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According to a study published in the European Journal of Social Psychology, it takes 18 to 254 days for a person to form a new habit. (The study also concluded that, on average, it takes 66 days for a new behavior to become automatic.)

Depending on how tight your schedule is, this may sound like a lot of hassle. However, even the slightest changes in your lifestyle can snowball into substantial, palpable results. And there's a fresh Reddit thread to get some ideas.

Created by user iam_robas, it asked everyone the question, "What's a simple habit you practice daily that helps you stay positive?" It's not the most popular post on the platform, but the discussion in the comment section provides interesting insights into how people navigate these turbulent times.

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#1

30 People Claim These Small Habits Helped Turn Their Life Around Toxic, dramatic people. Just shut them out. Coworkers, family. Don’t care, can’t hear you. I have an average life to live. Don’t try to spice it up with your reality tv show nonsense

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#2

30 People Claim These Small Habits Helped Turn Their Life Around I try and go out for a few hours any day I'm off work and just go for a coffee, food and walk around my city for a few hours. It's such a simple yet nice thing I do that keeps me being positive. My friends make fun of me for it though :/

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MarmotArchivist
MarmotArchivist
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even during the work week beeing outside and in natural daylight can help you to sleep better. So I like to take my lunchbreak outside if the weater is nice and walk a small part of my commute.

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#3

30 People Claim These Small Habits Helped Turn Their Life Around I sit outside in silence and be in the moment listening to nature.

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#4

30 People Claim These Small Habits Helped Turn Their Life Around Sleep

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#5

30 People Claim These Small Habits Helped Turn Their Life Around Singing in the car. It’s tough to be in a bad mood while singing

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Miss Frankfurter
Miss Frankfurter
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have my favorite CDs that I like to sing along with and a great radio station too. Once I'm in the car, Carnegie Hall here I come!

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#6

30 People Claim These Small Habits Helped Turn Their Life Around Before I get up out of bed, I give gratitude for many blessings. I give thanks for simple things like having a roof, a pillow, a bed, comfy blankets, a safe place to live, plumbing...and then go on to bigger things like people who love and support me. I do this throughout the day, even giving thanks for difficulties (thank you, asshole driver who gives me the opportunity to practice patience ha).

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#7

30 People Claim These Small Habits Helped Turn Their Life Around Play with my sisters cat

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#8

30 People Claim These Small Habits Helped Turn Their Life Around Feel your emotions, pick them apart, try to understand why they came up, but don't let them control you.

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Joanie
Joanie
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pick apart my emotions. Just one more task for my anxious mind. 😳

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#9

30 People Claim These Small Habits Helped Turn Their Life Around Stretching for 5 mins is almost a ritual for me

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Sharron Lindsay
Sharron Lindsay
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Your body has an impact on your mental health and vice versa so keep moving. You owe it to yourself

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#10

30 People Claim These Small Habits Helped Turn Their Life Around Stay in contact with friends, see what they're up to, offer to help if there is something I can do.

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Sharron Lindsay
Sharron Lindsay
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Having good contacts helps mental health. We're a social species and are meant to be in groups. Get out there make friends and keep the good ones.

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#11

Spend some time in nature - walk, run etc. Sounds cliche but works wonders.

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Eagle Girl
Eagle Girl
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Every morning I wake up to birds chirping, (waiting for me to feed them lol) but starting in the sun & fresh air makes my day. End it feeding birds too. Wipes away all the crazy of the day

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#12

30 People Claim These Small Habits Helped Turn Their Life Around Drink lots of water

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Bardhi's Dad
Bardhi's Dad
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beer is also good. Of course it’s not as good as water, but it’s not bad at all, is it 🍻

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#13

30 People Claim These Small Habits Helped Turn Their Life Around Being grateful

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Bardhi's Dad
Bardhi's Dad
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It would be great to have as many things as you can be grateful for.

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#14

Staying single

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Azolane
Azolane
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

YES to this !! I'll end up as an old crazy cat lady, and have no shame. Give me a dozen cats over a husband anytime.

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#15

Try to be nice to everyone, no matter when or where

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#16

30 People Claim These Small Habits Helped Turn Their Life Around A do list! It helps me to visualise what I've actually achieved that day

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Susie Elle
Susie Elle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Totally unrelated but I LOVE LOVE LOVE fountain pens. I never use one, but I wish I did.

