20 Easy Life Improvement Ideas to Upgrade Your Life
If you are feeling inspired for some life-improvement ideas, you will love these simple tips to upgrade your life. These life improvement tips are fun and easy, and anyone can try them.
For this article, we are keeping things low-key. And not too intense. Because sometimes, you’re not trying to make major life changes. Small changes and simple joys level up your life, too.
Although life improvement and personal development is an ongoing process, you don’t need to start big to upgrade your life. Life improvement does not have to be overwhelming.
I truly believe that small lifestyle and mindset changes can make a big difference in overall happiness. So let’s dive right into some awesome tips to upgrade your life!
**This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you for products you purchase via this website. For more information click here.**
What does it mean to upgrade your life?
Upgrading your life is all about finding small, doable ways to increase your happiness, joy, and well-being. And for the purpose of this article, we are going to take a fun, light-hearted approach.
Personal development can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. Sometimes, simple and fun tips to level up your life can work wonders. You can often improve the quality of your life for free and/or with very little effort.
Sometimes, life gets busy and there’s no time or energy for intense introspection or major changes. And that is Ok! Take it easy on yourself. Take a minute. Any positive life improvement idea that sounds like a possibility is worth trying.
So, here are 20 simple life improvement ideas to better your life with minimum mental, financial, or emotional efforts. Upgrade your life today!
20 Life improvement ideas to upgrade your life
1. Decluttering to upgrade your life
Decluttering old stuff can be so satisfying. Start small, just a bit at a time so you don’t get overwhelmed.
There is something that feels so good about dropping off boxes of donations to the Goodwill or Salvation Army. Isn’t it great knowing someone else can make use of stuff you no longer need? By donating you are doing good for yourself and for others.
From an energetic standpoint, decluttering is an act of self-care. Out with the old, in with the new.
2. Go outside every day to upgrade your life
It’s all too easy to not go outside sometimes, especially when you get busy, or on a cold winter day. But making time to go outside as much as possible is a serious life upgrade.
You could start small by integrating a 20-minute walk into your schedule a few times per week. Or make a plan a few times per month to go hiking, swimming, take a walk, or simply lounge in a park.
Being outside can really lift your spirits. Being outside makes you notice the clouds, animals, and trees. The beauty and awesomeness. Nature brings peace, calm, and happiness. Nature evokes a spiritual soul connection in many people, and that is wonderful, too.
3. Upgrade your household cleaning
Another simple way to upgrade your life is to swap out harsh household cleaners for more natural solutions.
Know that some cleaning products are likely more harmful than the germs themselves. Many germs are good and help build your immunity.
White vinegar plus essential oils are amazing for household cleaning. They smell great, work effectively, are cheap, and help you avoid toxic cleaning products. The perfect blend for all-purpose cleaning is:
- 2 cups of white vinegar.
- 2 cups of water.
- 30 drops of lemon essential oil.
- 20 drops of thieves essential oil
Mix all together in a spray bottle and use on countertops, in the refrigerator, floors, and more. You can also just use vinegar and water- so cheap.
8. Upgrade your downtime by going to the library
When is the last time you went to the library?
Well, girl, go get your jacket we are going right now.
Welcome to the world of endless free inspiration and entertainment. Did you know you can check out large color-photo art and travel books for free? Coffee table books that normally cost between $20-$100.00 retail? Check them out, literally!
Having a good book at all times is an excellent goal. And that is why the library is an amazing resource! Kindles are awesome, too.
I’m currently reading Super Attractor: Methods for Manifesting a Life Beyond Your Wildest Dreams
4. Upgrade your health by eating clean
You’ve probably heard how chronic inflammation in your body from a poor diet can lead to weight gain, depression, and other chronic health conditions.
A good way to avoid inflammation is to avoid eating excess sugar, junk food, dairy, or too many grains- (meaning bread, rice, pasta, etc.) Instead, eat meals centered on organic meats, potatoes, and veggies. Along with nuts, fruits, and healthy fats. Clean eating will improve your life because it makes you feel good!
