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3 Reasons Why Introverts Build Stronger Relationships

November 29, 2022 by Lakeisha Ethans

Introverts usually get a bad reputation. They are often seen as stuck up and unapproachable. Many believe mistakenly believe they isolate themselves because they see themselves as better than others. But all these things couldn’t be farther from the truth. Introverts aren’t moody and selfish. They are people who, for whatever reason, like to keep to themselves but know how to maintain healthy relationships.

And the misunderstandings don’t stop there. For obvious reasons, introverts aren’t seen as the best people around. They aren’t considered strong friends because they can be flaky. Sure, they have a lot of quirks, and sometimes they might be an acquired taste, but that doesn’t mean they’re bad friends. Not only that, but introverts are the people who can make stronger, more meaningful connections than extroverts.

That doesn’t mean that extroverts can’t develop strong bonds with others. It’s just that introverts usually choose not to keep people in their lives when their bond isn’t strong. They aren’t the type of people to have dozens of casual acquaintances. There’s nothing wrong with casual connections, but that’s not how introverts operate. Because of their personality type, they prefer to keep their circle small and tight. So, they naturally gravitate toward people they can develop stronger connections.

Not only that, but they are also the type of people to work harder to make sure the relationship is meaningful. It’s not all bad to be introverted. And contrary to popular belief, if you are introverted, you’re not doomed to a lifetime of loneliness. Of course, you might never have a big friend group and won’t jump from one partner to another. But that’s not a bad thing. In the long term, it’s better to have a small but tight circle than to struggle to balance dozens of people.

Why are People Introverted?

Being introverted is a personality trait, much like being loud or outgoing is. Introversion focuses on one’s internal feelings rather than the outside world. So, introverts spend much time in their world, concerned with their thoughts and emotions. They don’t seek stimulation from external sources. That means they are content with being alone and doing something they love rather than always hanging out with others.

They prefer staying in bed, reading a good book, rather than having to do something they don’t enjoy with many other people. It’s not that they don’t like people because that’s not the case. However, they are much more selective than extroverts regarding which people they choose to have around. For introverts, doing a pleasant activity they genuinely enjoy is more important than having dozens of people around.

Introverts are usually quiet and reserved and like to keep to themselves. They also tend to be introspective. Because of how much time they spend analyzing all their thoughts, they end up more in tune with themselves. Their introspection helps them understand their feelings better than most other people do. As a result, they know what they want and need and have time to work towards achieving those goals. It’s also important to note that introverts avoid having a lot of social interactions because it drains them.

Extroverts tend to gain energy when they are around a lot of people. But for introverts, it’s the exact opposite. After hanging out with many people, they need to come home and recharge. If you have an introverted friend who always seems to come up with an excuse not to hang out, that’s why. Sometimes, they just need to be alone and do something relaxing.

How the Brain Processes Introversion

Introversion is a personality trait that usually develops due to genetics and environment. It’s been shown that the brains of introverts differ from those of extroverts. For example, introverts have a higher blood flow to the frontal lobe than extroverts. Plus, their brains react differently to dopamine. Both introverts and extroverts have the same amount of dopamine.

The chemical stimulates the reward center of an extrovert’s brain and makes them feel excited. But it just makes introverts feel tired and run down. While some biological factors make people more reserved, your environment can factor in more. How you were raised, and your past experiences will shape your personality. So, if you struggled to make friends when you were younger, it’s no surprise you’ll feel more comfortable being alone as you grow up.

Or, if your parents mistreat you, you’ll likely find it challenging to make dozens of friends. Likewise, the things that happened in the past will shape you. Your past experiences determine your hobbies, personality, and dreams. So, if you prefer introspection over partying, the reason lies somewhere in your past.

3 Reasons Why Introverts Build Stronger Relationships

1. They are Emotionally Mature

Because introverts spend so much time on introspection, they tend to be more in tune with their emotions than others. They understand why they have certain coping mechanisms, what ticks them off, and what makes them happy. Understanding how your emotions work is crucial to any relationship, but most people don’t try to do that.

For example, extroverts don’t spend time internalizing their emotions. Sometimes, if they are dealing with an issue, they prefer to ignore it and hang out with someone. Even if they face that issue, they are used to relying on others to get over it. But introverts are used to solving their issues alone, making them much more emotionally mature.

Sure, you don’t need to be emotionally mature to have friends. But, when it comes to deeper connections, it’s a must. Whether the relationship is platonic or romantic, it will be stronger if the people involved can understand each other. And it helps introverts can understand and empathize with what others are going through.

They won’t ever make you feel guilty for being mad or upset. Plus, introverts are some of the most supportive people out there. They’ll cheer you on no matter what you choose to pursue.

2. They are Great at Communicating

Another attribute that helps introverts create strong bonds is their excellent communication skills. This stems from their emotional maturity and the fact that they are great listeners. An introvert won’t ever monopolize the conversation. They will always let you talk and ask follow-up questions to ensure they have all the facts. You’ll unlikely get into a disagreement with an introvert over a miscommunication.

And, even if you do, you won’t ever have to worry about them flipping out when you bring it up. You can talk to them about anything, and they won’t get mad at you for starting the conversation. Being able to talk properly is essential for any strong relationship. When you can openly communicate, you’ll be on the same page. There won’t be any misunderstandings that tamper with the integrity of the bond.

You’ll have time to talk about meaningful things when you don’t have to spend all your time fixing petty squabbles. Contrary to popular opinion, it’s not time that makes a relationship strong. You could have known someone for over ten years, but that doesn’t mean you are close. Or, you could have met someone you already have a connection with just a few months ago.

That’s because a bond is created through communication. An introvert will always be there to talk about whatever you need. They don’t try to keep the subjects light and fluffy. They like getting into deeper topics and getting to know the other person.

3. They Will Always Make Time for You

One of the nicest perks about having an introvert as a friend or a partner is that they will always make time for you. An extrovert will always have tons of social commitments. As a result, you’re not likely to have a strong connection with someone who barely has time for you. And that’s not because extroverts are bad people or don’t want to make time for you.

It’s just that they usually juggle so many groups that they simply don’t have time to create meaningful bonds. But this will never be an issue with an introvert. They understand the value of spending one-on-one time with someone. Introverts are the people who will always make time for you when you need them. They’ll make the time if you need someone to help you move. They’ll be there if you need someone to help you with a rough patch.

Because they keep their circle small, they don’t have a packed calendar at all times. And they are always down to make sacrifices if that means they can spend more time with you. Because they care so much about the people in their lives, they’ll always be up for doing things with you. They’ll be the first to accept going on a cross-country trip with you if they can make you happy. Introverts are reliable, and you’ll find that, in no time, they’ll become an indispensable part of your life.

Final Thoughts on Reasons Why Introverts Build Stronger Relationships

Even though introverts have a terrible reputation and are seen as broody loners, they are the most supportive and open-minded people you’ll meet. If you want to make sure you have strong relationships with people, you should gravitate toward introverts. And, if you are an introvert, you don’t need to worry if you don’t have a lot of people around you. For introverts, the importance of interpersonal relationships doesn’t lie in numbers. It lies in the strong bond between them and the people in your life. They will always choose to have fewer true friends rather than dozens of acquaintances.

Introverts are very emotionally mature and have excellent communication skills. They are great listeners and will always support you, no matter what. Plus, they will always make time for you. They are always ready to make sacrifices to ensure that your connection grows stronger by the day. You only need to worry about them getting closed off, in which case you need to lend them a hand. Otherwise, they are the kindest, most reliable people you’ll meet.

Psychology Explains How Emotional Competence Makes A Relationship Last

November 28, 2022 by Lakeisha Ethans

Emotional competence might be a familiar term thatnobody ever fully explained to you. And that’s because emotions aren’t something that people are taught to discuss and interpret. The world is too focused on pragmatic things, such as careers and money. Unfortunately, many people seem to think that material possessions are the only things that can improve your life. You should be happy with your life if you have a lovely house and a good car.

