Wednesday, August 12, 2020

How To Regain Your Confidence Once It's Lost

 Confidence is a funny thing. It’s fragile, like glass, and anything and everything in life can make it slip and shatter. One minute, you’re happily bumbling along with your day-to-day activities and the next, something pulls the rug from under you and shatters your confidence completely. It’s very easy to lose your confidence in life, but it’s much harder to get it back again once it’s gone. 


It’s nice to feel like you are doing well in life. So many people put pressure on to achieve - whether that’s in work or your relationship - and it can be exhausting to keep all of the plates spinning. You feel you’re doing well if you haven't lost your career, or succumbed to a divorce and if you do lose a job or deal with your marriage breaking down, it can be hard to get your confidence back to those pre-trauma levels. You can manage a job loss with taking the positive and finding a new job, and you can have the right law firm working with you to get a divorce pushed through, but getting that confidence back? That’s all on you. Traumatic experiences take a toll on us - but you can feel confident, radiant and happy once again. 


It will take a little work, of course but things like this are never easy. Instead, they’re a journey to get from where you are now to where you want to be, and once you get there, you will never look back. So, no matter the cause of the confidence drop, you need to reach out and grab that new life ahead of you, and we’ve got some tips to help ensure that you regain your confidence once again.

Silhouette of Man Raising His Hands

Image source: Pexels

Be Kind to Yourself

The first thing that you have to do for yourself is to be kind. A knock to your confidence can change the course of your life forever, even if you don't know it. When other people notice things about you or say something about your demeanour, you’re going to remember what it’s like to feel worried instead of confident. You have to do the best you can to be kind to yourself. Whatever you believe self-care to be, introduce it to your life and make yourself a priority. The better you care for yourself, the more your confidence will grow.

Ask For Support

Your friends and family are the best people to rally around you when you need to build your confidence. They’re going to go with you to get new clothes or have a makeover, and they will be there to tell you whether your plan to go back to school or burn your ex's clothes is a good idea. You need support, and sometimes, that can even come from therapy. If you’ve dealt with a trauma, then a mental health specialist will help you to overcome it.

Find A Distraction

Did you know that exercise can serve as an excellent way to build your confidence? When you feel good on the outside, you feel better on the inside. Movement and exercise can help you to burn off a lot of the frustration you feel after a job loss or other event that rocks your confidence. The bonus is that it can also make you fitter at the same time. This way of thinking can also give you space to clear your head and work out your next steps for a better, healthier future. Take your time: the future isn't going anywhere right now and the online home gym programs are right where you need them to be.

Person Holding Cup Of Coffee

Image Source: Pexels

Stop Moping

Okay, you WILL do this, but the best thing that you can do is do this to your pillow late at night. Say all the ugly things you need to say about the people who were involved in your confidence being shattered, but then take a breath and carry on with your day. You do not need to spend the majority of your day feeling sorry for yourself - it doesn't get you anywhere in life. Instead, you need to believe in all the good things in yourself. Someone’s words can reduce you to a mess if you let them, but while you build your confidence, let’s focus on all the good things that your life has instead of all the bad.

Plan Your Next Steps

It can take time to get your brain to realize that you still have a life to lead no matter what. You need to think about what you want next for your life and how you hope to achieve it. This is a great distraction and all the plans that you make, from study to holidays to getting a new job - it will all help! You can choose to map out your next steps whether you feel confident or not, and hope that the feeling of brilliance comes back again. You need to have a focus, a goal to explore. Things you may not have dared asked for from life could be asked. Places you wanted to go could be explored. You have a chance to revamp your life in a new way, and it’s not an opportunity that you should miss out on. Confidence can grow from the tiniest seed if you only would plant it and watch!


All you need to do here is to ask yourself what would make you feel complete. Once you know how to claw back your confidence and grow away from what took it in the first place, you can prepare yourself for a future of you. Life can be a messy, bumpy road to travel down. But with careful planning and surrounding yourself with the best people, you can ensure that you stay confident no matter what other people say or do. Take the time to plan your future carefully, and you will be able to see that there is plenty to celebrate about you right now. Stop waiting around - get that confidence back!

