What’s something crazy or radical or weird that you did that changed your life? I feel like I’ve been in a rut for years, hardly doing anything for myself. I have a whole list of goals with no real motivation for reaching them. I need a change and wonder if it will take something radical. 😬
Comments
I did a seven day water fast. I wanted to reset my body so I went into researching what the body goes through in such a state as well as what nutrients are needed. My self control held steady and now it’s something I do every three months.
It’s about mindset, you don’t need to change something in the outside, the answer you want is inside you, about your routines, you need to do something with differently way to avoid boredom, and tracking your progress because it’s not about how much you work, its about the results you acheive.
The best changes I’ve made in my life have been slow, gradual, and difficult, like therapy. Not saying you can’t make a good radical change, but that’s been my experience.
Got control with Keto and lost 81 lbs. Maybe not radical but definitely made a positive change.
Sometimes radical change starts with a single bold leap, whether it’s picking up a new skill, taking an unexpected trip, or just daring to say ‘yes’ to a new adventure, what’s your wild idea to hit the reset button?
Quitting drinking 🙂
Divorce.
Beginning my healing journey. It wasn’t one single radical act—but deciding to start, to prioritize my emotional and nervous system wellbeing, completely changed my life in ways I couldn’t have imagined. It’s been hard, messy, and nonlinear—but it’s brought me back to myself. And that changed everything.
Cutting people off
Quit caffeine 7 months ago
Got fired from my first job after college and decided to go to law school
Overdose
Ate only turkey sandwiches for months to lose weight. Went from 230lbs to 170 and started working out heavy. That was approx 18 years ago and I still weigh 170 and in good shape for a 40 y/o
Try starting with a dopamine detox, and deleting all your social media, games, and video apps. The problem is that your dopamine response has been hijacked to hook your attention for these apps, as the longer you are hooked the more ads you see. Dopamine is the chemical that gives you the drive to do things, so to have it hijacked, drains your motivation for life. Free yourself, and then you’ll start to get the drive to work on your goals.
Gave up nicotine.
Left a stable, lucrative career for one that makes my heart soar. Therapy changed my life! Took up daily exercise. Read a ton of nonfiction books of all genres. You can do it!!!
Turned off the tv and got to work.
Loving these answers!
Heard about David Goggins and his incredible life story
As a guy, removing all so called “friends,” because I realized that they are literally useless Unless you pay them to do something useful. Maybe my sort of friends are different, but as a guy, most so-called friends are useless unless you benefit from them, and I found the only benefit to be the alleviation of loneliness, and for me, loneliness is preferable.
Stopped watching porn
Decided to go all in with one of my passions better fail than regret years later (painting btw)
I got married.
It light a fire under my ass to get my shit together. Started reading books on financial literacy, started working out and dieting to lose some weight so I can live longer and be healthier to keep up with my future kids, started learning how do car repairs myself in an effort to save more money. I think I’m in the beginning stages of becoming an adult at 30 ha.
Quit my phone for a month , would just sit and stare at the wall , could only last a few minutes before going to do something productive . Dopamine detox is the solution to every issue
I started walking/ running (I’m not a runner, nor do I usually enjoy running) in my neighborhood late at night. Like late late, between 11p-midnight, sometimes 1am. There was something about the odd/ unusual time of doing it that felt a little exhilarating. Long story short, it sort of become a habit and I found myself looking forward to those night runs/ walks. That catapulted me into a fitness routine and made me feel alive again.
Major career change
Gym classes I enjoy 6 days a week and a 90% clean diet. No corner cutting, sugar free redbull handful of chocolate chips in the panty BS. (Obviously that is directed at myself 18mo ago haha)
Quit drinking!
Reframed what my social anxiety meant. Instead of it being a warning, I used it as a signal that I’m doing the right thing.
Quit my job last Friday
Plant medicine healing regimens with guides
Got hobbies & getting my health in order
Fucken believed in meself
Quit drinking, stopped using reusable utensils, plates, and cups, only use my washable dishes, and I’m better at keeping my home tidy bc I tell myself I deserve a clean space, also I like being myself in public that I normally would only do at home like singing songs out loud that are stuck in my head, or dance to random beats while I’m out and about, I probably look weird but I don’t care it makes me happy.
