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Scammer Steals from Kid With Lemonade Stand; Community Responds by Raising $25K

September 15, 2022 by Kristen Lawrence

When a scammer targeted an 11-year-old boy with a lemonade stand, the local community rallied to raise money for him. Jeremy, an entrepreneur at heart, operated the lemonade stand in Everett, Washington. In addition to lemonade, he also offered sodas, popcorn, and hand-spun cotton candy.

Unfortunately, a shady man robbed the boy of $85 when he paid with a counterfeit $100 bill. The local police said the man bought a few snacks and drinks, then asked for exact change. The culprit left the scene long before Jeremy realized he had scammed him.

The Everett Police Department shared a picture of the suspect on their Facebook page. The caption read,” Can you identify this individual who took advantage of an 11-year-old running a lemonade stand?”

The police department described the situation in further detail. The post said Jeremy used his entire allowance over the summer to set up his lemonade stand. While he worked outside in the heat trying to earn extra money, the scammer approached him and bought a drink. He paid with a $100-bill and waited to receive $85 in change.

“Jeremy did his best to wring all his allowance money to give the suspect $85 in change. After the suspect left, Jeremy went to the local gas station, where he learned that the 100-dollar bill was fake and was out all his allowance money,” the post read. “While our detectives work hard to bring closure to every case, this case struck a particular chord with them, and they want to do everything they can to get justice for Jeremy and catch this counterfeiter.”

When the community learned of the incident, several members decided to launch a GoFundMe for the boy. Amy Steenfott, Jeremy’s neighbor and organizer of the GoFundMe, set the original goal to $250.

Community Raises Over $25K For Boy’s Lemonade Stand

Thanks to his kind community, the boy had ample funds to reopen his business. Over 1,000 people donated to help Jeremy rebuild his lemonade stand, raising more than $25,000. Their generosity proves that many pure-hearted people still exist in this world.

“Jeremy is 11 years old and quite the entrepreneur. He is a hardworking boy, running his lemonade stand, mowing neighbor’s yards, and shoveling snow in the winter. He has dreams of owning his own vending machine business in the future. I’m starting the goal at $250 to help cover his loss and give him some more funds to possibly expand his enterprise,” Amy wrote on the fundraiser’s homepage.

In an update, she said Jeremy and his family felt deeply touched by the kindness they’ve received.

“This was set up with the hopes that we could get Jeremy successfully set up to reopen his stand again. Needless to say, I, as well as Jeremy’s family are overwhelmed. Jeremy doesn’t know the amount of love and support you all have shown just quite yet. We are trying to figure out how to do this,” she wrote. “Again, THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts. This proves that there are so many great people in this world and we far surpass the bad ones.”

One donor encouraged Jeremy to continue his endeavors despite the setback. With the boy’s work ethic and savvy business skills, he will surely listen to this advice and find success.

“Hey, Jeremy! I think it’s awesome you run your own business and are so smart about saving money! Keep up the good work, and please don’t let one “sour lemon” spoil your experience. In life, sometimes we bump into people who do bad things and we can’t do much about it, but the one thing we can do is control how we react to it,” the donor said.

“So I hope you stay motivated and don’t let this get you down. You are doing amazing work, and we need more bright, positive, good people in the world just like you! I can’t wait to hear about all the great things you do in the future!” they continued.

Jeremy Reopened the Lemonade Stand, Thanks to His Community

Jeremy didn’t allow the scammer to stop him from pursuing his goals. In the first week of August 2022, he reopened the lemonade stand with a few new rules. The young boy sells all the same snacks and drinks but will only accept small bills from customers. Also, he makes sure to inspect them thoroughly before finishing transactions.

One kind woman heard about the story and wanted to ensure Jeremy never got scammed again. Late one night, she stopped by the lemonade stand and offered the boy a counterfeit detection device. She instructed Jeremy to mark the bills when he received them. If the ink turns a strange color, it signifies fake currency.

Hopefully, the counterfeit pen and safer business practices will ensure prosperity for the lemonade stand. Jeremy also plans on continuing his other entrepreneurial pursuits, such as shoveling snow in the winter and mowing lawns in the summer.

In an interview with The Washington Post, he said he would use the profits to expand his businesses. He also sends a portion of the revenue to his ancestral country of Ukraine.

The police still haven’t caught the suspect, though they’ve been following tips and hope to apprehend him soon. Jeremy’s father, Sergiy Ryzhonkov, encouraged scammers to think about how their actions affect others, especially when young children are involved.

“Look at your future,” he told KCPQ. “Where are you going to end up? These kids trust in you as you are [an] adult. You should [be an] example for them.”

Final Thoughts on Community Helping Boy Rebuild Lemonade Stand

When someone scammed a boy selling lemonade out of $85, the entire community offered their support. Jeremy had put every cent of his allowance into the lemonade stand and had nothing left. So, his neighbor launched the GoFundMe to get Jeremy back on his feet and help him recoup his losses.

The fundraiser exceeded their expectations, raking in over $25K in donations. While Jeremy’s scammer remains at large, at least his lemonade stand made a comeback. This heartwarming story proves that good always prevails over evil in the end!

Psychology Explains Why Some People Talk Too Much

September 15, 2022 by Kristen Lawrence

Have you ever been around people who talk too much? They always seem to dominate the conversation and interrupt others when they speak. But socializing with an overly chatty person makes for an unpleasant experience. Even introverts like to talk at some point during a conversation. But getting a word in edgewise becomes difficult with someone who speaks too much.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that extroverts and others who enjoy talking have insidious motives. They may not even realize how their behavior impacts others. Gabby people sometimes have lower emotional intelligence, making reading social cues challenging. A low EQ doesn’t make them a terrible person, but it can hamper social skills.

For instance, if someone turns away from them or pulls out their phone during a conversation, they may not even notice. However, this behavior means the speaker annoys or interrupts the person.

Below, we’ll delve deeper into why some people talk too much and how to address this behavior.

Psychology Reveals Why Some People Talk Too Much

1. They might have ADHD or ADD.

Someone who talks too much might have a mental health condition like ADHD. Characterized by hyperactivity and restlessness, the disorder may also cause overtalking to release excess energy.

Many people with ADD don’t mean to interrupt others; they might feel excited or nervous. Also, people with ADHD have a million thoughts at once, so talking can be a distraction.

Studies show a clear link between hyperactivity and excessive talking. One study of 99 children with and without ADHD discovered that these behaviors might start early in life. The research showed that the inattentive, hyperactive children talked excessively compared to the other group. Overtalking caused problems with their classmates and learning difficulties in some cases.

Adults with ADHD may show similar signs in social settings. Feeling overly anxious or excited may cause them to talk too much. Or, they might want to feel included in the conversation and make sure their voice gets heard. People with ADHD usually don’t like silence and avoid discomfort by overtalking.

2. Having Asperger’s or autism could make them talk too much.

While many people on the autism spectrum are on the quieter side, they can talk for hours about a subject that interests them. Since they struggle with nonverbal cues, they may not realize when someone doesn’t share that interest. Reading body language and understanding when to end a conversation is difficult.

