10 Reasons To Leave The City And Take A Vacation

Take A Vacation And Recharge

If you live and work in the city, then you know how stressful it can be. Even with a few days off from work, you never get rid of the feeling that you are in the middle of the anxiety that goes along with being in the city. Even if you are trying to relax, there are crowds everywhere, pushing and shoving to get where they are going. The real way to relax and unwind is to get out of the city and take a vacation. If you still aren’t convinced, here are ten reasons why you should go:

1. Get some fresh Air. 

Air in any city is notoriously polluted - and getting to a place for a week or so where the air is clean can do wonders for your lungs and your well-being. Especially if you can get outside to a beach or some mountains for fresh air and open skies, you will do wonders for your psyche as well. 

2. Get some peace and quiet. 

There are other kinds of pollution in the city besides air pollution, and one of them is noise pollution. Taking a vacation where there aren’t sirens going off at all of the hours of the night can be a welcome break for your ears as well as your nerves.

3. Slow down the pace. 

Always trying to beat the traffic, running for a bus, and always being late for something is nerve-racking. When you are on vacation there isn’t any place that you have to be unless you want to be. Just don’t miss the plane that takes you there.

4. Turn off your mobile devices. 

When you are on vacation there are no phones to answer or emails to check. Unless that is, someone is calling to confirm an afternoon massage.

5. Eat what you want. 

You have the opportunity to eat what you want on vacation. This can mean starting a healthy diet, having time to eat out at restaurants, or even cook for yourself if you never get a chance to do this normally. In fact, you can even take the time for a cooking class.

6. Catch up on your sleep.  

Sleep is the best thing about a vacation. In fact, if you are completely exhausted that may be all that you do during your vacation. Just make sure to take your vacation away from the city, so that you won’t be tempted to do any work.

7. Pamper Yourself. 

Take a vacation at a spa and get massages, mud therapy, facials or anything that will help you relax and make you feel better about yourself.

8. Visit somewhere new.  

If you have always wanted to see the world, there are so many places that offer discount travel packages including airfare, hotels and meals. You can learn a new language, visit a new culture and make new friends.

9. Exercise outdoors. 

If you live in the city and you like to exercise, then you may be stuck on a treadmill or in an indoor aerobics class. However, when you go on vacation, you can hike, run outside, scuba dive, jet ski, para-sail, and do a hundred different physical activities that are not only exciting, but good for you as well. 

10. Meet new people. 

If you are stuck in a dating or social rut, a vacation can open up a whole new world of people to meet. There are all kinds of singles vacations and there are also vacations and resorts geared at almost every kind of social group. Do some research online and you may even go on a vacation where you meet the person who will become your soul mate! Talk about a reason to get out of the city and go on vacation!

See also: writeyourselfrich.net

Minimalism – How To Create More Space In A Small Home

Minimalism Will Make Your Space More Livable.

These days, apartments and homes that people can afford are getting smaller; or more people are living under one roof. However, in our minds we are still buying home furnishings and accessories like we are living in larger spaces. What happens is that you wind up with so much clutter in a small space that you can’t move around. You don’t want to give anything up, but you don’t want to part with anything either, so what’s the solution? 

Read on for some tips to create more space that may help.

1. Put up some high shelves for the things you don’t use. 

If you have high kitchen shelves that no one can reach, this is the perfect place to store anything that you can’t use but don’t want to part with. As well, if you have too many things lying around in a bedroom - like children’s toys or clothes - you can put up cheap bracket shelving around the perimeter of the room near to the ceiling. Then you can put everything there and forget about it. 

   

2. Take photos of things you need to throw out but still want a memory of. 

If you have old family brick-a-brack or children’s artwork that you no longer want, but want to remember, take a digital photo and throw everything out. You will still have a memory, but won’t be carting around a roomful of items that are more trouble than they are worth.   

3. Buy furniture with storage compartments. 

There are all kinds of furniture like Murphy beds and sofa beds that come with storage or double as two things. This is especially true of children’s beds, which should have storage underneath. 

4. Give old clothes away. 

If you have old baby clothes or clothes you haven’t worn in a year, give them to charity. Chances are that they are out of date by now. And storing large amounts of clothing not only takes up a lot of space, but also encourages bedbugs and cockroaches to lay eggs and breed.

5. Buy smaller furniture. 

Hind sight may be twenty-twenty, but if you haven’t already bought it, don’t buy bigger furniture thinking you will take it to a larger house. Furniture only lasts about 4 or 5 years and then it is almost worn out. Buy smaller, less expensive furniture and wait until you buy that large house to get bigger and more expensive pieces.

6. Get rid of unnecessary furniture. 

Any flat screen television can hang on the wall, so if you have a large entertainment center, you have the bulkiest and most unnecessary piece of furniture there is. Hang the television on the wall and get a small stand to hold everything that goes with it. As well, if you have a large curio or display cabinet full of decorative or collectible items, get rid of it. This may be tough love for some, but wouldn’t you rather have the space?

