How do you personally do your One Good Thing?

It’s taken me years to hone these approaches, and they’re still not perfect by any means, but these are the little things that work for me.

Sometimes, I need to be alone in another room for a couple of hours, with a book and a brew, and just sit in silence. My partner welcomes this as this means he gets time to play his video games in peace too.

My free time is precious, and I no longer fill my weekends by going out dancing. Instead, I’m strict with my work and personal diaries, limiting social activities to one a week maximum.

Wherever I can, I limit my activities outside of work and have become much more selective about how I spend my free time, spending it with people I truly value and who bring me joy. Making choices that are best for me and my wellbeing is my priority now. On weekends, I keep one day just for me (and my partner, if he’s lucky), and the other day is for any kind of lunch, shopping trip, baby shower or other social event I choose.

I like my home and living space to be tidy and fresh for the week ahead. I spend a couple of hours on a Sunday morning ensuring my meal prep is done for the week, chores done, bed changed, all the candles I can find are lit. That Sunday reset brings me peace and puts me in the right frame of mind for the week ahead.

Every day I take a 15-minute solo walk on my lunch break, come rain or shine. This allows me to get some air and some distance from my work. I return to the office feeling refreshed, having had a little ‘power up’ to help me continue with the afternoon.

I also take the long way home when walking back to my apartment in the evening, giving myself time outside to decompress and be fully present when I get home.

And how has doing this changed your life for the better?

Keeping my cup full has made me assertive and more confident, and I’ve certainly found more peace, happiness and fulfilment in all areas of my life. By being more selective and disciplined, I’ve discovered new activities and hobbies that nourish my mind and body, like weight training. When I train, I have time to reflect. My brain is clear, giving me creative space to think about new ideas for work.

In a professional capacity, I no longer feel the need to say yes to something because other people expect me to. Instead, I have the confidence to only put myself forward for truly beneficial and rewarding opportunities because I want to. And I’ve noticed a significant difference having done this. It now feels as if there actually are enough hours in the day, and I have the energy and enthusiasm to face each day head-on rather than dreading what is ahead.

One Good Thing: why boundaries are the key to keeping your cup full