Life

20 Things You Can Do Today That Will Improve The Quality Of Your Life

Published

10 years ago

Sep 20, 2014

Have you felt a little stuck in a rut?

Sometimes, we tend to get so caught up in the mundane parts of life that we forget what we were put on Earth to do: live a really, really awesome life.

Here are 20 things you can do right now that will improve your quality of life.

1. Treat yourself to a meal out

Been craving sushi all week? Go for it. Go get that food you’ve been really wanting. You can get it to-go and enjoy it at home, or just go out to a restaurant by yourself with a nice book.

2. Start investing your time in a hobby you love

So you totally love reading, or maybe painting, but you just haven’t had the time for it. The truth is that you always have the time—you just don’t make the time. And you should, because you deserve some fun time to yourself.

3. Join a class

Has there been something that you’ve always wanted to learn? Maybe you want to learn Spanish, or to play the violin. Sign up for a class today. What are you waiting for?

4. Start a 30-day challenge

For less of a commitment, start a 30-day challenge. This is a great idea that Matt Cutts talked about in his TED Talk. There’s always that one thing that we’ve always wanted to do, but haven’t got around to. Watch the video to find out why 30 day challenges are so amazing.

5. Call a loved one

There’s always that loved one who makes us light up when we speak with them, but life just gets in the way, and we let weeks slip by without saying a word.

Shoot them a text, or give them a call. You know that talking to them will totally make your day.

6. Make a list of everything you’re thankful for

Okay, this might sound super cheesy, but practicing gratitude is a great way to boost your spirits. Sometimes, we all need a little reminder of how lucky we are.

7. Watch something funny

Did you know that laughing is actually really good for you? It can lower stress, strengthen your immune system, and even burn calories. Plus, it releases endorphins, which will put you in a better mood. Put on your favorite stand-up routine or watch a funny movie.

8. Start working on your self-talk

Right now, analyze the next ten thoughts that pop up in your mind. Are the majority of them negative, self-deprecating, or defeatist? Slowly start working on your positive thoughts. It will greatly increase your quality of life.

9. Hit the gym

Get your sweat on. Remember: you’re only one workout away from a good mood.

10. Drink water!

Stay hydrated. Your body will work more efficiently and you’ll be more energized. If you’re like me and forget to drink your H2O, bring a water bottle with you wherever you go.

live life real quotes no more regrets

11. Organize the house

That clutter laying around your house isn’t just unattractive. Studies show that clutter can actually lead to higher stress levels.

Start organizing your house. You’d be surprised how satisfying it feels in the moment—and certainly after it’s done.

12. Plan your day

Sometimes, we can get down in the dumps a little just because there are so many things to do. But really, if we just had a plan, it would all be totally doable. Make a plan for the rest of your day and stick to it. Don’t forget to leave a little room for relaxation!

13. Wear your favorite outfit

Looks aren’t everything of course, but it’s undeniable: when you feel attractive, you’ll feel happier. Put on your favorite outfit and admire yourself in the mirror!

14. Start saving up for something you’ve always wanted

Is there something that’s a little out-of-range financially that you’ve always wanted? Perhaps it’s a big screen TV, or maybe a beautiful bass guitar.

Make a little section of your bank account devoted specifically to that one thing, and start setting aside a small portion of your paycheck every week for that thing. Think about it: even if you just set aside $20 a week, you’ll have $1040 by the end of the year!

15. Meditate

Meditation isn’t only good for you mentally, but physically. Set aside a little time to clear your mind and focus on the present.

16. Plan a day trip!

Been so busy that you’ve just had no down time? Today, schedule a day trip for a few weeks from now with a few loved ones to a nice place somewhat close by, whether that’s the beach, a hiking trail, or an awesome city. You’ll have something awesome to look forward to!

17. Help somebody out

Another cheesy one, but really—isn’t it the best feeling to help somebody? Go out of your way to assist someone in a time of need, whether that’s a stranger or your best friend.

18. Try yoga

Yoga is unbelievably healthy for you—it makes you strong and lean, but also works on areas that other workouts don’t, like flexibility and balance. Plus, it’s very relaxing.

19. Have a glass of red wine

Red wine (in moderation!) is very healthy. Plus, it’s delicious and can help you unwind after a long day.

20. Go on a nature walk

Go outside and appreciate nature. Take a camera along, and maybe a blanket, a picnic, and a book. Relax and soak it all in.

Remember: life is pretty great.

Jim Rohn’s Advice on Living A Quality Life

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2ap6fd_sXY

Feature Image Originally Appeared on vfetahu.vsco.co

Up Next

5 Secret Essentials To Having A Confident Mindset

Don't Miss

5 Life Lessons That You Won’t Learn In College

Sammy Nickalls

Sammy Nickalls is a writer and the Content Manager of Inspiyr.com, an online magazine helping people get healthier, happier, and more successful (sign up for our newsletter here and get a free eBook on productivity hacks!). She is an avid health nut, as well as a lover of yoga, gaming, books, and tea.