Being more mindful. There is generally nothing wrong in the true present moment. Only stresses and worries exist in the past and in the future.
Quit drinking. About to file bankruptcy and move in with my mom so I can get out of this stupid house I got with my ex and focus on grad school without having to work a mind numbing job that drains me. I’ve been trying to keep up with a life I don’t even want. I’m sure most wouldn’t recommend this path but I’m looking forward to letting go and starting over.
Quit smoking weed a few years back after making it a huge part of my identity for the better part of 18 years. Took up running, signed up for a race, then a bunch more.
started a consistent workout routine
Quit caffeine
I was so desperate to get away from an abusive bf that I made an ad on Craigslist to find a roommate. The first time her and I met was at the apartment viewing and we signed for it that day.
It may not be too radical but as someone who comes from a society whose norm is multigenerational households (even with adult children/grandchildren) – moving out.
Married way above my league so that I could tame my ego, be humbled, become empathetic, control my arrogance.
Marrying beyond my league was a trigger to get my act together and improve myself by reading books, losing weight through IF/LCHF, learned about persuasion, visualization, self-hypnosis, NLP, getting fit, and manifesting as much as I possibly could.
Weight watchers and gym.
Deciding that the negativity in my life is caused by me and my feelings, and no matter what happens, I can decide how I react to something and how I let it makes me feel. Positive and gratitude abound!
Moved to another country with an ex then moved back home again 15yrs later
Stopped trying to change my life at the night time, especially before bed. I’ve come to terms that motivation only allows you start something, but that quickly wears off. Discipline is key! Change isn’t linear. Accept that you will go through ups and downs and always show up for yourself everyday and be consistent.
video journaling
Totally changed my diet
No soda (or sugary drinks), no processed foods (as much as possible), no bread, try to avoid seed oils as much as possible.
Now I eat a variety of fruits, vegetables and legumes along with meat, poultry and fish. Oh yeah and probiotics daily and herbal teas.
I’ve never felt healthier.
I’m a huge procrastinator with hints of attention deficit trait. I started using a body doubling website about a month ago and it has changed my life. I’ve tried so many different things, this works for me.
Reading Nietzsche and Carl Jung in conjunction with the Bible.
Got a hysterectomy at 30 as a woman with no children.
It was a medical necessity, and my only regret is I didn’t do it sooner.
Most people who’ve known me before and after say I’m a completely different person.
Chronic pain does a number on your personality….
quitting smoking, quitting drugs, leaving new york, decentering men, running everyday, giving medication a chance to help me, going back to school at 27………..for every good radical change i feel like two more spawn. embracing change!
Put my phone on grey scale or got that safe lock alarm so I can’t get on my phone right in the morning
Went back to school for my dream job.
LSD
Joined the Marines.
Gave up food with added sugar and went all-in on an antiinflammatory diet.
Maintaining it now for 10+ years with excellent results.
Consistency is key. Almost nobody has the discipline to do it.
Take some of what I felt were negative comments about me and started to reflect on them. It’s humbling, but there are times when our egos make us think someone is instantly mean and has ulterior motives for what they say. But if we can reflect on them, we may see they hold some, if not full, truth.
Quit teaching and started a business
quit drinking, smoking and going to therapy
Stopped smoking cigarettes and a bunch of other shit i should have never been doing. Got back into pre covid active hobbies (rucking, rec hockey just finished/softball soon, gym 4x week, bowling few times a month). Read almost every night. Walk daily. DRINK WATER obsessively. My Xbox has dust on it lol.
Try to get out of comfort zone amap, strive for 5 selfless acts daily. my way of leveling out the bad choices, regrets, wasted time etc. and allows me to look in the mirror and walk out of my door with my chin up. Make people around me and that raised me proud. They deserve that.
Little changes one at a time, since NY24, big impact. Far from perfect, but i try to be just generally better everyday.
Gave up religion and cut off all the toxic people in my life.
I had double jaw surgery a month ago
Joined the Marines. Don’t recommend. It helped with my financial situation but mental health plummeted even more than it already was.
Quitting alcohol..& class As.. I’d be dead by now if I hadn’t.. 10yrs
Dropped out school and moved to Central America as a 19 year old, and started my own business online that allow me to sell my creative passions (I sell beats to rappers / run a “type beat” YouTube channel and make documentary vlogs on YouTube meant to inspire people to chase their dreams however they can.
