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30 People Reveal Things That Improved Their Lives So Much, They Wish They Had Done Them Sooner
Interview
Life is full of surprises, both pleasant and not so much. But one interesting feeling is to discover a life-changing new way to do something. The mixture of elations is only brought down by the realization that you had been needlessly suffering for years.
Someone asked “What improved your quality of life so much, you wish you did it sooner?” and netizens shared their experiences. We also got in touch with the user who posed this question to the internet. So get comfortable as you scroll through, prepare to take some notes, upvote your favorites and share your thoughts below.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
This will sound a bit dark, but it's ultimately not: confronting my abusive parent. I'm 50 and I finally did it a few months ago. I no longer have a relationship with that parent, and doing it was very hard, very scary, and very rough. But as soon as I did it, I felt like an immense weight had been lifted from me. I had spent most of my adult life pretending to have a normal relationship with someone who physically and emotionally abused me throughout my childhood. It took years of therapy for me to even grasp how deeply that affected me or how much it cost me to keep it up. I just feel so free. I wish I had done this the second I was out the door of their house, but this will do.
#2
Losing weight. Went from about 225 down to 165 over the course of 2020 (took the opportunity to work on myself) and I feel better than I have in years. It was hard work, but I've managed to keep off for the past year, so I'm hoping I can keep this going!
THE COOL ZACH 6 months ago (edited)
Losing weight is hard and takes a while. I’m below weight by a lot, so I don’t know how it feels, but I’ve heard from other people that it’s not easy at all. So good for you!
#3
Working 4 days per week (a 32 hour work week). Seriously, we should all be doing it. Quality of life is 1000x better.
Bored Panda got in touch with the netizen who asked this question to the internet and they were kind enough to share a little about it. Firstly, we wanted to know what sparked their curiosity to hear about other’s “quality of life” improvements.
“I was in a very dark time in my life. I truly was lost. I just woke up one day and decided, let’s see what random strangers on the internet have to say. Some of the comments genuinely helped me get out of a slump,” they shared.
#4
Not my life but my grandfather’s. Literally 2 weeks ago, he began swelling in his legs and feet. He was very tired, out of breath, literally in the worst state I’ve ever seen him in. I begged him to go to the ER. He refused 3 times before he caved in and let me take him. After an echocardiogram and about 10 more tests, it was determined that he was in heart failure with his heart only pumping at 15% and heart rate at 30 bpm. A pacemaker and defibrillator were installed in his chest and he was put on a routine of Lasix. He was discharged last Saturday and it’s like having the grandpa from my childhood back. Besides a sore shoulder from surgery, he is doing so great. He is going for walks again, sitting outside and feeding the squirrels and birds, spending time with my children and going for rides around the farm in his golf cart. I’m so thankful for the technology that will potentially give us a few more years together and seeing his quality of life improve in such a short amount of time. He is 77 years old. Survived Vietnam, 2 gunshot wounds and 3 heart attacks. He said he would never have a pacemaker. Said he wouldn’t live dependent on technology. Now he wishes he would have had the surgery 10 years ago. Big shoutout to Emory for saving my pop.
#5
Pets.
My 2 cats have been amazing for my mental health.
Me Oh My (He/They) 6 months ago
To quote a tweet I saw a while back, it's hard to be sad about the state of the world when there's a little freak running laps in your house after taking a loud s**t.
#6
Leaving the southern Baptist church. Immediately improved all aspects of my life.
The thread had thousands and thousands of comments, so we wanted to hear their opinion on what made it so popular. “I think a lot of people in this world want what’s best for everyone so they are willing to give small tips like they did in this thread. It takes no more than a minute or two to just type “oh hey, this improved my quality of life.” I didn’t expect the thread to get so much attention. But I’m glad it did!”
#7
I started thinking of cleaning as “resetting” an area. After I cook I have to “reset” the kitchen. The little shift in perspective made me a much more neat person.
#8
I stopped putting other people and their needs before my own well-being and sanity. Pouring from an empty pitcher is exhausting and when I finally put myself first I felt free.
Nichole Harris 6 months ago
Wish I could do this! Just thinking about it makes me feel so selfish tho
#9
Everybody here writes something amazing, but the first thing I thought of was my dishwasher...
We also wanted to know if they had any favorites. “I really resonated with this comment from the thread. One of them said, “let people go.” This has helped me more than anything in life. I held onto every friendship, good and bad. The toxic friendships held me down in life. When I removed those people, life magically got better. But my tip to the readers would be to enjoy every moment they can,” they shared with Bored Panda.