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#17

30 People Claim These Small Habits Helped Turn Their Life Around I smoke cigarettes and drink coffee.

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Donkey boi
Donkey boi
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I suppose it's better than smoking coffee and drinking cigarettes.

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#18

30 People Claim These Small Habits Helped Turn Their Life Around Wherever you feel a lot of pressure just go out of that place breathe in and exhale out Life will be much better

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Loki’s Lil Butter Knife
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just spending 10 minutes outdoors in nature everyday can have such a uplifting affect on my mood.

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#19

30 People Claim These Small Habits Helped Turn Their Life Around Morning wank to get the day started

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#20

I have an issue with taking things personally, what helps is for example if someone comes off as rude to me or dismissive I usually remind myself that they are probably going through a bad day or something. Most of the time I pry and ask and they end up revealing an issue to me or what happened to cause them to be in a sour mood. It has helped me a lot :)

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You cant stop the truth
You cant stop the truth
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yep. Most people don't set out to be assholes. I ask them "hey did I say something that made you angry and if so do you mind explaining so I don't do it again?" - always defuses the situation.

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#21

Walk my dog

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#22

I block people online that has an energy or attitude I don't wanna be impacted by. This is my time and I am here for my needs.

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Nemo
Nemo
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone once said "you're not gonne stress me out on my own phone". That resonated with me

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#23

30 People Claim These Small Habits Helped Turn Their Life Around Force myself to smile for a few seconds

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#24

30 People Claim These Small Habits Helped Turn Their Life Around Being appreciative for how much easier my life is than previous generations’.

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Eagle Girl
Eagle Girl
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean this in the best way possible but love that her thighs are Not Airbrushed. Need more Positive examples of healthy Not perfect.

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#25

30 People Claim These Small Habits Helped Turn Their Life Around Talk yourself up with positive phrases throughout the day. Wake up a little before work, an extra hour ideally, and have some time to yourself. I like listening to music and drinking coffee during this time.

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#26

Songs that match my thoughts or mood

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Bardhi's Dad
Bardhi's Dad
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Many songs match someone's thoughts and moods on different occasions, and good music will always be useful.

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#27

gardening

(weather permitting)

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Loki’s Lil Butter Knife
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I adorer gardening. I love the feel of the earth beneath my fingers, the scent of fresh dirt, and watching my little seedling bloom into gorgeous flowers or delicious vegetables. It is almost a form of moving meditation.

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#28

running, drinking, coffee, eating good food, petting cat

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#29

Take my pills on time

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#30

30 People Claim These Small Habits Helped Turn Their Life Around Flexing and makeing faces in the mirror while saying 'ayyyyee'

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#31

While waiting for the shower to warm up, I put on a banger of a song and dance. Wakes me up a bit and it’s fun.

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#32

The holy trinity: exercise, sleep, diet. These three things alone will go a long way, don't neglect them.

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Irishwoman abroad
Irishwoman abroad
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are not small things! They are almost everything you need to be well.

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#33

Prayer, making offerings to the gods, ancestors and spirits.

I always take time, especially in the morning, to stand outside, breathe deeply and remember that everything around me is full of life and energy, the ground, the plants, the animals, the stones...and I give thanks to them all.

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#34

Play the ukulele

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#35

Meditation

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#36

making myself an egg sandwich in the morning with a glass of water, and enjoying my quiet hour long bus ride

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Fiona Farman
Fiona Farman
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I need an hour every morning before work, to wake up, drink my coffee, eat my toast, relax. I love my morning routine. No matter where i am living at the time. I cannot rush through the morning. I don't understand people that do lol

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#37

I try my best to tell myself all the things I like about me and all the important people that I have helped with in my life. And then I practice breathing exercises to calm myself down

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Sharron Lindsay
Sharron Lindsay
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Breathing exercises positively affects the polyvagal system and can calm down feelings of anxiety

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#38

When something bad happens I immediately find the best thing I can think about the situation

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#39

Be proud of what I achieved

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#40

Forcing myself to get out of bed. A lot of days I don't want to at all. But once I do, it makes everything seem a little easier. Cuz even if the day is rough, I still got out of bed to take care of my family.