According to the Autism Research Institute, common social symptoms of adult autism include:

Unintentional social blunders
Difficulty keeping up in conversations
Lack of emotional expression
Awkwardness in social situations
Difficulty detecting sarcasm or figurative language – takes things literally
Remembers small details such as facts or names

3. They feel insecure.

Sometimes, people talk too much to compensate for feeling inadequate or insecure. They want to impress others somehow, and overtalking can help increase confidence. For instance, they might embellish stories to make themselves seem more attractive. Or, they may tell jokes to gain popularity and ensure no one forgets about them.

If someone feels uncomfortable or lacking, they may seek external validation. When socializing, it becomes more about proving themselves than having a good time. However, people with low self-esteem sometimes avoid social situations entirely, especially if they’ve had negative experiences.

4. Silence makes them uncomfortable.

Sometimes, people talk too much to fill gaps in conversation. They may not like silence because it makes them feel awkward or nervous. Or, they might think the other person will lose interest if they don’t always have something to say. Of course, silence inevitably occurs during conversations as people need time to process what the speaker says. However, these lulls in conversation could make someone who talks too much feel insecure.

5. They have narcissistic personality traits.

They may not have a full-blown personality disorder, but talking too much could point to some degree of narcissism. Narcissistic types secretly have a fragile self-esteem, so they compensate by acting more confident than they feel. They may also crave attention and control conversations by constantly shifting the focus back on them. While most people enjoy talking about themselves, narcissists take this extreme.

6. People who talk too much may feel lonely.

Someone who talks too much may not have many opportunities to socialize. Because they feel lonely, they might appear clingy or overshare to force a connection. While they deserve friends like everyone else, they may not realize their behavior pushes people away. Getting to know someone usually happens gradually so that desperation can send a potential friend running in the opposite direction.

Tips on Socializing With Someone Who Talks Too Much

Having an overly talkative friend or family member can become frustrating. However, these tips can make conversations more enjoyable:

Practice patience. You should remain compassionate, especially when it comes to someone with a mental disorder. Try to see things from their perspective and remember they are not intentionally over-talking.
Let them know how you feel. Perhaps you should be direct if your friend talks too much regularly. They may not realize how it affects you, so making them aware could encourage them to change.
Distance yourself from them. Sometimes, it’s best to let the connection fade than try to force friendship. If the conversations always seem one-sided, you probably don’t get much out of the connection.

Final Thoughts on Why Some People Talk Too Much

Everyone socializes differently depending on their personality, friend circles, and interests. However, when someone talks too much, it can make socializing or a conversation much less enjoyable. Most talkative people don’t realize that their behavior bothers others and may have an extroverted personality.

Perhaps they have a mental disorder that affects their social skills or feel uncomfortable with silence. They could also suffer low self-esteem and talk too much to feel important. Whatever the reason, overly chatty people still deserve compassion and understanding. With patience and honesty, it’s possible to have a fulfilling relationship with someone who talks too much.

Rapper Reveals How a “Hi Level Mindset” Helped Him Succeed

September 15, 2022 by Kristen Lawrence

24-year-old rapper Cordae credits his “Hi-Level mindset” for helping him evolve as an artist. In high school, he started creating mixtapes and honed his craft as a hip-hop artist. He also learned about the importance of having a positive mentality. This positivity allowed him to succeed and eventually become a Grammy-nominated music star at a young age.

He gave a TED Talk recently where he revealed how a “Hi-Level mindset” influenced his career. Cordae said this mantra took him further in life than he ever thought possible. And the critically acclaimed artist is just getting started.

Cordae was born in North Carolina but grew up primarily in Maryland. Like most people, he encountered many challenges in his childhood and teenage years. But the trials of life shaped him into a successful artist by teaching him the power of perseverance.

He drew positivity from his mom, who struggled to keep a roof over their heads but always provided for them. She continually strived to improve their situation and remained cheerful despite facing obstacles.

“I want to tell you about the original creator of the Hi-Level mindset. And that’s my mom. She doesn’t even know it. My mom had me when she was 16 years old. She was a single mom with all the odds stacked against her. And yet, from an unbiased perspective, I like to say she did a pretty decent job,” he said.

“We lived in some pretty terrible neighborhoods, man. I switched elementary schools about five different times. I remember one time her car got stolen twice in one week. She overcame circumstances, obstacles, her environment, and negativity. As I watched, our living situations would continue to get better and better as the years went by. Now that’s Hi-Level.”

How a Hi-Level Mindset Helped Rapper Cordae Succeed

Even though Cordae credits his mom’s positivity for his Hi-Level mindset, she never taught it to him directly. Instead, he learned about it by observing her throughout his childhood. As she worked to build a better life for them, he noticed her resilience in the face of adversity.

“The Hi-Level mindset is a philosophy. It’s a wavelength to apply to your everyday thoughts and regimens. The Hi-Level mindset will be of great service to you, especially when things aren’t going as planned. These trying times that I speak of, or life testers, if you may, are what truly make us man and woman,” Cordae said.

He believes that by practicing the power of positivity, a person can take charge of their destiny. In other words, we don’t have to leave things up to chance or fate. We can actively change our lives by setting goals and living our truth.

In his TED Talk, Cordae discussed the four essential steps to creating a Hi-Level mindset. He also recalled the roadblocks he faced along his journey to becoming successful. But when he had a setback, it only encouraged him to push harder.

Step One of the Hi-Level Mindset (Positivity)

“Always remain positive, no matter what people or life may throw at you. Now I’m going to give you a little bit of background about myself. Funny enough, I was actually voted most likely to be famous in both middle school and high school. My goal was to graduate high school and to immediately blow up. But that didn’t happen. So I went to college and as soon as I went to college, boy, did life hit me hard,” he said.

Cordae struggled to adjust to college life, and his grades began to plummet. He also encountered issues in his personal life, and on top of that, his music career took an unexpected nosedive.

“What was really the breaking point for me was that I had released a mixtape that I worked on the entire summer and it had only gotten 200 downloads. Now my previous two mixtapes got 2,000 downloads, so I was not happy with the regression, to say the least. Again, this almost pushed me to the brink of quitting and insanity. But the Hi Level mindset made me think,” ‘Man. These misfortunes are just going to make my triumph story a lot cooler.”‘

“I used this as fuel to the fire, motivation if you will. It made me think, you know, life is just a book. Not every chapter is going to be perfect. But it’s about how it ends,” he said.

Step Two of the Hi-Level Mindset (Intentional Goalsetting)

“Always be intentional with your desires. Know exactly what you want. In 2018, I created a vision board — at the beginning of 2018, excuse me — I created a vision board. And I’m proud to say that with the Hi-Level mindset, within one year, I almost accomplished everything on here,” he said.

Cordae encouraged people to write their goals and read them aloud each morning. This keeps you focused on what you want to achieve and promotes a positive mindset. Once you start taking action and seeing results, you will feel more confident in your abilities.

Step Three of the Hi-Level Mindset (Self-discipline)

Cordae said that if you want success, you must become disciplined. On the days when you lack motivation, willpower provides the strength to keep going.

“Anybody who’s done something noteworthy with their lives all have one thing in common, and that’s discipline. Mastering the art of discipline will literally change your life,” he said.

