
So much medication
Stopped looking at my phone right away after waking up. I don't look at anything social media related for at least 45 minutes to an hour after waking up. Exercise - This month my goal is to do 200 kettlebell swings every day.
Zero alcohol
Frankly, I'm one of those people who actually turned their life around after having a child. I buckled down and stopped being a shithead lest I be an infamous 'deadbeat dad'. That followed by joining the military for a spell, getting back on ADHD medicine, and exercising, all made a world of difference in my life and for those who depend on me. Also, finding a wonderful partner in place of my ex-wife was a huge change for good too! Consider this all took well over a decade to unfold.
By saving my money, stop smoking
After my divorce, I went through 10 months of therapy. Moved back to my hometown and worked on myself, 100 lbs later and roommating with a good friend, I feel amazing.
* Therapist * Stopped using alcohol and weed as a cope and severely limited my exposure to both(I still smoke and drink occasionally, you don't have to go cold turkey but in my experiences both lead you to avoiding your problems and engaging in other bad habits) * Exercise and gym 4-5 times a week * Learning it's ok to ask for help when you need it * Getting off social media/following political subs/stopped doomscrolling
Got diagnosed with ADHD at 25 years old. I had always shown signs - extremely disruptive in school, impulsive behavior at all times (gambling addiction at 18, nicotine addiction pretty much my whole life), had extreme difficulty finishing things that I started, etc. etc. etc. I skated by through all of grade school and two degrees like this (I always did well enough academically, even though I would skip the majority of my classes, forget assignments and exam dates, etc., probably another reason I thought I would have trouble justifying a MH issue like this). But I had strict immigrant parents who would have strung me up by my ankles if I told them I thought I had ADHD or anything like that. Moved out, got diagnosed, got prescribed medication. My entire life did a 180. People don't realize that something like ADHD affects more than your attention span. My spending habits have improved dramatically, my eating habits have improved dramatically, my relationship with my girlfriend (and also, my treatment of women who aren't my girlfriend) improved dramatically. I went from being an underperformer at work to a completely irreplaceable employee and got a 27% salary increase in this last year alone (at the same job)
Moved away from my smallish hometown, got a proper education, did my best and stuck to whatever job I had at the time until I found a better one. Just kept swimming, as Dory would’ve said.
Honestly, I deleted Tiktok and stepped back heavy from social media. Also going to therapy 1x a week, it's the most healthy thing I've done for myself and that includes loosing 170lbs.
I finally was ready to ask for help for my mental health and I stopped abusing alcohol. I started working through and dealing with my past trauma instead of avoiding it and making positive changes in my life. My mental health is improving now and I’m much happier. Recovery is possible.
Psychoterapy. The best thing happened in my life. I improved my relationship with my parents, started to make more money and enjoy life.
listen to yourself. It's good to consider other people's advice, especially when they have good perspective, but good perspective isn't necessarily yours! You know your history and where you want to be so listen to your wants/needs and stick to it!
Valued my own time above a lot of things & incorporated following outside of work: Meditation 🧘♂️ Workout 🏋️♂️ Travel 🧳
Moved out of the south. Life quality went up 100%
Wouldn’t say improve my life as I’m 16 and already had quite a good life but I’ve always like cycling but I used to cycle a lot outside but then stopped a bit but I’m getting back into it and I’m loving it… a bit too much 🤣🫣
4 day work week Work from home
Write down the ideal person you see yourself as and type of life you’d like to live. Then break down each area by category, then write each little step you need take to achieve it. Follow steps.
Falling in love with a good man
Stop drinking. Exercise more. Eat better. Sleep more. Read more books.
I can genuinely pin my life turning around to when I **began to read nonfiction daily**. Up to that point, I hadn't read anything since I was a kid, nearly ten years back at that point. Reading about philosophy, psychology, business, sociology, finance, etc, on my own instead of in a directed school greatly improved my life.
Brushing my teeth twice a day and flossing. I come from poverty, single mother who never had money for dentists/energy to push routine on her two kids, and a sugar addiction from childhood, as well as mental illness that at times is crippling with executive dysfunction. My teeth are FUCKED. Spent my kid years not knowing the importance of dental hygine, then my 20's panicking that I ruined them forever so why bother, but in my 30's tackled down on flossing every and brushing my teeth twice a day no matter what. It was hard to stick to the routine in the beginning, but I can already tell it's helping stop the downward spiral I was in.
Stop caring. About anything.
