How to Make Valentine's Day Extra Special

Valentine's Day is a special time for celebrating all kinds of loving relationships, but especially your significant other. If you want to make someone feel loved, there are many simple ways to go about it. So if you forgot to order flowers, don't sweat! Just put a little effort into doing something fun and different this year, throw in some smooching, and you're good to go.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Spending Quality Time Together

1. Arrange for dinner. You can book a reservation at your favorite restaurant or you can cook.^[1] It doesn't even have to be fine dining. Often just putting something together in advance is a good way to show your valentine that you care and that you're thinking of them. Add some candles, turn down the lights, and it's a perfect romantic evening.
   
2. Plan a day out. If you're like most people, there are probably so many things to do in your area that you've just never gotten around to. Spend an entire day exploring with your significant other, and make a point of going places neither of you have ever been before. Go to a new museum, go paintballing together, or hike a long trail that you've both been interested in, but never had the time for. You never know--you might even get to see a fun new side of the person you love.^[2]
   
3. Take your partner out for coffee. It sounds so cliché, until you realize that it has been forever since you last took an hour or two to simply sit down across from them at a table to talk. Put your phones on silent and out of sight, and just give each other your full attention.
   
4. Go for a long walk together. If you go to a nature preserve or big park, bring a field guide to birds or wild flowers and have fun working together to identify what you see. If you're in the city, do a self-guided walking tour together, wander down adorable side streets you've never noticed before, and make lots of stops to smell the roses.
   
5. Surprise your significant other with a weekend away.^[3] Book a few nights at a cosy bed and breakfast, or visit a nearby city for a few days. You might have to tell them to set aside the weekend for something special, but they don't have to know where you're going. Go all out, and make it a weekend to remember.^[4]
   
6. Take your partner out dancing. Swing dances often include a brief lesson beforehand for beginners and people who want to brush up on rusty skills, and they can be a lot of fun. Or get up close and personal with a tango class. Nothing says romantic like a jazzy number and a beckoning dance floor.^[5]
   

[Edit]Affirming Your Loved One

1. Write your Valentine a note. Tell them how much you love them, and include specific things that you love about them, whether it's how passionate they are about the things they love or their strong sense of justice or just the way they smile when they're a little embarrassed.^[6]
   
   • Usually the first attempt at writing a note is awkward and disjointed and you run out of space before you've said what you want to. Don't stress: jot down a few ideas on a separate sheet of paper or write an entire first draft before you set anything down in your card.
2. Volunteer with your partner for a cause they care about. If they love dogs, offer to spend a day cleaning kennels and walking dogs at the local SPCA. If they lost a loved one to cancer, then assist with a Relay for Life event in your area. By investing time in something near to their heart, you are affirming that what matters to them matters to you.^[7]
   
3. Tell them how grateful you are. For a day or a week, take a moment every time they do something you appreciate to tell them that you're grateful for them and what they do.^[8]
   
   • Especially try to note things you might normally take for granted. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, just a simple, "Thanks for letting me borrow your coat," or "Thank you for cancelling your plans to be with me when I was sick."
   • Try to work in appreciation for general qualities, like, "You're so thoughtful. I appreciate that you always open the door for me when we go out." Or, "That was so kind of you to give them a ride home. You're a really good friend."
4. Sit down together and tell your partner face-to-face what you love about them. Notes are nice and can be saved for another day, but few things are as thoughtful and affirming as having someone look directly into your eyes to tell you how much they love you and why.
   
   • Try to make it about them. Say things like, "You're such a compassionate person, and it really comes through in your interactions with people. They can tell how warm and kind you are within minutes of meeting you." It's okay to talk about how they make you feel, since you're telling them why you love them, but try not to make it too self-centered. For example, "You're such an open person that I've always felt like I could tell you anything," is great, because it emphasizes a particular quality they possess and it tells them that you trust them.
   • If you compliment them on physical features, be specific. Don't just say, "You're sexy," or "You're beautiful." Say, "You have gorgeous eyes," or "You walk so confidently, and it's really attractive."

