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Tag: self improvement

  • 20 Productive Things To Do At Home When You Are Bored

    20 Productive Things To Do At Home When You Are Bored

    If you have some time on your hands, or if you’re stuck at home without anything to do, it’s easy to start to feel bored. However there are quite a number of productive things to do at home when you are bored. And it can be pretty fun too.

    Everyone goes through a phase of boredom at one point or the other but boredom can be conquered by following these 3 simple steps:

    1. Understand what boredom is and what it can cause.
    2. Have some effective strategies in place that you can use to fight boredom immediately when it kicks in.
    3. Have a list of productive and fun activities to do that will help you break out of boredom.

    Boredom is a feeling caused as a result of monotony in daily activities, lack of energy, lack of motivation, procrastination, loneliness, being idle or not finding anything interesting to do.

    But sometimes, you could be surrounded with people and things to do but still be bored. Sigh, it’s way better to be bored alone than to have someone actually boring the remaining life out of you!

    Now, there is a difference between being lazy and feeling bored. Laziness refers to when a person is just lounging around and doesn’t put any effort into doing anything, while boredom means not having much to do or not motivated to do anything.

    20 Fun & Productive Things To Do At Home When Boredom Strikes

    Productive things to do at home when bored

    As the saying goes, “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop”. Therefore, you need to get your hands or mind busy in a positive way as much as you can, in order to fight boredom, which may lead to having terrible thoughts or doing things you don’t really want to (like overeating).

    Below are 20 fun and productive things to do at home when you find yourself feeling bored. They won’t just help you pass time when you’re bored, but will also be productive and fruitful for your personal development.

    1. Learn a new skill

    What better way to kill boredom than to equip yourself with a new skill? There are different types of new skills you could learn that will even help you forge ahead in whatever career you already have at hand.

    The good news is that you can learn most of these skills online for free, examples are: digital marketing, graphic design, photography, content creation, e.t.c. The bad news is…well there’s no bad news, you have no excuse not to learn that skill now, especially if you’ve got the time!

    Learning a new skill can be a very exciting and fun thing to do. It could even make you money in the long run if you decide to offer it as a service to other people (which I’m pretty sure you want to do because it seems in 2020, everyone wants to make a bit of extra money )!

    2. Improve your existing skills

    You probably have a certain skill you have learnt before, but you just abandoned it or you haven’t made any move to find out the new development in that field—now is the time to find ways to improve on that skill.

    Times are always changing, as change is the only constant thing in life. The only way to stay on top of your game with any skill you have is to constantly change with the times by learning and practicing the newly introduced developments in that are. And the best time to do this…is…drum roll…when you’re bored, since you know, you’ve got the time.

    3. Learn a new language

    Learning a new language is a very interesting practice to engage in and it might come in handy for you at anytime. A lot of people have always had the intention to learn a new language but they always postpone it due to lack of time.

    Learning a new language broadens your mind, and gives you a view of other cultures and ways of life. You might even decide to visit the place where the language is spoken someday and you will be able to actively communicate with the people.

    You don’t necessarily have to go to a language learning center or take a physical course in school to learn a new language anymore, everything can be learned online. And some platforms even offer it for free (whoop whoop)!

    4. Read

    Reading is a very exciting thing to do, be it fiction or non-fiction. You either learn a thing or two, get entertained or possibly get more motivated. In times when you are bored or don’t have anything to do, reading can be a good way to pass time effectively.

    5. Do a physical workout

    Physical workout is not just a way to help you fight boredom, it also helps you stay healthy and fit.

    Have any unwanted belly fat? You can actually get rid of it when you’re bored!

    You can go for a run or do indoor exercises, whichever works for you is fine. There are plenty of free exercise classes online. The end result is what matters.

    6. Keep your mind busy and brainstorm

    Great ideas are born out of mere thoughts and as Napoleon Hill said, “Ideas are the beginning points of all fortunes”. The best time to brainstorm and formulate new ideas is when you are bored and doing nothing productive.

    Let your mind wander, bring up different scenarios, think about what a certain action you implement will lead to. Just free your mind and think strategically.

    Who knows, you could come up with a brand new business idea, or a best seller book idea. Or if you’re stuck with a particular problem in some area of your life, you might finally come up with a good solution.

    7. Empty your mailbox or messages and send responses

    Clean your inbox - Productive Things To Do At Home When You Are Bored

    Reading through your messages and mail can be tiring sometimes. And even when you read them you might not have enough time to send back responses immediately. That’s why it’s so easy to just let the messages pile up. And pile up. And then you see the number of messages keep growing, and it makes it even more daunting to tackle that inbox. (I’m definitely guilty of doing this).

    The perfect time to get your inbox back in order is when you are bored. Open your mailbox or messages, read through the important ones, delete the unimportant ones and respond to those you should.

    Before you know it, you have gotten that out of the way and you also beat boredom all at once. And your future self will thank you for it. Definitely one of the more productive things to do at home when you are bored. 

    8. Check up on family and friends and spend time with them

    Caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, we don’t always have the time to check up on those dear to us or even spend time with them. Pick up your phone to call them today and ask how they are doing. Visit them if you can and spend quality time with them.

    9. Adopt a new hobby

    Hobbies are things we love to do and find joy in doing. Everyone has one or two hobbies, but it doesn’t hurt to have more up your sleeve in order to beat boredom.

    There are a wide variety of hobbies a person can choose from; singing (basically everyone’s hobby in the shower), swimming, photography, writing, reading, sightseeing, cooking, painting, drawing.

    The list is endless and all you have to do is try some out (or all of them) one at a time in order to decide which one works best for you.

    10. Take a walk

    Taking a walk is a very therapeutic thing to do, it helps you clear your head, think better and breathe in fresh air (or run into that cute boy down the street).

    One of the best things you can do for yourself when you are bored is to take a long walk down your block or to a serene place, appreciate nature in all it’s glory, breathe in fresh air and be refreshed.

    11. Plan your next trip

    We all deserve a little bit of fun and there are places we can go to in order to make that a reality. But just going to places isn’t all of the fun. Planning your trip can be just as much fun!

    So plan that next a fishing trip, a boat cruise, a mountain hike, or visiting a new place you really want to see. Anything fun that catches your fancy. 

    12. Watch an informational movie or documentary

    Watching movies or documentaries that you can learn something from is a very fun way to alleviate boredom. Not only are you getting entertained, you also get to learn one or two things. So grab some popcorn, put on something interesting and chill.

    13. Listen to music

    Who doesn’t love some beautiful sounds and lyrics to the ears? As Billy Joel said, “I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music.”

    You want to kill that boredom? Plug in your earphones, put on that stereo and play that music you love. If possible dance to it, reflect on it and let it warm your heart. You will be glad you did it.

    14. Create something

    Creation is the whole essence of life, the world was created and so were we.

    There are different things you could get your hands on and create. It could be as simple as planting a new flower, creating a photo book, or a drawing.

    You are not limited, all you have to do is create something, anything. It doesn’t just cure boredom, but it also heightens your creativity level and gives you a sense of achievement.

    15. Evaluate your progress

    One very good time to reflect and evaluate how far you have gone with your plans, goals and aspirations is when you are bored.

    You’ll be able to critically think about all that you have done to work towards your goals, how successful your steps have been, and what you need to stop doing or start doing more of. This way, you give yourself a fresh perspective and a new start if needed.

    16. Socialize and network

    The truth is, you will always need people in whatever endeavor you choose in life. And what better way to meet more people than to network and socialize.

    This can be done in person by attending events or shows, but it could also easily be done via the internet if you’re stuck at home. The key is to reach out to people, spark interesting conversations, tell them what you do, exchange contacts and keep in touch.

    17. Meditate

    Meditate - Productive Things To Do At Home When You Are Bored

    Meditation is the exercise of the mind.

    In the words of Pema Chodron, “Meditation is a process of lightening up, of trusting the basic goodness of what we have and who we are, and of realizing that any wisdom that exists, exists in what we already have. We can lead our life so as to become more awake to who we are and what we’re doing rather than trying to improve or change or get rid of who we are or what we’re doing. The key is to wake up, to become more alert, more inquisitive and curious about ourselves.”

    By meditating, you are training your mind to focus, redirecting your thoughts positively and letting go of stress. It is a very effective and productive way to overcome boredom.