#10
Cutting off a toxic friend. After having cut off said friend I felt that I could finally breathe without the stress of setting them off or getting into fights with them. I don’t regret my decision at all.
#11
Stopped watching and consuming National News. I was REALLY into the tribalism and looking for all the ammo I could find. And here’s the deal, they provide people like me with b******t content 24/7! Walked away and have become such a better person!
UncleJohn3000 6 months ago
I quit watching the news right after, "Read my lips. No new taxes." I was sitting at home alone and foaming at the mouth in anger, when I suddenly stopped and asked "why am I doing this? My being upset doesn't change anything." 30 years later, still a great decision.
#12
Finally setting my pride aside and working up the courage to talk to my doctor about my symptoms of depression. Got put on a medication to try and have adjusted the dose. It’s been like night and day. I never knew being miserable all the time wasn’t normal. My relationships have improved as well because I don’t have crazy mood swings.
keyboardtek 6 months ago
I grew up In Buffalo, NY. The Winter Blues depression was normal for everyone I knew. Fifty years later they have a name for it: Seasonal Affective Disorder. And just using a therapy light lifts my depression in the winter months.
“Life truly moves very fast. I remember turning 20, I turned 30 last month. Don’t be afraid to take risks. Don’t have any regrets in life. Just go for it. Whether it be a new job, a new relationship, a new hobby. Just go for it! We get so caught up in helping others, spreading love to others, that we forget ourselves. You matter too!”
#14
Retiring and getting a dog. He is a rescue dog and has lots of physical and emotional issues. He is terrified of people and animals so I need to be calm to help him stay calm. That’s given me a reason to not let life bother me too much.
#15
Cutting out toxic family, followed by friends and acquaintances. Life is too short to let people drain you. I'm always polite, but that doesn't mean you own my time or attention with your negativity.
It's amazing how much happier I am decades later.
THE COOL ZACH 6 months ago
I don’t even know why we do it. What are you going to gain form a toxic person?
#16
Reading. Luckily I did start reading early on - mostly in my early 20s - I’m 27 now. I’ve read so many books which have given me much more insight to the world and my own views, especially my place in the universe. I mostly read biology books, but enjoy any realm of evidence-based science and some fiction here and there. Even the entire Bible 2 years ago. If anyone reads this, read! It’s wonderful to know our minds can see lines and dots on paper and be able decipher it! Just that concept alone makes me want to read.
Sarah Jones 6 months ago
Awesome! It’s also fine to read for entertainment and fun, it doesn’t have to improve you as a person 😀
#17
Exercise. I tried so hard to be into it for so long. I'd get on a program or get into a routine and it never lasted more than a month or so. When lockdown hit I figured I'd give it another try since I couldn't go out. Best. Decision. Ever. I lost 50 pounds, gained so much stamina, look the best I've ever looked in my life, and just generally feel so much better. I wish I had gone harder earlier, I'd be so much better off.
BoredPossum 6 months ago
Wish I hadn't made that short pause between university and my third job.
#18
Hysterectomy. I spent most of two decades extremely sick and miserable. Best thing I ever did solely for my own self.
#19
Social media. Around November 2020 I deleted all social media, I did it temporarily at first but liked it so much I just don't even think about it anymore at this point. I have felt much happier and feel like I am living more in the moment since. It's also great not knowing what anyone is up to and I feel that I have to reach out to people more and when catching up things are a total surprise so it feels more genuine.
Susan Stead 6 months ago
I wish I could upvote this more! I did the same thing and it was so good for me!
#21
Trying to get 8 hours of good sleep every night.
Wysteria_Rose 6 months ago
This is part of what helps me the most. There's other things I want to make time for but every time it comes down to losing sleep and adding something, I always choose to keep my 8 hours.
#22
Getting glasses. I put it off for way too long and only got around to seeing an optometrist when I failed the vision test at the DMV as I was trying to get my driver's license renewed a while back.
I really didn't appreciate how much my vision had deteriorated or how much I was straining to focus on things until I got them. It was like going from an old CRT TV from the 90's directly to a top of the line UHD display. I must have spent about an hour just walking around outside and staring at s**t on that first day.
#23
Getting diagnosed with ADHD and getting treatment. I legit spent over 25 years of my life thinking a 24/7/365 rave going on in my head with over 2000 people screaming and yelling different things at me and that one song i can never find the source of to turn it off was normal and not understanding why I found things like saying “I’m going to go do :insert chore here:” and then DOING THEM IMMEDIATELY so hard. Turns out I don’t have to sit on the couch for 6 hours trying to convince myself that this is the minute in which I’ll go put my cup in the dishwasher and no, emptying the trashcan doesn’t take half an hour it takes two minutes… 😐.
