There are always things we wish we had done sooner, which could have improved our lives if we had acted on them earlier. There are some really easy ways to make your life easier, and people regret not trying to do them sooner.
Life Improvements
These changes can be as simple as changing a daily habit or as complex as pursuing a long-term goal.
A Reddit user asked the following, “What improved your life so much, you wished you did sooner?”
We have compiled a list of all the things that helped people drastically improve their quality of life. Brace yourself; some inspirational stuff ahead.
No Longer Limiting Fun to Just the Weekends
One Reddit user said, “I stopped living my life just waiting for the weekend. When you work 5 days a week and have just 2 days off, it’s not good to be always waiting for those 2 days. You can plan something meaningful or fun every day, even if it’s just a small thing.”
Another added, “This is actually a life hack. Trust me life is a marathon not a sprint and you must find a way to enjoy every day. At the end of the day you should say it was a great day or day well spent.”
We agree! What do you think?
Flossing
Someone wrote, “Flossing. Now my hygiene and cleaning visits are a breeze, and I haven’t had a cavity in years!”
Every dentist’s dream patient!
One dentist stated, “As a dentist, I’m so proud of you.”
Another user said, “My gums hardly, if at all, bleed during cleaning. And I haven’t had my gums bleed in years during normal brushes since I’ve started flossing much more thoroughly.”
This is your sign to finally start flossing.
Starting Over
Starting over late in life may sound overwhelming, but if you have been thinking about it for a while, here are some positive experiences people shared.
A Redditor said, “Just packed up and moved thousands of miles away. Left everything behind and just started over. Besides some debt, a suitcase, and contacts for only the non-toxic people in my life, it’s been an extremely liberating experience.”
“And looking back, nothing was really preventing me from doing it sooner, no real reasons at least, I just kept coming up with excuses not to do it until one day I couldn’t think of one.”
Someone else added, “I did this too and it was the greatest experience of my life. I deleted all social media, quit my job that DAY, packed what I could and moved across the country overnight without telling anyone except my parents.”
Seeking Help for Your Mental Health
Someone commented, “To talk about my depression. Don’t be afraid to seek help.”
Depression, by its very nature, makes you want to isolate, but reaching out and asking for help is the first step towards getting better.
However, finding the right treatment option may take some trial and error. As one user pointed out, “Been in therapy since I was 9 and found the right therapist at 23. It’s only been maybe 6 months but I’ve already unpacked so much more trauma in that small time than I did all the other YEARS.”
Moving Closer to Work
via DepositPhotos.com.
A Reddit user commented, “Not everyone can afford this but: moving closer to work. My commute went from 45 miserable minutes in traffic glaring in hatred at the tail lights in front of me to a pleasant 15 minute bike ride. I got an hour of free time every day and better health.”
Another added, “I just moved and my new commute is an 8 minute bike ride. I’m so much happier now. It took forever to find the right house at a decent price and get an accepted offer, but quality of life is significantly better.”
Pursuing a Degree Later in Life
One user shared their experience, “I did my bachelor’s degree at 47 years old. Master’s degree at 50 years old. Doubled my salary in 4 years, from just getting by to on track for retiring at 60.”
Another user shared, “Same! Life changing. I went from a $14/hour entry level job to $30 an hour cushy government job in a few years by getting my bachelors degree at 31. So so worth it.”
It’s never too late to do anything; as long as you’re alive, life is all about taking chances. Go for it!
Exercising
A Redditor said, “Exercise every day. Anxiety and depression are much easier to manage, and I got some confidence I haven’t had in years.”
Someone else added, “Daily exercise. It doubled my energy for an hour out of my day.”
Another user shared their experience, “Weightlifting was my lifesaver. I wish I’d discovered it sooner. Finally came off antidepressants after nearly 20 years on them. I made new friends at the gym (who knew you could make friends in your late 30s lol).”
“Upside is I turned 40 this year and am feeling fitter and healthier than ever. Downside is I wish I’d had this feeling for the last 10 years.”
Setting Boundaries
One Redditor pointed out, “Learning to set boundaries and say no.”
Someone else agreed to say, “Yes! It feels so wrong at first. People get so angry when you quit being a doormat.”
A Redditor shared, “I recently said no to something at work and it was so liberating. My boss was surprised because I almost never do but I knew I didn’t have time for the project and I knew it would not be done correctly.”
In our opinion, setting boundaries with people is the best way to not feel burned out.
Not Letting the Fear of Failure Hold You Back
Someone shared the following interesting comment: “I started viewing things as potential experiences rather than just opportunities for achievement. I saw a saying once: “It’s only a failure if you stop trying; otherwise, it’s an experiment.” I love it.”
“Before that, for example, if I took a class then I was only focused on the grade. If I couldn’t get a good grade, I didn’t like the class. Heck, I wouldn’t even start a book if I thought it might be too hard or too long and I might not finish it.”
“Then I realized the purpose of classes (and books and other things) was to learn and that hard ones were likely the ones I learned the most from, even if I didn’t get the best grade.”
“I started doing all sorts of stuff with the idea that I just wanted the experience. Even if I was the worst one out there, who cares? I wasn’t there for the achievement, I wanted to learn things.”
Accepting Adversity as a Part of Your Journey
One user accurately shared, “Accepting adversity as a part of any process. We may get too overwhelmed from time to time when adversity hits, but if you take a peek at the future, it all starts to feel smaller and make more sense.”