Deleting social media, stopped casual dating to remain celibate, got an adult job, giving my life to Jesus Christ. I did them in that order, worked wonders.
Quit Instagram, was surprised to know how much time I have when I don’t spend it watching what other people are doing with theirs. Not every moment we experience has to be out there
I used the technique called EFT to work through all my traumas/emotional memories for an hour -1.5 hours every night until I had worked through them all. It changed my life. My mind quieted. My thoughts changed. I became calm. Peaceful.
Started waking up early
I joined the army.
I totally get that feeling of being stuck in a rut. For me, the most “radical” thing I did was gamifying my habits. I started rewarding myself for sticking to routines, even small ones. It sounds kinda silly, but it made a huge difference. I use this app called Habit Rewards that lets you earn coins for completing habits and redeem them for stuff you set for yourself. Turns out, tricking my brain with a fake reward system actually worked 😂. It made the whole process way more fun and kept me going even when motivation was low. Maybe try something like that?
Went vegan 5 years ago, got divorced, started reading for pleasure
Ate only beef and water for three months. Depression, anxiety, low energy.. completely disappeared and (atleast the depression & anxiety) have never returned.
Moved from a city of millions to a small mountain town, on a whim, after a terrible breakup. This felt insane to me after living in big cities my whole life. I felt really drawn to the area after visiting – like it felt weirdly like home – so I trusted my gut.
So fucking happy and feel like I’m a Hallmark movie some days. Who am I? Sometimes you real do need to shake things up in a big way.
Cut off my narcissistic parents
started weight lifting, proper nutrition. living in a fat body is not as cool or normal as we try to make it out to be. went from almost 300 pounds to 180. bit of a way to go still with my goal being 150. but lifting weight was life changing. i am F.
Stopped dating narcissists and emotionally immature people and began treating myself like someone I care about.
Stopped Drinking
Weird answer but… my dog died, when I was majorly depressed and already nearly suicidal. And I was devastated. But I got a new puppy really soon after, and he was tiny and bullied by my other dog. I realized he needed me, and he’ll always need me, and I need to keep myself alive for him.
I lost 100lbs, put on 30lbs of muscle, became a personal trainer. I joined a graduate program for computer science and have straight A’s. I’ve been way more social and met some girls recently, nothing has really gone anywhere but I’m feeling better about myself now for sure
I’m also spoiling my new dog so much. He gets constant attention and play time and I take him on 3-6 mile walks every night and never take nights off. We go walking through the desert with a flashlight and pepper spray for coyotes, and I just think about how surreal things are now, how much they’ve changed
The hottest girl at the gym (not exaggerating) introduced herself to me and we’re kinda becoming friends now, and just a few months ago I thought I’d never have an excuse to even talk to her hah. Weirdly, she told me she sees me every day and has wanted to talk to me… I’m taking this slow so I don’t fuck up lmao
Life is strange. My dog dying made my life so much better, maybe he knew that’s what was needed, something to shock me into caring. Idk
My dog died of cancer. My biggest goal now in my life is to earn my PhD and work on using machine learning to cure cancer. I’m very determined. I’m doing all I can with the talents I’ve been given, and I’m convinced it’s doable. If it’s possible then I’m gonna do it
Go to bed early
Going out and talking to women a few nights a week. Those harsh rejections you get will make you invincible lol
I would say my idea isn’t crazy or radical. It might be a bit weird considering I just started doing it, out of the blue. It put me on a new path. It’s the pinned post in my profile if you care to look.
Moved half way around the world to America.
Moved half way around the world to America.
moved across the country and didn’t know a single person when I got there
leaving my home for the first time.
I started holding myself accountable to the results I was getting in life.
Realizing that whatever I want in my life is up to me to give and get myself.
The best moments of my past years were when I turned off my phone, my router and my laptop and just existed. My mind would get bored and make up stuff to ponder about or come up with activities to do.
Looking back and checking in with the present moment I can feel how disorganized my mind is, really stressed out, almost hallucinating about topics I must have picked up online..
The only radical changes i have ever made that actually worked – until my addiction patterns return at high stress times.
1.Quitting sugar ( junk foods, soda), reduced carbs.
