Making Small Changes to Improve My Life

I tend to get stuck in bad routines pretty easily but I don't want to. It might make me feel better on the day but in the long run, I know it'll make me feel bad. So, I wanted to make some small everyday changes to be healthier, more productive and spend more time with friends and family.

I was inspired by one of the vloggers I watch, Alfie Deyes, as he since 12th of August began his 90 Day Challenge to improve his life by starting to eat healthy, going regularly to the gym, scheduling his videos, setting time aside for family and friends and much more. I've linked the daily vlog of his very first day below.

90 days seemed too scary for me and as I'm about to make a major move and move to England to study abroad in exactly a month, I thought I would start with doing it for a month and hope that it'll stick although I undoubtedly will have cheat days once I start my exchange. Still, I liked this concept because it wasn't a diet (I've never tired to diet and generally don't like that concept) but a lifestyle change. By adding up small changes you'll eventually change your lifestyle - something another vlogger I watch, Marcus Butler, also mentioned in his book Hello Life in the section "Healthy living".

I do love makings lists, so here we go.

Sleeping:

• Get the magic 8 hours of sleep every night
• No computer time after 23 PM - read a book instead
• Go to sleep before midnight - your body needs to rest
• Wake up earlier - aim for around 8 AM
• Have lie-ins to no longer than 10 AM - you have to make something of the day

Food:

• Aim to eat less processed food - cook dinner with fresh, good ingredients
• Eat at least one fruit a day - more would be good too
• Go easy on the sweets - you can eat them occasionally with friends but don't overindulge and don't eat them alone in your room
• Drink lots and lots of water - your body needs it
• Remember to take your iron pill every night - you're sent them for a reason

Exercise:

• Train dressage two or three days a week - get into the rhythm and you and your horse will fly together
• Walk your dog every day - it's both bonding time and a chance to clear your head
• Get back into running with an aim to go on a run once a week - that means at least five runs before you're leaving

Productivity:

• Stop procrastinating so much - better to get the thing done right away and not have it hanging over your head
• Update your current Wattpad story every Saturday as you promised yourself and your readers
• Check your housing association waiting lists - it would be nice to have a place to live when you come back
• Aim to update this blog ever so often - make those ideas and thoughts running through your mind into blog posts

Family and friends:

• Take ever opportunity to spend time with your family - you'll miss them terrible soon
• Hang out with your friends - initiate conversations and plans to make it happen if necessary
• Text/snapchat/message your friends to be kept in the loop - they won't mind, they'll probably appreciate it
• Call your old Gran once a week - she's lonely and she'll love you for it and one day you'll lose her, so make the time count even if it's just a small chat
• Go to see your horse even when you're not training and it's her day off - walk with her and brush her and strengthen your bond
• Walk your dog and give her all the cuddles - you'll miss your sleeping buddy so much
• Hug them all!