He witnessed this firsthand when he gave up drugs and alcohol and noticed positive changes in his life. He took that as a sign from above to remain disciplined and let go of things that no longer served him.

“Now a cheat code to ensure that you’re staying disciplined to whatever you’re striving for is to prime your environment for success. Your habits are based on your habitat. And the main product of your habitat are the people in your life,” he added.

Step Four of the Hi Level Mindset (Remove Negativity)

That brought him to the last step of creating a Hi-Level mindset: removing negative people from your life.

“Anybody that’s semidoubtful or naysaying, get them out. If you’re talking about your dreams and goals and they give small, sarcastic remarks … boot them. Just an all-around negative Nancy? Kick them out of there, man.

“Don’t let someone else’s negativity cancel out your light, for it can temporarily get in the way of you achieving what’s owed to you. You are a product of those who you hang around. Let’s make sure we’re hanging around other positive, Hi-Level individuals,” he said.

Facing Setbacks on the Path to Success

Even though Cordae became successful by mastering a Hi-Level mindset, things don’t always turn out as planned. When some fans criticized his latest album, he started to doubt himself.

“I became unmotivated, I started overindulging in things that I’m not proud of. I was almost thinking about canceling my upcoming tour, I was in a very dark place.

“But then I heard this Yiddish proverb that A$AP Rocky actually told me about at a most important time, and I’m sure he didn’t even know it. It’s “We plan, and God laughs.” And that made me think. The Hi-Level mindset is not a recipe for perfection but a commitment to honoring your potential and what you have to offer the world. Don’t let your small failures make you lose sight of your bigger picture,” he said.

Final Thoughts on the Rapper Who Changed His Life With a Positive Mindset

24-year-old rapper Cordae reached his potential by harnessing the power of positivity. He had a clear vision for his life and did whatever it took to achieve his goals. Cutting out negative people, remaining disciplined, and persevering through failures allowed him to succeed.

We will leave you with this inspiring message about positivity from Cordae:

“The Hi-Level mindset is about doing everything that you put your hands on at the highest level that you’re capable of doing. Think of your life as a book. Again, each chapter isn’t going to be perfect. But how do you want your story to end? In anguish? A bunch of what-ifs? Or leaving a legacy? I choose legacy. The Hi-Level way.”

Men Explain 6 Signs of a Bad Girlfriend

September 15, 2022 by Lakeisha Ethans

Is your relationship healthy? Many people with bad girlfriends or boyfriends struggle with intense feelings of denial. When your head clouds up with love and affection for someone, it’s hard to see their negative sides or to want to stop seeing them. You may even overlook signs of a toxic partner because of your love for them.

Relationships are often complicated and complex, making spotting danger signs and red flags difficult. Nevertheless, it’s essential to be aware of potential deal-breakers, so watch for these six signs of a bad girlfriend.

Editorial note: We acknowledge that bad boyfriends exist; however, these characteristics comprise negative behaviors of some women in relationships. We address bad boyfriends in a separate article.

1 – A Bad Girlfriend Provides Streams Of Negative Feedback And No Positive Feedback

A little banter between partners isn’t unhealthy, and plenty of couples are happy with adding a bit of a bite to their flirtation. But that has to balance with positive things. Furthermore, it has to be mutual and enjoyed by both of you.

A bad girlfriend isn’t saying negative things as a form of playful teasing. Her negative feedback is often not constructive and is usually not proportional to the situation. To make matters worse, almost everything she says to you about you is negative. Here are some conditions that may apply if your partner is a bad girlfriend:

Finding Fault

She always seems to find something wrong with what you do. You feel like you can never live up to her expectations. She may claim she has high standards, but you feel like you’re fighting a losing battle. You might think that nothing you do will ever be enough.

The Relationship Is “Her Way or the Highway”

She wants everything done her way and seems to think she always knows best. As a result, you may hear phrases like “I’m always right” a little too often.

Gossiping

She talks negatively about you behind your back, especially to her friends. Her friends always seem to know your worst qualities and the fights you’ve had with your girlfriend. Often, the story is skewed to show your girlfriend in a positive light.

Lacking Accountability

She doesn’t like when you have negative feedback for her. So when you try to give her negative or even constructive feedback, she becomes angry or acts like you shouldn’t have dared to speak to her about this.

Trying to Fix You or the Relationship Into Something That Cannot Be

She wants you for your “potential,” not for who you are. Sometimes it may feel like she gives you so much feedback because she wants you to be the perfect boyfriend for her and that she’s not happy with who you are as you are.

2 – A Bad Girlfriend Is Not There For You

In a healthy relationship, all partners are there for each other. They’re supportive, help each other out when necessary, and care for each other in their ways. Many men naturally try to be there for the person they’re committed to as a way of being chivalrous, but this behavior shouldn’t be gendered! A good girlfriend will be there for you just as much as you’re there for her. Signs of a bad girlfriend who won’t be there for you include:

She never wants to help when you ask for reasonable favors
She doesn’t offer any emotional support when you need it
A bad girlfriend doesn’t support your dreams, goals, or passions
She implies that you need to “man up” or uphold other toxic masculinity ideas

3 – A Bad Girlfriend Controls the Relationship and Claims It’s Because She Cares

Many people associate controlling behavior with violence, extreme verbal abuse, or aggression, but these are not the only ways that someone can be controlling. A bad girlfriend is unlikely to exhibit such glaring red flags. Instead, most controlling partners find more subtle ways to make you do what they want.

Many men make the mistake of feeling flattered by a girlfriend who seems so protective of them. After all, studies show how men often develop a protective instinct for their partners, and it can be nice to be on the receiving end of that type of protection for a change. However, while there’s nothing wrong with being protective, there is a limit to that behavior, and it should never infringe on boundaries or lead to toxicity. Some common examples of controlling acts you may overlook include:

Snooping

It’s not great for partners to keep too many secrets, but the solution to the discomfort surrounding that secrecy is communication, not snooping. Unfortunately, it’s become very normalized for people to snoop on their partners, going through their devices and spying on them almost stalkingly. A bad girlfriend will actively seek out ammunition against you and be jealous, possessive, and controlling while using that ammunition as an excuse.

Keeping you from your friends

It’s natural that, when you first enter a relationship, your time with friends will be slightly decreased. After all, you have limited free time and now have a new person you’d like to spend some time with, so you have to balance your schedule evenly. But a bad girlfriend will often not be happy with you spending time with your friends. She may openly disapprove of them, guilt-trip you for hanging out with them, or try to convince you to spend time with her instead. So, naturally, this isolates you from your support system.

Trying to change you

Of course, as a person, you should be interested in personal growth and improving your relationship. However, growing together – a research-backed way to ensure healthy partnerships – is not the same as one partner constantly trying to change the other. A bad girlfriend may have a fixation on “fixing” you or changing aspects of you so she can groom you into her idea of the perfect partner. This is a huge red flag.

4 – A Bad Girlfriend Takes Your Relationship (and You!) For Granted

Do you feel underappreciated by your girlfriend? Ask yourself when the last time she said “thank you” to you was. Does she frequently express her gratitude when you do things for her? Does she take note of your effort and commend you for your good qualities?

