Improving yourself to lead a genuinely more purposeful, healthier, and happier life isn’t a sprint—it’s a marathon. The smallest things you do every single day and the tiniest habits you have compound very quickly over time. The question is if you want to overhaul everything about yourself, where exactly do you start? Well, the internet is full of clever suggestions.
Inspired by user u/CookieNegative9860, the members of the AskReddit community revealed the things that they’ve done that have massively improved their quality of life. Scroll down to read their recommendations, and don’t forget to take notes—you might just read something that you didn’t know you needed.
Bored Panda got in touch with the author of the viral thread, u/CookieNegative9860. They were kind enough to share their thoughts on improving our lives, including how the tiniest changes can snowball into perceptible improvements. You’ll find our full interview with them as you read on.
#1
I am a software developer, so I spend over 8 hours a day looking at a screen.
I started having severe “tiredness/depression” and this lasted a couple of years. No matter how much sleep I got, it didn’t help. I became irritable, and eventually started having headaches. I thought it was sinus headaches because it felt similar. Then I had severe migraines. I went to the doctor and everything came back normal.
Eventually I found out that it could be eye strain. I started resting my eyes every 30 minutes, focusing on something around 20 feet away. If I am using my phone, I use it a reasonable distance away. A few days later all of my symptoms disappeared.
Image credits: Plenty-Telephone7152
In our personal experience, the biggest non-negotiable areas that you should prioritize in terms of your time, energy, and money are:
- Spending time with your loved ones and focusing on positive relationships;
- Getting lots of movement and finding fun ways to exercise so you don’t live a sedentary life;
- Eating a healthy and nutritious diet while avoiding ultra-processed foods so you live longer and have more energy to take advantage of the opportunities that come your way;
- Becoming financially literate, earning more than you spend, having a healthy budget, and saving and/or investing a portion of your income for the sake of your and your family’s future;
- Doing purposeful, meaningful things at your job, in your hobbies, and while volunteering.
#2
Being intentional about where my mind is going and whether it’s constructive or not.
Image credits: ajaec1
#3
Moving out of my hometown. I never felt like where I was from was home. Was never comfortable. Kept hitting hurdles trying to come up and be better. But once I left my entire life trajectory changed for the better.
Image credits: Big-Intention8500
It’s very important to look at what you eat, as well as what food items you avoid. The BBC warns that based on a recent study done in eight countries and published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, people who eat lots of ultra-processed foods (also known as UPFs) may be at greater risk of passing away early.
Lead study author Dr. Eduardo Nilson said that UPFs affected people’s health “because of the changes in the foods during industrial processing and the use of artificial ingredients, including colorants, artificial flavors and sweeteners, emulsifiers, and many other additives and processing aids.”
#4
Understanding that working with someone smarter than you is a privilege and an opportunity to learn and hone your own skills, not a threat.
Image credits: Stunning-Calendar-10
#5
Getting a cat.
Image credits: gobblewonkergrump
#6
In my early twenties I learned it was okay to say “I don’t know” instead of pretending I knew what someone was talking about. People are excited to share what they know. It’s such a simple thing that led to a lot of professional and social growth for me.
Image credits: spintiff
The BBC adds that “UPFs tend to contain more than five ingredients, which are not usually found in home cooking, such as additives, sweeteners, and chemicals to improve the food‘s texture or appearance. Some experts say it’s not known why UPFs are linked to poor health—there is little evidence it’s down to the processing itself and could be because these foods contain high levels of fat, salt, and sugar.”
#7
Quitting that toxic job.
Image credits: businessperson10
#8
Blackout curtains.
Image credits: Fancy-Jellyfish-1787
#9
Paying attention to my diet and eating healthy, working out regularly, stretching. My physical and mental health has improved drastically, I didn’t even know how crappy I felt at the time and it’s only in hindsight I can see how awful my gorging and sloth made me feel.
Image credits: ExpectoPornum2
The NOVA classification of ultra-processed food includes things such as:
- cakes, pastries, and biscuits;
- crisps;
- supermarket bread;
- sausages, burgers, and hot dogs;
- instant soups, noodles, and desserts;
- chicken nuggets;
- fish fingers;
- fruit yogurts and fruit drinks;
- margarines and spreads;
- baby formula.