    18. Take a Nap

    Okay, this does not look so productive at first glance, but the body (and mind) need adequate rest to function well. Instead of worrying about how bored you are, why not just lay down and take a nap?

    Not only are you eliminating your boredom by doing this, but you are also giving your body and mind the adequate rest that it deserves. This can be especially helpful if you don’t normally get a good night’s rest.

    19. Write something

    Writing - Productive Things To Do At Home When You Are Bored

    Anais Nin said, “We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect”, and I absolutely agree.

    Writing helps your mind to travel far away with imagination. It helps you to understand things that are blurry and helps you put tiny shattered pieces of thought together.

    You can write about absolutely anything.  Putting pen on paper or typing out those words helps you free your mind. Just keep scribbling without stopping and without judgement. You’ll be surprised that the words make so much sense to the next person. Writing is a therapeutic way to beat boredom.

    20. Eliminate procrastination

    Procrastination has always been said to be “ the greatest thief of time”.

    Sometimes you have so much to do, that it starts to seem overwhelming, and then you abandon it all and instead begin to complain of boredom. You need to stand up now, motivate yourself and get back to what you really should be doing instead of moping around and complaining of boredom.

    Postponing what you should do now till later won’t make you any better or more relaxed, because you still have that particular thing hanging over your head. Get up and start doing something.

    So, dear friend, it’s okay to get bored, don’t we all? But the right thing to do is find a way or ways to get out of it before it eats you up.

    How much better if it’s something that will also end up being productive for you in the end. Explore new things, find new ideas and build on existing ones. Doing the things highlighted in this article will be your easy way out of boredom.

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    Don’t forget to share and pin these 20 productive things to do at home when you are bored!

    If you found this post helpful, please remember to pin it to your personal development or productivity board on Pinterest. If you think anyone else could benefit from these 20 productive things to do at home when you are bored, please share it with them too!

    You can also follow me on Pinterest for more ideas and posts like this!

    Productive things to do at home when bored

  • 30 Easy Ways To Improve Yourself Little By Little Every Day

    30 Easy Ways To Improve Yourself Little By Little Every Day

    Humans in general have so many limitations most of which are set by the human brain. So basically, they are limits set only by your mind and can completely be overruled if you work on your mindset. You can totally turn your life around with little ways to improve yourself bit by bit every day.

    Limitations of the body such as not having an extra arm to help you clip your toenails while you brush your teeth might be impossible to beat, but when we talk about limitations of the mind, the only limit that actually exists is the one you impose on yourself.

    The mind has unlimited possibilities and if you can unlock these, well, you may just be able to fly (or run really fast, if we’re being realistic).  Each of these little ways to improve yourself will help set every aspect of your life on track, with end results that are beyond satisfying.

    1. Read a good book

    Reading a book generally adds more value to your bank of knowledge. Books contain a lot of information that often you never knew you needed but right after learning them, you start to wonder how you ever lived without them. Try reading a book which has a great stream of reviews or based on recommendations (not something like Fifty Shades Darker of course). You never know what you may gain to improve yourself in the process.

    2. Zone in…or zone out (either way, find your zone)

    Think of your zone as a kind of head space where you get comfortable, a place where you feel the most relaxed with as minimal worries as can be. Visiting this head space often expels negativity while procuring positivity, and having a positive mind will inevitably improve your general self.

    3. Defy fear

    Fear often stops a person from reaching his or her full potential and that’s the very reason I refer to it as the natural enemy of progress. Having fear of a particular outcome will definitely limit your view of solutions to a problem so it’s advised that when in fear, do the exact opposite of what fear is telling you to do. Go all out and explore all possible options, this has proven to help boost the success of many individuals in life.

    4. Perfect your skill set

    Having a set of skills is so important that you may just be irrelevant in the world without one. Improving or honing such skills has helped so many individuals achieve unimaginable feats in their various fields. It’s better to be a one trick pony and be a master of your skill than being a jack of all trades but a master of none. Doing this daily would drastically improve you as a person.

    5. Get accustomed to waking up early

    Getting up during the early hours of the morning gives you an edge over those who wake up late everyday and rush through every morning. It provides you with extra time to get something done or maybe complete unfinished business or better yet practice a certain skill in order to perfect it. This process will open up its benefits to you after performing it for just a short period of time.

    6. Exercise daily

    Working on your physical body has a great impact on your mental health (besides giving you tight abs of course). Physical fitness helps you get to places faster (yes, if you’ve been wondering why you’re slow and get tired after walking a few blocks, well, I hate to break it to you but…you need to exercise!).

    It also helps you look better which is all we really want even though we won’t all admit it. Daily exercise is definitely a necessary step in improving yourself as a person.

    7. Try new challenges

    Taking on new tasks challenges your brain to come up with better ways of solving a problem, generally improving your faculty of thinking, boosting morale and taking success levels higher than before.

    8. Accept your flaws

    Identifying areas where you lack the capability of performing well is the first step in acquiring the skills to solve that problem. The instant you can identify your flaws, you gain the ability to turn them into areas of strengths and we all know that every person out there has his or her flaws. I myself have a few and by few I mean a thousand or so. The moment you actualize this step, you will watch yourself improve beautifully in different areas.

    9. Control your vices

    Every human on earth at the stage of puberty will likely develop a vice or two, unless of course you’re little miss perfect. Vices are sort of bad habits we indulge in at certain times in our lives and most stick with us throughout our life span. An example of a vice would be smoking, drinking, gambling or maybe something seemingly harmless like eating too many sweets or candy. Cutting down on this will improve your health and general well-being.

    10. Learn tolerance

    Sometimes in life, we face complicating circumstances and how we deal with them or respond to them could drastically improve or reduce the quality of the result. That’s why in certain cases we need to learn to be patient, for instance, while waiting on something or receiving an annoying response from another individual.

    11. Learn a strategic game

    Learning a game like chess or checkers will help you improve your ability to think on the spot and come up with valuable solutions to various problems. This skill comes in handy when you are faced with challenging problems, seeing as the game would have trained your brain to think faster.

    12. Cut down TV time

    Yes, television (TV) can be educative sometimes but definitely not all the time. While watching things like news programs on TV can update a person on what is going on in their surroundings, it could also serve as a distraction and can turn into a bad habit pretty quickly.

    Cutting down TV time is necessary in order to create enough time to be productive in other aspects of our lives.

    13. Set a personal challenge

    Putting certain obstacles in front of you slows you down for a while but once you can pull through such challenges, facing them in reality would be ten times easier because you have already faced such a challenge before. This step will improve your problem solving skills.

    14. Cling to top innovators

    When I say cling to top innovators I don’t mean stalk them on their social media pages, monitor their movements and lurk in the shadows behind their homes. Now, that’s just creepy. I mean, cling to the advice they give to the general public since that’s what has gotten them to such heights.

    15. Focus on your goals

    If you have identified goals or feats you are hell bent on achieving make sure no one out there slows you down or tries to stop you from reaching them. Give your goals your full attention and time.

    16. Find inner peace

    The human mind is the base or the foundation of all the processes that go on in the human body, think of it as the engine room in a train. Without it being in perfect order, the train would have difficulties performing at maximum potential.

    That’s the same thing that would happen in the human body. Training your mind is essential in trying to improve yourself everyday and to be able to do this, inner peace must be found and this can be done through different processes like coming to terms with past events or meditation.

    17. Idolize your mentor

    A mentor is someone you look up to and want to be like in life. Achieving this is possible if you follow in his footsteps and do things the way he would, make decisions he would make and even eat things he would eat (okay, maybe don’t be too stalker-ish).

    18. Try writing a book

    Writing a book might sound like a very long and complicated process but it’s actually really possible. Several people over time have done so. Writing helps you explore a whole different world of information, improving many things within you, especially your vocabulary. Try this out and see the fun parts of it start to unravel right before your eyes.

    19. Avoid bad vibes

    When around people or with company, there are certain feelings which can be felt in the air. These can be referred to as “vibes.” A vibe can either make or break a situation depending on whether it’s positive or negative, good or bad. So avoiding people with bad vibes is a great way to protect your own positive vibes. Bad energy…stay far away!

