Learn ways to improve your life and live well.

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25 FOOLPROOF WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR LIFE & LIVE WELL

1. BE HUMBLE

Humble people are gracious people.

Is there anything more annoying than spending time with arrogant individuals? Don’t be that person. Be proud of your accomplishments yet display modesty in your position. Humble people are more enjoyable and more joyous.

2. BE GRATEFUL

If you are reading this, you are blessed.

You have eyes that see, the ability to read, access to technology and the list goes on. Be grateful for all that you have, even as you pursue more. You may realize you already have the most important things and everything else is just icing on an already beautifully blessed cake.

3. FORGIVE

Grudges and hatred are heavy emotions that can make you feel burdened.

Let go of the extra weight and live your life. Forgive the people who have hurt you and thrive. You deserve that for yourself, even if the person who has done you wrong doesn’t.

4. IGNORE NEGATIVITY

People aren’t born with ugliness and pettiness it is learned and cultivated.

You can feed into negativity and fight a losing battle or rise above. The latter is the better option because you lift yourself above being in the company of people who are happy to see others fall and fail. Ignore negative people, avoid negative conversation, and try to find the positive each situation, even if others around you don’t.

5. BE MINDFUL

Find ways to be more aware.

Be aware of your thoughts, your movements, your desires, your habits. It is difficult to have self-control if you aren’t aware of your mind and your body. Mindfulness is the key to living in the present and enjoying experiences as they happen.

6. LAUGH MORE

Laughter is good for the body and good for the soul.

Many people who are going through difficult times and get a small reprieve from find ways to laugh. Laughter doesn’t change your situation but it does make you feel better. Wake up each day and find reasons to smile and laugh.

7. READ MORE

Successful people read.

Reading is how you stay informed. Be selective about what you read. There are things you can read that entertain and things that you can read that educate. Chose the latter. Read to gain knowledge and self-improve. When asked the key to success, Warren Buffett advised that people read more. It’s that simple.

8. LEARN WHEN TO SAY ‘NO’

Time is our most valuable asset and it isn’t available to everyone.

Learn when to decline. This can be difficult, especially if you are a people pleaser but it’s OK to be unavailable, it is OK to not have time, it is OK to put your needs and sanity above the desires of people who are happy to use up all your fuel and leave you empty.

There are times in life when the answer is no, even when you have the best of intentions and motivation.

9. PRACTICE SELF-CARE

Self-care is everything.

Neglecting your mental or physical health is dangerous. We all want to put the needs of other people first, especially Damn Good Moms, but if we do exhaustion and overwhelm can lead to bigger problems. Taking the time each day to practice self-care is not just good for you, it’s helpful to everyone who cares for you.

10. HAVE FAITH

Believe. Believe in yourself. Believe in your faith.

We all have a purpose for living and finding ways to stand in your faith is what will help you stand strong when life gets difficult. And it will. Having faith and people around you who understand what you believe and how it can help you is priceless.

11. BE KIND

Kindness is free.

Every day we pass people without an extra thought of what may be going on in their lives. It’s normal. But what if you took the time to smile, hold the door, or ask that person how their day is going? It wouldn’t cost you a thing and it could be just the action that makes a huge difference.

12. DRINK MORE WATER

Hydration is a key pillar of wellness.

Lack of water can lead to fatigue, headaches, blood pressure issues and the list goes on. Why? Water regulates body temperatures, flushes waste, carries oxygen and nutrients throughout the body, and can influence metabolism. Make drinking water part of your daily routine and enjoy the benefits.

13. EAT WELL

Eat real food.

Eating real food seems like it would be an easy thing to do, but people struggle with this. Our stores are full of artificial and processed food that may be harmful. Find ways to shop the perimeter of grocery stores and stock up on fresh seasonal local fruits and veggies from the farmer’s market. Your body and your family will thank you.

14. SLEEP WELL

Concealer isn’t the answer.

