What Does Improving Lives Involve?
As a teacher of both adults and teens for the past 16 years, it turns out that some of the most important and impactful lessons I’ve taught have been about LIFE — not just English.

For the first time, I’m compiling over 30 of my most useful tips about better living here. Since the topics range through all facets of life, I hope you find something of value for yourself that matches with your goals and desires. Enjoy!
Life Lessons: Better Living
This useful list of tips is for improving lives in every realm: Fitness, organization, productivity, self-confidence, creativity, family, self-care, travel, money, and more!
4 Tricks to Never Lose or Leave Behind Your Stuff
Use these four simple steps to keep track of everything, and you'll never need to say, "Oh no! I left my things behind!" again.
How to Exercise More: a Workout Motivation Secret
Getting into a regular fitness routine can be the #1 best way to improve your entire life. Learn the one mind-shift that makes workout motivation flow, plus 12 tips to exercise more.
How to Finally Meditate (Without Quitting or Boredom)
After years of trying unsuccessfully to start a daily meditation practice, I finally realized the trick to make it stick, so I could at last get those mindfulness benefits. See how here!
How to Stop Drinking Alcohol, and Why I Did It
Quitting drinking alcohol was one of the best things I ever did. See the instructions for how the feat was achieved here, with some thoughts on why it's worthwhile for life clarity and health.
Walk and Talk Therapy by Zoom: Why and How
Feel like you don't have time for therapy AND outdoor exercise? Here's how to fit them both in by combining them through the magic of walk and talk therapy!
Tired as a Mother? Here's Why to Try a Momcation
Being a caregiver requires self-care to rebuild the energy necessary to care for others. In this article, see how to plan a short, affordable vacation for YOURSELF (by yourself -- or with friends) to revitalize.
How to Pack Dresses for Great Travel Photos: 9 Tips
Learn about color, cut, angle, and packability when it comes to adding dresses to your suitcase to produce beautiful pictures, and comfort, too.
8 Practical Tips for Working Parents
Are you a working parent who needs to manage everything and everyone? These eight actionable steps may be a real help.
Ideas for Fun Places to Go on Your Next Trip
Every year I pick a new #1 travel destination which I most recommend for a vacation. All the trip ideas are compiled in this article, and the most recent one might surprise you... and is also affordable and likely not too far away.
Beachbody Reviews: Best Workout Program Is...
One of the most popular online workout streaming services is Beachbody on Demand: an affordable, effective library of fitness programs. But which is best? Find out here!
A Gift Shopping Secret to Save Tons of Money
Gift giving can cause heavy amounts of stress, but knowing the concept revealed in this article makes a new gifting future possible: one that's a lot more relaxed, fitting, and economical.
Why to Consider Saying NO to a Name Change After Marriage
I refused to change my last name after marriage, and am SO glad I made that decision. Here's a run-down of why it may be a good option for others, too.
How to Save Money (for Travel?) With a Hair Change
Get a fully paid-for trip by making the transition to naturally colored hair! See the math of the money shift here.
How to DIY a Cheap Sit-Stand Desk (Tall Person Friendly!)
Learn how to make your own affordable standing desk to work for home (or in my case, do remote teaching), even if you don't have much space or money.
Improve Your Relationships: Travel for a Day or More
This article is a guide to taking mini-trips with someone you love, with science to back up why it helps enhance connection between you.
Add Easy 5 Minute Movement Breaks
This video and description explains how to add simple, short stretches and exercises into your day, to boost your mood and productivity.
How to (Not) Offend an Entire Class Through Cultural Ignorance
This article has been featured in several university courses (and even one Brazilian textbook!) because it offers a humorous yet clear warning of how a teacher (in this case, me) can unwittingly upset students because of cultural misunderstanding.
Save Money by Low Season Travel
The "Low Season" and "Shoulder Season" of a destination can provide significant financial savings and help you avoid crowds during travel. See an example of this here from Martha's Vineyard.