    20. Execute ideas

    Ideas are very good things to have but having an idea and not acting on it defies the entire purpose of coming up with one. If you have an idea, stop coming up with excuses not to act on it. Stop procrastinating. Write that business proposal today, call that acquaintance today, go for that trip today…and shave those legs today!

    If you always come up with ideas and never act on them, you won’t see your ideas become a reality. It’s just so easy to go through life this way, and pretty soon you’re old and looking back on your life wishing you started doing everything sooner.

    21. Realize next to impossible goals

    When setting standards, set them high, even if they are too high for you (not unrealistically high, but you get the point). Doing this will help you grow yourself in order to actualize the goal you have set in place.

    Think of it as putting money on a high shelf so each time you need it you have to do a little hop to get it. With time, you would gain the ability to jump higher than you could before.

    22. Create a schedule

    Being busy is not a bad thing as long as you’re busy improving yourself. Try to allocate different times to different activities in your life, making sure each one gets the required amount of time to see a positive impact.

    23. Ask for reviews or feedback

    Never be too shy to ask another person what they think of your progress or your work so far and don’t feel bad if you get negative reviews. You either win or learn, there’s no losing.

    Negative feedback just means there is a little more work to be done and if all your reviews come out positive then that’s a win-win situation for you as a person, and it proves that what you have been doing actually works.

    24. A little competition is healthy

    Rivalries are common in various fields and have shown more positive results than negative. A rival is someone you would try to beat when giving a solution to a problem, for instance, or just generally try to be better than.

    Now I’m not referring to a batman and joker kind of relationship but something healthier, such that you would both push each other to the point where each of you would have to improve to a certain quality in order to match one another.

    25. Say no to late nights

    Many believe staying up late and even pushing up to the early hours of the morning gives the desired result concerning work or study. On the contrary, doing this may reduce the quality of whatever solution you’re looking to procure. The human body requires 7 to 8 hours of sleep and depriving yourself of that would definitely take a toll on you after a certain amount of time. Instead, go to bed early and start your mornings early.

    26. Try new hobbies

    As mentioned before, trying new things always has a positive effect on the human brain and opens it up to a whole new world of information. So, you really have nothing to lose with trying out new hobbies.

    27. Learn a new language

    This is a very beautiful and fun process to go through while trying to better yourself as a person. Learning a new language can become very useful in different situations and gives you an edge over those who can’t keep up with you because they lack the skill.

    28. Eat healthy

    You will never hear a person complain about being too healthy. With that said, you should definitely add healthy meals to your daily diet. Doing this keeps your brain in good condition to think and your body in a better condition to act, thus improving your daily routine.

    29. Observe your surroundings

    The human mind always tries to get new information from whatever it can pick up which is why whenever you go somewhere new, you tend to helplessly look around, but this is a very good attribute actually. When you observe your surroundings, you tend to know when and how to act in order to match the situation and deliver the best form of results.

    30. Have a little fun or rest period

    Having fun can be done in various ways depending on your personal preference and choices. Some prefer to sit and play games while others prefer to involve themselves in more strenuous activities like playing sports, jogging or even boxing (how random right?). Resting can be put in place of this. Just make sure you give yourself time away from all the work and stress in order to give your brain a chance to recuperate so you come back bigger, better and more attractive (wink wink).

    Try applying these steps in your day to day life and you are sure to see a positive impact in your life as a person. These steps will bring about tranquility, and even if you don’t use them all, try your best to practice at least half of them and expect incredible results.

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    Remember to pin these ways to improve yourself for later!

    Don’t forget to pin these 30 easy ways to improve yourself to your personal development board on Pinterest. You can also follow me for more tips and ideas like these that can change your life if you let it.

    Easy Ways To Improve Yourself Little By Little Every Day

    Easy Ways To Improve Yourself Little By Little Every Day

  • Top 10 Morning Habits To Supercharge Your Day With Positivity

    Top 10 Morning Habits To Supercharge Your Day With Positivity

    There’s an old adage. If you get out of bed with the wrong foot, it will ruin your entire day. While scientists cannot identify the guilty foot, you can sway the odds in your favor. Here are ten morning habits that are free and easy enough to mush into a busy morning schedule.

    Morning habits for positivity and productivity

    How you start your mornings can have a big influence on how the rest of your day goes. That’s why putting in the work to fix your morning habits and morning routine can be a huge benefit. Below are some suggestions for you to start with.

    1. Give Thanks – Whatever That Means To You

    Morning habits - giving thanks

    Expressing gratitude is very personal. Especially when it’s a little abstract and you’re not thanking an actual person standing in front of you. For some, it’s a moment of faith and prayer. Others like writing in a gratitude journal. You can even just sit with your morning brew and thankful thoughts. No action required.

    It doesn’t matter if you’re thankful for the same things most days. Gratitude or thanksgiving isn’t a well that runs dry because you’re only allowed to name your newborn once.

    Instead, the point of the exercise is to hone your ability to spot the gems that exist in your life right now. No matter how big or small. You’re allowed to name something for as long as you’re grateful for it.

    Positive reflection brings peace in the moment and strength for the rest of the day.

    2. Wash Your Face (And Indulge)

    Let’s face it. That face is not a pretty face once you peel it from the pillow – and we tend to feel the sleep on our skin. The tightness, the not-so-rightness. Ah, that’s where the magic of a washcloth comes in.

    This habit is a great one to start with, right after you get up. It’s simple and refreshing, capable of waking even those who don’t know what species they are until they’ve had their first cup of coffee.

    While this habit is mostly about sleeping in your washcloth for a second before waking up, you’re welcome to go the extra mile. There’s plenty of evidence that suggests you can boost your confidence by sprucing up. But as important as routine hygiene is, don’t make it all about that.

    Do something that’s an absolute spoiler. That vanilla-flavored face scrub that’s not necessary but makes you feel like a queen? That one. Indulging in a favorite product is a deeply positive thing to do for your mood.

    3. One Rep, Two Reps – Or Just Stretch

    This one is entirely optional… Because we understand. Some people and exercise don’t mix in the morning.

    That being said, if you struggle with waking up then you might want to consider gentle stretching. Chances are that even a slight attempt to stretch a few muscles will clear the brain fog and provide a pleasant physical buzz. Indeed, these are the perks that drive those who love intensive exercise in the morning.

    Don’t worry, this paragraph won’t nag about the health benefits of exercising. Everyone knows how important movement is these days. But in the spirit of exercise being critical to good health, let’s cover one more benefit of morning mojo. A busy day leaves most people too tired to crawl over to that yoga mat when they get home. But when done first thing in the morning, nothing can prevent you from growing fitter, stronger, and healthier.

    4. Freshen Up With Meditation

    Morning habits - try meditation

    Meditation is like a washcloth for the mind. Sure, the Zen might not scrub the dirt off yesterday’s worst moments but that’s not the purpose of your morning routine. The purpose of being monkish in the early hours is to relax and loosen yesterday’s grip so that you can face today.

    Meditation shares a drawback with exercise – not everybody likes doing it so early. For this reason, you really don’t have to be politically correct here. There needn’t be a yoga-certified cushion, home studio or oriental music piping in the background. Meditation can be done sitting on the sofa and a five-minute session can center somebody who meditates regularly.

    To foster positivity, focus on starting fresh. Give yourself permission to let go of the emotional baggage of yesterday and try again today. If this is too upsetting for some reason, don’t do it. Instead, rely on an old faithful – just be aware of your surroundings, feelings, and thoughts but don’t attach yourself to them. Just observe. This also breaks the draining bond we share with bad memories.

    Top tip: Don’t try to be perfect. Enjoy and relax into the process. Acknowledge any frustrations and release them.

    5. Plan your day

    Here’s a gremlin that kills morning joy – feeling unprepared for a busy day. The best antidote is to work with a plan. Even a rough draft (literally just a To-Do list) can do wonders for mental tension. When you know what must be done and in what order, things no longer seem so overwhelming.

    You can devote a few minutes each morning to plan your day. If you’d rather create your schedule the night before, you can use the morning to review any preparations for the day’s meetings, appointments, and projects.

    Once again, don’t aim for perfection. You’re up against a hard fact of life – nearly every day is derailed by one or two unexpected things. The idea is to follow a realistic schedule that removes a good portion of stress from your routine.