[Edit]Giving Special Gifts

1. Order their favorite takeout just the way they like it. When you know someone well, you learn their quirks: how well they like their burgers cooked, what they're allergic to, that they can't stand the texture of artichokes or hearts of palm. When you can actually order for someone, you show your love by actively paying attention to their likes and dislikes and communicating that you want to treat them well.
   
2. Bring your Valentine's pet a new toy or treat. For a lot of animal lovers, the best way to show your love for them is to acknowledge their pet. By bringing something for Fido, you let them know that you can see how important he is to them and for that reason, he's important enough to you to include on your gift list.
   
3. Make them a music mix. Maybe it's old school to give CDs or mixtapes in the age of internet streaming services, but that just makes it more fun. Make a list of songs that are special to the two of you or that make you think of them.^[9] Go the extra mile: take a Sharpie and decorate the cd with fun and quirky art.^[10]
   
4. Pamper them. Schedule a couples' massage. Relax in a sauna. Spend a day at the spa with your Valentine, and they're sure to come away feeling seriously loved.
5. Send your partner flowers.^[11] This gesture is classic, but that just makes it a clearer statement. If you know what their favorite flowers are, that's great, but for many people, the gesture alone says it all.
   

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

• Think about what makes them feel loved, rather than what you're most comfortable doing. Maybe it's easy for you to buy flowers, but they would appreciate a nice night out together. Listen to them—was it the movie they enjoyed or the fact that you spent time together for the first time in a while?
• Usually, the biggest thing is just showing someone that you put some thought into pleasing them. It doesn't even have to go smoothly. If dessert burns or you forgot to put butter in the white wine sauce for the mussels, you'll still have taken the time to put together a nice evening.
• These suggestions are not just for romantic partners. You can easily adapt most or all of them to show your appreciation for friends and family members.
• Don't just take the time on Valentine's Day. If you go out of your way all year round to make the ones you love feel special, you won't have any trouble doing it on Valentine's Day, because they'll already know.
• Don't stress. Most people simply appreciate that you've done anything at all.
• Don't think you have to spend a lot of money to make a day special. In fact, if you're planning a day out together, it can be fun to challenge yourselves to only do free or inexpensive things. The limit encourages creativity and you may end up making some interesting memories.^[12]

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Celebrate White Day
• Give Unique Valentine's Day Gifts That Say What You Mean
• Plan a Romantic Valentine's Day Date
• Write a Love Letter
• Care for Orchids
• Care for a Bromeliad

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ [v161025_b01]. 7 August 2019.
2. ↑ https://www.tripadvisor.com/
3. ↑ [v161025_b01]. 7 August 2019.
4. ↑ http://www.forbes.com/sites/larryolmsted/2015/05/18/10-best-cities-for-weekend-vacations/
5. ↑ https://takelessons.com/performing-arts/dance-lessons
6. ↑ [v161025_b01]. 7 August 2019.
7. ↑ https://www.volunteermatch.org/
8. ↑ [v161025_b01]. 7 August 2019.
9. ↑ [v161025_b01]. 7 August 2019.
10. ↑ http://hellogiggles.com/ways-make-someone-feel-really-special/
11. ↑ [v161025_b01]. 7 August 2019.
12. ↑ http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/sex-and-love/40-free-date-ideas-youll-both-love

source How to of the Day https://ift.tt/PMu9wif

How to Be a Leader

Learn what it means to be an effective and trustworthy leader

A leader’s skills, knowledge, and ability to inspire others is what makes them so valuable within a team. Every leader is different, but there are a couple of common traits that many of the best leaders possess. Follow along as we walk you through how to be an inspiring and trustworthy leader. Learn what qualities to develop, how to gain your followers’ trust, and how to actually employ your leadership skills to get the results you want.