A bad girlfriend often almost acts entitled to the effort that you put in. It’s as if she has naturally expected that you’ll do things for her, no matter how little she does in return. She may even become angry with you if you decrease your total effort.

This should be a huge deal-breaker. While you don’t want to end up only doing things for a girlfriend, so she lavishes you with appreciation, you also deserve to receive appreciation regardless. A good girlfriend would never take you for granted and make you feel like you’re more of a servant than an equal partner.

5 – A Bad Girlfriend Hesitates to Take the Lead

A woman may not take the lead much at the beginning of a relationship or during the so-called talking stage. But once you labeled your partnership and dated for a while, it’s only natural and healthy for her to pull some weight when taking the initiative.

There are numerous ways that a woman may take the lead. She might:

Plan dates and takes you out on romantic outings
Flirt with you playfully
Give you compliments and express her gratitude and appreciation for you
Buy or make gifts that are either valuable, very well thought-out or both
Initiate intimacy and other forms of physical affection
Pay for dates and outings
Help you to tick things off your to-do list
Do tasks and other things for you of her own volition

Do note that you may not notice your girlfriend’s way of lead-taking at first if she speaks a love language unfamiliar to you. Consider how your girlfriend most likes receiving affection and pay attention to see if she gives you affection that way. You can also discuss love languages so that she knows how you prefer to receive affection and you know the same for her.

That said, it’s common for men to forget that they deserve to be wooed and courted, too. Don’t fall into the trap of feeling like it’s only “natural” to always be the one to take the lead. It can be exhausting to make all the first moves constantly, and a bad girlfriend will refuse to even the playing field. This can even make you wonder if she likes you at all.

6 – A Bad Girlfriend Is Dismissive And Plays The Victim

All the signs of a bad girlfriend have a minor caveat. If you believe your girlfriend’s heart is in the right place and desire to work on the relationship, you can talk to her about the issues you’ve noticed in your partnership. You can potentially overcome these difficulties and build a healthier dynamic with open discussion and good-faith communication.

However, that will only work if your girlfriend does have her heart in the right place. A bad girlfriend will not allow for such open discussion. She’ll become defensive and won’t want to hear you out. She may:

Dismiss your concerns by calling you crazy, downplaying their severity, or belittling your emotions
Attempt to twist situations to make you question reality by gaslighting you
Play the victim and act like you more hurt her until you relent
Act overly cocky and deliver veiled insults to decrease your confidence, such as saying she’s out of your league or that you should be glad she’s with you at all

If your girlfriend does any of these things when you bring up your valid concerns, this is the most significant sign that the relationship must end. You can’t keep a partnership going without mutual respect and communication.

Final Thoughts On Some Signs Of A Bad Girlfriend, According To Men

Men don’t have a lot of sources for emotional support, meaning they may not notice the signs of a bad girlfriend or toxic relationship for a long time. Even though times are changing to create more safe spaces for men, it’s a good idea to keep yourself aware of the potential red flags that mean it’s time to either have a serious discussion with your girlfriend or leave the relationship. Remember that you deserve a healthy, happy relationship where you’re appreciated and treated well!

100-Year-Old Vegan Runner Still Lives His Best Life

September 15, 2022 by Kristen Lawrence

Despite the widespread misunderstanding that vegans don’t get enough protein, meat-free athletes keep setting the bar higher. Mike Fremont, a 100-year-old plant-based runner, proves that you don’t need meat to live your best life.

The oldest known vegan runner worldwide, he holds marathon records for the single-year age groups of 88, 90, and 91. He also set the American one-mile record for the 95-99 age group at 96 years old.

To add to his accomplishments, he competed in the Canoe National Championships at 99, making him the oldest contestant.

The centenarian celebrated his milestone birthday in February 2022 with a jog around his Florida neighborhood.

Fremont took up a vegan diet at 69 years old following a colon cancer diagnosis. Doctors urged him to have life-saving surgery, but he opted to heal himself with a nutritious plant-based diet.

“I said no, I was going on a diet!” Fremont told Great Vegan Athletes. “In two and a quarter years the tumor began to bleed, and I was operated upon. The surgeon looked for metastasis in 35 places and found zero. In other words, my macrobiotic diet, [which became] a vegan diet, [which became] a whole-foods plant-based diet, killed the metastases!”

In July 2022, the acclaimed plant-based athlete and author Rich Roll asked Fremont about his secrets to success. He wanted to know how the 100-year-old maintained his endurance and competitive nature despite his age.

When Roll asked Fremont what being 100 felt like, he said the last few years had been the best.

Roll then asked: “How are you able to not just run marathons and half marathons in your late eighties and over the course of your nineties, but also set world records? What is the secret to longevity here?”

“No question in my mind, absolutely, it is diet that has determined my existence. My continued existence and my beautiful health,” Fremont replied with a smile.

The Vegan Runner Doesn’t Plan On Stopping Any Time Soon

The vegan lifestyle seems to impact Fremont’s athletic endeavors positively. Fremont’s exercise regimen includes jogging five miles weekly and kayaking and weight training.

And Fremont doesn’t have any intention of quitting in the foreseeable future. With the encouragement of his running partner Harvey Lewis, he feels more enthusiastic about running than ever. Lewis, legendary ultramarathon runner and fellow vegan, suggested a 5k run with Fremont for a 100th birthday celebration. However, Fremont insisted upon running an even longer distance!

“I asked him about the Flying Pig Marathon and if he was interested in doing the 5K, as we have done it the past couple of years,” Harvey said. “He said, ‘I don’t feel it’s really a race unless we do 10K’ with a big grin. No arguing with Mike. 10K it is!”

Like Fremont, other athletes have noticed their health and performance levels improve on a vegan diet. For example, Phoenix Suns player Chris Paul found that a plant-based diet enhanced his basketball career and personal life. He recently made his 12th appearance on the NBA All-Star team.

“When I first went plant-based, it was for performance purposes but once I saw how my body changed and how I felt – it was for life,” Paul said in an interview with GQ. “Years ago, I probably wouldn’t have even gone outside to run around with my kids and all the other activities because my body would be aching. Now, with the constant lifting and making sure that my body is always ready, it’s been a good lifestyle change for me.”

Other notable meat-free athletes include:

Venus Williams – tennis
Colin Kaepernick – NFL football player
Scott Jurek – Ultramarathon runner
Patrik Baboumian – bodybuilder
Meagan Duhamel – figure skater
Derrick Morgan – pro-NFL player

Studies Show That Vegan Diets Can Improve Health

Research shows that plant-based diets may reduce the risk of certain cancers, such as breast, prostate, and colorectal. The European Parliament recently called on the EU to encourage a vegan diet to lower cancer risks. The proposal is significant since meat and animal products have been a part of European culture for centuries.

While plant-based diets could prevent cancer development, they have not been proven to treat existing cancer. However, Fremont seems to defy scientific explanations by curing his cancer with healthy eating!

In addition to reducing cancer risk, a plant-based diet can provide many other health benefits. One study published in Plos Medicine Journal found that a vegan diet could increase life expectancy by ten years. The research states that the diet enhances longevity by lowering heart disease and stroke risk factors.