The thing is, people are social creatures. Sure, because we live in a society we need money and we need to work. But fundamentally, we need to create connections and socialize. And one of the most important types of connections people will form throughout their lives is a romantic one. Let’s face it; people love to be in love. But many don’t know how to create a lasting bond with someone.

And this is because, even in relationships, they focus on the material or superficial aspects. You want someone good-looking, who has a stable and comfortable life. And you think that getting that will automatically lead to love. Even if that’s not the case, and you are looking for a real connection without caring about the superficial aspects, you will still struggle. Most people are taught how to open up and communicate.

They aren’t told how to process their emotions and empathize with others. This means that you’ll meet great hurdles in your relationships. You are likely to have a lot of miscommunications and struggle to understand the other. Ultimately, you will not likely have a lasting relationship without working on your emotional competence. But what is emotional competence? And how can you use it to strengthen the bond between you and your partner?

What is Emotional Competence?

Emotional competence refers to one’s ability to understand and regulate their emotions. It’s derived from emotional intelligence, often defined as the ability to identify emotions. This concept is about making sense of your feelings before understanding others’ emotions. It’s important to realize that you can’t truly be empathetic if you don’t even understand what you are going through.

But, more than that, it’s about controlling your emotions. Everyone will go through the whole emotional spectrum throughout their lives. You’ll be happy, sad, angry, confused, and everything. But, say you get mad at someone. You might feel inclined to scream and make a scene. But emotional competence is about controlling yourself and regulating that anger.

How Emotions Alter Emotional Competence

Another critical aspect of emotional competence relates to expressing one’s emotions. Unfortunately, many of us have been raised in an environment where showing emotions was not encouraged. Not only that but this expression was often suppressed. If you cried as a child, chances are your parents told you to stop crying and be quiet. This parenting style isn’t even a malicious one. Your parents didn’t want to harm your emotional development.

But they were raised the same way, which made them believe that’s the best way to raise a child. Not understanding emotions is something that society struggles with. And these destructive behaviors have created a vicious cycle from which few people can break free. This means that most children grow up without ever learning how to express themselves. So, when they are sad, they don’t communicate and try to be proactive in finding a solution.

Instead, they isolate themselves. When angry, they don’t know how to calm down and let go of whatever made them mad. Almost everyone has developed unhealthy coping mechanisms. But emotional competence can teach you how to change those behaviors and express yourself better.

Social vs. Emotional Competence

Lastly, emotional competence has a social aspect. Sure, essential parts of this concept refer to the individual and how they can understand their own emotions. But social competence is also important, as it refers to how you interact with others on an emotional level. Essentially, social competence is about how well you can empathize with others.

Most people make the mistake of always putting their emotions above others’. But that’s unhealthy and will not allow you to create healthy connections. Instead, you need to learn to listen and honestly try to understand what others are trying to express.

How Emotional Competence Makes A Relationship Last

1. It Helps You Be Emotionally Balanced

Many couples struggle with how well each partner is well-adjusted and can balance their emotions. If you’ve been in a committed relationship, you have lived through petty fights caused by seemingly nothing. Those fights usually happen because one of you got mad at something unrelated to the relationship and decided to yell at your partner just because.

Or maybe one of you felt depressed and isolated, making the other mad. Not knowing how to regulate and express your emotions will always cause issues that should have never been there in the first place. This is why many couples break up, even if the relationship is going well. Because they aren’t balanced as individuals, this will affect their relationship.

But emotional competence can help you find the balance you need. You need to work on yourself and understand your emotions better. Figure out what your triggers are. If you introspect, you’ll figure out what makes you mad, saddens you, and makes you happy.

As soon as you understand where your emotions are coming from, you can start to regulate them. Learn how to compartmentalize and manage what you feel. For example, if you get angry at work, never let that anger spill into the relationship. Instead, go for a walk, cool off and then come back home and continue spending quality time with your partner.

2. It Helps You Communicate

Misunderstandings often cause the downfall of relationships. For example, you might feel jealous of how much your partner spends with someone. But you might think that sharing that will only make you seem crazy. The more you try to suppress that feeling, the likelier it’ll be that it will eventually boil over, and you won’t be able to control it anymore. And this will likely result in a huge fight or even in you feeling cheated on.

But the thing is, your partner can’t reassure you if they don’t even know that you are feeling jealous. And this logic doesn’t only apply to jealousy. It’s the same for all feelings. So, you need to understand that sharing how you feel and communicating are essential steps to processing your emotions. Emotional competence is all about communicating in a healthy way. This is important mainly because it can be hard to make sense of your feelings alone.

Telling your partner how you feel means that they can help you navigate and process everything. Plus, when you tell them if something is bothering you, there will be no miscommunications. For example, say you don’t like that they leave the toilet seat up. Better tell them now so they can change that behavior than allow this to become a real issue.

And the same goes for telling them things you like. The more you know about each other, the stronger your bond will be. Make sure you also tell them they can talk to you about everything. Communication should never be one-sided. When you can speak freely about your feelings and work through your issues as a team, your relationship will last.

3. It Helps You Be More Empathetic

As explained previously, emotional competence primarily deals with how an individual manages emotions. But the social aspect is still relevant. Learning to be empathetic and understanding your emotions is vital in any relationship. Unfortunately, many couples fail because their partners are too individualistic. They only care about their emotions and give little to no regard to how the other feels.

Or they minimize what the other is going through. For example, how often have you been told by a partner that your work issue is not a big deal, especially compared to what they’re going through at work? And how many times have you said something similar to your partner? Things like these can create an irreparable dent in your relationships and ultimately lead to a breakup. This is why empathy is a key factor in any lasting relationship.

But you cannot be empathetic if you don’t understand your emotions. So, by improving your emotional competence and being more introspective, you can learn more about feelings. But understanding your emotions is just the starting point. After you do that, you need to understand your partner’s particular triggers and emotions.

And the best way to do this is by simply listening to them. When they are trying to tell you something, don’t interrupt them. Instead, allow them to finish and ask additional questions to understand their perspective better. Even if you disagree, you at least need to understand. After all, you are not in a position to decide how the other should feel. If they are being unreasonable, tell them that.

But always try to work towards solving the issue instead of minimizing their feelings and putting them down. And always remember to look at both perspectives. You’ll find that, by doing this, you’ll strengthen the bond you have with your partner, and you’ll avoid unnecessary fights.

Final Thoughts on How Emotional Competence Makes A Relationship Last

Relationships are always hard, and they require a lot of work. You must learn to work through your differences and mesh your lives together. But they can become easier to manage if the partners understand how to analyze and manage their emotions. This is where emotional competence comes in handy.

Not many people know about this concept, but ensuring your relationship will last is very useful. It can teach you how to understand and manage your emotions, so they don’t interfere with the relationship’s well-being. It also helps you communicate more efficiently and find healthy ways to discuss your feelings.

Lastly, it can help you empathize more and find a deeper understanding of what your partner is going through. All these aspects will strengthen your bond, ensuring that the relationship will pass the test of time.

Positive Psychologist Explains 3 Ways to Be Happier

November 28, 2022 by Sarah Barkley

Everyone has different dreams, but positive psychologists have determined that the underlying goal is to be happy. Being happy might involve various things for everyone, but it doesn’t have to be hard.

Everyone might give different answers if you ask people what they want in life. They might say they want a better job, a bigger house, or closer relationships with loved ones. However, while these answers sound different, they all lead to happiness.

Finding happiness usually occurs when you least expect it. The feeling can come and go, but that doesn’t mean you’re unhappy during the off times. Instead, it means you must stick to the habits and routines that lead to things that make you happy.