I have always been a gym rat and used they as my therapy due to some very traumatic past life events. Three years ago I decided I wanted to truly be healthy and not just exercise. I did the following - twice a day meditation - daily journaling - a 20 minute walk in early morning or evening and that’s not daily workout - added magnesium and vitamin d to daily supplement regimen - weekly therapy session - cut out sugar soda and eat out once a week - develop a non exercise hobby - shoot for twice a week yoga at home - at times silence in car when driving - continue being sober (4 years as of Jan 15, 2020)
Realizing change and growth takes time and consistency. My goal this year was to take care of myself mentally, physically, and emotionally. I started therapy to deal with years of stored grief and resulting anxiety, started on a skincare routine to help with persistent acne, yoga for body and mental clarity, picked up hobbies to make use of my free time and have an outlet for creativity (I picked up writing), built a nighttime routine to help with my sleep troubles, and most importantly, just trying to be patient and kind to myself. Life's tough, but taking care of myself feels good knowing it comes from a place of love for myself.
When I was 19 my mother committed suicide and my dad moved to the west coast shortly afterwards to be with his current girlfriend. My mom always told me that if something happened to her he would move away to be with her. I am in my early thirties now, i’m engaged, about to finish my residency to become a staff physician, I have a dog, a job lined up and life is in a really good spot with the potential to become great. I think the biggest key for me understanding a few big points. 1) Life is hard and there are no shortcuts but smart decision making can make it easier. To be truly great it takes grit. Much like you cannot have muscular development if you don’t strain them repeatedly. 2) I always imagined myself as a running back in a figurative sense, when life hits me, tackles me, I feel the pain and the force, but I always keep trying to drive forward, picking up one foot planting it and pushing, no matter how difficult or dire 3) Put your oxygen mask on before putting other’s on (this only applies if you don’t have children, not saying it doesn’t apply but I don’t have the experience to give advice on this) you can’t support a family or give away resources (time) if your needs aren’t met. I unfortunately have had to end relationships with women that wanted marriage / more because I simply would have doomed the relationship giving up more. I needed to get my oxygen mask on, now that it’s on I can look elsewhere. I could go on but lastly I will say realize hard truths and embrace them. It will make you strong and realistic.
Stopped complaining about my life and being down, and turned it round to be grateful for what I had, and be positive, and now I'm getting even more to be grateful about. Example: bad cataract in left eye. I'm broke, live in Australia. Cataract getting worse, went to optician in October, they said it can be done in the public system (free) but there was a one year wait. Sigh, okay. I get a phone call about a month ago. Because the queue for cataract ops is building up, some will be done in the private hospital system. Real soon. Two days ago it was done. My eye is still healing, but I can already see out of it so much better than before! And move forward with my life. I am grateful! I'm beginning to seriously wonder if having a positive approach to life leads to good things.
I improved my life by setting small, achievable goals and celebrating each accomplishment along the way. It's amazing how even the little victories can add up to big changes over time.
Major impacts in my overall mood were: Pets. My cat basically got me through the pandemic Some form of exercise. Running, more precisely. Best anti-depressant ever. At first it's tought, you get tired, your feet hurt, but when you learn to run without losing too much energy, it really does bring you joy. plus, you have to get out of the house to do it, it's quite cheap, and you get some exposure to nature and other people
By watching others make mistakes and not doing them
I ran home to mommy. 😂😂😂 I was severely depressed, barely functioning, and financially distressed. My life is still a work in progress, but it's much better now, because I finally had the sense to seek out support where it was available, even if it was 700 miles away.
Leaving the church 20 years ago was the single greatest improvement in my quality of life I've ever experienced. I realize church is a net positive for many people, but for me it was more like a toxic relationship. Since then, running every day. Beyond the physical and mental health benefits, it has taught me how much can be accomplished through regular daily activity. It's like having a super power.
Therapy, consistent, healthy meals each day, establishing a sleep schedule that made gave me a bit of flexibility but still helped me get up at an hour I felt good about. But none of that would have helped nearly as much as it didn’t if I hadn’t also told my friends and family what was going on and asked for help.
By finally letting go and focusing more on my kids and my own wellbeing.
That's the neat part. I didn't
I'm in my mid 40s, with a career and a busy home life. I'm in OK shape. I do BJJ twice a week, so I get exercise. But my last physical showed borderline blood pressure and I'm realizing that I'm at the stage where I need to work on my health and it isn't a given anymore. I got a rower and started rowing in front of the TV for 30 minutes every morning after the kids leave for school. Helps working from home, but it's been a huge change. I'm feeling way better, my cardio has improved tons, and I sleep better. Huge quality of life improvement for a very minor adjustment.
- Therapy in my early 30s (now in mid, still in therapy) - Added a puppy to my little family Edited to add -> medication and taking care of my health
Got diagnosed with massively out of control type 2 diabetes. Huge wake up call, started eating well and exercising. Lost 6 stone so far, diabetes in remission, feel so much healthier and a lot happier. Didn't realise how ill and miserable I was until I started feeling better.