“A sustained dietary change may give substantial health gains for people of all ages both for optimized and feasible changes,” the study authors said. “Gains are reduced substantially with delayed initiation of changes, particularly when approaching the age of 80 years. An increase in the intake of legumes, whole grains, and nuts, and a reduction in the intake of red meat and processed meats, contributed most to these gains.”

Another American Heart Association(AHA) study reported that a vegan diet drastically lowers heart disease risk later in life. The research discovered that eating a plant-based diet in young adulthood minimized heart disease risk in middle age. However, a meat-free diet can benefit health at any age, as Fremont proves with his remarkable endurance.

Final Thoughts on 100-Year-Old Vegan Marathon Runner

Despite his age, centenarian Mike Fremont still runs marathons, lifts weights, and kayaks. He credited a plant-based diet for his exceptional health and said it even cured his cancer. Doctors urged him to have surgery, but he turned them down and decided to heal with nutrition. Thankfully, a plant-based diet killed the tumor and restored his health, much to the doctor’s surprise.

Fremont proves that growing up doesn’t have to mean growing old. Following a healthy diet and remaining active can still feel twenty years old, even at a hundred!

15 Quotes to Remember When Leaving an Unstable Relationship

September 14, 2022 by Sarah Barkley

Leaving an unstable relationship is more complicated than it sounds, and you’ll need personal strength and support along the journey. When you walk away, it’s helpful to have quotes that remind you of the benefits of leaving. You deserve good things in your life, including a healthy relationship.

Unstable relationships are complicated, resulting in negative emotions that affect you long-term. The people in your life might not understand what you’re going through, and these quotes can help. Even if you have a positive support system, these quotes can help you overcome hard times.

An unstable relationship is hard to deal with, and a breakup can get tough to overcome. It leaves a scar that is hard to ignore, affecting you even after you walk away. These quotes from people who have been through it can help you acknowledge your feelings and move forward.

A toxic relationship is unstable, and there’s no reason you should put up with it. You deserve much more; these quotes can help you get through it. You’ll have times when you question your decision, and turning to these quotes will help you remember why you walked away.

Nine Signs of an Unstable Relationship

You might not want to admit it when you’re in an unstable relationship. Finding love and happiness with a partner can be fulfilling, so we ignore the red flags. Many people ignore the red flags until they destroy us, but we don’t have to let it get to that point.

You’re not alone in this situation. Don’t be afraid to leave and start over when your relationship becomes unstable. You deserve the world and don’t have to allow toxicity or abuse.

However, identifying them can help you move on before things become uncontrollable. These quotes can help you maintain personal strength as you leave an unstable relationship and find a happier life. The signs of unstable relationships include the following:

Telling you not to socialize with friends and family members
preferring you to stay home instead of working
violent behavior
not doing what they say they will
dragging you down rather than inspiring you to do better
sacrificing your well-being for your partner’s benefit
feeling like you can’t give anything more
having a feeling that something isn’t right
feeling consumed and dragged down by the relationship

Quotes to Remember When Leaving an Unstable Relationship

1 – “You don’t let go of a bad relationship because you stop caring about them. You let go because you start caring about yourself.” – Charles Orlando

Walking away from a bad situation doesn’t mean you no longer care about that person. Instead, it means you have personal strength. And you care about yourself and will do what’s best for you.

2 – “People hold onto the wrong person because they think that person has the potential to be a better person.” -Sonya Parker

We often remain hopeful that someone will change, but it doesn’t usually happen. Learn to accept people for who they are, and walk away when you know it won’t make you happy.

3 – “You cannot change the past but you can change the way you look upon it. So treat the bad as a lesson and move on.” – Unknown

Experiencing bad times isn’t fun, but you can overcome them. Don’t waste your time and energy trying to change your ex, as moving on is a more feasible option. Learn from the past and move on with the knowledge you’ve gained.

4 – “Love should not make you feel like walking on eggshells.” – Emma Xu

Feeling like you’re walking on eggshells is never a good sign. If that’s how you feel in your relationship, you should walk away and reevaluate what you want. You deserve comfort and security rather than wondering if you’re doing something wrong.

5 – “Letting go means to come to the realization that some people are a part of your history, but not a part of your destiny.” – Steve Maraboli

Everyone who comes into your life makes a difference. Some people help you learn life lessons, while others remain life-long blessings.

Leaving an unstable relationship requires knowing you’re better off walking away from some people. Not everyone in your life gives happy memories because some only stay long enough to teach you a valuable life lesson.

6 – “There are people who bring you down by just being them. They need not do anything.” – Malebo Sephodi

Not everyone is good for you, and that includes romantic partners. Don’t feel bad for feeling like you would be better off without someone. You don’t need a reason for leaving an unstable relationship because some people will bring you down no matter what they do.

7 – “Why do you think of him when you know he’s not thinking of you?” – Unknown

You might waste your time and energy thinking of someone, only to realize they don’t think of you. Do what is best for you and makes you happy rather than waiting for someone who doesn’t recognize your value.

8 – “It is better for someone to break your heart once by leaving your life, than for them to stay in your life and break your heart continually.” – Terry Mark

Walking away from an unstable relationship is hard, but it’s better than dealing with continual heartbreak. Someone who doesn’t recognize your value or put in the effort you’re worth will repeatedly break your heart. Use all your strength to get through this one heartbreak, and you won’t have to accept pain from the same person.

9 – “Sometimes there are things in life that aren’t meant to stay. Sometimes change may not be what we want. Sometimes change is what we need.” – Don Bolena Jr.

You’ll meet people who shouldn’t stay in your life long-term. You might not want to leave them, but it’s better for your well-being. Don’t resist these experiences as they lead you to what you deserve to experience.

10 – “May you reach that level within, where you no longer allow your past or people with toxic intentions to negatively affect or condition you.” – Lalah Delia

Keep pushing through the hard times of your breakup to reach the level that allows freedom. You will find peace and develop a mindset that stops your unstable relationship from affecting your well-being.

11 – “Let things come and go. Stay calm, don’t let anything disturb your peace, and carry on.” – Germany Kent

Life isn’t always easy, but you must do what’s best for your sense of peace. Let go of anyone that doesn’t help you feel fulfilled, and then move on knowing you did what’s best for your life.

12 – “The person who doesn’t value you is blocking you from the one who will.” – Robert Tew

If you don’t let go of an unstable relationship, you won’t find the person who fits your lifestyle. You could miss out on the best romance of your life by sticking by someone who doesn’t suit you. Stay strong as you walk away because there’s something better for you.

13 – “We should fight for our relationships, but if fighting means ripping yourself to shreds and piggybacking all his demons, you need to leave.” – Tara Love

There’s nothing wrong with fighting for your relationship, but you shouldn’t have to fight for it or sacrifice your well-being. When a relationship causes you to question who you are and give everything you have, it’s not worth it. Let go and move on so that you can find what’s beneficial for your lifestyle.

