10 Tiny Things I’m Trying To Do Every Day To Be A Better Person

1. 30-45 minutes of LISS cardio. Some days, I just don’t have the energy or desire to push myself on the treadmill or track. As much as I try to interval train, sometimes it’s a Monday and I really don’t want to, okay?!? LISS is great because you’re just focused on maintaining the same pace for a set period of time. I set the treadmill for a brisk walk and hike the incline. And then I watch a 45 minute episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer. It helps to recenter me AND get my sleepy ass off the couch.

2. Read something that inspires me. A book. An article. A poem. Hell, even an articulate Facebook status. I am endlessly fascinated and impressed with the creatives around me both in my life and those I just idolize from afar.

3. Hug someone I love. I know not everyone is into hugs (I’m looking at you, Katie), but there is something undeniably comforting about physically connecting with a human you love and being like, “Hey, I got you. You got me.” Doesn’t have to be some weirdo long hug. Just a nice moment. AH, THE FEELING OF HUMAN TOUCH!

4. Pet a pupper. I am lucky because I own a pupper so I can get as many pets as I want. But when I’m out and about, I also make it a point to (after asking permission!) pet as many rando doggos as I can. 10/10 recommend.

5. GO TO SLEEP AT A REASONABLE HOUR!!! Now this is always easier said than done as I am a lifelong insomnia sufferer. It’s the worst. It messes up my entire schedule and I’m almost always fatigued at some point during the day. To me, the worst part of insomnia is how utterly boring it is. Seriously, so boring. I toss and turn and keep checking what time it is. Because of this, I tend to watch Netflix until I eventually pass out. I know, I know, that’s not a healthy sleeping pattern. I’ve been experimenting with listening to podcasts instead. That way, I don’t have the blue light from my laptop interfering. I still wake up at least once in the middle of the night, but I’ve been falling asleep at midnight instead of 3 am.

6. Verbalize what I want. Rejection is scary. Risking humiliation is terrifying. But I know that if I don’t go for things, if I don’t tell people exactly how I feel and what I want, I’ll regret it. Even if it ends in hurt feelings, I can always say I gave it my all. I’m choosing to focus on that instead of the fear.

7. Listen more. I’m a talkative thing. I loooove to talk. One of my worst habits is interrupting. I’m like – OH YEAH I HAVE SOMETHING TO CONTRIBUTE TO THAT! But that’s so annoying. I’m practicing the art of active listening. I’m slowing down and absorbing what’s around me instead of jumping at the first opening in conversation.

8. Drinking water instead of wine. Because as much as I love wine, water doesn’t make you weepy and listen to Adele.

9. Give someone a genuine compliment. Even something small like, “I love your dress!” to the girl in front of me in line at the coffee shop. The smallest moments add up and considering the world is a trash fire so often, I’m happy to inject a bit of positivity in it when I can.

10. Dance it out in my bedroom. I am not a dancer, but that doesn’t stop me from breaking it down whenever the music moves me. You should see my Magic Mike routine.