Friday, August 7, 2020

Stress-Free Camping: It Is Possible

 

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Many of us like the idea of a camping trip for both financial and health-related reasons. A few nights in a tent is cheaper than a few nights in a hotel, and with opportunities for outdoor living, there are physical and mental health benefits. 


Well, concerning the latter, that's the theory. Camping can also be stressful, so we don't always experience the rest and relaxation we need when trying to escape the pressures of our regular lives at home. You will know this yourself if you have ever struggled to put up your tent or faced the problems associated with bugs and beasties. 


Thankfully, stress-free camping is a possibility, so check out the following tips and remind yourself of them before your next trip.



#1: Learn a few camping skills


Before you even think about packing your bags, it is important to learn a few camping skills in preparation. This is better than arriving at your site and grappling with problems that could threaten to ruin your holiday before it has even begun, so get yourself ready.

For starters, learn how to put up your tent. Practice in your garden beforehand or drive to a local field and have a go at putting it up. You will become an expert in no time!


Learn how to build a camping fire too, and perfect your cooking skills on your outdoor stove. These are just some of the basics you will need to know, so prepare yourself in advance as you will have an easier time of things on your camping trip if you do. 


#2: Create a packing list


You will be very annoyed if you discover you have forgotten something important when you're finally on site. Be it clothing for a sudden cold spell, your Bug Bam spray to fend off mosquitos, or any important first aid items in the event of an emergency, you will start to suffer from stress if you realize you have left some of these things behind. 


So, create a packing list before your trip, and tick off each item as you go to make sure you don't forget something vital. 


#3: Visit somewhere relaxing


If you truly want to relax, don't visit a place inundated with tourists. And don't visit a campsite that is located near sources of traffic noise. You might only get stressed out if you don't get the peace and quiet you require, especially if you aren't able to fully rest while you're away.


So, be diligent in your search for a good camping spot and try to find somewhere that is fairly remote. And be sure to find a place of scenic beauty, with opportunities for walking, fishing, nature watching, and other activities that will reduce the pent up stresses you may have been experiencing in your day-to-day life. 


#4: Focus on personal comfort


You don't have to 'rough it' just because you're camping. You can still use soft bedding to ensure a good night's sleep, and you can still bring comfortable chairs to lounge on while you're enjoying the sunshine. The right tent choice is important too, so make sure you have something that is well-insulated, durable, and big enough to accommodate yourself and the people sharing with you. You will start to stress if you don't have what you need to ensure full relaxation, so focus on these things, and bring any other item that is personal to your comfort needs.


Stress-free camping: It is possible! So, prepare for your trip in advance, and give yourself the opportunity to experience a Zen-like trip away.

3 Ways to Use the Law of Attraction in Your Life

 The Law of Attraction is the belief that you can attract anything you want into your life, depending on your focus. So, if you pour all of your energy into positivity, positivity will come back to you. 


Many people use the Law of Attraction to help with manifesting the things that they want out of life, as well. 


Whatever you want the Law of Attraction to do for you, the good news is that you can start applying its principles into your life right away to improve your overall wellbeing


With that in mind, let’s take a look at three easy ways you can introduce the Law of Attraction into your life immediately. 


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1. Focus On What You Want


Most people spend so much time focusing on the things they don’t want, that they forget to think about what they do want. Instead of putting all of your energy into things you’re trying to avoid, use that energy to focus on the things you truly want in your life. It could be a goal you’re trying to achieve, an actual physical object, or something completely different. 


If you want to stay on track with that focus, ask yourself questions about it, and truly think about your answers. How would it make you feel to get what you want? What will you do when you get it? Putting all of that energy out there is a great way to draw in the things you want. 