Some people believe happiness is a mood or emotional state. Others think it is a mindset or overall feeling of contentment and satisfaction. However, it’s best to think of happiness as something you must actively work to create.

How to Be Happier, According to a Positive Psychologist

You can’t expect to feel cheerful and content daily because it’s not always realistic. However, finding positive ways to spend your time and fulfill your purpose can help you experience happiness. It’s all about making changes in your routine and mindset that foster frequent feelings of satisfaction.

Positive Psychologist Sasha Heinz, Ph.D., weighed in on how to be happier in a recent article in Mind, Body, Green. She offers several myths about happiness that you should learn to think about differently. However, based on the myths, these are the three things you can do to be happier:

Plan for What Won’t Work

While it’s essential to believe in yourself and hope for good things, you also must plan for what won’t work. A little pessimism can help you adjust your plan to accommodate reality. Planning for how to overcome potential obstacles improves your chances of accomplishing your goals.

A positive psychologist would say you should still be optimistic and consider the benefits of your journey but keeping obstacles in mind helps. It allows you to experience mindful thinking because things don’t always work out perfectly.

If you plan for obstacles, you won’t be disappointed when they occur. Plus, you’ll feel even more satisfied if the hardship didn’t happen because you expected it would. Either way, planning for what could go wrong will help you on your path to finding happiness.

Considering what will go wrong and planning for the situation helps get you to take action. It can be good for your motivation and helps you accomplish your goal.

How to do This

Focus on Your Creativity

When you think of how you can do things differently, you’ll come up with ways to overcome obstacles. You might avoid some hardship if you do things creatively rather than following the norm.

Find Learning Opportunities in Every Hardship

Happy people aren’t those who experience less hardship. Instead, they are the ones who find the learning opportunity in every situation. They look for lessons or meaning in everything that doesn’t go how they’d hoped it would.

Finding the learning opportunity doesn’t mean you’re always happy about the situation. You might feel angry or heartbroken, but you still think about what you can learn. It gives you hope that you’ll do better next time or that things will be okay.

Find Ways to Grow

According to this positive psychologist, finding ways to grow is one of the ways to find happiness. Some of us believe that personal growth is a personality trait and wish we could do it. However, personal growth is a choice anyone can make if they set their mind to it.

Everyone can experience growth, but they must decide to take the necessary steps. You can use the tools you have to develop your skills and become a better version of yourself.

If you ever feel stuck in life, consider taking steps to develop who you are right now. The potential is there if you’re willing to look within.

How to do This

Walk Away from Your Electronics

Research shows that Americans spend between 12 and 17 hours daily on an electronic device. It can increase the risk of physical and mental health issues, diminishing self-esteem and increasing your risk of anxiety and depression.

When you turn off the electronics, it can help you focus on the present. You can engage in hobbies, social activities, and other activities that bring joy.

If you can’t disconnect from your devices for an extended time, you can set specific times during the day. It gives you a break from electronics while encouraging you to think about what makes you happy.

Look for Meaning

Looking for meaning gives you a sense of purpose in your life. It helps you find comfort and hope, allowing you to believe in the universe. A positive psychologist would encourage this type of mindful thinking to help you find positivity in the little things.

Looking for meaning encourages you to focus on what matters most, inspiring happiness and purpose. It also allows you to understand obstacles and hardships. You’ll have a better idea of where to head next when you know the meaning of your situation.

Accept New Experiences

A positive psychologist would explain how new experiences can release dopamine, a feel-good chemical that triggers happiness. You can achieve these feelings by bringing adventure into your life through travel, exploring hobbies, or trying something new. It helps you feel good about who you are, making you happier and more confident.

Set Goals

Goals help you envision positive versions of who you are. You can think of the best version of your future, helping you stay motivated to achieve it. It gives you a sense of meaning and direction toward where you’re heading next.

When you have goals, it allows for greater life satisfaction. Set goals that promote long-term happiness and quality of life. These things should improve your overall well-being and help you remember your purpose.

Change Your Habits

Your habits often determine your happiness levels. A positive psychologist would advise that looking for simple happiness routes won’t always help because it involves changing your habits. It takes effort and isn’t a simple hack that can change your life.

If you want to experience happiness, you must continually work for it. It requires identifying the areas of your life that could use some work. Then, you can shift your habits to make the necessary changes.

How to do This

Prioritize Your Health by Developing Healthy Eating and Sleeping Habits

You’re more likely to have positive mental health if you have good physical health. Focus on getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, and staying active. Living a healthy lifestyle allows you to experience the good aspects of life and look for positivity in all situations.

Without enough sleep, you might experience depression and poor sleep. Consider aiming for seven to nine hours of sleep each night to feel positivity throughout the day. If your body feels good, you’re more likely to experience happiness.

Express Gratitude

Appreciating what you have can help you find happiness in life. When you express gratitude for what you have, you’ll recognize that there is more to life than your issues. Consider starting a gratitude journal to write the things you’re thankful for.

Think About What Matters Most and Make Time for It

Take the time to consider what matters most to you in life. When you focus on these things and make time for them, you’ll experience more happiness. It’s easy to take these things for granted, but shifting your habits and prioritizing them can make a difference.

Think about the job you have and the one you desire. You can also consider how happy you are in your marriage or if you’re parenting in a way that makes you feel good. Focusing on the things that bring happiness can help you be happier in life.

You can start by listing what means the most to you. Think about things that make you happy, people you love, and finding meaningful activities you enjoy. When you focus on what you love, it helps you find happiness in each day.

What Is a Positive Psychologist?

Positive psychologists define the practice as one that helps people thrive. It allows people to build on their strengths and improve their positive experiences. Focusing on positive psychology makes you more likely to experience happiness and life satisfaction.

Positive psychologists also focus on the following:

contentment
life satisfaction
creativity
gratitude
optimism
wisdom
courage
love
awe

This practice focuses on how you feel right now and how you view your overall life. It also affects how you view work, relationships, finances, and health.

Positive Psychologists Explain Why Finding Happiness is Essential

Finding happiness requires looking within and taking action to achieve the life you want. It isn’t about having everything in life because you must continually act on it. Working toward happiness is essential because it can:

improve your physical health
promote immune function
help you lead a longer life
encourage creativity
improve success at work
influence better decision-making
lead to higher quality relationships with friends and your partner
help you feel connected to the community
influence healthy coping

Final Thoughts on a Positive Psychologist Explaining Three Ways to Be Happier

As the positive psychologist explains, there are things you can do to be happier. Happiness can improve all areas of your life and help you look for the good when hardship arises. Life isn’t always easy, but you can experience life satisfaction.

Taking action to find happiness might make you uncomfortable, but it’s worth it. When you choose to work actively for joy, you can begin to see all the good around you.

Women Who Released Self-Doubt Explain How to Do It

November 28, 2022 by Kristen Lawrence

Self-doubt can paralyze you with fear and make you second-guess every choice you make. Everyone questions themselves at times, but when it happens often, it can cause stagnation and mental problems. Sometimes, we’re our worst enemies because we overthink everything and never feel good enough despite our achievements.

Unsurprisingly, women suffer from self-doubt more often than men. They tend to downplay their capabilities and don’t like to ruffle feathers like their male counterparts. In fact, a 2019 KPMG Women’s Leadership Study found that only 43% of women feel comfortable taking risks to advance their careers. Moreover, the research revealed that women’s risk-taking behaviors decline as they gain more experience, even as their confidence increases.

However, societal advancements have shown that women can accomplish anything if they believe in themselves. They no longer have rigid structures holding them back and can choose a new course for their life.

But getting rid of the negative voices in our heads doesn’t happen overnight. It takes determination and willpower to overcome self-doubt and honestly believe in our abilities. Hopefully, you will find encouragement from women who removed self-imposed limitations in these stories.