Makeup can make your tired eyes look bright but what you really need is rest. You may not be able to get the recommended eight hours of sleep(I’m looking at you mom), but try to ensure that the hours you sleep are quality. Sleep is a part of self-care and wellness. Find ways to get the rest you need and watch how beautiful and refreshed you feel.

15. WAKE UP EARLY

Rise and shine, literally.

Rise early. Motherhood can be a constant state of business, but if you wake up early and start preparing for your day before everyone else in the house, you get quiet time. You get time to get things done before the chaos begins. Early mornings are the best. Also, if you need to head out, you beat traffic and you beat the long lines.

16. CLEAN AND DECLUTTER

Get rid of stuff you don’t use.

Clean and decluttered spaces can make you feel less stressed. I wrote a post explaining how to declutter and live well with less. Having less stuff, allows you to focus on the things that you really value. Also, quality becomes more important quantity when you limit yourself to living with less.

17. SCHEDULE TIME AWAY FROM SCREENS

Screens are not evil.

I’m not against screentime, I enjoy films and shorts and recorded plays. Also, I believe there are benefits to allowing children limited access to learning programs on tablets; however, less time in front of screens means more time on other activities like reading, crafts, baking, board games, and swimming. Life in front of a screen all the time means you are missing out on other enjoyable activities. Time to watch tv can wait.

18. TRAVEL

There are lessons to be learned from travel.

Travel near or travel far but please experience new places. Travel has been my number one teacher and the lessons I have learned couldn’t have been experienced in a classroom. I’ve taught English in Europe, volunteered in Central America, and traveled around the world meeting people. My life is better for it and yours can be too.

19. SPEND TIME WITH LOVED ONES

Don’t get too busy for the people who matter.

How many times have we heard about that person who worked their life away and never made time for their families? Some people are limited in their ability to work less but we all can find time for the people who matter. Let’s not let time run out before we realize we didn’t spend it with the people we love most.

20. TRY NEW THINGS

Learning new things isn’t reserved for children.

Take a class. Learn a new language. Buy a cookbook and experiment. The brain is always ready to be expanded. New challenges can give us emotional boosts and revive childlike curiosity. Don’t let age or adulthood stop you from experimenting and delving into new adventures.

21. HAVE GOALS

Life is boring without goals.

Goals are for everyone because achievement is for everyone. Set daily goals, monthly goals, and yearly goals and achieve them. Celebrate your achievements and then…rinse and repeat.

22. STOP COMPARING

What you have isn’t for me.

Social media has made comparing our lives to other people’s lives easy. However, what someone else has isn’t for you. What you have isn’t meant for others. A popular quote reads “Comparison is the thief of joy”. Retain your joy and be happy for others and thankful for what you have.

23. FIND BEAUTY INSTEAD OF FLAWS

Mirror, Mirror, on the wall, I refuse to only see flaws.

You are beautiful and only finding flaws will stop you from seeing the other 99.9% of yourself that is perfect. Yes, we all have things that we would change but focus on the beauty. Often, what we see as flaws are actually are best features. Example, I used to wish my easy were smaller; now, my daughter has my eyes and I see they are amazing and beautiful!

24. STOP DIETING

Chose a lifestyle instead of a diet.

Every few months there is a new diet that promises to help us lose or shape our bodies. I love self-care yet dieting can be restrictive and punishing. Focus on choosing a lifestyle that can be lasting. I know I’m not going to count calories forever, so I will not set myself up for that. I eat well, exercise, and adopt new ways to live that are sustainable.

25. KNOW WHEN TO LET GO

Sometimes, we hold on to things too long.

Letting go can be difficult. We develop an emotional attachment to things and people (totally normal). The problems occur when we forget to let go. We have to let go of things that lose value, situations that lose purpose, and people that we outgrow. It’s not easy because there is comfort in the familiar but a life well lived must be filled with value and purposeful relationships.

Life situations can feel overwhelming sometimes but you are capable of accomplishing your goals and living a beautiful life from the inside out. Believe in yourself and make it your goal to be better each day. You can do this!

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