    6. Vegetate Like A Champion

    You’ve been waiting for this one, haven’t you? Well, now you have permission to make “doing nothing” a positive morning habit.

    The best time is before the rush of the day’s first chores. For instance, while the kids are still sleeping or you have enough time before going to work. This habit is a wonderful way to ease into the day.

    If doing zilch for half an hour gives you peace of mind, then carve out that slot like you mean it. Sit in your slippers or work shoes, hold that heavenly caffeinated drink between your palms and vegetate with zeal.

    7. Ditch The News For Inspiration

    The stories we hear on the news are mostly bad. So much so that some people have abandoned listening to news broadcasts altogether. It remains each person’s choice to tune in to the BBC or buy a newspaper.

    But for the benefit of creating a positive morning habit, how about shifting your usual news slot to a later time during the day? We might not personally know that politician messing up another policy or the toddler who got caught in the crossfire of two gangs. But unsettling reports like these dampen our spirits.

    When big news is afoot, chances are that somebody will tell you anyway. Sometimes we cannot control when a friend or family member spills the beans. However, you can control the start of your day by shutting off the news.

    Read one inspirational article instead of the news. You can make it random by just searching the Internet. These reads are legion and you’ll be spoilt for choice.

    Another option is to digest a solution to something you’re struggling with at the moment. It could be anxiety, finances, your business, wanting a new bullet journal spread, or how to reignite your passion for a hobby.

    The difference cannot be overstated. Sure, the news has its place – but it rarely pushes you forward on your own journey. The news doesn’t really care about you.

    On the other hand, inspirational articles can bring a dramatic change in anyone’s life. It takes a single piece of advice to resonate with you. When that happens, blocks are removed and things move forward. They can also provide strength to survive difficult times. The good news is that these benefits are available even when inspirational articles are limited to twice or three times a week.

    8. Spit And Polish A Drawer

    Alright, don’t spit. This part does involve cleaning but you don’t have to take out the mop and energy drink.

    Just pick a small area to organize, like a shelf or drawer. The bedside stand or the dog’s basket. Pack things away, throw away what you don’t need, arrange items in a useful and aesthetic way, and wipe the area down. Eventually, they’ll add up. For example, if you do this every morning then around 30 spaces a month inside your home gets organized. That’s a lot!

    This is a positive habit for several reasons. A neat room calms the mind. A messy environment tends to do the opposite. This is also an effective way for busy individuals to get a handle on clutter. The same counts for those without the energy or physical strength to spring clean an entire house or room.

    You’ll feel inspired knowing that you organized so much in a single month and barely spend five minutes on the task every day.

    PS: You can check out these great bedroom organization ideas if you’re looking for tips!

    9. Slay An Epic Goal

    Morning habits - work on your goals

    You don’t have to devote hours a day to achieve your biggest dreams. To be honest, it’s not always feasible to spend that much time on a goal when you have a family, career, and problems that need tending to. But before you know it, the years pass without any significant personal milestones. Your first-draft novel sits in a box for a decade. That degree never materializes. And your life becomes filled with regrets.

    Epic goals are hard to achieve. Believe it or not, but there’s a higher chance of success when you whittle that monster down with achievable steps.

    The biggest mistake people make is to get carried away with excitement and then rush things. They invest massive amounts of emotional or time-bound actions. Most either burn themselves out or end up resenting the effort. What used to be a dream suddenly feels like a chore. One without any rewards. This is one of the reasons why people give up on major goals.

    A 10 to 15-minute slot in the morning could prevent such frustrations. It could make you more excited to work on the goal because you know there’s only a tiny window allotted every day. This keeps the work interesting and fresh. Additionally, you can also go about your day knowing that you contributed a meaningful step towards something that’s personally important to you.

    10. Have A Positive Conversation (Or Avoid A Negative One)

    For this recipe, you’ll need another person. Only add a positive human being to the mix and stir.

    Alright, reality check. Not everyone lives in a house full of perky people. There’s bound to be a grouch in the home. Hey, sometimes you’re the crabby one. But don’t underestimate the power of putting negativity on the shelf for just one conversation.

    Keeping a talk on track takes practice. But when two people can just be together in the morning and hold a conversation that they know won’t get weird, what happens? They feel safe. There’s a sense of camaraderie and relaxation. The loneliness fades.

    A morning can also be peaceful without a conversation. No talking is sometimes better than a fight. We’ve all experienced that regrettable moment right before work when a talk went south. An argument so early (and probably unresolved) often ruins the rest of the day with icky feelings.

    For this reason, mornings should only be filled with a hearty topic or golden silence – or even a hearty-golden-thingy in between.

    Reclaim Your Mornings And Make A Difference

    Modern life consumes time with an insatiable appetite. There must come a point when you say, “Enough,” and put your foot down.

    It’s critical to devote time to yourself, your family, and personal goals. Since most things are mapped out for later hours, the morning is a forgotten haven where life can change. You can lose weight, become fitter, get a grip on anxiety, write a novel, relax, and get to know your loved ones. The list is as endless and long as your own imagination.

    As you can see, cultivating positivity in the morning and developing good morning habits isn’t about grand gestures. There’s no need to strain an over-stretched budget. The best things are free and available at home.

    This list is packed with good ideas but you can add anything, really. But remember, when you experiment with your perfect mornings – only keep the activities that lift your mood and energy!

    You might also enjoy these posts:

    Don’t forget to pin these morning habits!

    If you found these morning habits for productivity and positivity helpful, don’t forget to pin it to your personal development board on Pinterest to share it with others!

    You can also follow me on Pinterest for more ideas and tips like these.

    Morning habits to supercharge your day with positivity and productivity

  • 20 Deep Self-Reflection Questions To Ask Yourself

    20 Deep Self-Reflection Questions To Ask Yourself

    Amidst all the issues happening in the world today, from crime to the little problems we are facing in our homes, we are all striving to keep a sane mind regardless of how difficult it appears to be. There is always some form of negativity we are exposed to every day, and we all build coping mechanisms in the process which allow us to live our day to day lives. Today we’ll look at some deep self-reflection questions you can ask yourself to get to know yourself better.

    Do you remember the day when you were sitting alone, staring out the window and waiting for the “ding“ of the microwave? When you were lost in your thoughts, asking yourself questions, trying to evaluate and give meaning to everything happening around you?

    If yes, then you have had a session of self-reflection.

    Self-reflection has proven to be a very effective way for us to evaluate our lives, question our decisions and understand the things that are happening to and around us. It helps us remain connected with ourselves and makes us more powerful and in control of our thoughts.

    In every aspect of our lives; physically, socially, mentally and emotionally, we need to undergo self-reflections because it helps us give better meanings to our thoughts and actions. If you are working towards self-improvement, the first step on your list should be self-reflection. (There’s just something cool and mysterious about looking deep within yourself and not just because your therapist said so!)

    Take a look at these 20 deep self-reflection questions to ask yourself below:

    Deep self reflection questions to ask yourself

    1. Are you truly living or just existing?

    There is a clear difference between living and existing, the former means you are doing what you love and working towards a better version of yourself, while the latter describes you as a person who has lost hope in everything and just takes all the things that life throws at you without fighting back.

    Life comes with challenges, but what’s the fun in just sitting back and moping in tears instead of finding ways to surmount these challenges? Now ask yourself, which of these options do you want to settle for? Do you want to be that fun and happy person that people run to, or the person who always sees the glass half empty?

    2. What does success mean to you?

    To the person next to you, success could mean being able to go on vacations every month or having luxurious cars and houses, and to me it could mean being able to eat my favorite chicken wings every single day without any problem. But to you it might mean attaining the highest educational qualification and speaking at world conferences on topics that would change the world.

    Different people define success in different ways, which is why you need to find out what it means to you and work towards achieving it!

    3. What is your biggest fear?

    Whether or not we admit it, everyone on earth has that one thing that they are afraid of. Have you discovered what your biggest fear is? Until you discover your biggest fear and admit it, you can’t confront it and without confrontation it will continue to haunt you. Fear is what you make of it, so you could decide to overcome it or live in its shadow forever, the choice is yours.

    4. How much time do you spend with the people you love the most?

    Until you show your family and friends how much you love and cherish them, they really can’t know that you do. And one way to do this is by spending quality and happy time with them. No man or woman will live forever, which is why now that you are alive, you need to show those whom you love how much they mean to you.

