lifestyle changes that improved your life

[mizanation]

^^^ you are absolutely right. there are multi-billion dollar corporations who depend on our financial ignorance.

 

[topcatny]

Originally Posted by EL72

That said, all the most radical changes you can make in your life pale in comparison to how having children changes your lifestyle - in a good way for the most part. Feeling responsible for these small and vulnerable humans you created is the most life-altering change I have ever experienced.

I'll agree with that. My lifestlye has changed a few times over the last 15 to 20 years, but, having children definitely changed my lifestyle for the better. Having that responsibility has made me look at the choices I make in a different light. I usually make a choice that is better for my family as well as myself.

 

[mizanation]

i have a question for those with children. now that you have children, if you could live your life over again, would you make better decisions before having kids? meaning, changing your lifestyle in preparation to have children? or would you just enjoy your pre-parent days in relative irresponsibility?

 

[topcatny]

Originally Posted by mizanation

i have a question for those with children.

now that you have children, if you could live your life over again, would you make better decisions before having kids? meaning, changing your lifestyle in preparation to have children? or would you just enjoy your pre-parent days in relative irresponsibility?

I wouldn't change much. We had both our kids between ages of 33-36. It was a point in our life when we were ready for it emotionally, financially and personally. Up until that point we enjoyed our pre-parent days as much as we could. We went out to nice dinners often, vacations and enjoyed the freedome we had at the time. I can't say that there aren't days I miss that freedom but I certainly wouldn't change anything.

Then again I am fairly new to the whole parent thing, my girls are 3 yrs old and 6 months old. Ask me again in 13 years when I have 2 teenage girls in the house and I might think differently.

 

[EL72]

Originally Posted by mizanation

i have a question for those with children.

now that you have children, if you could live your life over again, would you make better decisions before having kids? meaning, changing your lifestyle in preparation to have children? or would you just enjoy your pre-parent days in relative irresponsibility?

Well, hopefully you bring children into the world when you are prepared for the emotional, physical and financial committment that they require but besides that I wouldn't change a thing. In fact you should enjoy your childless days while you can because lounging in bed, lazy weekend mornings, midday quickies, last minute dinners and late nights out... all become a thing of the past once you have kids.

 

[globetrotter]

I wouldn't change anything, either. first kid at 35, last, hopefully, at 40. I lived a very differetn life before getting married, and then a very different life as married with no kids. wouldn't change anything.

 

[mizanation]

i wasn't expecting every response to be in unison, but i'm glad they were. thanks, guys.

 

[thinman]

Reading some of the posts on this thread made me realize that I should come clean and admit that getting married was also a positive change in many ways. My ex-wife really smoothed off some of my rough edges while we were married.

 

[dapperdude]

Cooking food at home and giving up fast/junk food (including soft drinks).

Running and exercising every day.

There are lots of other things I want to change but those have had the biggest impact.

 

[TemiCastro]

Finding God made me more daring...
leaving Europe to go back to Lagos, Nigeria
Getting married
Leaving paid employment to follow my heart (set an Oil and Gas vehicle and a publishing house)..

 

[sho'nuff]

learning to have victory,
day by day,
to not wear a fedora and extra-baggy , low-riding, gangsta jeans together anymore.

it is healing,
and I am able to move on with my life,
i still need support though as relapses do happen.

it just takes daily strength and courage.

 

[A Canuker]

This could be a long list but only the most important should be on so here goes:

1. Making peace with my dad.
2. Met a good woman.
3. Quit smoking pot(what a waste of time, money and munchies).
4. Quit smoking cigarettes.
5. Got a real job(followed #2 in quick order which leads to 3 and 4).
6. Started going to the gym along with eating and sleeping better.


7. I have not done yet but mentioned in this thread would be stopping MMORPG's which should leave me with more time for the lady and me.

 

[eg1]

Cutting the drug use down to alcohol and caffeine

Eliminating 90-95% of the processed food from my diet

As for having children, I don't know -- certainly the exhaustion has left a lot less energy to expend on stupid, self-destructive crap

 

[Liberty Ship]

Every time I stop drinking, it improves my life. Then every time I start again, it improves my life.

 

[appolyon]

Originally Posted by Liberty Ship

Every time I stop drinking, it improves my life. Then every time I start again, it improves my life.

A little like the quote "Alcohol is the cause and the solution to many of life's problems." from the great philosopher Homer Simpson!