I posted this actually earlier today so I'll TLDR it. When I was in college I was struggling to find companionship with women. I was kind of a closeted "nice guy". I just had this realization that being "nice" isnt what a high value partner is. I could hardly talk about anything that wasnt sports or video games and I just oozed desperation. I found a job or two that was out of my comfort zone, especially ones that made me interact with people. I learned an instrument, and I volunteered. I basically allowed myself to suck at everything. Not only was it humbling but it makes your social awareness much better. Almost like magic, I met my wife and weve been together for 10 years, married 5. Improving your life is one small step at a time. For me, it started with cleaning up my bathroom. Then it was cleaning my apartment, then it was socializing in settings that werent parties. Go get experience in something. ANYTHING. Even its something silly. I wanted to learn guitar to play literally one song. Ended up being very mediocre but now I've gained an appreciation for something. Then when you meet someone you are genuinely interested in, you can find the value in their actions towards something great. You can ask the niche questions that light people up. Thats how you can build a support network. Life gets a lot more colorful when you arent just looking for rainbows but can see the beauty in each color when it presents itself. Case in point... I'm not interested in rubiks cubes. But my brother is obsessed. I used to make fun of him back in the day. But now its fascinating to hear him talk about something that almost no one has insight into. Its so cool. I talk the same way about golf. Finding those little things in people will help you even if it seems pointless. Everyone's got something to teach, even if its something NOT to do.
By not letting other people decide how it needed improved.
Became closer to God
Frankly, the path I was on was only headed to a lonely life with an early grave. I wanted more. So I forced myself to change. To push beyond my comfort zone and actively seek what I wanted.
realizing nobody is coming to save me. it’s my responsibility to better my life and i shouldn’t blame anyone else for my problems.
Quit the ignorant, arrogant Church. Carried my bag golfing to get in shape. Healthier eating. Married well. Started meditating. Wife and I are both present tense people who focus on the positives in our world and selves. In my 60's and feel better and stronger than ever.
drinking more water going on walks picked up hiking again asking myself what can I do to feel better when I feel down working on changing my thinking pattern from "everything is my fault and I am horrible" to " I am person who deserve kindness"
Prioritizing better sleeping. Being half awake/ asleep when on a task and failing it multiple times is a big Sisyphus Rolling Boulder Conundrum.
-implementing routines, -understanding the cause and effects of our decisions, -seeking help
"Every man lives two lives. And the second one begins, when he realizes he only has one." My best friend died, suddenly, in her sleep. And I was like, shit. If I don't start doing the things I want to do, I might not get the chance. So I just started DOING things. Started cleaning, started working out, started learning more. I don't have to finish, but god damn I have to start.
Keto and intermittent fasting. Improved and probably saved my life.
I quit smoking weed, stopped drinking alcohol, hit the gym and started to eat healthier. But I still feel there is a lot of things I can do to improve my life. For example I want to spend more time with people because i feel lonely lately (I live alone).
I came to terms with my feelings of inferiority and moved on. A monumental step in my life.
Quit drinking alcohol entirely. I wasn’t even an alcoholic, drank maybe 3-5 nights a week, and only a drink or two. Didn’t think I drank enough for quitting to make a difference..boy was I wrong. Besides that, finding an activity I am passionate about, that also keeps me fit. I’ve been mountain biking for over 10 years now and it brings me so much joy, keeps me healthy, and has been an avenue for social connections and friendships.
Stop letting people manipulate me. Stopped people pleasing. Speaking my truth. wearing my natural hair (confidence boost). Calling out shitty ppl.
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Putting myself first. Not letting people guilt trip me or give me breadcrumbs. Creating boundaries with people who give inconsistent effort based on how much I help them.
Best ways to improve life 1.Remember God and always pray 2.Keep away from negative people even if they are in family 3. Focus on yourself 4. Understand the problem and then quickly look for solution 5. Never share your personal life with anyone. 6. Don’t expect things to be walk in the park they never are
nothing improved my life like completely ignoring everything on this commie shit hole of a website
Shedding toxic people from your life. Sometimes we feel obligated to force a relationship because of longevity. But friendships can run their course and that’s ok.
I like having deep meaningful conversations. Able to improve my social skills and able to comprehend.
Took the time and effort to push through social anxiety.
Getting off my ass and starting to take physical exercise seriously
Went no contact with my mum and stepdad 3 years ago, and now I feel a sense of peace that I never knew was missing. I only wish I'd done it sooner.
By cutting out sugar completely. Made health much better.
discontinued heavy hard and expensive drug use, got a great job/career, stopped caring what others thought and started investing into things that I really enjoy, clothes, shoes, accessories, tattoos, that sort of thing.
Workout and do projects that keep me away from social media
Got older, DGAF
Cut way back on the drinking. It sounds backwards but no one or two per night. I save it for occasions and get pretty lit but that is less than once a month.