[Edit]Things You Should Know

• Work to improve things such as your self-awareness, positivity, and confidence, as these are all important qualities of good leaders.
• Be firm and concise in your decisions, but be sure to include your team members and allow room for creative thinking.
• Gain your team members’ trust by treating them with compassion, providing them with opportunities to grow, and asking them for honest feedback.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Developing Leadership Qualities

1. Learn about yourself to develop your self-awareness. A good leader is in tune not only with their team members but with themselves as well. Reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, wants, and needs to figure out what kind of leader you are and what you need to improve to be even better. Think about how your personality traits will affect your team members.^[1]
   
   • For example, if you know that you tend to be rather blunt when delivering feedback, make it a goal to learn how to give criticism in a more constructive manner.
   • Or, if you know that you have really good organizational skills, use that to your advantage to make detailed itineraries and newsletters to keep your team members up to date.
2. Be confident, even when you don't have all the answers. Maintain good posture, make eye contact, keep your head up when talking, speak loud and clear, and use big hand gestures when you speak to emphasize key points. When you look and act confident, others will instinctively look towards you for guidance and reassurance.^[2]
   
   • Not knowing something doesn't make you a bad leader. Ineffective leaders, on the other hand, get insecure and refuse to admit when they're wrong.
   • There’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance. Acknowledge that you don't know everything, and avoid acting like you're superior to everyone.
   • Instead of saying “I don't know” while looking down and fidgeting, say “I don't know the answer, but I'll look into it and get back to you” as you stand up straight and look the person in the eye.
3. Learn as much as you can about your field. Take every opportunity to refine your knowledge and become an expert on your industry, your field of study, or your career. Knowing what you're talking about will build your confidence and earn your team's trust. While it's impossible to know everything, your team might doubt your abilities if you say “I don't know” to every question they ask.^[3]
   
   • For example, if you're the head of an engineering team, learn everything you can about the products you create, attend professional development events, and stay updated on relevant new technologies and software.
   • Take time to study things that are outside of your relevant field as well to provide even more valuable information to your team. For example, a school principal might do research in the tech industry to provide teachers with up-to-date technology that they can use in the classroom.
4. Find a mentor who can teach you new skills. There's always room to grow, even if you're in a top leadership position. Reach out to a person you admire who has strong leadership skills. Ask them to chat over coffee or lunch, or see if they're open to being a long-term mentor. When you meet, ask them things like, “What qualities do you look for in a leader?” “How do you gain people’s respect?” and “What’s the most challenging part about being a leader?” and see what they have to say.^[4]
   
   • Look for role models who've overcome challenges and reached goals similar to your own. For instance, if you're a young woman in high school or college, attend public speaking events by women in leadership positions.
5. Learn how to manage conflicts. A good leader is able to resolve conflicts between others at work without taking sides. If there's a heated disagreement between team members, work with them to identify the root of the issue and listen to both sides of the story. After that, open up a dialogue to begin looking for a solution that will benefit both parties.^[5]
   
   • Suppose you run a factory, and a blueprint typo led to a canceled order. The salesperson is angry that they lost a commission and yells at the designer who made the typo.
   • Instruct both of them to cool down, stress that getting angry is unacceptable, and assure them both that a new double-check system will be put in place to prevent future issues.
   • If you’re in a professional setting, such as a corporate office, you might need to let HR handle an escalating conflict between employees.
6. Go into things with a positive mindset. Positivity is great for boosting your team’s morale, increasing productivity, and cultivating healthy relationships between team members. Even though things might not go smoothly 100% of the time, just making a conscious effort to think positively and bring that positive energy to your team and business can make others more excited to collaborate with you.^[6]
   
   • Discouraging gossip and drama amongst team members can go a long way in creating a more positive environment. Be active in helping resolve conflicts and let others know you disapprove of gossip if they try to bring it up.