    And I’m not talking about buying them expensive gifts or anything (but if you’re considering that, I’m available to be spoiled so hit me up), but the simple things like checking up on them and even that random bar of chocolate can put a smile on their faces.

    5. Can you boldly voice out your opinions in public?

    Public Speaking is one act that a lot of human beings dread so much. According to research, 75% of the population of the world is affected by the fear of public speaking. So many people have allowed their valuable opinions to be silenced because they are afraid of rejection and ridicule.

    Now I’m not saying you should go out and become a public speaker. But ask yourself whether you truly allow your opinions to be heard, even by people close to you. Or are you someone who would rather agree with someone simply to avoid conflict or because you’re afraid of being judged if you disagree with them?

    Your opinion matters and you shouldn’t be scared to voice it out peacefully. Face your fear of speaking up and take steps to overcome it.

    6. Are you spending your time wisely?

    Ever heard the saying “time waits for no one”?

    That simply means if you don’t do what you should do on time, it will pass you by. You need to learn how to prioritize the most important things you have to do and get them done fast. Cut back from doing unproductive things and focus on the things that are worthwhile.

    7. What don’t you like about your life?

    No one has a perfect life, no matter how wealthy or beautiful they are. Heck, even the most beautiful girl in the world sometimes has to cover up a zit or two. Identify those things you don’t like about your life and work towards correcting the ones you can correct as soon as possible.

    There will always be obstacles, but your job is to surmount them.

    8. What actions can you take daily to become a better person?

    There is a saying that “Little drops of water make an ocean”, meaning the little steps and actions you take daily are the ones that eventually manifest into mighty things.

    Identify those things that will make you a better person and do them consistently, then watch the great turn around it will make in your life.

    9. What motivates you the most?

    Motivation is what propels us to do better in life and there are certain materials and people we come in contact with that actually serve as a form of motivation for us. In order to excel in anything you set out to do in life, you need to build the right frame of mind towards it.

    In your pursuit for motivation, the right thing to do would be to find and consistently stay in contact with the things and people who motivate you.

    10. What is standing between you and your main goal?

    Until you identify an obstacle, you can’t confront it!

    Identify the elements that are standing between you and your main goal, it could be your action, inaction or a person that has made your goal look unfeasible.

    Once you have found what the obstacles are, then you can work towards defeating them. Use your obstacles as a road map for achieving your goals.

    11. What does love mean to you?

    We all perceive love in different forms, this influences how we show it to others and receive it from them (for foodies, just buy them food and they’ll love you forever).

    You need to find out what love means to you in order to truly embrace the essence of it.

    12. Are you healthy?

    Sometimes we get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that we forget about living a healthy lifestyle. We all want to be rich and successful but we forget that if we don’t have good health, we can’t happily spend the money that we made.

    Do you eat good food or survive on just junk food?

    How often do you drink water or do you prefer processed drinks to natural fluids?

    When last did you get a medical check-up, or are you just taking pain relief pills without actually knowing the cause of that persistent headache?

    How well do you rest your body and brain?

    Do you exercise to keep your body in shape?

    Remember, “Good Health is wealth” and a man who is lying on a sick bed cannot make or even think about money.

    13. How good is your mental health?

    It’s not enough to be physically healthy, your mental health is also very important. The challenges we face in life sometimes get to us and we begin to fall into the world of depression, self-doubt, anger and suicidal thoughts.

    In times like this, we have to find a way to be happy regardless of what the situation is, find a trusted person to confide in and unburden your mind. Always remember that it is okay to fall and cry but what matters the most is that you get back up and keep moving on.

    14. When last did you lend a helping hand to someone selflessly?

    Every day presents us with the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life, no matter how small the help you are rendering might seem, you might directly or indirectly be saving the person’s life.

    Mother Theresa once said, “It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.” Do you remember the joy and fulfillment you felt the last time you lent a helping hand to someone without expecting something in return? That’s the beauty of helping selflessly.

    15. Do you hold a grudge against anyone or yourself?

    How do you feel when you see or hear about a person whom you hold a grudge against? Your heart skips right? And definitely not in a good way!

    Or are you unable to forgive yourself for that action you took or didn’t take and you always beat yourself up whenever the thought crosses your mind? It is high time you put a stop to it. Until you let go of the past, you can’t see the future. It is important that you let go of that grudge today, forgive that person or yourself and welcome peace into your life.

    16. How often do you procrastinate?

    How many times have you heard the saying, “Procrastination is the thief of time?” Hundreds of times I’m sure. You’re probably bored of it but guess what…procrastination is the thief of time (you weren’t expecting that, were you?). Truth is, time is a very precious commodity that can’t be bought.

    Do what you have to do as soon as possible, do not postpone what you can do today till tomorrow because tomorrow is not even assured. Do away with procrastination and start doing productive things that will push you to a higher level in life.

    17. Are you really happy?

    Happiness is the true essence of living. An unhappy man can barely accomplish anything in life. Once you find the things that make you happy, stick to them and keep on doing them. Be with the people who make you happy, smile often and live your best life!

    18. Do you truly love yourself?

    You can’t give what you don’t have, therefore it is impossible to love anyone else if you don’t love yourself. Even the Bible says “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”

    Reflect on how much you love yourself and the regard you have for your own happiness, then learn to love yourself better and watch how your life will take a positive turn.

    19. Are your friends truly your friends?

    We all have one or two people who stand as friends in our lives, but sometimes these people we think are our friends, smile to our face but say and do terrible things to us as soon as we turn our back.

    Sometimes your friends may even lead you to do things you don’t want to, hence the need to know who your friends truly are and choose your company wisely.

    20. Do you have regrets?

    We all make mistakes, that’s part of what makes us humans. Your mistakes shouldn’t define you, rather you should learn from them and move on.

    Don’t let your past mistakes dictate how you should live your life, the consequence of your actions should not make you sad, instead, you should use it as a stepping stone to achieving better things in life. Free your mind from regrets and move on to the next phase.

    Give honest answers to these deep self-reflection questions

    Now, it’s not enough to just ask yourself these questions, the true essence of it all is to answer the questions that you are reflecting on honestly and work on the areas you need to be better in.

    Self-reflection is a form of checking in with yourself and balancing your life, it helps you to work on correcting the things in your life you’re unhappy with, and only then can you add more meaning to your life. The thing about life is…no one’s going to make it out alive. So don’t waste your one chance here!

    Remember to share these deep self-reflection questions with others!

    If you feel like someone else could benefit by also going through and answering some of these deep self-reflection questions, please take a moment to share it with them.

    You can also pin this post to your personal development board on Pinterest for easy access to it later. Also follow my personal development board on Pinterest for more posts and ideas like this.

    Deep self reflection questions to ask yourself

  • 10 Valuable Things You Will Regret Not Doing Sooner

    10 Valuable Things You Will Regret Not Doing Sooner

    Regret. Seldom is there a more persistent pain than our “if only” memories. It might not be a blazing agony, but this tiny monster claws at the same spot for years. Soon enough, regret sucks the joy from our lives.

    Jeepers, that was depressing. Now, here’s the good news. There’s still plenty of things that you can do to prevent regret.

    10 Things You Will Regret Not Doing

    The following suggestions can also help anyone to deal with any baggage they might already be carrying. Pick a flower, make a cup of tea – and then read this list. Your life is about to get better! Promise.

    1. Treat the Passage of Time as a Gift

    Here’s the thing. You can fight it, deny it or fear it – but that clock is going to keep on ticking. No matter what we feel or do, time goes by. Growing older and watching things change can be scary. But it’s important to shift the way we look at this. You know, regretting the things one might miss out on because time’s running out. This “future regret” comes with a price – you don’t see the wonderful things you already have in your life right now.

    The passage of time doesn’t have to be a fatalistic countdown. It can be a gentle reminder to value what brings happiness in your daily life. More importantly, the things and people that won’t always be there. A few examples are youth, a beloved pet, and our families. Children grow up and fortunes change.

    This is a hard one. Most of us look at our age in a negative way. But the outcome is worth the effort. Be kind to yourself as you start looking at the passage of time as a reminder to appreciate what you have now, instead of fearing the future.