How I Lost Thousands of Dollars, Or: What Is Free?
Do you ever feel pressure to give away your time or skills for free? This article explains why and how to stop doing that, and instead, start getting value for all the value you give. This piece is particularly relevant to women, and those in helping careers.
How to do a Clothing Swap: Save Money and Get FREE New Outfits
This is a step by step guide to getting a closet full of FREE new clothes that you love and picked, while moving the parts of your wardrobe that you don't like anymore a new home. Oh, and yes, that is a woman pretending to be asleep on a massive mountain of clothing during a real clothing swap.
Two Secrets on How to Save Money on a Wedding
This article could save you over $3,000 on wedding expenses, and no one will even realize the small changes you made to do it!
What "Influence" REALLY Means, and its Best Synonym
In this early 21st century zone, much thought is given to what influences us, whether we are influencers, and what influence even is. Live better by understanding this synonym for the concept! It may ease your mind.
How to Use Museums to Connect or Reconnect With People
Looking for a catalyst to break the ice with someone you've been wanting to connect or reconnect with? See this example from the Clark Museum in Western Massachusetts for ideas about how to use museum halls and walls as a catalyst to surmount our internal barriers.
How to Travel With a Baby: 11 Tips to Make it Easy
Traveling with an infant is rarely easy, but in some ways, it's simpler than a toddler. In this article, get ideas on what to pack, how to stay prepared, and what to do so that everyone can have the most relaxed and enjoyable trip possible.
Travel With a Toddler: 11 Tips To Make it Less Insane
One of the most challenging traveling feats is taking a trip with a toddler. Learn almost a dozen concrete strategies here for how to do it with minimal tears -- either yours or your child's.
Pregnant AND Toddler: 17 Tips to Help Home and Travel
Oh wait -- did I say travel with a toddler was one of the most challenging feats? What about doing that all while PREGNANT? Here is a detailed list ways to make life at home and on the road better, should you be in this intense situation.
A Secret To Happy Pregnancy From West Africa Travel
This piece of advice was the single most useful thing to get me through both pregnancies. It's a mindshift that can be challenging at first, but makes total sense, and is deeply effective.
Getting the First Passport for Your Child: A Warning
We ran into a shocking number of issues in trying to get the first passport for our baby and toddler. The problems and solutions are listed here so that you can avoid them.
How to Use Timeshare Pitches for Travel but Avoid Buying
Because of the polarizing nature of timeshares, this is one of the most controversial articles I've written, but it's worth it to check out if you're considering on doing one of those deals where you get "free" or discount travel in exchange for sitting through a timeshare pitch, or if you're considering whether a timeshare is worth it to you.
What is Too Sick to Travel?
At what point are you so sick that you need to cancel a trip? Here is an example from my shocking turn of events around a big Peru trip, along with a very important warning about travel insurance.
10 Ways to Be Productive and Organize Time
This list of ways to get things DONE has some surprising tips...
How to Pose for Pictures: Female Performativity
Have you ever thought about why people pose for photos the way they do? Take a moment with this article to consider why you've chosen your pose, and why other poses might be useful as well.
Daily Inspiration Which Actually Helps: 11 Ideas
This end-of-year journal reflection provides a concrete list of eleven ways to make your year better than the last.
Teamwork Skills: Working Together Well. (Fun Video!)
Looking for a funny video which can be used to teach middle school students, teens, or even adults how to avoid pitfalls of group work and collaboration? Check this out...
Be Creative: 40 Art Prompts for Drawing Inspiration
These drawing and art prompts from around the world are designed to help get your creative juices flowing... and also serve as a cyber tour of some of the most beautiful sights in countries and cities I've visited.
How to Pack Light With Multi-Purpose, Reversible Clothes
The style of clothing that can be worn inside out as well as for multiple purposes is intriguing, and can be nice for packing less on trips.