#24
Moving out of a dark basement apartment that I lived in for far too many years.
Living with windows and natural light is a huge change in mental health.
ElfVibratorGlitter 6 months ago (edited)
I feel this. I lived in Maryland for many years, the winters are grey and miserable. I tried light therapy, antidepressants, therapy, variety of supplements and snake oils. It wasn't until I moved to sunny Colorado (300 days of sunshine a year) that my entire mental health felt like it improved seven fold. Still on antidepressants and see a therapist but I actually feel good.
#25
Quitting smoking. Better health, and I was in NYC at the time and it was $13 or $14 a pack then. The savings was like getting a raise at work. It then led to getting into fitness, and stopping being a regular at bars. That too was expensive. I got an actual raise and promotion a few months later too.
CrunChewy McSandybutt 6 months ago
My favorite part of quitting smoking is that I don't have to plan my days around it. I can do things and not worry about if there will be a place/time to have a cigarette. I love it.
#26
A good mattress, followed by a good pillow. We went down the rabbit hole of mattress reviews on YouTube (seriously, you can get lost out there for more hours than you think), but settling on our new one we made the right choice. A good pillow was soon to follow, as once the rest of your body is comfortable you know fast if your pillow is right. The combo of the two if great tho.
keyboardtek 6 months ago
The Nektar mattress I tried in the store was perfect. The one I received from Nektar was a bit more firm than the one in the store. I added a 3 inch memory foam topper. Now I sleep on a heavenly bed!
#27
Drinking way more water.
keyboardtek 6 months ago
After being diagnosed with my fifth herniated spinal disc, my doctor recommended drinking more water. Apparently there is no blood supply to the discs. So they only get hydrated when we sleep and they absorb the moisture from the surrounding cells. Drinking more water helps prevent the discs from deteriorating.
#28
Moving out of the country and leaving everyone and everything behind. It’s been very quiet and peaceful and I’ve never felt better.
#29
Divorce. I can't recommend it but I am happier than I have ever been.
Nlie8 6 months ago
I recommend it — if you truly know deep down that there is no saving the marriage. Getting out of a 12-year marriage to the wrong person was a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. I slept better, didn't need my lose dose of anxiety meds, and had more energy. I didn't even comprehend how bad I felt on a daily basis. So while it isn't a joyous thing to go through initially, feeling like you get your life and sense of self back is totally worth it.
#30
9,000 steps a day. Throw in audiobooks and I'm improving mind and body.
What do you think ?
Sky Render 6 months ago
Shortly after my mother died I was in a very dark place. Six simple words changed my life: I don't have to be alone. The day I told myself that, I confessed my feelings to the woman who is now my wife. So many amazing things have happened since as I've rediscovered who (and what) I really am!
Alley Cat 6 months ago (edited)
If I could put something in this, I would put starting band. Being in band has changed my life and my view on music and its world, and it has really influenced me. I highly recommend joining some kind of musical activity, whether it be band or choir.
Becca not Becky 6 months ago
I totally agree. I did it for 7 years, even got scholarships in university for it.
Load More Replies... Gwyn 6 months ago (edited)
For me: Wish I had started strength training and eating enough much sooner, took me til 45 to try it. Love my strength and more confident in my body. As a woman trying to stay thin it just made me weak to not eat enough and and do cardio only. Wish I'd switched to SAHM with my kids sooner.
Danish Susanne 5 months ago
I think that the best thing you can do for yourself is to find something you can do together with others whether it be doing sports or like myself coming to work in a Repair Cafe.
Sky Render 6 months ago
Shortly after my mother died I was in a very dark place. Six simple words changed my life: I don't have to be alone. The day I told myself that, I confessed my feelings to the woman who is now my wife. So many amazing things have happened since as I've rediscovered who (and what) I really am!
Alley Cat 6 months ago (edited)
If I could put something in this, I would put starting band. Being in band has changed my life and my view on music and its world, and it has really influenced me. I highly recommend joining some kind of musical activity, whether it be band or choir.
Becca not Becky 6 months ago
I totally agree. I did it for 7 years, even got scholarships in university for it.
Load More Replies... Gwyn 6 months ago (edited)
For me: Wish I had started strength training and eating enough much sooner, took me til 45 to try it. Love my strength and more confident in my body. As a woman trying to stay thin it just made me weak to not eat enough and and do cardio only. Wish I'd switched to SAHM with my kids sooner.
Danish Susanne 5 months ago
I think that the best thing you can do for yourself is to find something you can do together with others whether it be doing sports or like myself coming to work in a Repair Cafe.
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