2. Believe You Will Get It


It’s not enough to just focus on the things you want. You truly have to believe you will get it. But, that doesn’t mean you should just sit on your hands. Part of the Law of Attraction is taking action. 


When you truly believe you will get something, take the next step. Do what you need to do (within reason) to achieve the results you want. 


3. Harness the Right Energy


One of the most important things you can do to gain what you want is to send out the right energy for it. Live as though you have already received it. Think about how you would feel and how you would react, and put your energy into that. People who practice the Law of Attraction don’t mope around while they wait for the things they want. They live as though they already have it, so when it comes to them they know how to react, and they have a bigger sense of gratitude. 


The Law of Attraction isn’t for everyone, because it’s something to believe in. But, many people argue that there are scientific facts backing it up. Whatever you decide to believe, it’s never a bad idea to put more positive energy into the universe, and allow it to come back to you. 


So, if you’ve heard of the Law of Attraction before but you never knew how to put it into practice in your own life, keep these tips in mind. The next time you truly want something, have the right mindset and energy, and you might just be surprised at what you receive in return. 

Wednesday, August 5, 2020

Preventing Water Damage In Your Home

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All of us want to take the best care of our homes as we possibly can. But there are countless threats that face most properties and you’re going to have to be vigilant and alert to protect yourself from them. Water damage is a big potential problem and you really have to be organized to prevent water damage from occurring in your own property. Being organized and prepared, and knowing the right professionals to reach out to, will ensure that you minimize your chances of finding yourself dealing with these problems. All too many people don’t take water damage seriously until their homes have already become damaged. This is when things get costly and inconvenient. To avoid this, here are a few pieces of information that should help to protect you and your property!


Clean Your Gutters


One of the most common, and most avoidable, causes of water damage in homes is blocked and clogged gutters. These serve as drains that keep water flowing from your roof down to the ground. But when they become blocked, they can quickly begin to overflow and may bend or break, sending water flowing directly into our properties or through cracks in the walls. Not only is this problematic in terms of water damage, but soggy debris filling the gutter can begin to smell too. This is all rather unpleasant, so make sure to clean your gutters properly and regularly. Most people are unable to reach their gutters safely themselves, or simply don’t want to have to carry out this task themselves. This is where you can call in professionals. Find good Local Offers to keep costs low!


Invest in Storm Defenses


Some people live in areas where flooding is regular and properties are often up against storms that can cause major damage. If you live in this kind of area, you need to make sure that you stock up on defensive equipment. This can make all the difference and could determine whether your home remains dry and undamaged, or whether the whole property becomes flooded. Sandbags tend to be one of the most effective investments. Sure, they take up space. But you’ll be glad to have them when the need arises.


Stop Ignoring Plumbing Problems


All too many of us actively ignore minor plumbing problems in our homes. As long as we are still able to do everything we are able to do and can easily ignore a problem, we often will. But this is a big mistake to make. Minor problems tend to turn into major problems without much notice, causing leaks, flooding or burst pipes that cause major damage to your property. It’s more convenient and much cheaper to call out a plumber at first sign of a problem. Whether that’s a leaky tap, a slightly blocked drain or a slightly blocked toilet. They’ll be able to put wrongs to rights quickly and cheaply. It also avoids emergency call out costs if things eventually worsen at an inconvenient time or suddenly need urgent attention.


Water damage can be devastating for any homeowner. So, do your utmost to avoid it at all costs. The above steps should help you to achieve this!

Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Organizational Tip: Buy Lots of Blank Greeting Cards


I have a friend who thinks I am the Most Organized and Prepared Woman on the Planet.

Okay, maybe not on the PLANET, but like in the Midwest, maybe.

I send birthday cards (mostly) on time. I send a graduation card with cash with my kids when they attend parties or I send grad cards in the mail. I send thank you notes. I come to Baptisms and baby parties with card in hand. I mail a sympathy card when someone dies (I'm always crying when I write those, so I do procrastinate).