7 Comments

Life

How Learning the Skill of Hope Can Change Everything

Hope isn’t wishful thinking. It’s a state of being and a skill that has profound evidence of helping people achieve success in life

Published

2 weeks ago

Jan 6, 2025

Daniel Bell

Image Credit: Midjourney

Hope isn’t wishful thinking. It’s a state of being and a skill that has profound evidence of helping people achieve success in life.

Wishful thinking, on the other hand, is like having dreams in the sky without a ladder to climb, having a destination without a map, or trying to operate a jet-engine airplane without instructions. It sounds nice but is impossible to realize. You don’t have what you need to make it happen!

What Real Hope Is

Real hope is actionable, practical, and realistic. Better yet, it’s feasible and can be learned.

One popular approach is Hope Theory. This concept is used by colleges to study how hope impacts students’ academic performance. Researchers found that students with high levels of hope achieve better grades and are more likely to graduate compared to those with less hope.

Hope can be broken down into two components:

Pathways – The “how to” of hope. This is where people think of and establish plans for achieving their goals.
Agency – The “I can” of hope. This is the belief that the person can accomplish their goals.

Does Hope Really Work?

According to Webster’s Dictionary, hope as a noun is defined as: “desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment.”

As humans, we are wired to crave fulfillment. We have the ability to envision it and, through hope, make it a reality.

My Experience with Hope

For 13 years, I was a hopeless human. During my time working at a luxury hotel as a front desk agent earning $11.42 per hour, I felt the sting of hopelessness the most.

The regret of feeling my time was being stolen from me lingered every time I clocked in. Eventually, I decided to do something about it.

I gave myself permission to hope for something better. I began establishing pathways to success and regained agency by learning from self-help books and seeking mentorship.

Because I took action toward something I desired, I now feel more hope and joy than I ever felt hopelessness. Hope changed me.

Hope Actually Improves Your Life

Wishful thinking doesn’t work, and false hope is equally ineffective. Real hope, however, is directly tied to success in all areas of life.

Studies show that hopeful people tend to:

Demonstrate better problem-solving skills
Cultivate healthier relationships
Maintain stronger motivation to achieve goals
Exhibit better work ethic
Have a positive outlook on life

These benefits can impact work life, family life, habit-building, mental health, physical health, and spiritual practice. Imagine how much better your life could be by applying real hope to all these areas.

How to Develop the Skill to Hope

As acclaimed French writer Jean Giono wrote in The Man Who Planted Trees:
“There are also times in life when a person has to rush off in pursuit of hopefulness.”

If you are at one of those times, here are ways to develop the skill to hope:

1. Dream Again

To cultivate hope, you need to believe in its possibility. Start by:

Reflecting on what you’re passionate about, your values, and what you want to achieve.
Writing your dreams down, sharing them with someone encouraging, or saying them out loud.
Creating a vision board to make your dreams feel more tangible.

Dreams are the foundation of hope—they give you something meaningful to aspire toward.

2. Create an Environment of Hope

Set Goals: Write down your goals and create a plan to achieve them.
Visualize Success: Use inspirational quotes, photos, or tools like dumbbells or canvases to remind yourself of your goals.
Build a Resource Library: Collect books, eBooks, or audiobooks about hope and success to inspire you.

An environment that fosters hope will keep you motivated, resilient, and focused.

3. Face the Challenges

Don’t avoid challenges—overcoming them builds confidence. Participating in challenging activities, like strategic games, can enhance your problem-solving skills and reinforce hope.

4. Commit to Wisdom

Seek wisdom from those who have achieved what you aspire to. Whether through books, blogs, or social media platforms, learn from their journeys. Wisdom provides the foundation for real, actionable hope.

5. Take Note of Small Wins

Reflecting on past victories can fuel your hope for the future. Ask yourself:

What challenges have I already overcome?
How did I feel when I succeeded?

By remembering those feelings of happiness, relief, or satisfaction, your brain will naturally adopt a more hopeful mindset.

Conclusion

Hope is more than wishful thinking—it’s a powerful skill that can transform your life. By dreaming again, creating a hopeful environment, facing challenges, seeking wisdom, and celebrating small wins, you can develop the real hope necessary for success in all aspects of life.

Let hope guide you toward a brighter, more fulfilling future.

Life

The 5 Stages of a Quarter-Life Crisis & What You Can Do

A quarter-life crisis isn’t a sign you’ve lost your way; it’s a sign you’re fighting for a life that’s truly yours.

Published

3 weeks ago

Dec 27, 2024

CT Dool

Image Credit: Midjourney

The quarter-life crisis is a well-defined set of stages—Trapped, Checking Out, Separation, Exploration, Rebuilding—one goes through in breaking free from feelings of meaninglessness, lack of fulfillment, and misalignment with purpose. I detail the stages and interweave my story below. (more…)

Life

Here’s The Thing About Learning, Unlearning, and Relearning

Stop hoarding and start sharing your knowledge and wealth for the benefit of humankind

Published

2 months ago

Nov 21, 2024

M.S. Rao

Image Credit: Midjourney

Few people have the habit of hoarding their wealth without spending. However, it limits their motivation as they tend to get into their comfort zones. When people start spending money, then there will be depletion in their coffers. (more…)