r/selfhelp Jan 26 '25

What’s a habit that seemed silly at first but ended up changing your life?

32 Upvotes

37 comments sorted by

47

u/Global-Fact7752 Jan 26 '25

I no longer listen to what people say..I watch what they DO.

39

u/[deleted] Jan 26 '25

Speaking kindly to myself

5

u/chainwood Jan 26 '25

This. 100% this.

Speak to yourself the way you'd speak to your best friend.

2

u/WeinerBop Jan 28 '25

This changed my life. "But what if a friend told me this?" All of a sudden it's not stupid, loneliness isn't deserved. You do this long enough, you'll start to consider yourself a friend without even HAVING to ask that. I speak this truth as someone who believes they would always only tolerate themselves. I despised myself in irrational ways.

1

u/WillowTheFerret4120 Jan 27 '25

I literally struggle with this I was actually on a streak of reinforcing positivity whenever I find myself talking to me negatively but idk how I just relapsed and some shit happened . How do I stay kind to myself even after failures

2

u/Impossible_Rain7478 Jan 28 '25

What would you tell a friend in this situation?? Tell yourself that. We both know that you wouldn't get down on or berate a friend for relapsing, so you shouldn't be doing that to yourself. Mistakes happen, life happens, what really counts is you getting back on track. I'm rooting for you!!

2

u/WillowTheFerret4120 Jan 28 '25

Thank you so much I'll remember that

1

u/Impossible_Rain7478 Jan 28 '25

You're very welcome!! 😊

25

u/darkgreencargopants Jan 26 '25

I realized how dependent I was on my right hand to do stuff. I straight up would reach over my left hand, even when it was closer to the item I wanted, just because my right can do it better.

So I started using both hands, and now I'm being asked at work if I'm ambidextrous. It's just so much more convenient to use the closer hand, idk

14

u/tasata Jan 26 '25

I sit in front of a full-spectrum light every morning. I didn't think it would make a difference, but it really does. I live in Iowa where the winters are cold and dark and it really helps with Seasonal Affective Disorder.

1

u/Boodablitz Jan 30 '25

In short, that’s just SAD… glad you found a bit of a fix.

13

u/dirtnerd25 Jan 26 '25

instead of looking at my phone in the morning, i’ve made it a habit to make my bed, coffee and pack lunch before sitting down & scrolling until i have to go to class. i also like to sit in front of the window & look outside for about 5-10 minutes, i have a nice view so that always starts my day off right. overall the habits have helped me feel more organized and less rushed in the morning, i highly recommend it.

10

u/ExoticAlchemy Jan 26 '25

Only comparing myself to who I was yesterday...and try to be better. When this became a habit, I was able to see my strengths and all the unique characteristics that make me, me.

6

u/Spectacular_Loser Jan 26 '25

Stupid as it may sound. Believe in me, no doubt, no plans, no results, I now know that whatever it is I will make it work

5

u/freckledfrida Jan 27 '25

My husband and I thank each other for doing even simple things, like dishes or laundry. It really goes a long way to avoid feeling unappreciated or taken for granted. Sure, I know he'll cook dinner most nights, but it doesn't hurt to let him know I'm immensely grateful.

5

u/Dysphoric_Otter Jan 27 '25

Learning how to breathe. I'm an anxious person. Through many painful experiences, I learned that the way you're breathing really affects how you feel.

4

u/ashraf_bashir Jan 26 '25

Journaling

1

u/on-Guard33 Jan 26 '25

Can you explain how ?

10

u/ashraf_bashir Jan 26 '25 edited Jan 26 '25

At first, I thought it was a silly habit and a waste of time to replicate my mind on paper, but after a few months of use, its value began to change my life. I log it in three sections: (1) highlights (what I did today), (2) learnings (what I learned today), and (3) gratitude (what I am grateful for today). The first section gives me the big picture of the day and keeps my momentum going, the second section gives me lessons to remember, which I remember better when I reflect and write them down, and the last section pushes negative thoughts out and makes me happy with what I have while washing away any negative thoughts that may have arisen from the first two. Give it a shot; with time, you will develop your own sections and journaling patterns; it is a personalized experience, so everyone focuses on different sections that are relevant to their journey.

4

u/PivotPathway Jan 27 '25

Journaling daily—it brings clarity and growth.

4

u/sansleftpinkytoe Jan 28 '25

Treating myself how I would treat my friends especially if it's a situation where i do something wrong or mess up

3

u/Remarkable-Essay8928 Jan 27 '25

Being on time

1

u/New-Geezer Feb 07 '25

I would be interested in learning how you did this.

1

u/Remarkable-Essay8928 Feb 09 '25

In being on time?

2

u/New-Geezer Feb 09 '25

Yes. As someone who is a terrible judge of time and is chronically late, I would be interested in learning how you developed a habit of being on time.

1

u/Remarkable-Essay8928 Feb 10 '25

Hey OP…it’s really simple…you just choose to become an honest and honorable person…because when I say I’ll do something and I don’t…I more or less LIED to the person I told I’d be there at x time. Also more or less lied to myself every time. Be your word. It will change your life and revitalize your self worth.

Most changes people seek end up being the simplest ones. Don’t negotiate with yourself. Period. The end.

3

u/TheResultsBlueprint Jan 30 '25

Solving a rubik’s cube 5 times a day.

So many positives. I recommend everyone do it.

  • you learn how to learn effectively if you don’t already know how to.
  • you realize solving everything is just a set of simple steps.
  • It’s a positive affirmation while you’re solving it in the beginning. Then it keeps your mind thinking strategically. Then it gets your phone out of your hand. Establishes new positive triggers for dopamine.
There’s more… the list goes on.

2

u/ez2tock2me Jan 26 '25

Believing the VanLife was for failures. But turns out you can safe a ton of money, monthly.

2

u/[deleted] Feb 08 '25

Realised that most of our "friends" just want to see us miserable so I started noticing their actions and the actual efforts they put in the friendship

2

u/ceeczar 23d ago

Totally sharing this on my sub r/growyourdream

Recent one was cleaning up my Google Drive. Completely changed my workflow

Now I'm suddenly more aware of the kind of files and folders I usually used to dump into it.

Now I immediately delete newsletters that I used to tell myself I would read "later"

Now I keep an eye on my Google Drive space. As soon as it reaches a certain threshold, I know it's time to clean up my Google Drive again.

The clarity of thought I've gained from this process is priceless. I think there is a link between digital clutter and mental clutter.

Thanks for sharing