Dressers and end tables in the living room are other pieces of furniture that you don’t need. All of your clothes should fit in the closet and can be stored properly with a closet organizer. End tables are just places that collect junk and dust, just like the tops of dressers.

Conclusion: Stop living like your grandparents! 

Not only is this extra furniture and other stuff that you collect expensive and unnecessary, it also takes up too much space. If you are too attached to everything and don’t know what to throw out, ask some friends over to help. You will be surprised at how fast they will help you get rid of everything you don’t need and create a whole new space!

See also: writeyourselfrich.net

Positivity – How Giving Compliments Can Make You Happier

Positivity: Pick Someone Every Day To Compliment

Giving complements is something that comes naturally when someone does something really great. For instance, if someone gets all dressed up for a big night out, it is really easy to say, “You look great!” This kind of compliment makes everyone feel good because the effort to look good on a big night is accomplished and the praise is obvious. Of course, this is a situation when you would compliment someone.  When someone makes and effort and succeeds, everyone wants to share in that success.

However, what happens when someone isn’t in a situation where an extra effort is required? This situation is called daily living, and although most of us make an effort every day, this effort goes largely unrecognized. This is because it is also generally expected that day after day we will continue to drudge along on our own without needing any encouragement.

And let’s face it. Giving compliments all of the time takes effort.

And so what if someone shows up to work on time every day? Isn’t this what they get paid for? Is it really a cause for joy if someone does the homework they were assigned? And isn’t keeping a clean house the minimum effort that someone should put forward?

It is true that all of these efforts are just expected of us. In fact, it would be weird if you went around complimenting people for every little thing that they did every day. An employee certainly isn’t going to get a compliment every time they come back to work from lunch on time simply because they behaved like a normal person. And you might not always compliment someone who gets straight A’s in school every time because they are naturally smart.

These kinds of compliments are redundant.

So how does giving compliments every day make you happier when they don’t seem to be needed? Doesn’t it take a special occasion to warrant a compliment? Like recognizing someone who made an “A” in school when they usually make a “C”?

It would seem like this is the case, but compliments that make you happier need to be given on a daily basis. And they are a little bit harder to give than the ones that seem so obvious.

Give a compliment when they don’t expect it.

Let’s take the example of the person who always shows up on time for work, but let’s say that once they get there that they don’t work as hard as you do. Sound familiar? You may be late occasionally because you have other worries, but once you are at work, you do a lot more than the others do. Feel a little resentful because the boss doesn’t notice? Of course. Anyone would.

What do you do about it? Maybe you complain a little bit or complain a lot, but the complaining doesn’t make the problem any better. It may not look like it, but this is the perfect time to give a compliment. It may take some effort, but the next time this person does their share of the work, thank them. This may take a lot of humility, but thank them for the honest effort they put in that day.

If nothing comes from this compliment, don’t be discouraged, because at least you tried. However, you may find that this person may work just as hard another day.  You may even find out that they feel just as under-appreciated as you do; they just expressed it in a different way. You may even make a new friend at work that you can commiserate with when the going gets tough for everyone.

This may or may not happen to you, but think about it. If you start giving compliments when people don’t expect it, at the very least, you throw them off their game.  After a while of giving compliments that people don’t expect, you will be surprised at how differently people react to you. They will want to be around you more and also do things for you because they know that you will appreciate their efforts.

Now that should make anyone at least a little bit happier.  

See also: writeyourselfrich.net

Finding a Mentor – 10 Ways It can Change Your Life

A Mentor Can Help You Make Better Decisions

When someone pictures a mentor, they think of someone that they already have access to, like an employer, a teacher or even a parent. However, while these people can be mentors, they are also people that have a special interest in you, which can muddy the waters of the mentor/mentee relationship.

This is why you should seek out a mentor who works as a professional outside of your social circle. A mentor is someone who spends time advising people as part of a way of giving back to their profession or the community. They are someone who may have overcome some of the same difficulties you are facing and have gone on to be very successful themselves. 

A person who volunteers to be a mentor is someone with your best interest at heart and can remain objective in the process of helping you move your life forward. In fact, here are the top ten ways a mentor can change your life:

1. A mentor understands what you are going through and has probably been there as well. No situation is overwhelming to a mentor, and they can not only give you advice on how to overcome your problems, they can support you though the process.

2. A mentor can give you solutions to a problem that you never would have thought of on your own. While you may see only one solution to a problem, a mentor can see many. When you have many options, you will make better decisions.

3. A mentor knows other people that can help you when they can’t. A mentor has a whole network of people at their disposal for information and advice. So if they can’t help you with a particular situation, they know someone who can. These kinds of resources are something you could never get on your own.

