We’re always saying things like, “I’ll do that when I have more time” or “Maybe next year when things settle down.” However, the truth is, we put off loads of meaningful stuff for ourselves while we’re busy sorting everyone else out, and before you know it, years have passed, and you’re still waiting for that perfect moment that never comes. It’s time to stop putting these things off and start making yourself a priority.
Taking that trip you’ve been dreaming about for ages
You’ve probably got this mental list of places you want to visit, but there’s always something stopping you from actually booking those flights. Maybe it’s money, work being mental, or waiting for someone else to come with you.
The perfect time to travel basically doesn’t exist, and waiting for everything to line up perfectly means you might never go anywhere. Even a cheaper version of your dream trip beats sitting at home scrolling through other people’s holiday photos on Instagram.
Learning something new just because you fancy it
Whether it’s guitar, Spanish, or pottery, you probably tell yourself you’re too old to start or haven’t got time to do it properly. There’s this mad idea that learning stuff is only for kids, or you need to become brilliant at it.
Of course, learning something just for the fun of it is one of life’s best bits, and you don’t need to turn into Mozart to enjoy playing piano. Even mucking about for 20 minutes a day can be dead satisfying and way better than another evening on Netflix.
Getting your head sorted with actual help
Source: Unsplash Therapy or counselling always gets pushed to the back burner because it feels a bit indulgent or pricey. You tell yourself you should be able to cope on your own, or that everyone else has bigger problems than you.
Your mental health isn’t some luxury, though; it’s like basic maintenance for your brain. Waiting until you’re having an actual breakdown makes everything ten times harder when you could’ve nipped things in the bud earlier.
Telling energy vampires where to get off
You know those people who leave you feeling completely drained every time you see them, but you keep hoping they’ll change if you just put up with it a bit longer. Setting boundaries feels mean, so you carry on being their emotional dustbin.
Boundaries aren’t about being horrible to people, they’re about not letting yourself get completely knackered by relationships that take more than they give. The decent people in your life will get it, and the ones who don’t have basically told you everything you need to know.
Making your home actually feel like yours
Your place probably looks like a compromise between everyone else’s taste rather than what you actually like, or maybe you’re waiting until you buy somewhere to make it feel homey. It’s easy to think your current setup is just temporary anyway.
However, you deserve to feel comfortable in whatever space you’re in right now, even if you’re renting or sharing. Chuck up some pictures you love, get a plant, move the furniture about, it’s amazing how much difference small changes make.
Looking after your body because it feels good, not because you hate it
Health usually becomes this obsession with looking different, rather than feeling strong and energetic in whatever body you’ve got. You put off exercise until you find the perfect gym, or wait to eat better until you’ve got time to meal prep like some Instagram influencer.
Moving your body and eating stuff that makes you feel good is available right now, whatever size you are. Dancing round your kitchen or going for a walk because it’s nice, not because you’re punishing yourself, is so much better.
Making stuff without worrying if you’re rubbish at it
That urge to write, paint, or make music has probably been lurking in the background for years, but you tell yourself you’re not creative or talented enough. Adult creativity gets murdered by wanting everything to be perfect.
Creativity’s about having a laugh and expressing yourself, not about becoming the next Picasso. Giving yourself permission to be terrible at something is often the first step to actually enjoying it and maybe even getting decent at it.
Having those conversations you’ve been avoiding
Whether it’s telling someone how you really feel, sorting out a problem that’s been festering, or standing up for yourself, these chats get put off forever because they’re awkward. But dodging them usually makes everything worse.
Most difficult conversations aren’t nearly as bad as you imagine, and the relief of finally saying what needs saying is usually worth the temporary weirdness. The longer you leave it, the more wound up you get about the whole thing.
Spending money on stuff that actually makes you happy
You probably waste cash on things you think you should want, rather than experiences that really excite you and put a smile on your face. Concert tickets or that weekend course get dismissed as frivolous, while you buy another thing you don’t really need.
Experiences stick with you way longer than most stuff you can buy. That pottery class might seem expensive, but you’ll still be talking about it months later when that impulse purchase is gathering dust in a drawer.
Finding your actual people
Loads of us feel lonely even when we’re surrounded by other people because our social circle doesn’t really fit who we are anymore. You stick with existing mates out of habit rather than finding people who actually get you.
Making new friends as an adult is really scary, but it’s worth it to find people who share your interests or values. Join stuff you’re interested in, say yes to invitations even when you’re bricking it, and be willing to show up as yourself.
Taking your hobbies seriously instead of feeling guilty about them
Your interests probably get shoved into whatever spare time never actually appears, or you feel bad about spending time on things that don’t help anyone else or advance your career. Like enjoying yourself is somehow selfish.
Your hobbies are part of what makes you interesting and keep you sane. Scheduling time for stuff you love isn’t selfish, it’s essential for staying yourself rather than just being everyone else’s employee, parent, or partner.
Forgiving yourself and getting on with your life
Self-forgiveness gets put off forever because it feels like you’re letting yourself off the hook or not taking responsibility for mess-ups you’ve made. You think you need to feel awful for longer as some kind of punishment.
Beating yourself up indefinitely doesn’t help anyone, though, including people you might’ve hurt. Learning from your mistakes while letting go of the shame means you can actually show up better in the future instead of being stuck in guilt about the past.