Someone else replied to the user above, saying, “This speaks to me. I’m at the start of treatment for a recently diagnosed condition. It’s so daunting. But adversity is a part of the recovery in a way. I’m also an author, and so much of writing a book is overcoming psychological hurdles and thinking that you’ll never get there, never finish, but you persevere, and then you see your book on a shelf. Have a great day.”
Working From Home
Someone shared, “My job moved remote when COVID hit and made it permanent unless there is a need to be in the office. The amount of days I don’t have to waste time putting on pants is insane.”
Another added, “I used to work as a kitchen manager for similar hours until about a year ago. I started a WFH job as well. It’s insane how much more time and energy I have.”
“I can actually keep a consistent workout schedule. I’m eating well because I’m not burnt out on cooking. I can keep up with my hobbies better than I ever have in the past. It’s wonderful.”
Working from home is an addictive lifestyle. What are your thoughts?
Laser Eye Surgery
Someone wrote, “LASIK eye surgery. Waited years to get it and kicked myself. Went from thick glasses to 20/20 and still have it many years later.”
Someone else shared, “Got mine about 6 years back and still have 20/20 vision.”
Another user added, “No more glasses fogging up, no more weird moments when you cannot wear your glasses for some reason. No more money spent on buying contact lenses, cleaning solutions and all the other costs.”
Another wrote, “Had mine a month ago! Well annoying for the first 2 weeks or so but definitely worth it. So freeing not scrabbling around for my glasses first thing.”
Learning a New Language
Maridav via DepositPhotos.com.
A Redditor commented, “I came here to say this. Learning Spanish has changed my life. I have friends all over the world now. I’m going to Europe for the first time this year. I feel like the world has opened up for me. Now I’m back in school learning how to teach English to Spanish speakers and I’m learning French. Plus it was a huge confidence booster.”
Someone else shared, “Yeah, sometimes people underestimate how useful it is to learn another language. In my case as a native Spanish speaker, learning English has probably been the most useful skill I’ve learned and most of the time I don’t even realize it. Learning English has given me access to TONS of content, to the point where 75% of the stuff I watch is in English.”
Quitting Alcohol
A user shared, “Quitting drinking is the best thing I’ve ever done for my mental and physical health and it’s done nothing but improve my relationships. The last year and a half have been the best I’ve ever had.”
Someone else added, “I feel the same way. I quit when I was 29 and my whole life changed for the better. I remember all my nights and celebrations. I no longer had to make a list of people to apologize to every morning after a get together or party. 10 out of 10 would recommend it.”
More power to anyone recovering from an addiction!
Quitting Smoking
We all know how detrimental smoking is to your health. While quitting remains ideal, going cold turkey will likely cause relapses. However, cutting down on cigarettes one at a time may be a more sustainable option for quitting.
Someone wrote, “I quit for real when I had my first kid. I don’t get bronchitis every year anymore and my allergies aren’t as bad anymore. If you haven’t quit yet, let me tell you- it’s hard, but you won’t regret it.”
Someone else added, “Same. I was a heavy smoker for over 20 years before regular chest pains made me quit. Now a few years later I can’t believe I ever enjoyed smoking.”
Embracing Positivity
Someone commented, “Trying to be more positive in general.”
Someone else agreed, saying, “This is such a big one.”
Another user wrote, “Being negative is a bad habit like any other – easy to fall into, hard to break. People (including me, at one time) somehow think it makes them seem smarter, or deeper, or insulates them from disappointment. But it just makes you a drag to be around.”
Eating Healthy
When someone said, “Eating more healthily,” another Redditor added, “The saying goes that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” but nobody told me how darn good it feels.”
“ I went my whole life without eating fruit, and now I make a point to eat one fruit every single day (usually an apple or orange). I feel healthier and my mood is usually better.”
Another user stated the benefits of eating clean in her experience: “More energy, clearer skin, whiter eyeballs, less joint inflammation, better moods.”
Drinking More Water
Someone wrote, “Drinking water. Simple but I know so many who don’t drink enough. It’s refreshing and revitalizing.”
Keeping one of those marked water bottles at hand throughout the day can help you keep your water intake in check. One of the best things we’ve ever spent money on!
Checking Up on Friends and Family
One user beautifully stated, “Started making meaningful relationships. I never used to check in on my friends. I was gone a lot and busy with work. At some point, it clicked that I had not developed any meaningful relations with my friends, probably when I went through a traumatic event socially and had very few people check in on me.”
“It’s hard to stop being selfish. But when I finally started to think about what I wanted vs what I was giving, I realized I had to do better.”
Adopting a Growth Mindset
Having the right mindset can change your outlook, as one Redditor pointed out, “Adopting a growth mindset. Believing in the ability to change in all aspects of life.”
“It really started slow and took nearly two years, but in most cases I no longer ask “if ” I can do it. Instead I ask “how” to do it and if I want to do it.”
Life Improvements
It is always possible to start making changes, and we can all benefit from taking a step back, reevaluating our priorities, and making positive changes. Whether adopting a healthy lifestyle, pursuing a passion, or prioritizing self-care, taking action can make a significant difference.
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Robyn Goldfarb
Hi! I am a millennial mom with a passion for personal finance. I have always been “into” personal finance but got inspired to start my blog after a period of extended unemployment. That experience really changed the way I viewed my relationship with money and the importance of accessible personal finance education.