Meal ideas include:
- Pot-roast
- Mashed potatoes with some sneaky cauliflower mashed in
- Chicken stew
- Pork chops and sweet potatoes
- Green salads and smoothies
Eating this way is fairly easy, and can be life-changing for some people. I used to have severe chronic back pain and 50 pounds of excess weight before switching to a grain-free anti-inflammatory diet.
I’m all for sharing my personal story of how I healed myself because I really think it could help others. If interested, you can read more here:
How I Cured My Chronic Back Pain and Lost 50 Pounds
5. Upgrade with supplements
Two of my favorite supplements for reducing inflammation and bettering my health overall are CBD oil and Curcumin.
As you may already know, CBD helps with pain, inflammation, insomnia, anxiety, and many other chronic health problems. CBD has no THC and will not get you high. It works to bring the body back into a state of balance known as homeostasis.
A great CBD company online with high-quality CBD products is Plus CBD.
For Curcumin, a money-saving hack I’ve discovered is to buy a big bag of organic turmeric root powder, which contains Curcumin as the active ingredient. (Curcumin works to decrease inflammation, helps digestion, mental focus, and more.)
If you don’t mind the taste mixed with some water, a spoonful or so a day is much cheaper (currently under $7 for 1 lb,) than buying Curcumin pills.
6. Upgrade your daily commute
Keeping Tic Tacs or gum in your car at all times is such an easy life upgrade. It’s a simple, inexpensive way to make your drive better. And you can bribe your kids with these, too. See what I mean about life improvement being simple at times?
Another idea is to put some gorgeous crystals in your car for good energy.
7. Upgrade your entertainment
Instead of watching television or endlessly scrolling online, it’s nice to listen to audiobooks or podcasts. Especially while driving, (or cleaning, making art, or relaxing.)
For podcasts, I’m a fan of:
- The Psychic Teachers
- Astrologer Robert Phoenix
- The Niche Pursuits podcast for entrepreneurial inspiration.
9. Upgrade your mindset with a simple mental shift
One mindset practice to implement is what I call “the shift into creativity.”
Whenever I’m feeling stressed or overwhelmed, I shift my mindset from stress to creativity.
Instead of overwhelm, I try to practice feeling excitement or inspiration about what I have to do, be it laundry, work, or driving somewhere. There is usually a creative way to make boring things fun, like by listening to music. I get my best creative writing and art ideas when I shift my thinking in the creative direction instead of allowing myself to get stressed or bored. Shifting into creatively takes practice but is an awesome life improvement tip!
10. Make art to improve your life
Practicing any kind of artistic hobby is a great way to upgrade your life. There are so many different art mediums to try, from watercolor painting to sewing to sculpture. Any form of art will level up your life.
A lot of people get creatively stuck and don’t make art for a variety of reasons. Or, they never really got into art, to begin with. But art block doesn’t need to be a thing.
Read more: What Causes Art Block & How to Overcome it Permanently
One art journaling. Art journaling is a creative, relaxing activity to upgrade your life.
You might like: How to Start an Art Journal For Beginners.
11. Embracing hygge for life improvement
Hygge is a Danish word that describes a cozy and content feeling or way of living. You can experience hygge any time of year, but it’s especially fun to focus on hygge living in the wintertime.
Some examples of hygge living are:
- Going out for hot cocoa with a friend.
- Reading under the bed covers.
- Wearing warm fuzzy socks while having a long phone conversation.
- Making homemade soup or a yummy smoothie.
- Writing in your journal snuggled up in your favorite chair.
- Taking a luxurious bath with Epsom salts and essential oils.
12. Spend more time with friends to improve your life
There is nothing better than getting together with your friends, some snacks, and some good music. Studies show that being social reduces your risk of everything from heart disease to depression.
So call up your best bud, ring your neighbor, or make plans with a family member to just hang out and have fun!
If you don’t have a whole lot of friends, don’t feel bad. Improve or create relationships if you can. Or find something else to make you feel connected to humanity. Read a book, listen to a podcast, or go do your grocery shopping.