Five Successful Women Who Overcame Self-Doubt Reveal Their Secrets

1. Miyoko Schinner, Founder of Miyoko’s Creamery

Miyoko founded the plant-based dairy company in 2014 in her own kitchen. Since then, she’s been on a quest to create a more compassionate world while running a successful women-led business. She now sells her vegan cheese products in 29,000 North American and Australian stores. She encountered plenty of self-doubt along the way but didn’t let it hinder her progress.

In an interview with Plant Based News, she said, “We women are at times our own worst enemy. We’ve come to believe that we’re not good enough, that the man in the room knows how to run things. I’ve learned that it’s not true.

“So many times, I’ve doubted myself, given away my power. Only, in the end, to discover that I had known all along how to do something. I’m learning — as I age — to rely on my instincts and intuition more and more, and take command and lead,” she continued.

2. Jennifer Lopez

Even celebrities aren’t immune from self-doubt and negative thoughts about themselves. After Jennifer landed a role in the film Second Act, she told Thrive Global how she manifested her dreams despite others’ criticism.

She said, “I just kept going. You ask me what I did? Despite the hurt and the pain, I just kept going.” She took her own advice and made more records and movies even though some doubted her talent. After learning to trust in her abilities, she said, “I started believing in the fact that I wasn’t an impostor, that I wasn’t a fake, that there was a reason I kept doing this and people kept hiring me.”

3. Arleen Ouzounian, founder and CEO of Nazani Tea

Running a business comes with numerous challenges and anxiety-inducing scenarios. However, the founder of Nazani Tea believes that following your passion gives you the strength to overcome any problems. The herbal-infusion brand sets itself apart by using ethically sourced, sustainable ingredients. Arleen attributes the company’s success in recent years to responsible business practices prioritizing the environment and human health.

In an interview with Entrepreneur, she said, “There will always be moments of self-doubt and back-to-back days where you feel you’re constantly fighting fires, but with perseverance and sheer determination the pieces of the puzzle will fall into place.”

4. Rosie, stylist

Unfortunately, many women suffer from low self-esteem, especially after having children. They begin losing their identity as life becomes more about motherhood than personal development. In an interview with Marie Claire, 37-year-old stylist Rosie told her story about overcoming self-doubt and launching her own business.

“I was badly bullied at school, and I didn’t realise how much it shaped me. I always had self-doubt. Things came to a head after I had my second child and was re-evaluating my career. I realised I wasn’t alone — so many women forget about themselves in motherhood and start feeling worthless,” she said in the interview.

To help women feel more confident, she launched a personal styling business €” My Virtual Stylist. It aims to help women feel more comfortable in their skin and find a style that suits them best. Rosie added that self-love and compassion opened up new doors in her life that wouldn’t have been available otherwise.

5. Georgia, student

In the same interview with Marie Claire, Georgia talked about how she overcame anxiety as a school captain. One time, she had to give a speech to 1000 people and began doubting herself. She wondered why anyone would listen to her, but all the insecurities melted away once she got on stage. She remembered a quote that her mom would always tell her: “Feel the fear and do it anyway.”

Since then, the quote has become her life motto, and she often takes on challenging roles to test her abilities. She believes that leadership is like a muscle; for it to grow, you must exercise it often.

If you struggle with self-doubt, these stories will hopefully instill confidence. Remember, as Eleanor Roosevelt said, no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.

Final Thoughts on How Successful Women Overcame Self-Doubt

Self-doubt plagues all of us at some point in life. But it isn’t the feeling that matters so much as how we act on it. We lose faith in ourselves if we allow fear and anxiety to control us. But we can achieve anything by working through our doubts and using positive thoughts. Fear drains our willpower and makes us hide from life. On the other hand, self-confidence (even if you fake it at first) can move mountains.

If you ever feel self-doubt, use these stories above for a confidence booster!

Research Links Inflammatory Disease to Circadian Rhythm

November 26, 2022 by Chris Butler

Did you realize that all your body’s systems run on an internal clock? It’s called your circadian rhythm, and you’ve probably read about its relationship to sleep. However, other bodily functions take direction from this unique 24-hour schedule. When your body deviates from this routine, it can cause inflammatory disease.

People who stay in sync with these natural rhythms usually enjoy overall well-being. However, internal or external glitches can manifest in physical and mental health issues. Medical experts are researching human circadian rhythms and how they impact autoimmune responses like inflammatory diseases.

Discovering the Genetic Clock

The daily revolution of the sun helped to hardwire the human internal clock. The earliest humans evolved as hunters and gathers, so they needed daylight to find food, water, and shelter.

Before discovering fire, the moon and stars were the only beacons in the darkness and only on clear nights. For them, darkness held life-threatening hazards and fear of the unknown.

So, it stands to reason that humans prefer sleeping at night and being awake during the day. Many animals evolved with this day/night balance, except for nocturnal ones. You’re probably most familiar with this circadian rhythm.

The word “circadian” comes from Latin words meaning “about a day.” According to an article published by Biomed Journal, it was first studied and documented in 1729 by Jacques d’Ortous de Mairan, a French astronomer. Mairan studied a mimosa plant and discovered a definitive pattern of opening and closing its leaves daily.

About two centuries later, a German biologist named Erwin Bünning continued Mairan’s work and suggested that this rhythm operated in 24-hour intervals. He also found that this genetic trait could be inherited with the same response. Bünning attributed this natural phenomenon to an internal clock.

A report published by Quanta Magazine explains that interest in this biological schedule continued into later decades of the 20th century. Thanks to molecular and genetic studies advances, researchers used fruit fly DNA to isolate the 24-hour time-keeping gene. Later research linked it to the human circadian rhythm.

What Makes You Tick?

This personalized timer automatically resets every 24 hours. It helps regulate your brain and other body systems, such as mental and physical states. The clock also has a substantial influence on your behavioral and mood changes.

When you hear the term circadian rhythm, you probably assume it’s referring to your sleep/wake cycle. It’s the most recognized and discussed by experts and in the media. This biological day/night cycle is why you feel energized during the day and get sleepy at night.

However, these daily cycles affect other vital functions in your body. They help digestion, immunity functions, hormonal activity, and body temperature maintenance. Your whole body feels the effects when you’re off the usual routine.

Is This Cycle Linked to Inflammatory Disease?

Not only does your internal clock help regulate sleep and other functions, but it also plays a role in inflammation. Think of your brain as the master clock linked to minute clocks in every cell. It makes sense that it would also affect the activity of your white blood cells and other immune cells.

A small cut on your finger is one of the best examples to understand inflammation. The second your nerve endings register their pain and injury to your brain, your immune system kicks into action. Soldier white blood cells rush to the site to destroy any invading bacteria or microbes.

The brain directs more blood flow to your finger, healing immunity cells and protein. It causes the area around the cut to be swollen, warm, and reddened, hence the word “inflamed.” Your immune system will diligently guard the injury from infection until it heals.

In this sense, inflammation is your ally. It may be painful and unsightly, but it promotes healing and will soon pass. You can also experience this immunity response because of internal injuries or infections.

How does your body know when to produce immunity cells and how to energize them? What helps control transmission on the vast highways of brain cells, neurons, and immunity cells? They follow the natural rhythm of your internal clock.

Inflammatory Disease Gone Wild

Some automatic modes in your body fire up for emergencies, like survival mode. When your life is in danger, this instinct prepares you to fight, run, faint, or freeze with an influx of stress hormones. If you’re in a chronic state of stress, the overflow of adrenaline and cortisol can cause serious health problems.

Likewise, your inflammation response isn’t supposed to be perpetual. For unclear reasons, some people’s immunity system is on autopilot. Your body begins to attack itself and may develop an inflammatory disease.

These conditions become signs and symptoms in a plethora of identified autoimmune disorders. Some common ones include Type 1 diabetes, lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Crohn’s disease.