[Edit]Leading a Team

1. Set clear rules and expectations and lead by example. To be a good leader, it’s important that you know what you want and communicate your expectations clearly to your followers. A good leader also doesn’t expect others to just blindly follow them, and they’ll usually make an effort to lead by example so that their followers will feel more reassured in their decision. For example:^[7]
   
   • If you want to enforce a rule about cutting back on paper usage and recycling more, make sure others see you incorporating this rule into your daily routine.
   • If you think that communication needs to be better among team members, take the initiative and contact each person for weekly or bi-weekly check-ins.
   • If tardiness is a problem, make sure your team members see you arriving early to the office or meetings.
2. Be decisive and give clear directions. When you tell your team exactly what you want and how you want it done, you appear much more confident in yourself and your desired results. Take the time to gather all the necessary information needed to make a solid decision, then step up and confidently state exactly what you’re going to do.^[8]
   
   • Suppose you and your friends are debating on what to do, but no one can agree on a plan. Step up and say, “Guys, we're going bowling.” This is an example of assessing the situation, rising to the top, and taking charge with confidence. However, if the group does not like this idea once you suggest it, model humility by stepping back and perhaps proposing a vote on two other ideas.
   • Keep in mind that there will be times when you'll have to make decisions yourself and times when you'll need input from your team members.
   • Be flexible and, if necessary, shift gears when new information becomes available. Don’t stick with your original decision if it’s going to cost you and your team a great amount.
3. Delegate tasks and provide the necessary resources. A leader doesn't micromanage their team or try to do everything themselves. When you assign tasks, define your expectations clearly and provide any necessary training or education. A good leader does what they can to set others up for success. Delegating responsibilities also shows that you trust other people to get the job done and be responsible.^[9]
   
   • A clear expectation would be “Complete specification profiles for at least 5 installation projects by the end of the week.” A vague expectation would be “Do some specification profiles.”
   • When you need to train someone, demonstrate the task yourself and narrate the steps as you perform them. If possible, observe them when they start and, if they make an error, gently correct them.
4. Perservere when things get difficult. A good leader doesn’t jump ship when things start to get hard. Even when things aren’t going exactly as planned, do your best to work through the issues and lead your team to success. Consult with other team members to get a fresh perspective, try a new method, or even take a short break from whatever project you’re working on so that you can come back reenergized later.^[10]
   
   • Admitting that you’re having a hard time isn’t a sign of weakness. If anything, it will likely make you look more humble to your team members.
5. Encourage innovation and creative thinking. When it comes to problem-solving, it usually takes lots of collaborative thinking to come up with a solution. Instead of taking charge of everything, open up the floor for other people to come forward with their own ideas and suggestions. Give each one equal consideration and be open to changing your game plan if a good idea comes up. In addition to possibly solving a problem, this shows your team that you’re flexible and open-minded.^[11]
   
   • Set time aside for a “brainstorming” session where everyone gets an equal opportunity to pitch their ideas.
6. Cultivate healthy relationships within your team. This includes your relationships with each of your team members and relationships among team members. Take the time to get to know your team as people rather than just colleagues or business partners. Swap stories, hang out outside of the office, and show a genuine interest in what’s going on in their lives.^[12]
   
   • To encourage positive relationships between team members, do some team building exercises and encourage team members to help others when there’s a problem.
   • For example, if a newer member of your team is having trouble getting the hang of things, pair them up with a senior team member so that they have a mentor they can learn from and talk to.

[Edit]Earning Others’ Trust

1. Treat your team with respect and compassion. When someone comes to you with a problem, listen to what they have to say, give them your full attention, and do your best to empathize with their situation. Also, be sure to be respectful of their unique opinions and praise them for the things they’re doing well. Remember, you set the tone, so model the type of behavior you'd like your team to display.^[13]
   
   • For example, if someone disagrees with you, listen to their argument and use their input to refine your decision. If you can't use their suggestion, let them know that you respect their opinion, but are going in another direction.
2. Keep your promises. When your team members see you fulfill the promises you made, it’s likely that their respect for you and trust in your abilities will grow. In order to keep promises, you have to know what's doable and what's not. Be realistic when you make a promise, and make sure it's something you can deliver.^[14]
   