4. A mentor has developed highly successful habits for success that they can pass on to you. You may not realize it, but you may have habits that are holding you back. A mentor can point these out and help you correct them.  

5. A mentor believes in you when no one else does. They can see themselves in you and recognize the potential that you have when others around you simply doesn’t see it or support the decisions that will help you move ahead.

6. A mentor can give your personal and professional recommendations. A letter from a mentor can get you a better job, get you into a better school, or get you into other kinds of programs that you can’t get into by yourself. This can make a huge difference in your life. 

7. A mentor can give you objective advice. Many people around you have their own interests and will try to make you bend to what is best for them or what they think you need. A mentor only wants to see you succeed for yourself.

8. A mentor can push you to do better than you thought you could.  They can set goals for you, keep you on track, and also inspire you with their own story or success stories from people in their network.  Being surrounded by successful people is almost essential if you want to be successful yourself.

9. A mentor can be there to just listen. They know that as you have successes with your life, you will also have failures. A mentor is someone who doesn’t judge you. So when you hit a brick wall, a mentor knows that sometimes you don’t need a lecture, you just need a friendly ear to listen to you.

10. A mentor will keep you on track. The main reason that you meet with a mentor is to report on your progress. This fact alone will keep you focused on reaching your goals, and completing the miles stones that will ultimately make you successful. 

See also: writeyourselfrich.net

10 Ways to Stay Calm

Stay Calm With Meditation

Losing control of your emotions and actions is becoming more and common as our society and our technology moves faster and faster. Many times, we can’t keep up with the brisk pace at which things happen (especially with the overuse of mobile phones and the internet) and this rapid exchange of ideas and information can cause anyone to lose their cool and have an immediate panic attack.

If you have ever had one of those days where everything converges on you all at once, then you understand the need to stay calm in panic-type situations. And if you feel panicky all of the time, then you are not alone. Many people these days are overwhelmed with the speed of life. That being said, here are 10 ways to stay calm during the day.

1. Turn off your mobile phone. 

Don’t be available to everyone at all times. If you let yourself be available on your mobile phone 24/7 then people will take advantage of that. This means that stress can come into your life at any time. If you need a moment when you want to be calm, turn off your phone.

2. Count to ten. 

It’s the oldest trick in the book, but this is because it really works. Counting to ten is an exercise that calms you down and keeps you from making impulsive decisions that can make your problems even worse.

3. Meditate daily. 

You may have never meditated before, but meditating daily calms you down and will help you sleep better. A simple meditation is just to stare at a fixed object (like a candle) and clear your mind of everything. Do this for about five minutes a day and you will feel much calmer.

4. Take deep breaths. 

Taking deep breathes will force you to relax in any situation where you feel you are about to panic. Breathe all the way into your gut and hold it for a few seconds - then release it slowly for an instant calm.

5. Sit down. 

If you are in an extremely intense situation and you are standing, things can only escalate. Sitting down is immediately calming and has a calming effect on everyone else as well.

6. Chew some mint gum or pop a mint. 

Mint has an immediately calming effect, and it isn’t as easy to say something you will regret when your mouth if full of candy.

7. Take a walk. 

If you are in a situation that is upsetting and looks like it might escalate, take a walk. A brisk walk is calming and lets you clear your head. It also gives you time to organize your thoughts and think logically about a situation.

8. Pray. 

You may not be religious, but there is no reason that you can’t call on a higher power to help you think clearly and calmly. Prayer is the oldest form of meditation and has an immediate calming effect.  As well, you can pray anywhere.

9. Exercise regularly. 

Taking a walk will help you immediately calm down, but regular exercise is a better alternative.  This is because you need physical activity to release the stress that builds up every day. If you don’t’ release the stress in your life, it will eventually accumulate and cause you to lose your cool.

10. Eat healthier and get rest. 

Eating right and getting rest isn’t something that many people think is possible. However, think about the alternative. Eating poorly and drinking too much caffeine will cause an otherwise normal situation to seem overwhelming because you are so physically stressed. This will eventually cause you to lose control, which can cause even more problems. Taking the time to eat right and rest is the best thing that you can do to make yourself calm on a more ongoing basis. 

See also: writeyourselfrich.net

10 Ways To De-stress By Doing Less

Take Your Life Back By Doing Less

Ever feel like you are over-committed to way too many things? 

Then you probably are. If you feel like you are running 24 hours a day and still don’t get everything done - or never have any time for yourself - then you are committed to too many activities. Doing less will de-stress, so here are ten ways that you can de-stress by doing just that:

1. Just say no.

Whenever someone asks you to do something that you don’t have time for, start saying no. Chances are, if you are feeling stressed out from doing too many things, you say yes to too many people. Start saying no. It will feel strange at first, and people will insist that you help them, but say no more often and you will feel less stress with fewer responsibilities.