Although these severe disorders affect different body parts, nearly all chronic inflammation is a common denominator. Instead of acting as a defense, inflammatory disease can destroy cells and, eventually, organs and other tissues.

Isn’t It About Time?

Nobody knows exactly what causes autoimmune disorders or the accompanying inflammation. While many of these symptoms can often be managed, there are no cures at the moment. One possible gleam of hope may lie in how the internal clock interacts with your immune system.

Scientists have speculated that a glitch in this natural cycle may be partly to blame. Since immunity cells operate according to your daily rhythm, it stands to reason. A clock that isn’t running correctly can wreak havoc on a mechanical or biological process.

A break in the case may be a study conducted by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, published by Science Focus. The study focused on a protein found in white blood cells called macrophages. This protein is called BMAL1 and may manage the cell’s daily cycles.

The process included isolating immune cells from mice and manipulating the BMA1 in the variable collection. They discovered that when cells had less BMA1, they created a chemical reaction that caused inflammation.

Even though this study was conducted on mice, it may positively correlate with human subjects. The premise is that when your internal clock isn’t working correctly, your immune system can also become unbalanced. The article notes that more research is needed to define this link further.

How To Reset Your Clock and Avoid Inflammatory Disease

Your brain uses light, darkness, and other stimuli to prompt your automatic sleep/wake cycles. Even before humans had clocks and alarms, their internal clocks worked in harmony with nature. Modern technology and other external factors often motivate an unbalanced circadian rhythm.

If you have problems sleeping or battle health issues like inflammatory disease, maybe resetting your internal clock can help. You may also struggle with perpetual exhaustion, unexplained aches and pains, and general malaise. Here are some helpful hints to get your body, mind, and spirit back into sync.

1. Keep a Regular Sleep Schedule

Erratic schedules are one of the main reasons your internal clock is malfunctioning. Maybe you do shift work or a night owl with days and nights reversed. Either way, try to go to bed and wake simultaneously, even on weekends.

2. Watch What You Drink

Another reason your circadian cycle may be topsy-turvy is what you drink. If you need a morning cup of coffee, do it in moderation. Caffeine is a stimulant that can keep you running even when you’re ready for bed. Alcohol can also mess up your sleep schedule.

3. Darken Your Room

If your sleep schedule isn’t working efficiently, look at your bedroom. Turn out all the lights, and what do you see? The flashing alarm clock, cell phone light, and other little glares confuse your brain into thinking it’s morning. Do yourself a favor and keep your bedroom as dark as possible when sleeping.

4. Nap Smartly

There’s nothing wrong with taking a little siesta after a long day at work. Nor can anyone blame you for a leisurely Sunday snooze. However, napping too long can keep you awake all night, and then you’re in a slump the following day.

Enjoy your well-deserved naps at a maximum of thirty minutes. You’ll find that these little breaks can be healthy for you. Plus, they may also benefit your sleep hygiene.

5. Reduce Stress to Lessen Inflammatory Disease

You can’t eradicate every stress in your life, but you can keep it to a minimum. Try stress-busting activities like meditation, journaling, walking, or chatting with a friend. Stress is a massive contributor to sleepless nights, anxiety, and severe health conditions, like inflammatory disease.

Final Thoughts: Your Circadian Rhythm and Inflammatory Disease

Your body is an infinitely beautiful machine that often heals and maintains itself. If your circadian cycles are erratic, you may develop health issues like inflammatory disease. Science is just beginning to understand the vital links that naturally keep your body in balance, but it seems the circadian rhythm is behind many issues.

10 Habits to Help Heal from Divorce

November 26, 2022 by Sarah Barkley

Grief is an intense experience you shouldn’t try to suppress or ignore. It can hit you when you least expect it, and it’s best to allow yourself to feel the pain and cry it out. When you suppress the grief of divorce, it can worsen the situation and hinder your healing process.

When you work your way through the grief, it loses its power and control over your life. It will still feel all-consuming sometimes, but each process takes you another step in the right direction. There isn’t a magic solution to overcoming grief, and it’s a process that could take some time.

Sometimes, the thoughts and feelings that accompany being heartbroken make you feel like you can’t go on. You might feel like you can’t stop crying or like you can’t take care of yourself, but you will get through it. Remember that things will improve, though, and you are strong enough to get through this.

Ten Secrets to Heal from the Grief of Divorce

Ending a marriage also means changes in your daily tasks and events, making the grief overwhelm you at random moments. It’s hard to know what will trigger your emotions, but it gets more manageable, and there are some ways to overcome it sooner. Counselors have studied the situation and determined that grief is a natural reaction to divorce, and they’ve suggested a few ways to handle it.

1. Implement or Maintain Healthy Routines

Divorce causes many changes in your life, making it hard to think about healthy routines. The changes can throw you off and make it hard to stay grounded during the experience.

You can focus on taking care of yourself and improving your well-being with a routine. It doesn’t have to be complicated, and you can start with one or two new tasks in your routine.

Consider setting the alarm for the same time each morning, meditating, or eating breakfast. Adding one new aspect to your morning routine can help you make other beneficial changes, helping you feel better overall.

Implementing a bedtime routine is also highly beneficial when handling the grief of divorce. It’ll help you maintain your energy level and tackle your daily tasks.

2. Have Fun Despite the Grief of Divorce

When experiencing grief from a divorce, many negative memories will threaten to consume your thoughts. When you do things to have fun, it helps takes your mind off the negativity. Focusing on having a good time helps with the grief process in many ways.

The sooner you create new happy memories, the sooner you can experience joy again. You’re the only person who can fill your mind with positivity, so don’t waste any time before finding things to smile about. If you aren’t feeling up to doing much, even a walk outside can help you create a beautiful new memory.

Each time you experience a new moment of joy, it gives you more hope for the future. It helps you find a balance during a life change. You’ll find yourself laughing and smiling again, helping relieve the feelings of grief.

Without the bitterness of your loss overtaking your thoughts, your good memories won’t be ruined, either. One day, you’ll want to look back at the good times without having to experience the grief again.

3. Avoid Placing Blame

You won’t feel better if you waste your time and energy blaming someone for the divorce. It’s easy to blame your ex and think of reasons that the situation is their fault. Likewise, it’s easy to blame yourself and think of what you could have done differently.

While it is essential to reflect on and acknowledge your role, you can’t dwell on it. Use reflection for learning purposes only and move forward without blaming or judging yourself.

4. Stay Active to Manage the Grief of Divorce

You’ll have an easier time processing your emotions when your body is strong. Exercise gives you the energy to heal, promoting your overall well-being. Movement produces energy and strength, making it a beneficial way to handle the grief of a divorce.

If your body is weak and you don’t get moving, it’ll drain you physically, mentally, and emotionally. You’ll have difficulty focusing on how you can heal emotionally, hindering your grief process. However, staying active can help you feel better and overcome the situation.

You don’t have to do anything extreme to stay active. Keeping your body moving and blood circulating is easier than you think, and it prevents built-up emotions from being suppressed. Consider doing yoga or walking until you’re ready for something more.

Even low-impact exercise triggers your brain to release endorphins, hormones that promote happiness. You’ll quickly feel less anxious and depressed, helping you look for the good in your life again.

5. Write in a Journal as You Heal

Writing is one of the best ways to process your thoughts and feelings. You might write something vague at first, and suddenly it becomes multiple pages of words describing what’s running through your mind. It allows you to express your positive and negative thoughts, finding the balance that you desperately need during this time.

When you thoroughly process your thoughts, you’ll feel better and make more beneficial choices for your life. You have so much to work through during this time and need a neutral space to express your thoughts.

6. Forgive

Forgiveness is essential to the healing process and doesn’t condone negative behavior. Many people resist forgiving themselves or their ex because they think it means they are okay with what happened. However, forgiveness means acknowledging bad things that happened, and you aren’t letting them control you anymore.

