What are some simple ways to make your day go from ordinary to extraordinary?

Question

Do you treat yourself to a mani/pedi every now and then? Get up early to fit in that morning run? Take an extra 30 minutes to enjoy lunch outside? Simple upgrades can take your day from ‘whatever’ to ‘wow’. Let us know your thoughts – the best answer will be featured on the Front Page of Y! Answers.

Answer 1

Every day is extraordinary, I just have to make sure I remember it. I try to find touchstones that slow me down for a minute so I can remember to appreciate the things I have. I do things like:

tuck ticket stubs, cookie fortunes, and business cards into nooks and crannies in my purse so that when I come across them I will remember who I ate with, saw a movie with, or even enjoy working with... when I do come across these, it reminds me to stop and breathe for a moment and be happy I have that person in my life

I put small stickers in places that are ok and not noticable to put them - usually sparkly hearts or happy faces. I have a happy face inside my car's gas tank door and one in my glove box so when I see them I pause to admire my car and be proud of how hard I worked to get it. I have a heart sticker on my cell phone and sometimes it reminds me to go in and scroll through my address book to see all the friends I have.

I pay bills twice a month. Those days I make a point to think about all the debts and expenses I've paid off and put behind me and realize how far I've come.

I stopped thinking of my alarm clock as a screeching nusance, and started setting it five minutes early and thinking of it as my "roll over and kiss Paulo alarm" (Paulo is my boyfriend).

I buy certain groceries so that when I eat them I think of the people they remind me of. My Gran used to get mint chocolate covered Oreos (Mystic Mint) and keep them in the fridge. We called them Cold Cold Cookies. She died when I was young but it still makes my day to eat Cold Cold Cookies and think of Gran.

These really all just seem like kinda normal things but the truth is, life just IS extraordinary... I just need to remind myself of that now and then.

Answer 2

I do exercises, like the ones in magazines or make up my own. Even when I'm on my period, I don't have bad days. I take an ibuprofen and get on with my day. I also splurge on cookies and chocolate. That always makes my day a little better. If I've had a long day and need relaxation, I fill up the tub and pour in bubble bath. Lavender is the most soothing scent. Then I cuddle up in a chair or in bed and read until I'm tired. After my eyes are drooping, I burrow deep inside the covers and get 9hrs of indulging sleep. I also always have my friends right by my side. These things always make my day satisfying. I don't sit around in the AC and I've lost a lot of weight this way. I know what ever I do they appreciate it no matter what it is. This gives me such a great feeling that I just can't describe how wonderful it makes me feel. The funny thing is that some of my co-workers think I have a new romatic interest when actually I'm just high on life! Who would've thought helping others would be so benefical!

Answer 3

First of all, I really want to compliment you on an awesome question.

I try to make my day extraordinary, by putting my heart into whatever I do. I also try to remember the quote "If it's worth doing, it is worth doing it slow". This makes me slow down and do anything I want to do, well.

Make every encounter count. Compliment people you meet. Say something you have never said before. Break the ice with someone you only see but have never spoken to. You'll be glad you did.

I notice nature very keenly. The watercolor painting like sky. The flowers swaying by the road, the lil squirrel scampering by, that sweet lil bird sitting on a pole that makes you wish you had a camera, a dog peeping out the back window of a car...just makes me smile.

Rummage through your accessories/closet and find something you haven't worn in a while....it could be a beautiful ear-ring you had forgotten all about...or a watch you haven't worn in a long time or a scarf that you keep waiting to have the perfect occassion for, or that bit of a bold eye-shadow u have shied away from wearing. Usually, we end up trying on the same set of things day in and day out, but attempt to wear something new/forgotten and you'll see a change in the way you feel. Wear your best clothes...the occassion is now :).

Have your to-do list ready and make sure you accomplish those tasks that day. Keep the list manageable and reasonable. Dont pile on too much for the day. Even a minute here or there that you use productively makes a big difference. You will feel great about yourself and your life.

Rise above the tasks you normally do when you have a moment, and think outside the box about how you can make things better at work. Push yourself to get creative and to do something to make a process/system or anything around you, a little better than before.

Get up early. For that, go to bed a little early. It is highly important u have a good night's rest. Keep your morning hour to stretch, to think spiritually, to have something nutritious to eat, maybe to neaten up your place b4 you leave for work...and do it slow. Don't rush.

Have you been putting off making some decisions, which you *know* will simplify/make a big difference in your life. Do it now.

I really could go on.....but these were what came to my mind at present. I felt good sharing.

Have a fabulous day! :)

Answer 4

I also take a deep breath when having a stressful day. Instead of getting angry, I convert that energy into something I enjoy or creativity. I write it out or sit and relax into a good book. I don't let myself have a bad day anymore. I do exercises, like the ones in magazines or make up my own. Even when I'm on my period, I don't have bad days. I take an ibuprofen and get on with my day. I also splurge on cookies and chocolate. That always makes my day a little better. If I've had a long day and need relaxation, I fill up the tub and pour in bubble bath. Lavender is the most soothing scent. Then I cuddle up in a chair or in bed and read until I'm tired. After my eyes are drooping, I burrow deep inside the covers and get 9hrs of indulging sleep. I also always have my friends right by my side. These things always make my day satisfying.This gives me such a great feeling that I just can't describe how wonderful it makes me feel. The funny thing is that some of my co-workers think I have a new romatic interest when actually I'm just high on life! Who would've thought helping others would be so benefical!