14 – “Don’t stay in an unhealthy relationship because you think it’ll get better eventually. Know your worth and move on.” – Unknown

You might think you can change someone, but it’s a rough process. You likely won’t change the other person and continually be hurt and disrespected. Remember your value and walk away from a relationship that doesn’t foster your sense of self-worth.

15 – “It is better to break your own heart once than having someone breaking it every day.” – Kome, via Twitter

Staying in an unstable relationship can repeatedly break your heart. It might be hard to walk away, but it’s better than continually feeling like you’re not good enough. Focus on personal strength as you walk away, and remember that you deserve much more.

Tips for Moving on From an Unhealthy Relationship

Moving on from an unhealthy relationship can be an overwhelming experience. These quotes can help you stay strong during the hard times, but you can do other things too, including:

taking the healing process slow
reconnect with friends and loved ones
remember your worth
stop making excuses
write your feelings in a journal

Final Thoughts on Quotes to Remember When Leaving an Unstable Relationship

These quotes can help you move on from an unstable relationship. It isn’t easy to walk away from something you hoped would work out, and you can get through it with encouragement. Let these inspiring quotes remind you why it was best to dig deep inside for your strength and walk away.

If you were in an unstable relationship, these quotes could help you get through. You can share these quotes with someone you know who struggles to overcome a toxic situation. It’ll help brighten the dark times of moving on from a bad experience.

8-Year-Old Donates School Supplies to Honor His Late Brother

September 14, 2022 by Kristen Lawrence

Eight-year-old Greyson Brooks decided to commemorate his late brother by donating school supplies to his community. His brother Wyatt tragically died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) at four months old in 2017. The kindhearted third grader misses Wyatt dearly and doesn’t want anyone to forget him.

Destiny Hayes, Greyson and Wyatt’s mom, told TODAY that Greyson began carrying a photo of his brother after he passed away. At the time, Greyson was only three years old and couldn’t understand what had happened to his brother. He always asked his mom where Wyatt had gone and when he’d return.

“Wyatt was just this super duper sweet baby,” the 33-year-old said.

Hayes revealed that helping Greyson prepare for a new school year felt bittersweet. As she filled his backpack with school supplies, Hayes remembered that Wyatt would’ve started kindergarten this year. A wave of sadness overcame her as she envisioned Greyson and Wyatt riding the bus together for the first time.

“I never got to hear Wyatt say, ‘Mama,’ and I wonder what he would look like now,” Hayes said. “I have a nephew who was born a few weeks after Wyatt, and every time he hits a different milestone, it brings up feelings.”

However, Greyson proposed a heartwarming idea to honor his later brother while cheering his mom up. In July 2022, the sweet third-grader delivered $350 worth of school supplies to Estes Elementary School in Owensboro, Kentucky. He requested that the crayons, markers, and writing paper go to kindergarten students since Wyatt would’ve been in that grade had he not passed away from SIDS.

“I did it for my brother who passed away at four months old,” Greyson told Messenger-Inquirer. “I wanted to donate the supplies to help the whole school.”

8-Year-Old Donates School Supplies to Honor His Late Brother

With his parents’ help, Greyson launched a Facebook fundraiser to collect donations of school supplies.

“It makes me really, really happy,” the young boy said. “I’ve been thinking about it, and then I got the idea and told it to my mom, and then we did it. We brought lots of paper, crayons, erasers, and more stuff.”

Greyson plans on continuing to help his classmates and their families by donating more school supplies. His mom said she felt proud of Greyson for having such a huge heart.

“He’s a super-duper sweet kid, and we’re just proud he wants to help everybody,” Hayes said about Greyson. “He’s only 8, but he knows there are people out there struggling.”

While Hayes is still grieving from losing Wyatt, Greyson and her 3-year-old daughter Hazel help ease the pain. She fully supports Greyson’s decision to keep donating supplies in honor of Wyatt.

“Nobody likes losing a baby, but if it’s something we can continue to do in his name, we would absolutely want to keep doing this,” she said.

Hayes revealed that at the store, Greyson scoured every aisle to pick out school supplies he thought Wyatt would like. He believed his brother, who he lovingly called Bubba, would approve of his selections.

“I’m so proud of him. He went and picked out all the stuff himself,” Hayes shared. “Any time he’s doing something fun, he’ll say, ‘Bubba would like this.'”

Greyson feels that Wyatt is smiling down on him from heaven and keeping watch over the family.

Ryan Williams, principal of Estes Elementary School, commended Greyson for donating school supplies to the community. “He has a big heart,” Williams said, “and we need more people like him in this world.”

We don’t doubt that people will remember Greyson’s act of kindness for years down the road. Thankfully, other generous souls who strive to help others like Greyson exist in this world. When a beloved teacher in Georgia asked for school supplies at her funeral, thousands of people helped fulfill her dying wish.

Mourners Brought School Supplies to Teacher’s Funeral

When cherished teacher Tammy Waddell passed away, people decided to honor her uniquely. As her dying wish, Tammy requested that people bring school supplies to the funeral for needy children. Her cousin described her as a “teacher to the end,” going the extra mile to help students succeed.

Waddell taught at elementary schools in Forsyth County, Georgia, for 30 years. In 2003, the school district commemorated her as the county elementary school teacher of the year. She passed away at age 58 following a long battle with colon cancer.

Her son, Kevin Waddell, said his mother’s request for school supplies at her funeral didn’t surprise him. She always put others first and continued to do so even in death.

Her obituary revealed that mourners should donate to Project Connect to honor Tammy’s last wish. The organization provides backpacks and school supplies for children in need.

When people heard about Tammy’s request, they quickly gathered the supplies to donate. Tammy’s cousin and fellow teacher Brad Johnson photographed numerous backpacks lining the church pews at her funeral. Altogether, mourners donated about 130 school bags stuffed with various school supplies.

Paul Holbrook, a spokesperson for the funeral home, estimates the backpacks contained six months’ worth of supplies. They included notebooks, pencils, sharpeners, markers, binders, and other essential items.

Nearly a hundred of Waddell’s colleagues attended the funeral and gathered the backpacks for needy students. They delivered them to schools in the area later on. Brad described the experience as “heartwarming” in an interview with CNN.

Final Thoughts on Third Grader Donating School Supplies to Honor His Late Brother Who Passed From SIDS

Greyson Brooks, an 8-year-old from Kentucky, wanted to do something in memory of his late brother. Sadly, his brother Wyatt passed away from SIDS at four months old. The brothers would’ve ridden the school bus together for the first time this year.

Wyatt would’ve been starting kindergarten, so Greyson decided to honor him by donating supplies to the school. He collected around $350 for the school supplies, which he delivered to Estes Elementary School.

The kind gesture touched his mom’s heart as she still grieved the loss of her son to SIDS. While Greyson can’t bring Wyatt back, he knows his brother’s spirit lives on in them.

4 Reasons Why You Deserve More Than Being Friends With Benefits

September 14, 2022 by Lakeisha Ethans

When you were in your late teens or early twenties, you probably heard there’s nothing better than being friends with benefits with someone hot. If you are still young, you probably have been FWB with someone, and maybe you even liked it.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with having such a relationship. It even works for some people. The problem is how society romanticizes this situation. Everyone describes it as a way to be free while still having someone. But that’s contradictory. Some magic would have to be involved for that to be possible. So, people get into these types of relationships and wind up heartbroken.