7. Practice Meditation to Be Mindful of the Grief of Divorce

Meditation is a broad term that describes the quiet time to reflect and contemplate your thoughts. You can make your meditation sessions formal or informal and do them anywhere. Make it a point to schedule time each day to meditate, aiming for the same time if you can.

Meditation helps you process your thoughts and feelings, and it helps you become more open with yourself and others. It promotes positivity and hope for the future, helping you move forward and develop new experiences.

8. Surround Yourself with a Positive Support System

When you fill your life with people who value and support you, it will help you handle the grief of divorce. Look for people who lift you and make you feel energized. Consider your family, friends, neighbors, support group members, or anyone who brings joy to your life and wants what is best for you.

As you look for your positive support system, try not to get defeated if you lose a few people. It’s common to lose touch with certain people after splitting up, including friends you share with your ex. However, you can find new people to surround yourself with without connection to your pain.

While you might want to be self-reliant, there are times when you need someone. Be open about what you need from your support system, even if you need some company at home. If you don’t want advice, make it clear that you only need someone to listen so you can process.

9. Don’t Rush Into Another Relationship

Healing from the grief of divorce takes time, and rushing into romance won’t help. You must take time to regain your sense of self and learn to be happy on your own. More adults than ever are single, and statistics show a boost in happiness and health in those people.

Take as much time as you need to get over the anger of your divorce because another relationship won’t allow you to heal. Plus, spending time single can help you be the best version of yourself in your future relationship.

10. Practice Self-Care as You Heal From Divorce

The best way to handle the grief of divorce is by taking care of yourself. Be kind and compassionate to yourself, just like you would do for a friend or loved one coping with a divorce. Focus on positive thoughts and eliminate negative self-talk.

Additionally, you must eat nutritious food and get plenty of rest. Stay active during the day and do things you enjoy that bring happiness. Most importantly, say “no” when you don’t have the energy or time to do something you don’t want to do.

Be patient with yourself throughout the process because grieving takes time. There’s no set timeframe, so keep taking positive steps forward and focusing on taking care of yourself. Part of self-care is admitting when you need professional help, so don’t avoid therapy if you’re having a hard time.

Final Thoughts on Counselors Reveal Ten Secrets to Handle the Grief of Divorce

Coping with the grief of divorce takes time, and there’s no set timeline for getting over it. You’ll have good and bad days as you process and overcome your emotions. Be patient and take care of yourself every day, doing things that bring joy to your life.

By following these secrets to handling the grief of divorce, you’ll stay on the right track each day. It won’t be perfect, as you have much to learn, but it’ll make things easier to handle.

20 of the Most Memorable Quotes About Romance

November 26, 2022 by Sarah Barkley

When you’re in a deep romance, finding the right words to express the love you feel can be challenging. Quotes about romance can help you get your point across, and they’re a romantic gesture for your partner. There are many ways to show someone how much you care, and inspirational quotes are one of the best.

You want to share a message that shows the depth and meaning of how you feel about them. You might not know exactly what to say unless you’re a poet. Luckily, these quotes about romance can help you, and your partner will cherish the meaning.

You can memorize the lines and share these quotes with your partner in person. Or, you can send it in a text message or write it out in a note. No matter how you choose to share the quotes about romance, your partner will get butterflies and remember why they care for you.

Romance can be intense, and its feelings are sometimes difficult to explain. These quotes about romance can help you explain to your partner just how you feel, allowing them to understand. As you read through these inspirational quotes, keep your loved one in mind and share the ones that resonate the most.

Inspirational Quotes About Romance That Withstand the Test of Time

“In all the world, there is no heart for me like yours. In all the world, there is no love for you like mine.” – Maya Angelou

When you’ve found someone special, don’t hesitate to let them know. If they are the person for you, tell them there is no one else for you. You connect on a deeper level, and your partner will be happy to know how you feel.

“I swear I couldn’t love you more than I do right now, and yet I know I will tomorrow.” – Leo Christopher

Your feelings continue to grow, even when you think you couldn’t feel any deeper about someone. This quote about romance is sweet and shows your increasing feelings about the person you care about.

“I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you simply, without problems or pride: I love you in this way because I do not know any other way of loving but this, in which there is no I or you, so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand, so intimate that when I fall asleep your eyes close.” – Pablo Neruda

Sometimes you can’t explain how or why you fell for someone, but you know you did. When that happens, this is the perfect quote for you.

“He’s more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” – Emily Brontë

When you’ve met your soulmate, they’ll seem to be more like you than you are. They’ll know you intimately, and you’ll feel connected as one.

“Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead. The consciousness of loving and being loved brings warmth and richness to life that nothing else can bring.” – Oscar Wilde

This quote by Wilde reminds you of how much light romance brings to your life. It enriches every part of your being and allows you to embrace life fully.

“I can no longer think of anything but you. In spite of myself, my imagination carries me to you. I grasp you, I kiss you, I caress you, a thousand of the most amorous caresses take possession of me.” – Honoré de Balzac

Telling your partner that you can’t stop thinking about them is sweet, but this quote says it in a much deeper way. Romance can be all-consuming, as described in the details of Balzac’s imagination.

“Because of you, I can feel myself slowly, but surely, becoming the me I have always dreamed of being.” – Tyler Knott Gregson

Your person will make you feel like the best version of yourself yet. You’ll strive to become better and live the life of your dreams when you have a loving partner by your side.

“Don’t ever think I fell for you or fell over you. I didn’t fall in love, I rose in it.” – Toni Morrison

Saying you fell for someone makes it sound like you didn’t have a choice. However, using the words of Morrison make it sound much more wonderful.

When you rise instead of falling, it implies that you knew what was happening every step of the way. It also shows that you cherish the experience as it was a moment that rose you up as an individual.

“I saw that you were perfect, and so I loved you. Then I saw that you were not perfect, and I loved you even more.” – Angelita Lim

You think your partner is perfect when you first meet someone and start falling for them. As time goes on, you’ll see their flaws and imperfections. However, Lim explains that those imperfections make you care for your partner more.

“Love, whether newly born or aroused from a deathlike slumber, must always create sunshine, filling the heart so full of radiance, that it overflows upon the outward world.” – Nathaniel Hawthorne

Romance should bring you joy and happiness each day, no matter how long you’ve felt it. This quote about romance by Hawthorne will tell your partner that their presence does this to you. It’ll bring a smile and fill their world with sunshine, too.

“I have for the first time found what I can truly love – I have found you. You are my sympathy – my better self – my good angel – I am bound to you with a strong attachment. I think you good, gifted, lovely: a fervent, a solemn passion is conceived in my heart; it leans to you, draws you to my centre and spring of life, wrap my existence about you – and, kindling in pure, powerful flame, fuses you and me in one.” – Charlotte Brontë

These words are passionate and truly explain what it’s like to be in an intense romance for the first time. Your partner becomes your world, and you don’t see a thing wrong with them. You become part of your partner, and they become part of you.

“The real lover is the man who can thrill you by kissing your forehead or smiling into your eyes or just staring into space.” -Marilyn Monroe

It doesn’t take much to make your partner feel giddy and excited when you’re in a deep romance. Monroe explains that a forehead kiss or meaningful smile can entice those emotions.

“Deep within us — no matter who we are — there lives a feeling of wanting to be lovable, of wanting to be the kind of person that others like to be with. And the greatest thing we can do is to let people know that they are loved and capable of loving.” – Fred Rogers

Everyone wants to be lovable and have people who want to spend time with them. This quote reminds you to tell your romantic partner how much they mean to you whenever you can. It’ll make them feel good and allow them to share their feelings with you, too.

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” – Lao Tzu

Strength and courage can get you far in life and improve your relationship. Don’t be afraid to fall for someone and accept the same in return. Romance can improve your life as long as you’re willing to open up to your partner.

