The one change that worked
Writers on the lifestyle change that has had the most profound impact on their lives
Being apart from Mum is hard – but I've found a way to bring her close during lockdown
After years of anxiety, the idea of not being able to see my mum because of coronavirus was unbearable. Then I found a bottle of her scent
The one change that worked: share your coronavirus stories
We want to hear about the biggest lifestyle change you have made as a result of the Covid-19 epidemic
I turned off phone notifications and instantly felt calmer and happier
When I was on holiday, I switched off email alerts. Then Twitter, Instagram and Facebook followed. When I got home, I decided to keep culling …
I thought about a wig and tried a comb-over. But now I’m bald and proud
At 35, after years of denial, I walked into the barber’s and told him to go for a scorched-earth look. I left with a wonderful feeling of freedom
I shared stories of my disastrous dates for laughs. Keeping them private has made me happier to be single
Friends loved hearing about my inability to find a partner but I realised that spilling all perpetuated this narrative. Not talking about my love life has been empowering
Parties make me feel like an alien in a person suit – and drinking to survive them didn’t help
After one too many humiliations, I turned down the invitations, gave up the booze and learned to accept myself
I quit my boring job for university at 30. The expense was daunting, but my self-worth soared
I felt stuck in a dull but cushy career. When I left it, my limitations and inhibitions seemed to drop away – and I found creative satisfaction
I was juggling work, kids and cancer and needed help. Then 20 new friends swooped to my rescue
My daughter fell down the stairs when my partner was in hospital and the pressure became overwhelming. I discovered the kindness of relative strangers can make all the difference
I was in despair at world news. Then I started a local campaign group
My impotence in the face of global events was depressing. But I found joy in joining with my neighbours to try to fix the smaller things together
My daily to-do lists led to churning anxiety. ‘Have-done’ lists set me free
Driven by success, I was in a constant state of anxiety, dictated by my lists. Reflecting on what I’d already done in life helped liberate me from them
I dithered over veganism for years – until a friend’s simple message convinced me
I’ve always cared about the planet, but giving up animal products felt daunting. Then a friendly conversation made me face up to the facts
I suppressed the pain of my mother's death for decades. Then I found a way to grieve
My mother died when I was seven and I thought sadness was just a part of me. But music offered the perfect release
Joining a choir helped me combat anxiety and find a meditative state of pure joy
Faced with panic attacks and depression, I looked to my creative past for inspiration on how to improve the present. Rediscovering singing proved the turning point I needed
How weight loss surgery saved my life
Muay thai didn't heal me - but it brought everything into focus
I was living in the background of my life – until I realised shyness isn’t shameful
At 14, I became self-conscious about my voice and decided to hide away. Then, years later, it occurred to me the world needs quieter people, too
I thought that family was best avoided – until I had children of my own
The realisation that relationships don’t have to be dysfunctional has brought comfort and relief – despite the fact our kitchen hasn’t been properly clean in a decade
I fought ageing hard before deciding to go grey. It was the start of a brilliant new midlife
Casting off society’s expectations to grow old gracefully felt subversive. Ever since, I have grown bolder in body and mind
I could lift more than I weighed – and loved it. But an injury gave me a much healthier perspective
I wanted to prove I could compete with the men in the weights room. A slipped disc made me reassess my attitude to extreme accomplishments
I thought I could never love my large nose – but then I had my portrait painted
After commissioning an artist to paint me, I see the profile I’ve always hated very differently. The experience has shifted my whole perspective on beauty
About 56 results for The one change that worked 