   • For example, don't promise your staff big raises unless you're 100% certain you have room in the budget.
   • If you're an officer of a club at school, don't promise that you'll get more funding when you haven't even talked to your principal or school administration.
3. Provide your team with opportunities for growth. When you empower your team members by giving them ample room to grow and develop, they’ll likely be even more energized and excited to work with you. Provide professional development opportunities to help them with skills they may need in their career, give them constructive criticism about what they can improve on, and give them space to freely express their wants and needs.^[15]
   
   • For example, invite guest speakers to come in to talk about things like time management, maintaining work-life balance, and goal-setting to inspire your team and equip them with important skills.
   • Set up one-on-one meetings with each of your team members to discuss what they can improve on and what they’re doing well at work. In these meetings, come prepared with specific ideas of ways you can help them to continue improving their skills.
4. Ask for feedback from those you lead. Instead of waiting for someone to speak up, ask your team specific questions about how you can improve your performance. Schedule one-on-one meetings where each person can talk freely, or send out anonymous surveys to get everyone’s opinions. Remain flexible and open to all kinds of suggestions.^[16]
   
   • Don't ask yes or no questions about whether or not they like you. Instead, ask specific questions, such as “In your opinion, what can I do to be a better leader” or “What are some ways I could communicate more clearly?”
5. Hold yourself accountable. Stand by your decisions, and take responsibility for the consequences. If things go wrong, step up and own up to your actions instead of throwing blame on someone else. In doing so, you’re also inspiring your team to be accountable when it comes to their own work and decisions.^[17]
   
   • For example, if you’re the captain of a sports team and your team lost after using a play you designed, step up and take responsibility, but also stay positive for the future.
   • Say something like, “I see what mistakes I made, and I now know what to do so that we can win next time.”
6. Give credit to others where it’s due. Humility is a very important quality of a good leader. When you celebrate successes, make sure you’re giving credit to everyone who was involved, not just yourself for leading the team. Take time to tell your team members that you appreciate them and the unique talents they bring.^[18]
   
   • If you can’t talk to everyone in person, be sure to send out an email or group text to express your gratitude and give a shout-out to the people who led your team to success.
7. Dress in a way that's consistent with your role. Your appearance is another tool that can inspire confidence. Just be aware of the difference between dressing to impress and dressing to influence. Dressing to impress, or being overdressed, could drive a wedge between you and those you lead.^[19]
   
   • For instance, if you manage a casual restaurant, wearing a suit and tie is impractical, might turn off your customers, and could alienate your staff.
   • If you're the president of your high school class, wearing a crisp button-up or neat dress to a meeting is better than wearing ripped jeans and a stained, wrinkly t-shirt.

[Edit]Expert Video

[Edit]Additional Help

Sample Leadership Qualities

Sample Leadership Qualities

Sample Ways to Build Confidence

Sample Ways to Build Confidence

Sample Political Speech

Sample Political Speech

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

• Help your team to achieve both individual and collective goals. Remember, setting individuals up for success is part of getting the group from A to B.
• It's more important to be trustworthy than charming. Sincere kindness will get you farther than phony charm.
• Be mindful when forming close relationships with members of your group. Don't pick favorites or give people preferential treatment.
• As a leader, you're in the limelight, which means your moves are under a microscope. Your morals and values are just as important as your knowledge and skills.