“If I had a flower for every time I thought of you… I could walk through my garden forever.” – Alfred Tennyson

When someone seems to be on your mind, don’t be afraid to let them know. Make it clear that thoughts of them fill your mind and make your life more beautiful.

“There is never a time or place for true love. It happens accidentally, in a heartbeat, in a single flashing, throbbing moment.” – Sarah Dessen

You can’t pick when or where you will fall for someone. It happens unexpectedly and quickly, as Dessen explains.

“Love doesn’t make the world go ’round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.” – Franklin P. Jones

Life goes on even if you’re not in a relationship, but it might not be as meaningful. Romance makes the experience exciting, bringing light to your life each day.

“Love is like a friendship caught on fire. In the beginning a flame, very pretty, often hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. As love grows older, our hearts mature and our love becomes as coals, deep-burning and unquenchable.” – Bruce Lee

The flame will be fresh and shocking at the beginning of a romance. It’ll glow for everyone to see, but eventually, the intensity wears off. Then it becomes a part of you, always present and untouchable.

“You are the finest, loveliest, tenderest, and most beautiful person I have ever known, and even that is an understatement.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald

This quote about romance is sure to send chills through your partner’s body. It is flattering and expresses deep feelings, bringing inspiration to your relationship.

“You don’t love because: you love despite; not for the virtues, but despite the faults.” – William Faulkner

When you fall for someone, you embrace their negative qualities and faults. You enjoy everything about them, not just the things they’re good at.

Final Thoughts on Inspirational Quotes About Romance That Withstand the Test of Time

These quotes about romance will allow you to find the right words to explain your feelings for your partner. It’ll improve your relationship and help your partner understand how you feel. They might even reply with quotes, allowing you to share meaningful messages.

Whatever way you choose to share the quotes will be meaningful to both of you. You might want to keep some of the passages where you’ll often see them. It’ll bring a smile to your face whenever you think of your partner.

How To Live a Fuller Life Without Losing Yourself

November 25, 2022 by Kristen Butler

Your goal is to live a fuller life and be true to yourself. If you constantly try to mold yourself into the person others want, you will be someone you’re not proud of who never makes progress. How can you be happy if you’re living according to everyone else’s standards for your life?

When you were born, your parents taught you morals and principles to help you become the person they envisioned. However, when you reached adulthood, you felt lost as you tried to rediscover yourself. So many teens become rebellious at eighteen, trying to take what they were taught and mingle it with their beliefs and freedom.

Let Go of The Opinions of Others to Have a Fuller Life

As a toddler, your parents told you how you were to talk to others, how to sit correctly, and how to behave. Want an example that you’re still doing some of the things you learned in your younger years? Well, how often do you say “I’m fine” when people ask you how you’re doing, but you know that inside, you’re nothing of the sort.

You don’t mean you’re good, but you try to hide your truths because you want to be a different person who doesn’t have all the burdens. One of the ways that you lose your true self is by not being honest with yourself and those around you.

Have you ever considered what your life would be like if you could be who you are without hesitation? What would happen if you took off the mask and spoke your truths without reservations? Would others celebrate and respect you, or would you lose some friends?

In a perfect world, others would accept you regardless of all your flaws and imperfections, and you wouldn’t need to hide from others.

Acknowledge and Accept Your Feelings for a Fuller Life

The world around you is infused with negativity, and it’s hard to remain positive when there’s so much chaos. When someone asks you how you’re doing, giving the standard response of “I’m good” can cause harm to your emotional and mental well-being. It’s called false positivity, which inhibits you from living a fuller life and being confident.

It’s challenging to acknowledge your feelings and accept that you’re not perfect. Conversely, when you admit that there’s a problem, you can take steps to fix it. When you go out of your way to hide these emotions, you will suffer from feelings of sadness rather than acceptance.

Do you have courage, or do you think you tower when people want to talk about emotions and feelings? It takes courage to stand up and speak the truth, but you can do it. When you accept that you have faults and things aren’t perfect, you can become more confident and assertive.

You’re a unique individual who isn’t perfect, so it’s high time you stop pretending. While you need to be respectful of others and always be polite, you don’t have to live by what others think is suitable for your life. You get to call the shots in your life, as it’s yours alone.

Are You Being Honest with Yourself?

When you consider dishonesty, you probably think of someone lying to another person. However, you can be just as dishonest with yourself and cause distress. To live a fuller life, you must have self-discipline and value honesty above all else.

The chances are that you lie to yourself every day and don’t even realize it. Here are some classic ways that you’re dishonest:

You fake a smile because you don’t want anyone to see your true feelings.
You live your life seeking the approval of others.
You’re unhappy when others don’t like your choices, so you conform.
Your emotional state is not good, and you find your days sad than happy.
It’s common for you to feel cornered and like you have no other choices.
You don’t feel that people listen to you or value your opinions.
Gaining the approval of others is one of the most important things to you.
The things that once made you happy don’t bring any joy anymore.
You’re grumpy, moody, and often feel exhausted.

How does life look if you’re true to yourself and living according to your desires? Here are a few things that will occur when you have the self-discipline to live in truth:

You set goals, crush them easily, and believe in yourself.
Negativity doesn’t bother you anymore, as you’ve learned to be flexible and keep an open mind.
You no longer let fear dominate your life, and you’ve learned to embrace the unknown.
Taking risks isn’t as scary, and you trust your inner voice and gut feelings.
You embrace mindful living and find joy in the smallest of things.
Rather than pushing your problems under the rug, you face them head-on.
Expressing yourself has become much more manageable.
You like yourself and enjoy the person you’ve become.
You’re able to have deep and meaningful conversations and enjoy them.
You don’t care about the opinions of others as you know that your opinion is the only one that counts.
You’re grounded and secure and love sitting outside, hearing the birds sing, and being in nature.

Five Ways You Can Be True to Yourself as You Pursue a Fuller Life

Perhaps you want to set goals and start the journey to be more true to yourself to live a fuller life, but you don’t know how to start. That’s okay. The key is to take baby steps in this new journey. There’s no rush to get anything done, as slow and steady always wins the race.

1. Understand It’s Okay to Feel the Way You Do

To start your journey to being more faithful to yourself, you must learn to accept the things you can’t change. While you can change your clothes, hairstyle, weight, and other physical characteristics, other things take much work. Your emotions are part of you, and you need to learn that it’s okay to have the feelings you experience.

You must be authentic and have confidence in yourself that’s unbreakable. When someone asks you how you’re doing, you must be honest and courageous and speak the truth.

2. You Must Take Charge of Your Attitude to Have a Fuller Life

If you want to progress and live a fuller life, you need to know that you can’t always be in charge. Life is constantly changing, and you must learn to roll with the punches. Changing your attitude can alter everything.

It’s easy to develop a bad attitude when things don’t go your way, but this is where you need to focus on the positive aspects more than the negative ones. Stop being so caught up in the “should” and “what ifs” and focus on there here and now. Don’t keep turning around and looking at the past but look to a brighter future.

3. Do What You Want Without Fear of Judgement

Everyone has an opinion about your life and how you should live it, but you must realize that the only person who truly matters is you. Sure, you can consider the thoughts and feelings of your spouse, children, and parents, but you can’t let them dictate your choices. To live a fuller life, you need to realize you’re enough and that your opinions are essential.

4. Learn To Forgive Yourself as Well as Others

According to Dr. Helen Brown from Positive Psychology, you must practice self-compassion exercises to ensure you forgive yourself. You’re your worst critic, and you blame yourself every time you fail. Stop crying over spilled milk, pick yourself up, and keep going.

When you do fall, and you will, you need to learn not to blame others. Accept that you made a mistake and find a way to learn from it. Dr. Brown further states that you must balance taking responsibility for your actions and keeping a positive sense of self.