    The moment you start doing this, the grip of regret weakens. At the same time, joy has more space to blossom. You’ll suddenly start finding happy moments in spades – just by having a conversation with a loved one or even watching your child explore mud!

    2. Shake Hands With Discomfort

    The Stone Age mind doesn’t like discomfort. Nope. The Stone Age mind wants shelter, safety, snacks, and no conflict. Oh, dear. Modern times slap that part of our brain with so many unwanted signals, it’s no wonder that people are so stressed out. We worry over family and bills, work situations, our weight, and mortgages. Discomfort in different grades, but they’re all unpleasant.

    Here’s the thing. Feeling that small twinge of dissatisfaction or fear will always be there. It’s human nature. But such feelings can stop people from chasing their dreams and that’s why it’s so important to put a little distance between yourself and discomfort.

    When it comes to doing something important, like taking the next step with one of your goals, chances are that discomfort will loom nearby like a toxic friend. That’s exactly what it is. Our Stone Age brain wants to protect us from risks. It cannot tell the difference between a T-rex chasing you and feeling nervous over starting your own business.

    Remind yourself to shelf discomfort in situations where it’s not needed. Your mood will be more focused and positive, and the task at hand might not seem such a mountain.

    3. Never Underestimate the Power of Patience

    What does patience have to do with regret? Sometimes, a lot. A short fuse or impulsive decision can lead to moments we wish had never happened. Buying the wrong stocks, feeling tired from work and then snapping at one’s spouse or child. Impatience can ruin relationships, finances, and health.

    Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a monk with a diploma in Zen. There’s a simple exercise that can save you a world of trouble. In the beginning it’s hard, especially in the heat of the moment. But chin up, the more you remember to do it, the more you’ll remember to do it.

    Pause. That’s it. When a toddler smears fish-paste over the carpet, most parents are ready to explode. Pausing between a trigger (that fish-paste is not coming out…) and reacting (yelling so hard that people in Russia can hear you) is what prevents regrets. At that moment, you might realize that toddlers are not adults. They often do things they don’t realize are wrong. You might see the benefits of hiding the fish-paste in the future and not leaving it on the table. You might calmly discuss the no-no with them instead of angrily giving in to a punishment that makes you both feel bad when it’s over.

    Pausing gives you the power to choose your best options during volatile moments.

    4. Letting Go of Unhappy Memories

    The past is a major source of regret. It’s filled with big mistakes, tragedies and the times when other people harmed you. Unhappy memories suck, plain and simple.

    To boot, negative emotions are clingy creatures. But here’s the prickly truth – we also cling to them. As painful as these memories are, there’s a tendency to keep vigil over them as if our emotional energy can somehow change something and make it all better. Unfortunately, the past cannot be changed or erased. Pouring emotional energy into such desires only brings fatigue and depression.

    That being said, when it comes to the past you can change two things. First, learn all you can from what has happened. This is to prevent it from happening again. Chalk it up as experience. Secondly, you are allowed to disconnect your feelings from a memory. A past event will always be there. The emotions don’t have to be.

    5. Tweaking Your Life Plan

    A life plan is just a document keeping all your dreams and goals in one place. It also shows the steps you have chosen to realize them.

    Some people write their life plan in a journal. Others prefer something like Google Docs. Whether you go old school with paper or use an online file, do whatever feels right for you.

    A weekly review is a good idea. Think about it. Seven days bring a heap of chores and challenges. There’s a good chance that they’ll derail the steps that you’ve scheduled for your dreams that week. A review can identify the bruised goals and readjust their steps. This tweaking keeps you on track to living your best life ever.

    6. Staying Healthy And Fit

    This tip is all over the internet and with good reason. Without your health, life becomes a lot harder. Good health includes eating well, staying hydrated and getting enough pillow time. Physical exercise is another must, but don’t forget the mind!

    Mental health plays a big role in keeping the body in peak condition. That’s right, relaxation is no longer a treat. It’s a must (hey, who’s going to complain about curling up with a good novel or binge-watching movies?). Our favorite things are like islands in the storm, offering moments of rest and enjoyment. Without them, stress can boil over and fry the immune system. Hello, colds and flu.

    The earlier you start to take care of your health, the better. Then again, starting at a later age is also better than never! Have fun with this one.

    7. Avoiding Toxic People

    Standing your ground is one thing. Trying to reason with online trolls and toxic friends is another. People who push your buttons – the most hurtful buttons – and then blame you for both the push and your reaction are not worth your time. Engaging with them is like being stuck on the hamster wheel from hell. The more you try to reason with them, the worse they behave.

    There is a toxic person in every office, school, and organization. They ruin romantic relationships and friendships – often to the point of devastating their victims. If there’s serious trouble with such an individual, please get the help and support that you need. Indeed, while not always easy or safe, you’ll never regret banning toxic people from your life.

    8. Balancing Work and Life

    There’s nothing wrong with working hard. Jobs keep food on the table and provide for our families. But beware of the lure of overtime at the office or bringing your work home. That’s when an epic regret comes knocking.

    Imagine looking back and thinking, “Where did my life go? How did the years pass so quickly?” Try as you might, you could find yourself struggling to recall the good times with clarity. The last decade could become something of a blur.

    Here’s a scary thought. Anyone is replaceable in the workplace, but YOU have only one life. The lucky ones earn money with hobbies and jobs that they love. But the majority of people hate going to work every day.

    If you cannot jump to a better ship, there’s no reason why you cannot balance work with fun things. Start small, then push back the unnecessary hours that you’re sacrificing at the office. The pay-off is beautiful. The more time you spend with soul-nourishing activities, the slower the years seem to go by – because they’re packed with meaning and enjoyment.

    9. Having a Healthy Relationship With Money

    Another biggie! Having a good relationship with money includes dealing with finances in a responsible manner (whether you have enough moolah or not) and also to reduce any financial pressure. You need a strategy to get out of debt, stay debt-free, put away some savings as well as other assets.

    Needless to say, the more dismal one’s finances are, the longer it might take to form a healthy relationship with it. However, it’s something that can be corrected over time. There’s nothing a good dose of patience and commitment cannot fix. The alternative – a life burdened by financial need – isn’t something that anyone deserves.

    10. Being Independent

    Independence takes many forms. But you’ll never regret the effort to teach yourself the skills to manage on your own. Self-sufficiency makes life easier because you can get things done without having to wait for others or asking for help. That last one can be embarrassing if the person doesn’t really want to assist or uses it as a means to abuse power in a relationship.

    Learning to be independent is natural and a never-ending process. As youngsters, we learn to dress ourselves and later on, learn how to drive a car. But independence is perhaps most valuable in adulthood. Having your own place, keeping up with technology and being able to do small (and big) things for yourself is personally one of the most empowering things that you can do for yourself.

    Sometimes, we don’t have the necessities to become more self-sufficient. There might be no funds to study or move into your own apartment. Perhaps due to health issues, you must also rely on others.

    However, being independent doesn’t mean never needing anyone else, or living alone. When families and friends work together to tackle a problem, it’s a wonderful bonding experience. Plus, teamwork makes difficult things easier to deal with. But independence is a great gift during the times when only you can do a certain task or you prefer to do things on your own.

    Go On, Make Your Life Amazing

    A great life doesn’t need exotic locations and fireworks. Sure, those things add pizzazz but you can have a happy and satisfying life without all the elite trappings. Indeed, sorting out the personal things – your finances, family, goals – bring a more lasting joy than going to the Bahamas for a week.

    A big step is to see regret for what it is. A hungry time-eater and a waste of lives. Another is to remember that regret can be resolved. Even better, you can avoid it in the first place. This list is a great place to start. You are welcome to pick and choose the most useful suggestions and then apply them to your daily life. Most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy learning how to take back your time, passions and life from the Murky Pool of Regrets!

    You might also want to look at these posts:

    Don’t forget to pin this post!

    Don’t forget to pin this post to your personal development board on Pinterest or share it with your friends. You can also follow my personal development board on Pinterest for more great tips and ideas like these.

    10 Things you will regret not doing sooner

  • 30 Easy Ways To Practice Self Care You Need To Try This Year

    30 Easy Ways To Practice Self Care You Need To Try This Year

    Life is stressful sometimes, we can’t get around that. So it’s important to practice self care as often as possible. And self care can be about the simple things you enjoy. Simple things that make you happy. So I’m sharing some 30 simple ways to practice self care that you can work on each day.