I Lost 75 pounds once and 35 pounds another time. But as a real addict I’m now 212 pounds again.
2. Reducing Screen time- Phone specific. ( plug it in outside bedroom also to sleep).
Im copying a video that will give you this to think on – he did some radical trials for 30 days each. ( of course individual results vary).
https://youtu.be/3siRFvX_-Pg?si=CcihRhrl1ZJ9A1jt
Took LSD a few times, reset my brain
When I have tried ” breathwork” i feel radical emotional release. Sadly like most things I never stay consistent enough to say it changed my life.
We are on the same page. I have listed a lot of goals to execute them is a big challenge for me now. So sad. I really want to come out this too
Moved countries. Drastic change of environment and the freedom to completely start over.
On the other side, most of the rest of the work has been slow burn stuff. Long, steady, committed work in incremental shifts, pivots, learnings and realisations, and changes made one after the other as the need for them revealed themselves to me.
I’ve found that healing tends to happen in tandem. Once you change one thing, the rest tends to domino like a chain reaction. Sometimes slow, sometimes sudden. But it definitely started with moving countries for me.
Realizing I’m the only one responsible for myself and taking accountability. This lead to being able to admit that not being the best at everything is OK. And since then my struggle with perfectionism is easier to deal with and I started trying more new things without fear. This allowed real Growth.
Quitting smoking / vaping was huge for me. Used to chain smoke 20-30 a day and when I switched to vapes it was constant vaping instead. Glad I could finally leave it all Behind.
Quit sugar and 90% of carbs. What a huge difference it has made.
Not eating fast food at all and cutting out alcohol completely has really helped me hit my fitness goals.
I started staying to myself. I love me some solitude and isolation tbh.
Semen retention, I was at the gym 6 days a week, and improving everything I could had so much excess energy it was ridiculous, very productive the downsides are I cannot control my aggression on st, and sometimes you want to improve things better left alone.
Removed my TV and deleted social media. Had other reasons for it when I did it (like a stalking ex, f.ex., so removed myself from SoMe), but it snapped me into focusing on myself, and I realized that was something everybody really would need and should do.
I left my toxic ex about a month ago. She was very immature and would throw tantrums and always have an excuse and play victim. It was so hard for me to do and it’s still sucks but I was tired being someone else’s punching bag no matter how much I cared for them.
Going totally sober
This might not be “radical” for others but it was for me. I was a daily weed and nicotine user (both via vape) and that was wrecking my body. Low energy, no appetite unless high, constamt post-nasal drip and coughing, no motivation at all. I quit weed first which was the hardest. They say you can’t be chemically addicted to it but I just don’t believe that, I went through withdrawal symptoms (throwing up, shaking, blacking out, intense migraines) for two full days. It sucked but I stuck it out. A few weeks later and I felt like a different person in a very positive way. I quit nicotine next which was actually easier.
Several months clean from both now, I have my motivation back. I’m eating and breathing normally which means I can actually go to the gym again, I have energy and am overall happier.
I’ll have a drink on rare occasions, maybe once a month. I’ve never been a big drinker. Other than that, I stay sober. It changed my life!
Journal every night , gym, no drugs, reading, meditation, mostly doing non urgent but important in the lV table of efficiency, read 7 habits of highly efficient people
Quit my job with no safety net.
Got rid of all my stuff. Took a couple of years
Stopped doing radical things and started with basics like getting a job, keeping a job, saving for retirement, getting married, buying a “normal” house, having kids, taking modest vacations, staying healthy by maintaining a healthy bmi etc
Accoutability apps. If i don’t exercise, sleep well and study I have to pay money
Stopped renting urban flats and moved out of the city, bought a cheap AF fixer upper and did most of the renovation work by hand with my SO. Life feels very different now and the day to day challenges are different, but the freedom that comes with just adjusting your home as you like is awesome.
The heavy realization of mortality struck me pretty hard a few months ago. Time moves very fast. You creep into more advanced stages of your life without much warning. It was pretty scary thinking about not existing for forever. But it also made me think about how unimpressive day-to-day stressors really are and reminded me of all of the things I have zero control over. I can choose peace as long as I choose to lean into only the things I can control. It made me worry less about things out of my control and mundane stressors because they probably won’t matter in a month or even a year, much less on my deathbed. Now, I feel like I can hold boundaries, say “I’m not going to let that bother me” more easily, and breathe easier when a boss wants to flex their power or give me a hard time. When I get home, I’m going to drink coffee and read a book in a dimly lit room, knowing that the moments I have with myself and loved ones are what will matter when I get to the end of this crazy ride.