#10
Quit smoking (Edit: it’s been 10y now and most upvotes I ever got for anything, thank you very much).
Image credits: AdHeavy2829
#11
Not drinking alcohol.
Stopped at 44, should have stopped at 24…
Image credits: BadToTheTrombone
#12
Losing weight, I lost nearly 70lb.
It transformed my life.
Image credits: nourthensoul
The author of the thread said that taking an incremental approach to changing your life, when you’re unsure of what to do, is probably best.
“Please just take one small step. It probably looks insignificant, but just take one small step toward improving your life. You’d be surprised how one tiny step, one tiny action, can snowball into bigger changes,” u/ CookieNegative9860 told Bored Panda.
“It’s the momentum that counts, this little shift in your life can lead to miles of progress you never thought was possible.”
#13
Escaping the Jehovah’s Witnesses Cult!
Image credits: suchsnowflakery
#14
Drinking water, washing my face everyday, flossing everyday, and not starving myself.
Image credits: MuchachaAllegra
#15
Buying a dishwasher…
Idk a single person who enjoys doing dishes, but I had no clue just how much I would enjoy having one. Takes ~ 5 minutes of my time to load the thing, and it does the dishes for me, while I watch TV/game lol.
Image credits: Active-Piano-5858
The author said that they’re very happy about the attention that their question got online. “I’m really grateful how many people took the time to share their experiences, giving thoughtful advice to strangers on the internet, it shows how much we can learn from one another when we speak honestly,” they said.
They also opened up about the inspiration behind their thread. “Honestly, that day I was just bored, reflecting on couple of things I regretted doing in the past and a few decisions I was proud of, that got me wondering what others might say if I asked this question, so I decided to post it.”
We asked u/ CookieNegative9860 about their thoughts as to why the question was so relatable to so many people online. “I think the reason why it resonated so widely with internet users is because, at a fundamental level, we are all not that different from each other. Most of us have made mistakes that we regret and done some things that turned our lives around for the better,” they said.
#16
Stopped putting so much weight on what other people thought.
Image credits: Personal-Process3321
#17
When my kid comes home from school, putting my phone in a drawer and not touching it again until he is asleep in bed.
Image credits: Salt-Lab-6067
#18
Quitting drinking.
Lost 50 lbs. Skin cleared up, and I look younger. It’s probably because my body is functioning as it should. Eating healthier also has helped. I’m 33
I will have a year sober on May 14.
I’m still figuring out how to make new new friends whose lives don’t revolve around drinking. It’s lonely, but it’s still better than the utter despair of alcoholism.
Image credits: lochmac
“I believe there is something very human and fulfilling about helping others, even if it’s just by sharing a small piece of advice, and I believe that thread became a space where people were open, kind, and generous, helping others and that is what made it so powerful.”
They said that they “absolutely did not expect” the thread to get so much attention. “I made the post, and a couple hours later, it had thousands of comments, I ended up spending hours reading them, and even taking notes in my notebook, I truly appreciate everyone who took the time to share their insight, and experiences about what improved their life.”
#19
I didn’t delete my accounts but I removed social media apps from my phone and I started to ignore most political “news”. I’m so much happier and productive.
Image credits: Steady_Hand907
#20
1: HRT …I’m 65+ yo and started back in March. I haven’t felt this good in years.
2: Kicking those 2 bully siblings out of my life… shoulda done it back in 1993. …hey, it’s never too late to protect your peace 
.
Image credits: KatNanshin
#21
Starting a band. Completely changed my life in all the best ways, not least of which is giving me a group of friends that I know I will see once a week at minimum.
Image credits: facepoppies
What one piece of advice would you give a complete stranger who is hoping to greatly improve the quality of their life, dear Pandas? What are some small healthy habits that you wish you had started doing much earlier in life? What do you do to live life to the fullest every day? We’d love to hear your thoughts on this. You can share yours in the comments at the very bottom of the post.
#22
It sounds cliche, but diet and exercise. Doesn’t have to even be extreme. Just eat more fruits and vegetables and try to do something active every day.