    So what is self care?

    Self care is all about identifying the things that you need in order to nurture your mental, emotional and physical health. It seems self explanatory, but so many people forget to focus on their own needs. It can become so easy to put everyone else first and to forget to focus on yourself for a bit.

    Self care is not selfish. It is something that is needed for you to take better care of yourself. Without it, you can easily become worn out, stressed and filled with anxiety. Life can sometimes become overwhelming, so it is completely fine (and necessary!) to spend some time on yourself.

    30 Easy Ways to Practice Self Care

    Emotional

    1. Find a quiet, comfy place and meditate
    2. Learn to say NO to things that doesn’t serve you
    3. Treat yourself with the same kindness and compassion as you would others – learn to forgive yourself for small mistakes
    4. Listen to your favorite song or playlist and put it on repeat
    5. Learn to accept compliments without embarrassment, guilt or negativity
    6. Spend time with your loved ones
    7. Practice gratitude daily – take note of all the small things in your day you are grateful for
    8. Do something creative each day
    9. Don’t attempt to do everything yourself, let others know if they can help
    10. Stop criticizing yourself, become more aware of you the things you tell yourself

    Physical

    1. Go hiking or join a walking group
    2. Play with a dog or cat (or any pet animal)
    3. Learn to fly a kite or take up a new sport
    4. Reorganize your room or closet
    5. Go dancing
    6. Start doing yoga
    7. Go to bed early and get enough sleep
    8. Make healthier food choices, give up soda and drink more water
    9. Get 15 minutes of sun, especially if you live in colder areas
    10. Take a long hot shower

    Mental

    1. Start journaling, write out your thoughts
    2. Read a book
    3. Take a break from social media
    4. Listen to calming music
    5. Turn off your phone
    6. Help someone, it will help you feel good too
    7. Plan a mini holiday for your next weekend
    8. Create a zen space for yourself where you can relax
    9. Go through your closet and donate all the clothes you don’t wear anymore
    10. Try some adult coloring to release stress and anxiety

    I hope you enjoyed this post on ways to practice self care and that maybe you got a few new ideas. Let me know in the comments below.

    And remember, self care isn’t just for some of us, but for all of us. Everyone should take some time to take care of themselves. So use some of these ideas and remember to practice self care daily. In a few weeks, you’ll see how different you feel!

    You might also enjoy this post of 15 bad habits you need to break for a happier life.

    Don’t forget to pin these ways to practice self care!

    If you enjoyed this post please pin it to your self care board on Pinterest or share it on your favorite social media platform. I would be so grateful!

    30 Ways to practice self care

  • 15 Bad Habits To Break This Year If You Want A Happy Life

    15 Bad Habits To Break This Year If You Want A Happy Life

    Bad habits will impact your life whether you realize it or not. And bad habits can be especially detrimental to your every day happiness. Sometimes you need to look at which bad habits to break in order to take control of your life and be happy once more.

    Habits are routine behaviors which we acquired from frequent repetitions over a period of time and now unconsciously do on a regular basis. Most of the behaviors that define or characterize your person were formed as habits. 

    Every one of us have one or two bad habits we exhibit. Some bad habits are just weird, others dangerous to your health, and some are out-rightly harmful and can ruin your chances of happiness and success in life.

    Bad habits to break that's causing stress in your life

    Bad Habits To Break This Year

    Here are some common bad habits to break this year in order to live a happy, fulfilling and productive life.

    1. Living On Social Media

    We are in an age where the internet has taken center stage and life seems to revolve around social media. Most of us have become so addicted to social media that staying off our favorite site or social media platform for a few days would be tantamount to being exiled to the moon. 

    Social media isn’t bad in itself, but getting addicted to it is a bad habit. Don’t seek validation by uploading every detail of your life to Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, etc., and checking up on the number of likes on your post/update as if your existence depends on that.

    The social media world, truth be told, is a world of hype, pretense and lies. The blue you see there could actually be a green, and so don’t get pulled into the crazy competitions that happen there.

    For some people, Facebook is the first thing they do in the morning and the last thing they do at night. If you happen to be among this group, know that you are not alone but you need to consciously apply self-control and discipline and pull out the fangs of social media addiction off your life.

    2. Neglecting Yourself

    Some people are naturally self-sacrificing and have the tendency of putting themselves and their needs last. If this is you, be honest, this disposition leaves you all burnt out and dejected at times. 

    The tiredness and frustrations that come from this could make you just want to yell and scream, especially when your efforts are not reciprocated, unappreciated and taken for granted. 

    Inasmuch as you have to be there for others, for example family members, you don’t have to give up on your own goals in the bid to help others achieve theirs. You still need to take care of yourself.

    Burying your dreams to see the dreams of others come alive is not selflessness, actually, it is a bad habit you need to break loose from if you want to succeed in life.

    Your goals and aspirations are as important as that of others, and if you don’t work on making your visions come alive then who else is there who would do that for you?

    3. Complaining

    We all know that one person who loves to complain about anything and everything; the coffee is too hot, it’s too chilly today, the grasses are too green, the birds are flying way too fast, and on and on and on. I am sure you abhor the presence of such a grumpy character like a plague.

    Nobody enjoys the company of a chronic complainer. Complaining creates a gloomy and toxic atmosphere that can swallow you up in bitterness and negativity. 

    Be optimistic and stop getting stressed over unnecessary things. Choose to see the positive side of life, see the glass as half full.

    The worst thing about complaining is that while it blinds your eyes from seeing the positive, it does not in any way help to ameliorate the negative situation. In fact, problems tend to appear larger than life when we complain about them. Talk of literally making a mountain out of a molehill. 

    Quit complaining and objectively make your disapproval known when confronted with a truly negative situation. Also note that everything will not be ideal and perfect all the time, and so learn to accept things for what they are.

    4. Holding On To The Past

    Although the events in your past may influence your life and your disposition towards life; recognize that your past doesn’t in any way define you. 

    Most of us have made one or two mistakes in the past. You don’t allow your past to dictate what becomes of your present and future. Yeah, you worked as a stripper at the night club to pay your tuition that semester. Now just get over it and move on with your life.

    Carrying shame or guilt or regret from your past like a stamp and wishing you could rewrite that part of your history does not serve you. Learn what you can from your mistakes. Put the past behind you and forge ahead.

    It all begins with forgiving your self and then letting go of yesterday. Pick up the remaining pieces and move on with your life, or else tomorrow you will be regretting why you wasted today regretting about yesterday.

    5. Comparing Yourself To Others

    If you must compare, compare your today with your yesterday in order to have a progressive mindset. You are not in a competition with anybody. We all have different race to run and different paths to follow.

    You’ll come down fast with depression if you keep comparing yourself with others. The grass will always be greener on the other side. Consciously and consistently refuse to run a compare and contrast study between your life and your friends’.

    A famous African musician, Tuface Idibia, sang … we are all different and unique in our own different ways. You are unique and special. Maintain your lane and appreciate yourself for who you are.

    6. Stress Eating

    Many of us are guilty of this bad habit which is not only harmful health wise but can also harm your image, appearance and confidence as well. Stress eating is resorting to  food for comfort whenever you feel stressed. 

    Disappointed by a friend, a slice of cake to the rescue; anxious about your unpaid bills, five scoops of ice cream will help cool down the fire; annoyed by a colleague at work, find comfort in the spread arms of chicken wings; and after you will be left angry with yourself.

    Bingeing on food to get your mind off issues or stuffing your face to gain temporary comfort from tension will only plunge you deep into depression and low self-esteem. 

    Whenever you feel like heading to the kitchen to find comfort, strictly rebuke the thought. Place a sticker on the door of your fridge or on the dining table that will remind you to eat only when you are truly hungry.

    To break this die-hard bad habit, you need to go ghetto on yourself. No self-pity. Practically throw yourself out from the kitchen.

    7. Gossiping

    It is good to let others know you know about some things but spreading tales about people is never a good thing, unless they expressly asked you to. Gossipers are particularly happy to spread the word when the story is unpleasant and concerns the misfortunes of others. 

    Nobody trusts a gossiper, and this includes the people that relish sharing gossips with you. If you can say horrible things about others why would they assume you won’t say the same about them when they’re not in the room. 