I also quit drinking, lost 70lbs, go to the gym, and got my finances set up in a way that will guard my safety and well-being going forward, so that any stress related to those areas doesn’t compound in other areas of my life.
I got a pixie cut
This was kind of forced onto me so maybe a bit of a cop out, but I got cancer at 17. Stage 4. Went through treatment and it changed literally everything in my life, DRASTICALLY.
I’m not AT ALL where I expected to be — a million miles off — but I trust I’m where I’m supposed to be 🙂
Started training mma at 38. First time ever doing combat sports.
Gastric sleeve surgery. I’m 2 yrs out and 100 lbs down. Best leap of faith ever!
Had my teeth fixed, started actually caring about my body and switching from a career in theatre to education
Using bed and table for their intended purpose only. Never even sit or lie on the bed at daytime or evenings. Just use it for sleeping and it’s going to make you tired and help fall asleep at night.
HITT training.
A consistent exercise routine. I went from being a couch potato to a Pilates queen lol. But I started by simply just walking. That’s it. Nothing crazy. For years I would try more extreme/ intense forms of exercise like soul cycle or CrossFit and get injured or just humiliated and then I would go back to my sofa where I was comfortable. But when I decided to start slow with just a simple walk, it started to compound. Then I started doing yoga, then lifting weights, then I started to incorporate Pilates. The difference it has made in my health and well being as well as my physical appearance is astounding. Watching the weight tick down on the scale and the fat come off my body inspired me to take control of other aspects of my life. It created pathways in my brain that didn’t previously exist proving to me that I’m in the drivers seat here. If you’re starting from nothing just get off the sofa and walk. And don’t kid yourself into thinking you’re going have your dream body by next month. It takes time, years even for some people. It’s a mental game so meet yourself where you’re at.
Quit added sugar . I used to drink energy drink . Because my blood tests were awful , I simply stopped consuming sugar . It was hard , because , I was addicted to it . Most of my nutritional menu really was pure chocolate , drinks and other sweet things . I stopped and I could see good results . I became more happier and sleeping was an improvement .
Dropped out of college to work on a farm for a year. Got into trades instead. Live a very happy fulfilling life now in my thirties
Dropping everything for a short solo trip somewhere completely new. Like no plans, no fancy hotels, just you and a backpack and whatever happens.
Got a 2nd, “unnecessary” masters degree in ceramics. Best thing I’ve ever done for myself.
I actually made a video about this topic, the five habits that changed my life.
It’s not really weird or radical, but the number one habit that really made a huge difference in my life is practicing gratitude daily. It sounds so simple that it almost seems silly but it totally shifted my mindset and helped me to attract the things that I wanted in my life.
Started a meditation practice 15 years ago
Going to the Amazon rainforest and and getting initiated by tribes in their magical ways
It might seem so simple and ineffective,
But once I heard from Sadhguru on YouTube that when you wake up, the first thing you should do is smile—because you woke up. So many people didn’t. Check around, your people are breathing. Once again, a big smile.
And at first, I thought, what a silly thing to do…
But then I gave it a try. And believe me, there were days when I would wake up already feeling tired from the big day ahead. My headache would start the moment I opened my eyes.
Now, just this simple practice—along with a few others, like being mindful about how I go to bed, the way I eat, and journaling—has changed my life in ways I can truly see an enormous difference.
Now I wake up without an alarm, happily, more energetically, and in gratitude.
Get diagnosed and medicated for my adhd
Left my marriage
Haven’t done anything specifically or i would say not did anything yet that radical but even before reading this post this type of thought is coming into my mind that how much more I need to take care in the form of 9-5 education then job etc… with that something I don’t even like to do
Soo maybe I will take that radical step and that would be the only this that I like no matter it could be a low stress high passionate job like even gardening could the favourite thing for someone to do even so I pays less but earning more money with stress is no no for me.