13. Do something cultural for life improvement
Comedy shows, art galleries, window shopping, going to the theatre, taking a walk, and going out for coffee are all fun activities to keep you happy and busy. Fun activities are vitally important because they help you beat stress, boredom, and depression. Why not make a list of 10 fun cultural activities you can do?
If you live somewhere rural, then there are fewer cultural activities, but likely there are still some fun places to go. Or, just go out in nature.
14. Upgrade yourself by being more empathetic
Being more empathetic, especially with people you find difficult, can help improve your life.
When we practice being empathetic, we learn more and we grow into better people for it. We increase our intelligence, patience, and maturity, and broaden our perceptions about life. Empathy is associated with the psychic sense known as clairsentience.
Putting yourself in someone else’s shoes can replace frustration, annoyance, or judgment with curiosity. This helps to let go of anger, fear, and other negative emotions. It can also be educational and enlightening.
On the flip side, some people are extremely empathetic and highly sensitive to the point where it’s a problem. If that’s you, you may need to learn to protect your energy.
15. Upgrade your life by noticing and appreciating people around you
There are so many beautiful people in the world. People-watching and random interactions can be entertaining and a lot of fun. Examples:
- The overly talkative 20-something girl checking you out at Home Goods.
- The rough-looking old man smoking while fixing something on the wall outside the grocery store.
- The grumpy but sweet secretary at the office.
- A stylish older couple walking in the park with coordinating scarves.
- The new dad carrying his infant in a baby pack.
16. Upgrade your life with journaling
Spending a few minutes once or twice a week journaling can help you focus on the good, get to know yourself better, and be more creative.
One idea is simply to note what you are grateful for overall in life, for this week, or on this day. But there are so many topics you could journal about.
17. Practice a mantra to improve your life
One huge goal of mine is to practice being cool, calm, and collected.
As a Virgo with an Aries moon and Leo rising, I can be a little high-strung. I’ve got 25 tabs open at all times. Can you relate?
I know I need to chill out, but it’s not always easy. So, I repeat the words: cool, calm, collected. What would your mantra be?
18. Be a thoughtful host and improve life for everyone
My mother-in-law is a Georgia peach, and she inspires me to be a great host.
This sweet lady always makes a lovely snack tray for guests. She has cozy blankets for everyone when we’re sitting on the back porch at night. She never runs out of conversation or wine. She is one of the most welcoming people you could ever meet. I try to channel her whenever I host anything.
19. Be extra kind to grumpy people
If we can practice kindness and compassion instead of reacting with defensiveness or rudeness, we’ll be better for it. For some reason, I find grumpy people incredibly endearing at times.
20. Embrace being yourself to upgrade yourself
My teenage niece called me “extra” the other day. Isn’t that the truth, LOL!
We all have unique qualities that make us a bit “extra.” And thinking of yourself as “extra” is such a great mindset shift away from other, potentially negative self-talk. For example:
- Too sensitive? Extra perceptive, possibly psychic.
- Too loud? Extra personality.
- Unfocused? Extra imagination.
- Emotional? Extra heart.
- Feeling lazy? Extra relaxed.
- Got fired? Extra life experience.
Concluding thoughts on upgrading your life
Upgrading your life can be a lot of fun. Personal development doesn’t need to be intense, and in fact, a little bit of life improvement can go a long way. There’s certainly no harm in making small changes in life to see if they lead to more happiness. After all, the alternative is to do nothing to improve your life, and that is a little bit boring.
I hope you enjoyed these 20 life-improvement ideas to upgrade your life. Which one is your favorite? Please let me know what you think in the comments!
You may also like:
67 Chill Sunday Afternoon Activities for Relaxation and Self Care
50 Journal Prompts for Anxiety and Depression {+Printable Worksheet}
52 Journal Prompts for Personal Development {With Free PDF Printable Worksheet!}
30 Daily Journal Prompts to Start Writing {Free PDF Printable Included}
30 Free Art Printables -Black & White Plus Color {Cute and Modern!}