Image credits: Any_Mud8881
#23
Replacing my Amazon Basics office chair with something that actually offers lumbar support.
Image credits: searchatlas-fidan
#24
Taking vitamin D everyday. Literally changed my life.
Image credits: Maximum_Structure860
#25
Bidet. I’m honestly annoyed that I lived this long without one.
Image credits: Volasko
#26
Breaking up with my ex…I wish I did it back in 2023..
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#27
Getting diagnosed and medicated.
Sometimes you can’t just bootstrap yourself into a happy, productive person.
Image credits: pineapple_juice_love
#28
Laser eye surgery. I had -7.5 and -7.25 vision and couldn’t even read my phone screen at more then 3 inches. Now, I can wake up and see what time it is on the alarm clock. The catalyst for me was when I put my glasses down on the bathroom counter and couldn’t find them. I was looking, 2 inches from the countertop, and just couldn’t find them. This was a few weeks after I knocked them off my nightstand and under my bed.
Image credits: Prudent-Poetry-2718
#29
Got into mushroom cultivation, these oysters and champignons really make me a lot happier about life in general.
Image credits: Troubled_Rat
#30
Exercise. I thought it was vain to exercise all the time. Now i get cranky/depressed if i dont. I hate fitting it in to my day, but i always feel better once ive done it. It gives me energy, i get outside (for the most part), and it keeps my body in way better shape than sitting on the couch ever did. I also now look at it through the lens of how ill feel and move when im 60+. I want to be mobile and strong for as long as possible.
Image credits: Zestyclose_Koala_593
#31
Walking every day. better sleep, better mood, more energy even when I’m working long hours and nights.
Image credits: FriendshipPast1778
#32
Dang everybody here talking diets sleep and health meanwhile I was about to say youtube to mp3 
I’m not taking it back tho.
Image credits: Sausboi14
#33
Peppers. I started using way less salt once I began spicing my food with peppers.
Image credits: DamonOfTheSpire
#34
I stopped being scared of failing at my hobbies or finding the learning process too difficult. I just say “f**k it” and jump in. It’s art at the end of the day so however it turns out is however turns out. I dreamed for years of experimenting with making music, but was always intimidated by expensive setups and a tedious learning process. About a year ago I slowly started teaching myself modular synthesis, and when I’m creating I feel so free and happy.
#35
Antidepressants. Thought I was just lazy and perpetually exhausted 24/7. Stopped listening to people in my circle who said “it was normal given my circumstances” to feel this way and spoke to my doctor.
Wish I would’ve done this a decade ago, I feel so much better now.
#36
Getting on ADHD meds. It’s made me able to focus and get things done so much easier! It’s calmed most of my racing thoughts (most because anxiety is *yay*) it’s just overall made my quality of life go up.
#37
Divorce. My ex was such a drain on my life. I had GI issues, skin issues, anxiety, depression. It didn’t change overnight (well, except for the GI issues) but has steadily improved since I left him. I was over functioning, taking care of him before myself, and even had a cancer scare + emergency surgery which was the wakeup call I needed to get out.
He cheated repeatedly, belittled me, was controlling. Loving myself enough to leave has made every second of my life more worth living.
#38
Learning how to cook like a chef. Went to a community college culinary program, and it was hands down the most useful investment of my time. I won’t work in restaurants, not my cup of tea, but being able to think and cook like a chef has been a very net positive skill.
#39
Ok 3 big things for me.
1. Stopped alcohol completely
2. Began running 5k and trail running
3. Got rid of fake/ toxic people and people who were only my friends only when they needed me for something
Took about 3 years and I’m on such a better path…..
It takes work and discipline but in the long term it has helped.
#40
High water pressure.
Image credits: taytorbug1010
#41
For better quality sleep, Magnesium Glycinate. I took the other kind (citrate) without realizing there were different types of Magnesium, it gave me the s***s.
Sleep feels more restful, improves my mood for the day.