Being in such a relationship is fine if that’s what you want. But the concept is inherently flawed. It promises all the benefits with no disadvantages. So, it just lures people into a situation unsuitable for them. Plus, even though you might not believe it, you deserve more than being friends with benefits.

What Does It Mean to Be Friends With Benefits With Someone?

If you are a Millennial or part of Gen Z, you are familiar with the idea of having a friend with benefits. But, for those who don’t know, here’s a brief explanation.

Essentially, having a friend with benefits (or FWB) is supposed to be like being in a relationship without commitment and love. Your FWB is someone you regularly sleep with. You might even hang out and go on pseudo dates together. But you aren’t in an actual relationship. You aren’t exclusive, and you don’t consider each other partners. This works for some because you can technically have all the benefits of a relationship without any disadvantages.

Because you do not commit, the connection feels like a safe space. You can vent to your FWB if you’re having a bad day. But because you don’t have romantic feelings for each other, your situation won’t ever cause additional issues.

Sure, if you hear this about being friends with benefits with someone, it sounds fantastic. A relationship, but without the responsibilities and struggles. Just having fun and hanging out with someone. Who wouldn’t want that? If this were possible outside of your imagination, everyone would do it. But this concept has one inherent flaw: people are not robots–we have emotions.

Sure, for some people, having an FWB might be convenient. But those people are part of a minority. Most people want to have a real, meaningful connection with someone. They want a relationship but have to settle for having a friend with benefits. This is the new trend when it comes to relationships, so this is what people are going to do. Even if they want more, they’ll still do it because of how falsely it’s advertised.

So, they end up being friends with benefits with someone. In that case, one of two things can happen. Either they get bored because they are romantically unsatisfied or catch feelings. You could argue that not much harm was done in the first case. Those people just lost some time, and that’s all. But in the second case, that’s where it gets tricky. Sure, in a dream world, you could confess your feelings, your FWB would reciprocate, and you’ll live happily ever after. But your heart will get broken if they don’t feel the same or aren’t ready for real commitment.

4 Reasons Why You Deserve More Than Being Friends With Benefits

No matter how attractive having a friend with benefits seems, it will lead nowhere. You have no real future with an FWB. And, worst case, you might end up with your heart broken. If you’re still unconvinced, here’s why you deserve more than being friends with benefits.

1 – You Deserve Commitment

Being in a relationship means that two people promise to stick by one another. It means that the two of you commit to building something together. But that can never happen if you have a friend with benefits. You’ll have fun, but you’ll also waste your time. When you are both equally committed to being together, that’s when you’ll feel fulfilled.

Being friends with benefits means there is no commitment at all. You spend all that time with someone, only for them to leave you hanging when things get complicated. They will not stick by you, especially if you need help escaping a sticky situation. Usually, these people bail when things aren’t fun and breezy. The main issue is that they have no moral need to reciprocate even if you are there for them.

Even if you always help them out, they make no promise to do the same for you. So, there will always be an unequal dedication level in these situations. After all, they made you no promise, so why should they make an effort? But that’s not what you need in life. You need someone dedicated to sticking by you. So, when someone suggests being FWB, don’t entertain the idea.

2 – You Deserve Respect, Not a Mere FWB

If someone wants to be friends with benefits, they tell you they don’t like you enough to be with you. In some cases, people are not ready for relationships. But those people will not want to have an FWB either. So, if someone tells you that they like you but can’t make things official, they are leading you on. If they genuinely respected you, they would want to have something real with you, not just a fling.

Sure, it’s nice to have casual hook-ups from time to time. But, if someone wants you to invest the time to be FWB, but doesn’t want a relationship, don’t take them up on the offer. You deserve someone who truly respects you. And that person will prove that they think highly of you by wanting to be with you for real. They won’t try to take the easy way out and have as few responsibilities as possible.

When someone respects you, they gladly try to see you happy. But you need someone who does more than sleep with you for romantic fulfillment. You need someone who will be with you no matter your circumstances.

3 – You Deserve More Care Than You Get in a Friends With Benefits Situation

A friend with benefits might sound great because it does not require deep emotional involvement. But do you want to be repeatedly intimate with someone who doesn’t care about you? Chances are, given a choice, you’d like someone who genuinely cares about you. Plus, you have the certainty that your partner cares in a relationship.

You don’t risk emotional attachment without reciprocation. In a relationship, your partner must prove they care through words and actions. Not only do they have to, but a good partner will want to. And that’s what you deserve. You deserve to go on dates instead of having someone reach out only for intimacy.

You deserve someone with you because they like who you are- someone who appreciates how you look, think, and act. A partner will want you to be part of their life and will make you feel special. And that’s what you should be looking for.

4 – You Deserve Something That Will Last

There are many reasons why friends with benefits don’t become something more. For once, there’s a high chance that your FWB has some side pieces. Or maybe you are the side piece, which is even worse. Besides, there’s no talk of a future or plans for longer than a few days. Sure, you might decide to go to the movies on Friday. But you won’t ever talk about what you want your future to look like.

After all, that’s not part of the deal. And, again, there’s the problem of you not liking each other or being incompatible. Essentially, having an FWB is a waste of time. It can become an even bigger waste if you try to put in some effort. So, all you get out of it is some fun, but you must deal with all the negative aspects.

You deserve to be with someone who is sure they want to be with you and who’ll plan a future together. A real couple starts to intertwine their life quickly. They might be living together or married in just a few years. Maybe that’s not your dream, and you want something more chill. Then, you can find a partner who suits you and shares your views.

But you’ll never have any future with an FWB. So, please don’t waste your time nurturing it. Instead, put yourself out there and find someone who won’t waste your time.

Final Thoughts on Some Reasons Why You Deserve More Than Being Friends With Benefits

Don’t be fooled by how good the concept sounds in reality. You’re either friends with someone, or you’re in a relationship with them. There’s no feasible in-between, no matter how much we want. So not only is the concept of being friends with benefits flawed, but it’s also not worth your time. Even if it would work, you’d be better off looking for something real.

You need a real relationship if you want respect from your partner and a real connection. You deserve steadfast commitment, not just some fling. So go out and have fun, but don’t get yourself tied up in a friends-with-benefits situation. The only thing that will happen is you’ll get your heaty broken. If you get lucky, you’ll only get bored. But that still means you wasted your time.

If you want a hook-up, go for a real one. Otherwise, put yourself on the market and look for real love. You deserve love and to find something with prospects for the future. And having an FWB will not give you what you want.

3 Signs It’s Worth It to Save a Failing Relationship

September 14, 2022 by Lakeisha Ethans

Relationships have their fair share of rough patches. However, when they begin, everything is sunshine and rainbows, and fights and arguments become more commonplace as time progresses. While this progression doesn’t necessarily indicate a failing relationship, it can be a warning sign. If allowed to escalate, it’s a massive cause for concern.

In a failing relationship, you stop being your best self. You start to make each other feel like you aren’t good enough. You lose your sense of self and begin to avoid each other to avoid conflict. All of these signal the beginning of the end – but can you stop yourselves from going further down that path? Here are three signs it’s worth it to save a failing relationship.