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Be a Leader in the Workplace
• Be a Good Manager
• Be a Good Boss
• Be Confident
• Develop Leaders

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://online.jwu.edu/blog/MBA-personality-traits-effective-leaders
2. ↑ https://eller.arizona.edu/news/2021/04/top-11-qualities-good-leader
3. ↑ https://www.waldenu.edu/programs/business/resource/what-makes-a-good-leader-ten-essential-qualities-to-learn
4. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/jomiller/2018/03/25/40-questions-to-ask-a-mentor/?sh=110b724a261b
5. ↑ https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/calm-conflict-in-the-workplace/
6. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2022/05/16/12-simple-ways-leaders-can-boost-positivity-in-the-workplace/?sh=33194df6245e
7. ↑ https://www.waldenu.edu/programs/business/resource/what-makes-a-good-leader-ten-essential-qualities-to-learn
8. ↑ https://hbr.org/2017/07/how-to-become-a-more-well-rounded-leader
9. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesleadershipforum/2012/10/24/you-cant-be-a-great-leader-without-trust-heres-how-you-build-it/
10. ↑ https://eller.arizona.edu/news/2021/04/top-11-qualities-good-leader
11. ↑ https://www.northeastern.edu/graduate/blog/top-5-leadership-qualities/
12. ↑ https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/business/qualities-of-a-good-leader
13. ↑ https://eller.arizona.edu/news/2021/04/top-11-qualities-good-leader
14. ↑ https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/business/qualities-of-a-good-leader
15. ↑ https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/business/qualities-of-a-good-leader
16. ↑ https://www.waldenu.edu/programs/business/resource/what-makes-a-good-leader-ten-essential-qualities-to-learn
17. ↑ https://eller.arizona.edu/news/2021/04/top-11-qualities-good-leader
18. ↑ https://eller.arizona.edu/news/2021/04/top-11-qualities-good-leader
19. ↑ https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/226265

source How to of the Day https://ift.tt/f7Bmord

How to Enjoy Being Single

Being single doesn’t have to be all about drinking wine by yourself every night, pining over a romantic comedy, or a distant crush. Being single can give you amazing freedom and provide you with an opportunity to polish your own life skills and deepen your life experience. That way, if and when you do choose to leave the single life behind you will have plenty of independent living under your belt. The key to enjoying your single life is to make the most of your time, take advantage of your freedom, and prepare for a relationship.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Taking Advantage of Your Freedom

1. Define what being single means for you. Regardless of your situation and reason for being single, it's important for you to identify what being single means to you, especially if you do see/think yourself in a relationship in the future. Practice not always needing another person's validation or understanding. Learn to be comfortable being alone, and practice loving and accepting yourself as a single person.
   
2. Take a spontaneous trip. Because you don't have to worry about another person's preferences or schedule, you can go where you want, when you want! You can take a day off of work to make a day trip to an unfamiliar city nearby, or perhaps a weekend trip in your own city, to explore freely.^[1]
   
   • Being single also means you get to choose your destination. You don’t have to compromise or go somewhere you have no interest in being. The choice is all yours.
3. Live in a tent (or a similarly transient lifestyle). If you’ve always wanted to live a vagabond’s life, now is your chance. After all, being a relationship might interfere with your desire to hop from campsite to campsite, or call the wilderness your home.^[2]
   
   • This option is particularly great if you are young and love to travel. Living in a tent allows you to move about freely, without a house payment or rent, with only a few things to pack up before your next adventure.
   • You don't have to live in a tent to look at your life as an adventure with endless possibilities. Engage with the world around you, be curious, and say YES to every invitation!^[3]
4. Change jobs, if you don’t like your current job. Being in a relationship typically requires you to share your decision-making with another person. This can mean that you are stuck in a job you don’t love in order to provide security or peace of mind for someone else. If you’re single, you just have to make sure you can take care of you, so leave that job you hate behind, and chase a position you’ll really love.^[4]
   
   • If you do quit your job, make sure you have another job lined up first: being single and (unintentionally) homeless is not quite as freeing as being single and financially stable.
5. Realize your time is your own. Being in a relationship, while it can be wonderful, means sharing your time and life with another person. Being single, you do not have to worry about letting someone else know if you plan to be out for the evening, or you’re off to make a grocery store run in the early morning--or even if you’d like to take a weekend vacation to another city. Having your time all to yourself can be quite empowering.^[5]
   
