HACKER Q&A
📣 tkiolp4

Difficult to Improve Life


So, whenever I read “tricks/hacks/habits that made your life better”, the usual suggestions appear:

- don’t drink alcohol (or drink less)

- don’t smoke/quit drugs

- do regular sports

- sleep good enough

- engage in social interactions

But I’ve been doing that all my life! It’s not that I have a bad life, it’s not amazing either… but there’s always the “how can I make it a bit better”. The regular recommendations don’t apply, so I find it harder to make my life better.

  👤 PaulHoule Accepted Answer ✓
One of the deepest problems in talking about human development is people confusing a negative with a lack of a positive.

It's easy to talk about removing negatives but if there is some positive you don't have it's very difficult to think about or talk about because you don't even know it is there. Thus there is a common fantasy that Dianetics-style you can erase a negative and become awesome but actually if you erase a negative you might just be... nothing.

👤 not_your_vase
On what aspect of your life do you want to improve? If you want to get a promotion at your job, giving up smoking won't help an awful lot... but knowing exactly what you want to change would give at least a clue on the "how".
👤 schwartzworld
Your question is so vague, so it's no wonder a list of generic answers doesn't fix you. What would you consider necessary for your life to be "amazing"?

Also, drugs or alcohol can be positive influences if you are capable of moderation.

👤 fullshark
Why isn't your life amazing? What are you missing? A partner? Professional success? What do you care about? Go after whatever that is.
👤 dossy
When faced with a decision that is uncertain or otherwise risky, how often do you find yourself choosing the less certain or more risky path?