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30 People Reveal Things That Improved Their Lives So Much, They Wish They Had Done Them Sooner
CuriositiesMAY 24, 2024

30 People Reveal Things That Improved Their Lives So Much, They Wish They Had Done Them Sooner

Kotryna Br
Justin Sandberg
Kotryna Br and Justin Sandberg
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6
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.

#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.
Terpsichorean_Wombat
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130points

#2

30 People Reveal Things That Improved Their Lives So Much, They Wish They Had Done Them Sooner
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!
Doctor__Proctor, i yunmai / unsplash(not the actual photo)
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118points

#3

30 People Reveal Things That Improved Their Lives So Much, They Wish They Had Done Them Sooner
Working 4 days per week (a 32 hour work week). Seriously, we should all be doing it. Quality of life is 1000x better.
keliez, Yan Krukau / pexels (not the actual photo)
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112points

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.
broskiibroham
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106points

#5

30 People Reveal Things That Improved Their Lives So Much, They Wish They Had Done Them Sooner
Pets.
My 2 cats have been amazing for my mental health.
phidaux888, Francesco Ungaro / pexels (not the actual photo)
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104points

#6

Leaving the southern Baptist church. Immediately improved all aspects of my life.
kajay914
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100points

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

30 People Reveal Things That Improved Their Lives So Much, They Wish They Had Done Them Sooner
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.
bubblebobble_of, cottonbro studio / pexels (not the actual photo)
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97points

#8

30 People Reveal Things That Improved Their Lives So Much, They Wish They Had Done Them Sooner
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.
No-Dragonfruit-6970, Andrea Piacquadio / pexels (not the actual photo)
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91points

#9

30 People Reveal Things That Improved Their Lives So Much, They Wish They Had Done Them Sooner
Everybody here writes something amazing, but the first thing I thought of was my dishwasher...
Ise-Beach1021, Nathan Dumlao / unsplash (not the actual photo)
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88points

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

30 People Reveal Things That Improved Their Lives So Much, They Wish They Had Done Them Sooner
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.
UnknownL_13, Liza Summer / pexels (not the actual photo)
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87points

#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!
tlv892009
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83points

#12

30 People Reveal Things That Improved Their Lives So Much, They Wish They Had Done Them Sooner
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.
onimush115, Sofia Alejandra / pexels (not the actual photo)
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81points

“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!”

#13

30 People Reveal Things That Improved Their Lives So Much, They Wish They Had Done Them Sooner
Getting out of debt. Debt just feels like a prison.
anon, Mikhail Nilov / pexels (not the actual photo)
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80points

#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.
AdaminCalgary
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80points

#15

30 People Reveal Things That Improved Their Lives So Much, They Wish They Had Done Them Sooner
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.
anon, Elle Hughes / pexels (not the actual photo)
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76points

#16

30 People Reveal Things That Improved Their Lives So Much, They Wish They Had Done Them Sooner
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.
No-Tumbleweed4775, Yaroslav Shuraev / pexels (not the actual photo)
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66points

#17

30 People Reveal Things That Improved Their Lives So Much, They Wish They Had Done Them Sooner
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.
Iknowthedoctorsname, Andrea Piacquadio / pexels (not the actual photo)
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66points

#18

Hysterectomy. I spent most of two decades extremely sick and miserable. Best thing I ever did solely for my own self.
Warp9-6
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65points

#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.
anon
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65points

#20

30 People Reveal Things That Improved Their Lives So Much, They Wish They Had Done Them Sooner
Working from home.
orthogonius, Andrea Piacquadio / pexels (not the actual photo)
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65points
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