Things to Do More Of, In General

Share things digitally instead of printing them. Sometimes you need a piece of paper for something official [like the Social Security Administration or the license bureau], but aren’t email/Dropbox/Evernote/Zoho/Google Drive awesome?

Hold on when you’re on public transit.

Look a homeless person in the eye, even if you’re telling them you can’t spare anything to give them. They’re people too. [Ditto for those folks that stand on the street and say stuff like, "Do you have a moment for gay rights/animal welfare/world hunger?" They're trying to do good work, even if they're aggressive.]

Un-schedule. Block off time to do nothing. And then really do it. Unplug. Shut off Netflix. Go interact with a person in a way that doesn’t involve a screen.

Talk to your dog or cat. You are their main source of entertainment and socialization. It’ll make them smile. [And really, who ever talks to their dog without slipping them a treat? I sure don't.]

Make the damned dental appointment. Your fifty-five-year-old self with her teeth intact will thank you.

Take the stairs.

Listen to awesome music. [Hello, SomaFM. How you doin'?]

Eat your leftovers, or make a stew.

Learn to brew a better cup of coffee or pull your own espresso shots.

Buy a bag of books at the thrift store. Literary clutter is the best kind to have around.

Moisturize.

Figure out how to hold folks accountable without losing empathy for them.

Don’t schedule a meeting if it’s not really necessary. If it’s really necessary, make it a short one, and hold it standing up.

Wait a day before saying yes to a new commitment.

Write a thank-you note to one of your teachers.

Eat or drink with someone new more often. The new PM from your office. Your downstairs neighbor with the adorable Staffordshire dog. A classmate from middle school who grew up to work in the same field as you.

Ask more questions.

Accept an apology you may not have heard. Just imagine it was said, and move the fuck on.