    Gossiping is tiring and depressing. You may feel on top of the world when your audience are oohing and aahing at your story, but afterwards you’ll feel embarrassed with yourself. Spending your time telling others the personal details of another person’s life is terrible. 

    You can break this habit by saying three positive sentences about someone whenever the temptation to gossip comes. Gossip lovers will rarely urge you on if the news is positive, as they would rather prefer malicious contents. Resolve not to reveal secrets or speak negatively about others.

    8. Addiction To  Television

    Ma’am, I am ten and TV is my life, that was Kelvin McAllister in the movie Home Alone. Well, for one you are not ten years old but a grown-up and so TV can’t be your life. 

    Some of us are so addicted to TV series and can spend several hours mooning over romance stories on cable or Netflix. Some follow up on addictive 24/7 reality shows such as Big Brother or binge on 90 Day Fiancé, and hence aren’t able to go out there and face reality. 

    It’s time to turn off the tube and get a life. One day you’ll look up from that screen and discover life has moved past you while you were busy being a couch potato.

    Be productive, don’t allow the make-believe world of entertainment steal your time. Reality happens in the real world and not on the four cornered screen of the TV.

    9. Wearing Makeup To Bed

    Bad habits to break - Wearing Makeup To Bed

    This is more for the ladies, but sleeping with your makeup on is another bad habit you should work on breaking.

    Whether you do this out of tiredness or carelessness, you need to know that it is not right and is quite counterproductive.

    The whole essence of wearing makeup is to boost your looks, isn’t it? Then why allow the makeup destroy your looks by wearing it to bed. How? I will tell you. Makeup clogs up the pores on your skin and make it difficult for the skin to breath. At night, when you are asleep and your makeup is off, the skin cells gets the chance to rejuvenate. 

    Wearing makeup to bed will make you age faster, so take some time to remove it before you go to bed. Moreover, the bed sheets will thank you when they don’t get the residue and smudges anymore.

    Too tired or lazy by bed time to remove your makeup? Then make it a point of duty to take off makeup as soon as you arrive home at the end of the day.

    10. Shying Away From Leadership Positions

    Have you ever noticed yourself trying to avoid taking on responsibilities and putting yourself in a leadership position? That’s one of many bad habits to break right there. 

    Some of us are crippled by the habit of shying away from leadership. Break out from your comfort zone. That’s truly the only way we learn to grow ourselves. If you have an opinion, push your way to the front and voice it out loud and clear.

    Sure, you may not always get it right, but not trying at all is just failing ahead of time. So next time you have the opportunity to step up, do it. You might discover something about yourself and you will certainly grow from the experience.

    And remember, no one can judge you but YOU! You rock the cradle and you shape the world. It is high time you had a say in deciding issues concerning your world.

    11. Indecision

    Bad habits to break - Indecision

    Finding it hard to make up your mind and follow it up with actions? Tell me about it. You’re one among many. 

    This is one bad habit that handcuffs many from living a productive and happy life.

    Not sure what to do? Then make a plan to figure it out. It doesn’t help to just sit and think about it without taking action. And a decision likely won’t get any easier with time. 

    It doesn’t mean you should make hasty decisions, but after all the fact findings, you need to follow up with taking immediate action. Else you might just keep on writing pages upon pages of business ideas or things you want to do that never gets to see the light of the day.

    12. Letting Your Happiness Depend On Others

    Bad habits to break - Letting Your Happiness Depend On Others

    No one holds the key to your happiness except you and nobody can break you except if you permit them. Stop depending on the actions of others to define your happiness.

    Stop waiting for some knight in shining armor to come and rescue you out of a gloomy castle of unhappiness and loneliness. You are in control of your life and circumstances are what you make of it.

    You need to create your own world. Douse your life with all the happiness you need, color it bright with all the colors of the rainbow and give your world the pizzazz you desire to see. You are responsible for your happiness. So let your hair down, laugh, be happy and be your own knight in shining armor. 

    It’s a bad habit to believe that someone else should be responsible for bringing you all the fulfillment and happiness you want. You’re holding the pastel and the brush, paint your world the color you wish.

    13. Living Above Your Budget

    Overspending is a flaw that some of us have developed over time. Whether you go on a shopping spree as a means of relieving stress or you do it just to keep up with societal trends, overspending will sooner than later plunge you irrecoverably into debts. 

    Some of us have turned shopaholics because of the deadly attitude of competing with others, and so we spend more than we can afford to just to keep up with the competition.

    Oftentimes the people we go overboard to impress are those who don’t like us and we don’t really like as well. You feel at home with those who love you and aren’t worried about keeping up appearances around them. Therefore you may see yourself spending money you don’t really have to impress those you don’t really like.

    Meanwhile, overspending has a twin sister called borrowing. Continue rolling with her and she will soon introduce you to her sister. Borrowing will rob sleep off your eyes and keep you caged in sorrow. 

    Be yourself.  Life within your means. Limit your spending to what your budget permits. Roll with people who love you for who you are. 

    You can also learn about money management and then create a weekly/monthly budget and stick to it religiously.

    14. Expecting Others To Read Your Thoughts

    Bad habits to break - Expecting Others To Read Your Thoughts

    Ever seen that cartoon that shows a group of people protesting with placards and upon being asked what they want, they said they don’t know. And when asked about when they want it, the answer was a resounding ‘now!’.

    Humorous as it may seem, the satirical cartoon was eluding to a bad habit of expecting others to know what you want, even when you sometimes don’t even know yourself.

    People around you are not clairvoyant and there is no way they can decipher what you want unless you put your thoughts together and articulate it. 

    This is one bad habit that can destroy relationships. If you assume that your partner (or anyone really) simply knows what you want or how you feel, but then you flare up when they don’t act according to your expectations, you need to re-examine yourself.

    The truth is that it’s nearly impossible for anyone to discern another’s thoughts. Therefore you need to work on streamlining your thoughts and learn how to verbally communicate your needs.

    15. Hiding Behind Men

    Another one for the ladies, but you need to know that being a woman doesn’t mean we are second class or inferior to men. The mindset of ‘oh, it’s a man’s world‘ has limited and robbed many talented women of the chance to excel in their fields of endeavor.

    To your competence, girl, you need to add a good dose of confidence, and go after what you want. Don’t ever let someone put you down or tell you that you can’t do something. And even when it’s hard, remember you can do hard things!

    How To Break Bad Habits

    Here are some tips to help you do away with your not too appealing habits.

    • Realize you have a bad habit: The very first step to stopping a bad habit is becoming aware and acknowledging you have an unpleasant habit that needs to be done away with.
    • Identify the triggers: Identify and avoid the people, situations and activities that your mind has linked to  particular bad habit and then deliberately change your behavior towards the triggers.
    • Replace the bad habit with a good alternative habit: Consciously replacing a bad habit with a good one is one proven way of breaking a bad habit. For example, where you would usually say something deprecating about others, commend them instead.
    • Change Location: A habit is most effectively broken when you’re in a new location away from your usual daily routine and triggers.
    • Be accountable: Keep a diary and record your progress. Being accountable will help you remain focused and dedicated in your mission to change a negative behavior.
    • Break the connections: Keep people or things that remind you of your bad habit at bay. For instance, you can break away from that clique of friends with whom you normally indulge in shopping sprees or gossiping about others.
    • Emulate good habits: Choose as a role model someone who has a good habit opposite of the bad habit you want to break.

    How Long Does It Take To Break A Bad Habit?

    In case you’re wondering how long it will take for you to break your bad habit, well, there is no hard and fast rules. Some habits are easy to cultivate and some people find it easier to develop a habit than others. This also applies to breaking away from a bad habit. 

    However, according to a 2009 study published in the Journal of Social Psychology, the length of time could be anywhere from 18 to 254 days. Bad habits can be so deep-rooted that it can only take conscious effort and continuous action to break them.

    Never Give Up

    In conclusion, remember that bad habits can impede your happiness and success in life, and hence you need to stop them before they stop you. To do this you need to apply self-control, discipline and perseverance.

    And even if you identified some bad habits to break, don’t be discouraged. There is always room for improvement, and in fact, continues growth and self improvement is something we should all strive for.

    Be a better person today than you were yesterday!

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    Bad habits to break if you want to be happy