What is it Like to Be on a Reality Show?
Experiences on reality shows vary WILDLY, but our wedding being on one ended up being fun and interesting!
Big Life Change? Feeling Crazy? Why Travel Can Help.
When grappling with intense feelings or life shifts, getting out of one's normal geographical region can provide much-needed perspective and revitalization.
What is a Liminal Space, and Why is it So Powerful?
The concept of liminality can be profoundly helpful in identifying and appreciating the in-between spaces in the literal and emotional world.
How to Stop Minor Addiction Through Replacement
Research about ways to stop doing something you can't seem to pause suggests that this replacement method works in certain instances. Here's an example of how I replaced game addiction with... blogging!
Juxtaposition Examples and Sentences: Fun and Useful!
When you understand the concept of juxtaposition, it opens up a whole world of enjoying life -- and taking better photos! See real-life examples from around the world here.
How Travel Can Find and Build Love (and Led to Our Marriage!)
There are many reasons to adore exploring the world, but a compelling one is illustrated by this story: Travel can help open the heart for love.
Why You CAN Draw Well, and Why Dumb Doesn't Exist
Take heart! Anything you think you're "bad at" may not actually be so bad. Check out these examples from the worlds of art and "smarts." There is always room for hope and growth, so be kind to yourself and dive in again!
Bonus Life Lessons
My other site, Teaching Traveling, helps people combine travel and global education. Here are some of the most useful life improvement opportunities from it.
24 FREE Teacher Travel Opportunities
Did you know there are hundreds of grants and programs for educators (teachers, administrators, and more) to learn for FREE in another place? Here is the most popular article of all time on Teaching Traveling, which highlights two dozen alluring opportunities.
How to Avoid Offensive Microaggressions
This cartoon lesson and video is useful to teach the concept of microagressions to kids or adults. It explains their definition, why they're hurtful, and how to avoid them.
Why Diversity is Important, and 8 Ways Programs Can Achieve It
This article looks at a case study of how one program increased its inclusiveness and diversity, then examines the wide-reaching benefits this brings, citing some fascinating recent studies.
REAL Teacher Appreciation: 200 Travel and Funding Opportunities!
Looking for a gift for Teacher Appreciation Day or Week? Mugs are nice... but even nicer is selecting a FREE travel opportunity from this giant list, and helping your favorite educator win it!
How to Quit Coffee: Benefits and Caffeine Withdrawal Help
This highly useful tutorial is from my newest site, DrawingsOf.com, and gives a detailed guide (with drawings illustrating the process!) of how to taper down to quit coffee, with an explanation for why it might be a good choice.
Which of these Lessons Can YOU Bring to Life?
Phew — that was a lot of ideas! If you want even more, check out my accounts of our head lice treatment experience, and my recent musings (after a year-long leave of absence from teaching) about work-life balance.
Which of these life lessons applies to what you’re hoping to shift or expand, and which are you curious to try? If you have tried any, how did they go, and what would you add or alter so we can all enjoy better and better living? Do share!

Want more life lessons? Check out “What to Say to Someone Getting a Divorce.”

The author, Lillie Marshall, is a 6-foot-tall National Board Certified Teacher of English, fitness fan, and mother of two who has been a public school educator since 2003. She launched Around the World “L” Travel and Life Blog in 2009, and over 4.2 million readers have now visited this site. Lillie also runs TeachingTraveling.com and DrawingsOf.com. Subscribe to her monthly newsletter, and follow @WorldLillie on social media!
Janice Lindwall
Sunday 3rd of November 2019
Lillie, You are amazing. So positive, full of life and enthusiastic. Its infectious! And you do all this while teaching, parenting and being a wonderful companion with your husband, Colin. Whew! Keep me signed up please. Can't wait to read more.
Lillie Marshall
Sunday 3rd of November 2019
Janice, Thank you so much for taking the time to write this lovely comment! I really appreciate it. Have a great week!