7 Small Changes To Try This Week

One step at a time.

Rebecca Hendin / BuzzFeed

1. If you have 3 minutes: Put your keys/phone/wallet in the same place every day.

Rebecca Hendin / BuzzFeed

"I used to get in a massive stress every morning looking for my keys, wallet, work pass etc because I used to leave them lying around the house or in various pockets.

"Now when I get home from work as soon as I walk into my room I empty my pockets and put my keys, headphones, train pass, wallet, bike lights, work pass etc. in a nice shoebox by my front door. It saves me so much stress now in the mornings as I'm not having to go through all my coats and jeans pockets wondering where I left them. I suppose you could put it in the kitchen or wherever it is you go when you get in at the end of the day. " – Sophie Gadd

2. If you have 5 minutes: Throw out one item of clothing.

"I keep a bag of things to go to the charity shop in my wardrobe all the time. It's not very big, like a large tote bag, and when it's full I take it to the charity shop.

"If I buy something new and I don't have a hanger for it I'll find something I don't wear and put it in the bag. I never miss anything I put in the bag. I often feel guilty giving away clothes, because it feels like a waste of money, especially ones you haven't worn very often but have been in your wardrobe for ages. But actually I never wear them, I'd rather buy new clothes than wear my old ones I don't really like, and you are actually doing something good by giving clothes to charity. It's so much easier constantly editing your wardrobe than having a big clean out once a year." – Flo Perry

3. If you have 10 minutes: Research somewhere new you'd like to visit.

Dan Dalton / BuzzFeed

You could find somewhere you've never explored in your area (like these underrated sights in London), or you could take a punt on the new bar that opened in your area. Take a pal, or fly solo.

If you're worried about going somewhere new on your own, then read this excellent piece in defence of doing things alone.

4. If you've got 15 mins: Make time for a massage.

Will Varner / BuzzFeed

You don't have to spend big money – there are plenty of mini massage balls available (this one is only £5). And this post has some great personal trainer-approved self-massage tips:

11 Seriously Wonderful Self-Massage Tips That Will Make You Feel Amazing

If you've got a bit more time and money, I've used Treatwell before to find massage therapists in my area – it's reliable and the reviews from other users are very thorough.

5. If you've got 20 minutes: Get colouring in.

Kate Molloy / Via Facebook: milliemarotta / Via Facebook: milliemarotta

I know, I know: everyone says this. But for a long time my main issue with colouring was that I got flummoxed choosing a colour scheme. That was until I interviewed illustrator Millie Marotta, who suggested using just one colour: “I think it can make for a really striking image, using a completely monochrome palette, and only colouring an entire image with one colour."

Here are some good colouring books to get you started: 17 Colouring Books That Every Grown-Up Needs

6. If you've got 30 minutes: Schedule "self care Sunday"

Casey Gueren

Self-care Sunday means "time not caring for others, but yourself". This could mean taking a nap, or watching an episode of Vikings, or playing Candy Crush. Whatever allows you to take a little break and recharge.

7. If you've only got 30 seconds: Watch this Vine.

Alex Fitzpatrick @AlexJamesFitz

Dogs across the world / join paws / form a corgi train

10:01 PM - 23 Jan 2016