I’m talking about life decisions that worked out perfectly and left you with no regrets. Here are mine:

  1. Quitting Facebook - I quit using facebook about 2 years ago. It’s a toxic platform that destroys your privacy, worsens your mental health, and endangers democracies. Much happier since I quit, and no regrets at all. Talking to friends and family face to face or through text is way better.

  2. Quitting my old toxic, stressful job - I quit working at a top 500 software firm a while back and have been much happier ever since. There was little to no work/life balance, co-workers were extremely antagonistic, the work was amazingly both boring and stressful, and management didn’t care about anything. Quit for another job that paid around the same with a much better culture. No regrets.

  3. Reading books - Books have completely re-shaped my world view, and I would be much worse off without them. Here is my list:

    • “The Better Angels of Our Nature,” “Enlightenment Now,” and “Factfulness” by Steven Pinker (first two) and Hans Rosling (last). The world is improving overall, not getting worse like the media makes it seem. Reading the facts convinced me it is logical to be an optimist.

    • “Ultralearning” by Scott Young and “A Mind for Numbers” by Barbara Oakley. Two books that teach the science of efficient learning. These books helped me understand the best strategies for long-term knowledge retention. Every public school in the world should be teaching the concepts in these books.

    • “The Bogleheads’ Guide to Investing,” “The Millionaire Next Door,” and “Your Money or your Life,” by Taylor Larimor, Cotter Smithand, and Vicki Robin (in that order). As well as various FIRE blogs. These books helped me learn the basics of personal finance, investing, and early retirement. Previously I thought that working until you die was an unavoidable fact of life. Reading about FIRE and smart money management made me question that assumption, and freed me from the shackles of corporate nonsense.

I’m interested in hearing what other people have to say. Give me what you’ve got.

  • Naked_Yoga@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    2·
    1 year ago

    Getting in shape and having a regular exercise routine, for sure. All of the side effects from that are incredible… Stamina, confidence, clearer thinking. So great.

  • ikapoz@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Not for everyone, and it’s not ALL upside but having a kid. It is so much fucking fun, and it inspires me to be my best self at the same time.

  • Balssh@kbin.social
    1·
    1 year ago
    • Keeping my reading habit throughout the past decade.
    • Choosing the “wise” path of Computer Science instead of Physics as my degree: I absolutely love math and physics but sadly in my country research and teaching are poorly financed and paid. I don’t love CS but I enjoy it enough and also the pay is very good even for a fresh graduate.
    • Learning about finances and investing. I don’t expect to FIRE but at least I think I’m on the good path
  • MajorHavoc@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    I started a morning journaling habit and committed to doing it for two weeks - about five years ago.

    Most mornings I just jot down 3 quick random things I am thankful for.

    Now when I look back over those journals I see evidence of big decisions they helped me make, new habits, all kinds of other ways it’s affected me for the better.

    I’ve also built up a nice little stock of letters to my kids this way, for them to enjoy after I’m gone.

    • Peafield @programming.devEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      My morning journalling is also five years old this year. My only regret is that I wish I’d done it sooner. Going back and reading what you did last year or the year before, can really show how much you’ve grown or what still needs improving.

    • erik111189@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      I used to have ~8 beers daily. Felt terrible majority of the time. Now I workout 4 days a week and only drink 2 beers every Friday. It’s great.