1 – Your Arguments And Anger Are Misdirected

Arguments happen even in healthy relationships, but with a caveat: healthy conflicts are productive. When you argue with someone constructively, you prioritize listening, positive communication, and identifying root issues to solve together.

This is often not how your fights will go in a failing relationship. Instead, they fill your soul with anger and emotion, and arguments never lead anywhere, which often causes you to have the same discussion repeatedly. Even when you feel that your arguments are productive, as another controversy brews, you realize soon after that the same underlying patterns that spurred the previous fight still exist.

This is because anger is often a cover for something else. For example, a failing relationship often fails due to a lack of proper emotional connection, meaning you don’t fight about the real issue. Experts at the Gottman Institute explain that, while anger is a primary emotion, it can also be a secondary emotion.

This means that anger is often not the initial emotion you feel but a protective emotion that masks the more genuine, more painful feelings underneath. These are the true roots of your relationship problems and the things you’ll need to address – not the surface-level issues you fight about. Here are some examples of situations where there are underlying roots not being addressed:

Root causes of your arguments:

When Partner 1 asks Partner 2 to do something, Partner 2 becomes angry and starts criticizing Partner 1 for being lazy or not pulling their weight in the relationship, even if they are. In reality, Partner 2 needs more alone time to rest and set proper boundaries.
Partner 2 initiates fights with Partner 1 multiple times over small, seemingly minor incidents of Partner 1’s forgetfulness. This makes Partner 1 think that Partner 2 constantly makes big deals out of nothing. In reality, Partner 2 often has to pick up the slack when Partner 1 forgets about things, and all the small “minor” things they’ve done have added up and begun to burn them out.
Partner 1 likes to ask Partner 2 about their work and check in with them about their progress on specific tasks. Partner 2 becomes angry about this and calls Partner 1 a control freak. In reality, Partner 2 is dealing with personal inadequacy and feels ashamed that they may not be doing well enough to measure up to Partner 1. If Partner 2 never communicates these feelings, Partner 1 will be unable to understand that Partner 2 needs validation from them.

It’s also worth noting that sometimes, fighting and anger aren’t even a result of significant issues in a relationship. Instead, they can result from external stressors, such as unexpected life changes, poor living conditions, overbearing family members, and personal baggage and struggles.

No matter the root cause of each partner’s anger, it’s worth saving a failing relationship if you can get to the bottom of those genuine causes. Having productive conversations about real problems is central to a relationship’s health.

2 – Despite the Failing Relationship, Neither Of You Wants To Be With Anyone Else

In a failing relationship, it’s not uncommon for one or both partners to start wanting to leave the relationship. They may begin thinking of other potential relationships, their eyes may begin to wonder, and they may envision a future outside of this relationship. This is why, when some relationships end, one person can move on so quickly – they mentally checked out and were able to process the breakup months before it happened.

So when is a failing relationship worth saving?

When both parties could not possibly imagine wanting to be out of the partnership. Both partners remain wholly committed and have zero interest in being with other people, being single, or a future without the other in it. That’s when you know that there is still an emotional connection. Often, this also means that both parties continue to love and respect each other entirely, which is also a crucial component.

You’ll know if this applies to you if:

You enjoy being with each other. Time spent with each other genuinely feels good, and you still look forward to seeing each other and trying to do so as much as possible.

Neither of you can imagine leaving the other. Even if you’ve thought about leaving once or twice, the idea of actually doing it feels unbearable.
Neither of you can imagine being with anyone else. But, again, even if you’ve entertained the thought, you feel uncomfortable with the idea and do not want to date somebody else. It might even gross you out to consider it.
Being single doesn’t sound good to either of you. You don’t think of being single as something that could be freeing, exciting, or positive.
You feel safe with each other. You are each other’s rock and can stay anchored through rough times in your relationship.

There are a few caveats to this, however, and you must keep them in mind. First, a failing relationship is only worth saving due to a mutual desire to stay together if:

The relationship itself should still be somewhat healthy. There should be respect and love for each other, even during arguments. There should be no abusive behavior.
You are not codependent on each other. You have individual identities and are your unique people. While you may rely on each other in some aspects, you are perfectly capable of doing those things on your own, too.
Your desire to stay together is not born out of fear of change, a sunk-cost fallacy, or a practical thought that breaking up would decrease quality of life or other factors. The desire, instead, should come from affection and genuine love.

The desire to be together alone cannot be sufficient to save a failing relationship. Instead, it should be the bond that ties you together with mutual love and respect. This will keep you afloat through the rocky period where you work on your relationship and yourselves.

3 – You Are Both Fully Committed To Growth

The most crucial step to saving a failing relationship is commitment. It takes two to tango, so all partners must be willing to stay committed to the relationship’s growth, improvement, and betterment. They must put aside their pride and ego to focus on love, respect, and compromise. Here are some signs that you are fully committed to growth.

You keep communication channels open.

While growing together in a relationship, you must continue to communicate and maintain a healthy, open dialogue. Both partners should learn to fight in productive ways, use positive language when airing concerns, and listen to the other with the goal of understanding. Neither partner should ever make the other feel shame for communicating.

You work on yourselves individually.

A relationship is two people coming together. Both partners must commit to improving themselves, not just the connection. It is healthy to grow for the sake of yourself instead of others, and it also allows you to bring your best self to the relationship.

You both agree not to give up on the failing relationship.

Knowing that your partner will be there with you and for you no matter what is a huge deal when your relationship is rocky. Of course, this isn’t a reason to grow complacent. Instead, it’s a reason to keep going knowing that both of you are trying your best, even when it’s tough. You can trust that you will stay together and that your efforts will pay off.

You forgive each other for whatever caused the failing relationship.

The only way to move forward to save a failing relationship is to put aside past issues and arguments–leave them in the past. Studies show forgiveness can even lead to improved well-being. However, do note that forgiveness is not something that the forgiven partner should take advantage of. You can’t leave a problem in the past if that same problem keeps returning. Remember that apology without action is manipulation; in this case, the relationship requires long-term change for forgiveness to be a healthy part.

You share a clear vision for the future.

You are both working toward the same or a similar idea of the future, so your goals are aligned. This gives you something in common to stand arm in arm through as you work on yourselves and the relationship. Being on the same page about where you’re going and where you want the relationship to go is crucial to saving a failing relationship.

You attend counseling sessions to save the failing relationship.

Marriage and personal counseling are essential tools for saving a failing relationship. Having an unbiased third party provide advice and serve as a rational, professionally trained mediator is incredibly helpful. In personal counseling, both partners can unravel issues plaguing the relationship and how to manage them better. If these counseling options are available and accessible to you, they’re often a must for saving a failing relationship.

Final Thoughts On Some Reasons Why It’s Worth To Save A Failing Relationship

It can be hard to save a failing relationship; many decide there’s no point. However, if you and your partner want to stay together, you can work on uncovering the genuine roots of your problems and commit yourselves to growth. You can push through the tough times and arguments to emerge stronger together if you move forward with love, respect, and hard work.

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