Answer 5

I use an iPod Nano, a major improvement over the Walkman cassette player I used in college. I also bought a $30 FM transmitter last year, so I can play my iPod on my car radio too. By listening to inspirational and educational material every day, especially during my morning workout, I not only learn new ideas I can apply, but I also feel more positive throughout the day. loud girl power music! I then will use all that energy that dancing has given me and cook myself a new meal, I go onto websites and find recipes and try a new one everytime. It makes an ok day extraordinary just to spend time on myself and my well being, because after a long day of work or whatever it feels great just to let all cares go and focus on you. Everyone needs it, so just act like you have an extra 15 more minutes a day and do something simple like even read a book or the newspaper; something you normally don't have time to do and put aside the laundry for a little bit...

Answer 6

I convert that energy into something I enjoy or creativity. I write it out or sit and relax into a good book. I don't let myself have a bad day anymore. I do exercises, like the ones in magazines or make up my own. Even when I'm on my period, I don't have bad days. I take an ibuprofen and get on with my day. I also splurge on cookies and chocolate. That always makes my day a little better. If I've had a long day and need relaxation, I fill up the tub and pour in bubble bath. Lavender is the most soothing scent. Then I cuddle up in a chair or in bed and read until I'm tired. After my eyes are drooping, I burrow deep inside the covers and get 9hrs of indulging sleep. I also always have my friends right by my side. These things always make my day satisfying.This gives me such a great feeling that I just can't describe how wonderful it makes me feel. The funny thing is that some of my co-workers think I have a new romatic interest when actually I'm just high on life! Who would've thought helping others would be so benefical!

Answer 7

You don't need to spend any money-but looking your best can contribute to feeling more awake and ready to face the world. If you were wearing sweats and a tank top opposed to pretty work clothes, of course you would feel worse wearing the sweats. Taking that extra 30 minutes-or simply standing outside for five minutes or so in the morning to appreciate Mother Nature will truly help you appreciate the day as a whole and not dig on the small things. Hope this helps! Their health is declineing and I try to do things for them that they are no longer able to do. Everyday I am doing something. I try to cram as much into a day as possible. I don't sit around in the AC and I've lost a lot of weight this way. I know what ever I do they appreciate it no matter what it is. This gives me such a great feeling that I just can't describe how wonderful it makes me feel. The funny thing is that some of my co-workers think I have a new romatic interest when actually I'm just high on life! Who would've thought helping others would be so benefical!

Answer 8

By listening to inspirational and educational material every day, especially during my morning workout, I not only learn new ideas I can apply, but I also feel more positive throughout the day. loud girl power music! I then will use all that energy that dancing has given me and cook myself a new meal, I go onto websites and find recipes and try a new one everytime. It makes an ok day extraordinary just to spend time on myself and my well being, because after a long day of work or whatever it feels great just to let all cares go and focus on you. Everyone needs it, so just act like you have an extra 15 more minutes a day and do something simple like even read a book or the newspaper; something you normally don't have time to do and put aside the laundry for a little bit...

Answer 9

I not only learn new ideas I can apply, but I also feel more positive throughout the day. loud girl power music! I then will use all that energy that dancing has given me and cook myself a new meal, I go onto websites and find recipes and try a new one everytime. It makes an ok day extraordinary just to spend time on myself and my well being, because after a long day of work or whatever it feels great just to let all cares go and focus on you. Everyone needs it, so just act like you have an extra 15 more minutes a day and do something simple like even read a book or the newspaper; something you normally don't have time to do and put aside the laundry for a little bit...

Answer 10

The best way to make your day extraordinary is to be aware of simple breathing and sipping good water. If you are a go go go person ...then it is even more important to be in touch with the fundamentals of integrating mental physical and spiritual aspects of what you are.... and the definition of ordinary and extraordinary are best met in grace ... defined as you calm your self and not only observe the way your body moves but in the way that the life of your being moves without pushing any agenda ~ it may sound like zen ...but it is not really that...it is simply listening to the sounds of your self as they are echo ing with this life...and then relaxing to the beat ..the wave set...the however you see or feel it...and it is then extraordinarily ordinarily very wonderful....Right? Sure it is good to have the pleasure of a mani/pedi now and then..but it is a pleasure some can not afford. Some people can not have an extra any minutes off from lunch or dinner. But every one can take any time to listen to the way they are breathing and take a simple sip of water (hopefully good H2O)....and in the ordinary world there is so much stress ...that it is extraordinary to find grace in the simplicity of quite tude...even if it is for a nano second.....

OVER and OUT....

Answer 11

If it is a normal day and I want to step it up a notch for fun what I do is simple.
I take an educated risk, doing this makes you feel like your really living the gift of life.

Educated Risk could be anything you normally wouldn't do for example if you follow a daily routine every day a risk might be not doing the routine or switching it up. Another example would be to try something new like a food or a way into work.
Maybe wear an out fit that you never tried out.
On a personal note once what I did was pull some hot guy over on the side of the road to met him! Danger came into play, put it was all in a public place (educated) Nothing came from this meeting but I did something I wouldn't normally do. After that I try something new all the time plus take educated risks.