Image credits: Tobz51
#42
Quitting pot, i realized it made me be okay with being mediocre and not taking much action, it’s a dopamine game throughout, trying to chase one high after the other.
not only that, i realized the effect it had on my mood, energy levels and sleep, ive noticed a day and night difference after i stopped using. the “cons” may seem small but thats the f****d up part, because they’re so small you don’t think of them much, but overtime in the long run it builds up to some hefty damage without you realizing. i’m still someone who smokes occasionally but making it an everyday habit is a no go for me at this point.
#43
Working on my gut health.
#44
Adopting a kitten!
#45
Deleted TikTok, Instagram and Facebook. No more comparison and FOMO. 10/10 recommend.
#46
Getting a dog and taking vitamin D.
#47
I bought some manga and figurines etc for my gaming room and I really feel like it adds to the atmosphere in a positive way for me vs just bland walls.
#48
I bought an automatic nasal rinser.
I was so afraid of using one for the longest time because anything to do with snot makes me vomit and I didn’t want to get in a cycle of seeing / feeling snot, vomiting, then having to choose between the vomit coming out my nose or swallowing snot
But I found a machine that doesn’t make the solution come out of your mouth and it’s powered, so it’s easier for the solution to go through your nasal cavity. And after it rinses it goes into a separate section of the machine and you can dump it out.
I bought it over a year ago, and while it could just be a coincidence, I haven’t been sick since I got it.
#49
Getting fancy rats as pets 
.
#50
Volunteering – meet people with the same interests and values as you, be in the community making it better, feel good about yourself, learn new skills for free. Honestly, there is no downside. Everyone should do it – especially if you’re bored, lonely or having any sort of existential dread.
#51
Decentralizing men.
#52
A house with nice sunlight and windows.
#53
Lexapro. Gave me the boost I needed to go to therapy, start working out, get away from cheap thrills, find balance in life. I got off of it eventually but without it I wouldn’t have had that failsafe to stabilize me and let me work back up to normal.
#54
Getting a stable job and getting married.
I tried my hand at entertainment for a decade, but the only audience I needed was my wife. :).
#55
Listening.
It took me a long time to learn because before, I was so desperate for validation when I was younger, but now I don’t care as much about that these days.
You learn so much by listening to people either in direct conversation or just letting conversations wash around you. I do it a lot at work and people magically think you’re this really nice and thoughtful person when really you’re just taking the time to listen to what they have to say. It makes people feel really valued, and they in turn value you back.
#56
Transitioning, becoming a girl saved my life.
#57
Nannycammed my wife abusing her day care kids and used the video to win my house in the divorce.
#58
Buying a single family home. Love not sharing walls with neighbors.
Image credits: Redditor2684
#59
Quit instagram.
#60
Yoga
.
#61
Gym! 5 weeks and I’ve never felt better.
#62
Sub contracting, as opposed to working full time.
Made 3x more money and i actually get to spend time at home doing things and have far more freedom.
#63
Gratitude.
#64
Curved shower curtain rod. Real talk. (Ninja air fryer as well).
#65
Taking vitamins. I take an iron, magnesium, and multivitamin supplement every night.
I now sleep through the night, wake earlier, and rarely need a nap in the day (I have chronic illnesses so this is wonderful for me).
#66
Proper bed/mattress and pillow. Really it helps with back pain, I had it a lot, now it’s gone.
#67
Cutting the ties with toxic family members.
#68
Taking a hot bath every night before going to bed.
#69
Zepbound, I am convinced GLP-1s can really lower the the death rate in the US.
#70
Online Dating. Not only was it fun and a real confidence boost, I met the woman I’ll likely spend the rest of my life with and I would say having her around makes me healthier, happier and it gives me someone to split the bills with.
#71
Septoplasty with turbinate reduction. Nobody told me I could be breathing this good.
#72
Stopped believing in God.
#73
Getting a roomba.
#74
Pull out shelves for my pots, pans and lids. 
.
#75
Getting a 9-5 
.
#76
Mood stabilisers (because I had undiagnosed bipolar II). Almost immediate relief from my major depression. Life has been SO much better.
#77
Hysterectomy.
#78
Wool socks! Cotton has no business being anywhere near your feet!
#79
Getting a divorce.
#80
Stopped eating processed foods.
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