Big Impact Comes in Tiny Packages

I was on Twitter yesterday (Yes, some of us still use Twitter!) when I noticed commentary and a retweet by my friend Kelly:

I started thinking about some of the tiny changes I have made (in this year of giant changes) that have resulted in more happiness or ease in my day-to-day life, and I thought of three right off the bat.

1. I (or Jim, or Jim and I together) make the bed every single day. This is both a tiny change and a huge change. It’s tiny because it literally takes all of 45 seconds to do, and it’s huge because in our three decades of marriage we hardly ever did it before we moved into this house this past April. There was a video circulating around Facebook a couple of months ago that featured Admiral William McRaven talking about the importance of making the bed every morning:

“If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task. And another. And another. And by the end of the day that one task completed will turn into many tasks completed. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that the little things in life matter. If you can’t do the little things right, you’ll never be able to do the big things right.”

Of course, it helps that our bedroom is on the main floor of the house and I get a glimpse of my bed many, many times throughout the day. Who wants to look at an unmade bed all the time? (Not me.)

2. I have been gradually replacing the wire hangers we have with colorful plastic ones. This may sound completely inconsequential to you, but it makes me happy. When we moved here we had a ratio of probably 75% colorful plastic hangers and 25% wire hangers, and not to be all Joan Crawford-y or anything but no more wire hangers, ever. I have picked up a package of plastic hangers here and there over the past few months when I visit Target. They only cost three bucks for twelve, I think, and clothes hang on them better than on wire. Also, the plastic ones have the little notches that will grab and hold tank tops and other complicated garments so they don’t end up on the floor. Lastly, a pop of color never hurt anyone…or a closet. I probably have less than twenty wire hangers to replace with plastic and then I’m done. You can clap now.

3. I get dressed, fix my hair, and put makeup on every day. This is another tiny change with huge impact, as weird as it sounds. For years I have worked from home and my typical M.O. would be to get up, go workout, come home to shower, put on comfy clothes and settle in at the laptop. The only time I ever put on makeup was if I was headed out to meet up with people. I’m no longer working full time and you’d think THAT would be a great reason to do what I was already doing, but what’s new to me is now I have every morning to take my time getting ready. Getting ready for what, you ask? Whatever. Errands, writing, making dinner, folding laundry whatever. There’s something soothing about standing in the bathroom at the mirror, taking my sweet time to style my hair, put on makeup, and put on my bracelets and necklace. I never have been a makeup fanatic and probably never will be–I’m still using the same drugstore brands I’ve used since I was fourteen–but the hair and makeup thing along with an outfit that’s a step (or three) up from pajama pants makes me feel a little like a superstar, not even kidding.

I have made other tiny changes that have enhanced my life but those three came to mind first. And now it’s your turn. What are you doing that doesn’t take much effort (or money) that brings a huge impact?