Be completely honest with yourself to the best of your ability in every moment no matter how difficult. The capacity and strength to do this will grow. This is the movement to authentic self. It’s takes a wildly strong and courageous individual that places this value as the pinnacle of their way of being. Very uncommon. Might take an extraordinary awakening to achieve such.
Started skateboarding at 64 . Learnt the basics from You Tube
Moved to a whole different country to avoid my toxic family
Focusing more on what I think / need > what others will think. Frees up so much cranial capacity.
Following a reflection and review system on a weekly basis. I basically have a set of essential tasks (like chess, writing, reading, workout) which I ought to complete everyday, in order to label that day as ‘Perfect’. At the end of each day, I just write a small paragraph regarding the events of the day and at the weekend I just measure how every day of the week went (via the daily notes) in terms of tasks completed, how many perfect days etc.
I often ask ChatGPT to analyse my week via providing it the daily reflections and then the AI efficiently gives insights. Also calculates an efficiency percentage (which I am not fond of since life isn’t a numerical exam but yeah).
Such level of mindfulness has helped me immensely. And the fun part is, I have had started this only from Jan 1, 2025.
ATB. Be productive and happy.
I had weight loss surgery which was removal of most of my stomach and also shortened my intestines. Went from 656lbs to 196 today. Kept it off for 18 years now. Best thing I ever did.
I let go of the church I was raised in
Being aware of my breathing as much as possible during the day, even when going about my activities. I think almost nobody does this, but it’s extremely powerful. I find it more powerful than regular meditation.
Divorced, changed jobs, moved countries all in one week.
Getting 2 puppies. One is four months the other is six. And they are improving my life every day even though I’m drained. Before anyone says anything, I’m not rich – one of them was free the other is being financed. And I’m getting help too 🙂
Not exactly radical, but walking changed my life.
It rewired my brain by teaching me discipline.
You mentioned you’re 300 lbs — and honestly, just committing to a daily walk can be the catalyst for everything else. Discipline is a muscle, and the more you train it, the stronger it gets.
The magic happens in that exact moment when you want to skip it. That’s when you put your shoes on, step outside, and just walk around the block. That’s how discipline is born.
And discipline? That’s the secret weapon. Not motivation — motivation is like the wind or the tide: it comes and goes. Discipline is the vessel that keeps moving forward no matter what.
Six years ago, I was stuck. Lazy, unmotivated, 200 lbs, out of shape, stalled in my career, feeling like a total mess. I tried all kinds of “radical” fixes — extreme diets, intense fitness programs — and failed every time. I didn’t realize the missing piece was mental stamina. Resilience. Consistency.
One day while journaling, I had a lightbulb moment: I needed to commit to one ridiculously simple thing. Not going to the gym — that had too many friction points: packing a bag, driving, figuring out a workout, etc. I needed something brain-proof.
So I chose this:
Walk. One mile. Every day. Out the front door.
No overthinking. Just walk.
Then it became two miles. Then I added yoga twice a week. Then came strength training. Now I need movement. It grounds me, energizes me, and gives me clarity.
And as I got stronger physically, I got stronger mentally. My confidence grew. My marriage got better. My career took off.
All from one small habit.
So if you’re at square one? Lace up. Step outside. Throw on a good audiobook. And just walk. Watch how your life slowly — and then suddenly — starts to change. Good luck! You got this!
Started smoking at around 16, stopped cold turkey at 23 or 24
Rejected and ran away from a forced CHILD marriage at 13 TO A MAN IN HIS LATE 30S. In the southern US. East Coast. 1989.
All the laws put into place that we are losing right now? Barely a decade old. We were so close. Now, in my old age, I have to go fight for what my grandmother, aunties and own mother fought for. AGAIN.
Cause I’ve got nieces and they are brilliant creatures and I refuse to allow their light to be dimmed.
Always wanted to ride horses. Took my first lesson at 46, terrified, out of shape, just wanted to see how I would do. Here I am 11 years later with two horses and competing in hunters. My whole world changed when I found an active, fun hobby that connects me to other horse people.
Quit my toxic, insanely stressful job. Imagine killing yourself for the owner of your company to be successful. And all for what in the end? Yes, a paycheck, but you can get that somewhere that won’t ruin your days, cause anxiety (regularly breaking out in hives), and kill your mental and physical health. Leave that job and find something that makes you happy and pays the bills, or at least a place that shows you they appreciate and value you.