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#41

Being grateful for at least one thing that has happened to me every day. It doesn't have to be anything major, it doesn't even have to be something positive. Just something that you I am grateful for having in my life

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#42

Going for walks everyday, starting about 15 min after I wake up with a hot drink, magazine and my dog

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Rosie Hamilton
Rosie Hamilton
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Was a bit tearful from another comment so my vision was blurred... read 'wake up with a hot magazine'! 😶 I need a bit longer than that before I head out with my dogs!

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#43

Daily stretching. Just a quick touch the toes, stretch your neck, your wrists, your shoulders. You’ll feel much better

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Gin
Gin
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Touch my TOES! No, I'll just wave at them from a distance thanks.

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#44

Take a moment to absorb some sun straight to the dome- imagining that its energy penetrates into a third eye,- then send rays of gratitude back to it. Just a few seconds makes a difference to me; doing this for half an hour and more gives me a good high

When the wind is blowing I like to picture the vast oceans of air moving above and remind myself that i'm just flowing on a rock

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ChimeraBubbles
ChimeraBubbles
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"vast oceans of air moving above" - I found this oddly lifting and comforting

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#45

20 minutes on the cross trainer

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MarmotArchivist
MarmotArchivist
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got one aswell, I coudn't be arsed to go to a gym, but I'll gladly do a round in my own home.

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#46

Greeting strangers in a friendly manner everywhere I go.

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#47

making bed,just shutting down every mobiles,laptop and other devices and being at the moment and being outside in fresh air

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#48

I remind myself where I'm heading in life, but even more important, I remind myself where I would have been if I didn't change path.

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#49

I take notes constantly in order to keep myself accountable and keep a record of tasks and chores I complete each day. It motivates me in two ways: having a to-do list makes it easier to be productive, and looking at a week of lists all checked off makes me feel really good about myself.

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#50

I have several tattoos that all are very personal and important to me. Every day I see the rubber ducky on my hand - it represents my wife. Her love, her caring, the special and fun times we've shared in our 24 years together all come back every time I see that duck, which is always

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Miss Frankfurter
Miss Frankfurter
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Me too! The tattoo on my ankle representing my best friend and our 40 years of friendship, especially now that she's gone. On my forearm is two words from a very important poem. Now Voyager...

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#51

Listen to old music on repeat

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#52

Playing Xbox and racing cars

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Monic Krugell
Monic Krugell
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got some really bad career news and was exceptionally angry and then my sons and husband physically placed me in front of the Xbox and taught me to play sniper elite - felt so much better after killing some rando's.... was surprisingly therapeutic

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#53

Starting my day by actively thinking about how I want to approach problems/issues. The act of making this a planned process rather than just reacting helps.

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#54

Exersize outside near some birds. Mental and physical health just skyrocket

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K- THULU
K- THULU
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

birds are cool, I have a gang of magpies who hang around my yard. No matter how s**t i feel, to go outside and do a half assed bird call to a wild animal and have them notice and sing back to you is the greatest!

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#55

Sex

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#56

Practicing Gratitude, Going on a Drive. Looking in the mirror and saying "You Sexy Beast, People go Crazy in Love with You".

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#57

Remind myself of three P’s peace, passion, and persistence

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#58

My therapist has me writing down affirmations.

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#59

Sleeping. If I'm too energetic to sleep, I walk around until I am lost.

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#60

Daily edible. Really balances me out.

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#61

Giving others

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#62

Meditate every day! It makes a life changing difference on your mindset and happiness

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#63

Organizing everything by size and convinience

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#64

30 People Claim These Small Habits Helped Turn Their Life Around I tell myself that whatever negative feeling u get dsnt exist then hype myself back up. Like when Sad "No such thing as sadness don't be a little bitch get up, look proud and live this day that tomorrow you wont get back" i also fake smile a lot

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Sowieso
Sowieso
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Works in the short time, might be detrimental in the long term though.

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#65

i look at titties on the internet...life can be bad but there's always at least two good points to it

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#66

Waking up

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#67

stopped constantly trying to alter my state of mind.

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#68

Negative visualization

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#69

Drinking

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Loki’s Lil Butter Knife
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Drinking a nice beer or glass of wine to unwind after a busy week can be really nice once in a while. However, if you are doing it every single day, you might want to look into a different coping habit.

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#70

Bottle it up, lock it in a chest, behind a door, in Fort Knox.

Proceed with my day

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