2. Stop doing things that don’t make any sense.

If a weekly movie night, a book club or a bowling league has become more of a hassle than relaxing, stop going. If at the end of a long day, you feel like curling up at home with the television instead of going out, stay home to relax.

3. Pay someone else to do things like household chores.

If there are teenagers or retired persons in your neighborhood that can mow the lawn, clean the house, babysit, make dinner, or do the laundry for a small fee, let them.

4. Organize your workplace.

If there is a quicker way to do something at work, figure it out. The more organized at work you are, the less stressed out you will be. Also, being able to multitask at work makes you a better employee, which also takes stress away.

5. If you can delegate at work, do it.

If you ever get the chance to have an intern or someone else at work to help you, take advantage of it. You can do this by being organized. If you are organized, then you know exactly what work you can give someone else to do before your boss finds other work for them.

6. Don’t take work home.

These days, everyone has to work overtime and do multiple jobs. However, if you are always volunteering to do more, it will catch up with you in a bad way. Not only will you be exhausted, but you will quickly find out that no one appreciates the extra work you are doing above and beyond the call of duty.

7. Make your family more independent.

You can’t do everything for your family and remain sound of mind. Gradually wean them off of your help, however this is possible. If something doesn’t get done for them they will have to live without it or eventually do it for themselves.

8. Get rid of codependent friends.

It sounds harsh, but if you have friends in your life that simply can’t make a move without you, they have to go. Your family and your job should always come first, and in that order. Tell everyone else to take a number, in a polite way of course.

9. Clean Out Your House.

If your house is cluttered, so is your life. Get rid of everything you haven’t used in a year and either have a garage sale or donate it to charity. This includes exercise equipment, old clothing and toys, home improvement supplies, and other useless junk. It will be easier to clean your house and you won’t feel guilty anymore about all of the things you were never going to do, anyway.

10. Just say no.

Yes I am repeating this advice, but so should you. Saying no is a hard thing to do, but it is much easier to say no in the first place than to drive yourself crazy saying yes to all the things that stress you out to the point of having a panic attack.  

See also: writeyourselfrich.net

Five Reasons To Stay Out Of Debt

Think Before You Charge It And Go Into Debt

There are many reasons that you might have to go into debt, but there are five reasons why you should stay out of debt that are much more important. Going into debt may seem like a good thing at the time, but who is it really good for in the long run? 

Usually, it is good for the people who have loaned you the money, because they make their money charging you interest and service fees on your debt. Here are the five important reasons to stay out of debt, so read these carefully before you apply for credit cards and car loans.

1. Things that you purchase on credit become very expensive. 

When you buy something on credit, it becomes a lot more expensive than when you buy it with cash. This is because of interest payments and other fees. Let’s say that you buy a computer for $2,000 and pay it off over the course of two years. If make all of the payments on time, then you may pay about $2,500 for the computer.

You may say, well it was worth it to have that computer for the two years I used it.

However, this is not quite how it works. You see, once you pay off about half of the computer debt, the computer store will extend your credit to about $5,000. That is when you will see a phone that you can’t live without, gifts for your family that you have to have, and a sound system that goes on sale for a price that you can’t pass up. Pretty soon, you will have $5,000 in debt, at a high interest rate. 

2. Once you get into debt, you never get out. 

Now that you have a high credit card debt of $5,000, you can only afford to make the minimum payments. By making the minimum payments, it can take you up to twenty years to pay off a credit card debt of $5,000. That is assuming you don’t make any more purchases. So that $2,000 computer can wind up costing you about $10,000 in the long run.

3. You lose the ability to make choices. 

If you have credit at one store, you can get credit at another store. So when you take your paycheck to make minimum cash payments on one card you can charge things that you need like groceries and gas on another. You can keep making minimum payments until everything is at its limit, but then where do you go? You have run out of choices, except for the choice to work because you have to pay your debt.

4. You become a slave to your debt. 

When you have debt that you have to pay every month, you are no longer working for yourself; you are working for your debt. You are paying for things that have long been forgotten. The computer you purchased four years ago is broken, your clothes are now out-of-style, and you don’t even like your job anymore. You can’t afford to take a vacation and your whole paycheck goes to minimum payments on student loans, credit cards and other junk that you can’t even remember buying. So why not just stop paying?

5. Ultimately, you will ruin your credit. 

If you stop paying your debt, you will be free, right? That is totally wrong. You won’t be able to get a car loan when you need one and forget about buying a house; you may even get turned down for a job because of bad credit.

So what is the answer? 

The answer is to be patient. If you have to take public transportation and eat Ramen noodles every night to save up for something, be thankful. It is a much better alternative to being a slave to debt, ruining your credit, and living in a miserable state of mind with all of that money owing hanging over your head.

See also: writeyourselfrich.net