# What’s the smallest change you made in your life that made the biggest difference? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 30, 2023, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345 "2023-12-30T17:02:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/61 "2024-01-04T01:45:38Z")
There’s an app that came with my phone called Digital Wellbeing. You might check that out ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/62 "2024-01-04T01:48:37Z")
Another Gretchen Rubin suggestion I picked up is “if you can’t find something, clean” ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/63 "2024-01-04T01:58:19Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > This is an excellent suggestion! I did it this morning and alternated feet each time my brush indicated 30 seconds had gone by (I brush for 2 minutes). I used to pace back and forth in the bathroom thinking about the day and this will be a much better use of that time (it is typically nervous thinking about the upcoming shit-show)! I didn’t realize how hard it was. I am struggling with 30 seconds. From now on each time I brush my teeth it is on one foot ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/64 "2024-01-04T03:23:40Z")
These things are usually harder than you think. But improving balance reduces the risk of falls so is worth improving. > **[Are you fit for your age? Try our New Year’s tuneup to find out.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/interactive/2024/fitness-test-by-age-exercise/?itid=sf_article_list)** > > We asked exercise experts for easy ways to test fitness for balance, mobility, grip strength, stamina and more. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/65 "2024-01-04T11:04:52Z")
Someone told me to try brushing my teeth in the morning, first thing, with my opposite hand. Being right handed that means using my left. Said it wakes up a different part of your brain, or some such thing, whatever. I’ve been doing it for about a week. It definitely is a challenge for your body and your brain. Harder than you think. It’s kinda fun too. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/66 "2024-01-04T11:11:49Z")
> [@Zyada](#): > > Another Gretchen Rubin suggestion I picked up is “if you can’t find something, clean” That’s what my mother used to say to us. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/67 "2024-01-04T11:28:03Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Someone told me to try brushing my teeth in the morning, first thing, with my opposite hand Since I got hit with tennis elbow a little while back (much more painful than it sounds!) I have been challenging myself to do as much as possible with my non-dominant (left) hand. I was vastly overworking my right, using it even for silly things like pulling drawers open, just because it was easy. The pain was a serious wake-up call that I needed to even out the work-load and save my right hand for the really difficult tasks. It has been a journey. As for the OP, I would say opting for comfortable clothing. As women we are encouraged to wear shoes, pants, even undergarments that range from uncomfortable to openly painful by the end of the day. Deep red dents in our skin and sighs of contentment when we take them off are considered normal. A few years ago I said “no more!” to that, and it’s been wonderful. It’s amazing to realize how much more comfortable the workday is for men, and how much easier it is to work overtime when your feet don’t hurt. We need a revolution in women’s clothing, and pockets are the least of it. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/68 "2024-01-04T13:33:34Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > I didn’t realize how hard it was. I am struggling with 30 seconds. From now on each time I brush my teeth it is on one foot I find toothbrushing mind-numbingly boring, so this is a good addition. It does go to show that the easiest way to pick up a new habit is to attach it to a habit you already have. I had trouble brushing my teeth regularly so I started using an app called Finch. It is an adorable self -care app that allows you to create routines and as a reward you get to send your little Finch on journeys and get clothes and decorations for its house. Using this app I was able to create a complete morning routine which is so ingrained at this point, that I feel weird when I don’t do it. Get kid ready Pack kid lunch Eat breakfast Take morning meds Unload and load dishwasher Process one mail item in my mailbox (usually more) Make my bed Take asthma medicine Brush my teeth Floss Shower Now I want to add meditation and daily walks. I realize a lot of things in my routine are simple and might seem obvious to a lot of people but getting that kind of stuff done is one of my ADHD struggles. Now it seems to happen “automatically.” ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/69 "2024-01-04T15:17:07Z")
I was never a regular flosser. I’ve always brushed my teeth twice daily but hated flossing. About 5 years ago I started brushing and flossing right after I was done eating dinner. This also helps me to not mindlessly snack all evening long. It’s now a habit and I do it every day without even thinking of it. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/70 "2024-01-04T15:38:37Z")
> [@TRC4941](#): > > About 5 years ago I started brushing and flossing right after I was done eating dinner. I should start doing this, rather than waiting to right before bed. I tend to get snacky at night, myself. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/71 "2024-01-04T16:45:44Z")
Except that it’s not recommended to brush immediately after eating, at least not if you’ve eaten something acidic. > **[Brushing immediately after meals? You may want to wait.](https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/brushing-immediately-after-meals-you-may-want-wait)** > > Brushing immediately after eating or drinking something acidic can damage the enamel layer of the tooth. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/72 "2024-01-04T16:53:17Z")
Well I meant thirty minutes after. I do try to follow that rule. ---
**Author:** ![raspberry\_hunter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@raspberry\_hunter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raspberry_hunter)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/73 "2024-01-04T17:02:52Z")
I used to use the app Habitica (same idea, only it’s D&D-ish and you get gold to buy armor and fight monsters and gain pets when you do your tasks) and that’s the only thing that got me to actually floss at night! I’m kind of less enamored of the fighting-monsters thing now, though, so maybe I’ll check out Finch. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/74 "2024-01-04T17:08:01Z")
I did use Habitica for a while! It tends to be more fun with other people. ---
**Author:** ![Lancia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lancia/32/17174_2.png) [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/75 "2024-01-04T17:17:27Z")
For me it was giving up soda. I was never a huge soda drinker but I’d go through a 12-pack of Diet Pepsi once a month or so, supplemented of course by sodas at restaurants or drive-throughs and the occasional vending machine, and a couple of cases of Coke around Christmas as a special holiday treat. When I was diagnosed as diabetic I nixed the sweet stuff but continued to drink several diets per week. Last January I made a New Year’s resolution not to drink any more soda and, with one emergency exception (my blood sugar was dropping when I was at a graduation ceremony and I need some carbs _right then_ so availed myself to the nearest vending machine) I’ve stuck with it. It’s actually been very easy to do. And that’s why it’s made such a difference: it helped me see that making similar changes is not only doable but pretty painless. This year I’ve resolved not to eat refined sugar or nutritionless sweets, something I did probably more than my doctor would approve of. So far it’s working out swimmingly. I’ve long struggled with self-improvement but I’m happy to know that much of this is indeed possible. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/76 "2024-01-04T17:23:33Z")
I had a pretty bad soda problem. It was messing with my teeth, so I finally decided to cut it out. I’ve done a reasonably good job with that goal, though it tends to go down the toilet when I’m on vacation, travelling or sick. My one exception is I still drink frozen cokes. They don’t have as many calories OR caffeine, so I consider them a reasonable harm reduction strategy, and anyway I like them more. I’ve started drinking tea in the mornings and tea whenever I feel like a sugar drink. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/77 "2024-01-04T17:24:46Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > My one exception is I still drink frozen cokes. They don’t have as many calories OR caffeine, so I consider them a reasonable harm reduction strategy, and anyway I like them more. I’m not familiar with a “frozen coke,” but why wouldn’t it have the same calories or caffeine as a non-frozen coke? ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/78 "2024-01-04T17:42:10Z")
It’s a slushie made with coke. It’s mostly ice, so it has fewer calories. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/79 "2024-01-04T17:43:21Z")
Thanks. That makes sense. ---
**Author:** ![raspberry\_hunter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@raspberry\_hunter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raspberry_hunter)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/80 "2024-01-04T19:25:55Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > I did use Habitica for a while! It tends to be more fun with other people. Ah, that explains it! I used to do it with my kids and it was super fun, but they don’t really use it these days. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345.md?page=5)