5. Know Your Limits

Learn why you should set boundaries with other people–and for yourself. Do you often take on more than you can handle?

It’s a common problem when people don’t know how to say no. The boundaries you set for your life can be multifaceted, and they can include these types:

Emotional
Intimacy
Financial
Physical
Digital

If you always find yourself exhausted, you must evaluate your boundaries. Examine the times you’ve said “yes” when you should have said “no.” When it comes to living a fuller life and the boundaries of others, never be afraid to stand up for yourself.

Final Thoughts on How to Live Life by Staying True to Yourself

Things change for the better when you begin becoming more faithful to yourself. You will start to recognize your genuine emotions and become stronger. You will learn that the opinion of others matters very little, as you’re living your life for yourself.

Taking off the mask of the fake version of you is freeing. It’s hard to live behind the shadows of what others expect and your failures but cut yourself some slack. Today can be a new day and a fresh start. When you’re true to yourself, you live a fuller life with sweet contentment.

20 Daily Affirmations to Remind You to Love Yourself

November 25, 2022 by Sarah Barkley

If you want to love yourself, you must decide to do so. It’s not always easy, especially when times get hard, but these daily affirmations can make all the difference. The positive phrases can help you refocus and shift your mindset as you remember to love yourself always.

Protecting your mental health and wellbeing requires self-love to get you through each day. You must take care of your mind, body, and soul to live the most fulfilling life possible. Learning to embrace who you are is a journey you must continually work on.

While you take steps to improve who you are each day, it’s still essential that you practice self-love right now. Embrace who you are today, and use these daily affirmations to help you get there. These phrases can encourage positive thoughts as you change how you treat yourself.

Think of the ways you’d speak to a friend or loved one, and then use those same concepts on yourself. Stay positive, forgive yourself, and celebrate your successes. Use these daily affirmations as a reminder to love yourself every day.

Daily Affirmations to Remind You to Love Yourself

Affirmations can change your life as they promote a positive mindset. They give you the motivation to live your best life while allowing you to embrace all of the good around you. Using daily affirmations to remind you to love yourself can give you a new understanding of self-love, improving all areas of your life.

1 – I will evolve into the best version of myself, and I love myself every step of the way.

Loving yourself doesn’t mean you can’t improve areas of weakness. You can always learn more and develop into an even better person than you are right now. Use this affirmation as a reminder that you’re amazing the way you are, even if you haven’t achieved your goals yet.

Loving yourself through all of the steps of your transformation will help you enjoy life as you go along. Plus, it’ll help you identify the areas of your life that need work, too, allowing you to grow even more.

2 – I love my body for all it has done for me.

Your body protects you and keeps you alive, so it’s only fitting that you love it. Take care of yourself so that your body can continue doing its job. When you acknowledge how extraordinary you are, it’s easier to love yourself each day.

3 – I believe in myself and trust my instincts.

When you believe in yourself, you’ll have the confidence to love who you are. Believing in yourself also means trusting your instincts because they’re usually correct.

If you don’t feel right about something, believe in your gut and make some changes. Living this way allows you to love yourself enough to walk away from potentially detrimental situations.

4 – I am worthy of love every day.

There will be days when you feel like you don’t deserve love, but you must push those thoughts away. Use this daily affirmation to remind yourself that you are worthy of love no matter what. Don’t let your negative thoughts convince you that you aren’t worthy, and use this affirmation to shift that thought process.

5 – I embrace everything about this present moment.

When you embrace the present, it helps you love yourself right now. It allows you to see that everything is okay and that it’ll all work out. Then, you can focus on making the most of it and taking care of yourself as you move forward.

6 – I recognize change for the gift that it is.

Life inevitably changes, and there is nothing you can do to stop it. You can let the change overwhelm you and disrupt your peace, or you can recognize it as a gift. When things change, it’s a new beginning for this time in your life.

Embracing it will help you put your best effort into making it work for you. Plus, it’s an excellent time to make other necessary changes to better your life, too.

7 – I appreciate my mind, body, and soul.

Your mind, body, and soul are your expressions of individuality. Embrace what makes you different because it’s what makes you who you are. The world wouldn’t be the wonder that it is if everyone was the same, so appreciate everything about yourself.

8 – I plan to make a positive impact on the universe.

If you ever feel like you don’t make a difference in the world, this affirmation is for you. Even when it doesn’t seem like you did much, you positively impacted those around you. You are valuable to the world, and recognizing your impact can improve your wellbeing and mental health.

9 – I love my mind and positive thoughts.

Your mind does impressive things continually, so don’t hesitate to remind yourself of it. As you learn to love your mind, you’ll recognize a shift in your thinking patterns. Negativity won’t take over as often, and you’ll see that you love yourself much more, too.

10 – I promise to let go of pain and permitting myself to heal.

When you hold onto pain and ruminate about the past, it can stand in the way of loving yourself. Holding onto pain won’t do you any good, so it’s best if you let go of it. Use this affirmation each morning to remind yourself that you can let go and move forward. Once you start believing it, you’ll find that you love yourself much more and can fully embrace life.

11 – I will build the life I want for myself.

This life is yours to live, and you can make it whatever you want it to be. There is no limit to what you can do, but you must believe in yourself first. This affirmation can help you remember that you’re in control, allowing you to love yourself for the life you’re creating.

12 – I am confident and recognize my self-worth.

Being confident and recognizing your self-worth is essential if you want to love yourself. With confidence, anything is possible, and you’ll feel good about the skin you’re in. You won’t doubt yourself as often, and you’ll stop unfairly comparing yourself to others. This affirmation can impact your overall life and wellbeing, so don’t leave it out of your routine.

13 – I celebrate my achievements, no matter how small.

As you work toward your dreams, you’ll want to set smaller goals along the way. These smaller goals are just as essential as the overall picture, and they deserve celebration. When you celebrate your small achievements, it helps you love yourself as your confidence and motivation increase.

14 – I accept who I am at this moment.

You’re constantly changing, even if you don’t notice it every day. As you gain wisdom, you become a better version of yourself. However, that doesn’t mean you should wait to love yourself. Learn to accept who you are right now, and you’ll have an easier time identifying your self-worth.

15 – I am enough, and I don’t have to be like anyone else.

You’re enough as you are right now. This daily affirmation reminds you to stop comparing yourself to others because you don’t need to be like them. You are the person you were meant to be, and you are more than enough.

16 – I am a better version of myself right now than I was in the past.

You might not be where you want to be yet, but you’re getting better every day. When you remember your progress, you’re sure to experience self-love and confidence each day, too.

17 – I am kind to myself in all situations.

Being kind to yourself is the most critical aspect of self-love. You must treat yourself with respect and push away negative thoughts. Treat yourself the way you would treat a friend because you deserve the same level of kindness.

18 – I embrace my failures because they are opportunities for growth and learning.

Everyone fails sometimes, but it’s not something to beat yourself up over. Instead, learn to recognize these situations as opportunities for growth. When you learn from your mistakes, it helps you love yourself and embrace your mistakes.

19 – I deserve happiness and good things at all times in my life.

If you repeat this affirmation each morning, you’ll be open to new opportunities and experiences. It reminds you that you deserve good things, and you’ll love yourself more because of it.

20 – I am at peace with this stage of my life.

Even if you aren’t where you want to end up, you can find peace in your life right now. When you tell yourself that you’re at ease, you’ll feel calmer and happier. This all leads to loving yourself a little more each day.

Final Thoughts on Daily Affirmations to Remind You to Love Yourself

These daily affirmations remind you that you are worthy of love and should be kind to yourself. Forgive yourself for past mistakes, and recognize your failures as learning opportunities.

You become a better version of yourself each day, but you can love yourself as you are right now. When you love yourself, your life will drastically improve, allowing you to experience meaningful opportunities.

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Every day is a day to shine. Shine on!