   • You do not have to fill up your spare time with activities. If being at home, or taking long walks on your own makes you happy, go for it. Having time to yourself means having time to do what you love.
6. Focus on your friendships. Being single doesn’t have to mean being free from all relationships. It can also mean that you have more time and energy to put into your existing friendships. If you have a friend in need, you can rush to their aid without checking in with a partner. If your friends want to go on a trip to a music festival, there’s no one holding you back.^[6]
   
   • Some studies have found that single people can actually be happier. The key is in making sure you have strong, fulfilling friendships.
   • Remember that your friends are the family you choose. If you don’t have supportive, loving friends, make it a goal to find some. A supportive group of people around you can encourage you to try new things.^[7]

[Edit]Making the Most of Your Time

1. Learn how to be on your own. Being on your own can be a wonderful thing. Learn how to take care of yourself properly, such as how to cook and clean for yourself, how to keep your home clean, how to wash laundry, and how to manage your time. All of these skills will be invaluable to you both as a singleton, and as someone in a ^[8]
   
   • This is not an easy task. You might have to start small, by making yourself breakfast each morning, or making a point to iron your work shirts.
   • Taking care of yourself properly means different things to different people. Find what works best for you.
2. Learn a new skill. Take the free time you might otherwise be spending with your significant other and learn a new skill! Whether you sign up for one-on-one singing lessons with a professional, or you hop onto a site such as Skillshare to brush up on graphic design, learning a new skill will keep you busy and enrich your life.^[9]
   
   • Being single is a great time to experiment. If you start learning something new and don’t like it, move on to something else.
   • Once you’ve found your new skill, indulge in it.
3. Practice self care. Providing the basics for yourself is great, but self care is even more important. On top of making sure you are fed, groomed, and clean, you’ll need to make sure your “cup” is full. For some, that means taking time every morning to meditate and enjoy a slow cup of tea. For others, that might mean going to the gym four times per week to work on your physique.
   
   • Self care will look different for everyone. When developing a self care routine, identify what it is that makes you feel complete and relaxed day-to-day. Make that a priority.
4. Make (and meet) your goals. Make goals as a single person, and budget your time to accomplish them. You can make small goals, such as eating at least three meals per week at home, or you can make large goals, such as having a promotion by this time next year.
   
   • Make goals that matter to you, not anyone else. Doing so will get you further in life and will be far more important in motivating you to achieve your goals.
5. Focus on your career. Take the energy you may have spent on a relationship and pour it into your work. Even if you are not in a job that you hope to make a career of, you can improve your future career prospects by, perhaps, working your way up to manage your store, or building your body to fit the demands of a high-ranking labor position.^[10]
   

[Edit]Preparing for a Relationship

1. Reflect on past relationships. Past relationships are great for teaching you about yourself and your future relationships. To prepare yourself for the possibility of a new relationship, identify any areas of your past that may have contributed to your break up. Notice anything you may have done to push your partner away, or actions you may have done to be controlling or manipulative. Search for ways you can improve your behavior as a partner.^[11]
   
   • Don’t be afraid to take some time to yourself. You don’t need to jump from one relationship to another. Enjoy the in-between times and give yourself time to heal.
2. Work on your flaws. Take some time to reflect on your character, and notice any flaws you might have. Work on those to be a better partner and friend. This can be hard--no one wants to think about their flaws. But identifying and working on them will make you a better person, and will likely even increase your happiness.^[12]
   
   • Perhaps jealousy is a flaw for you. Practice being grateful for what you have.
   • Maybe manipulation comes easy to you. While single, practice saying what you actually mean, and being honest with yourself and others.
3. Evaluate your likes and dislikes. Many people forego their loves in favor of whatever their significant other likes. Take some time to evaluate your likes and dislikes, including your musical taste, your preferences regarding food, drink, and lifestyle, and even what you absolutely require from a relationship or partner. This will make you an invaluable partner, as you will know yourself well, and will not bow down to make other people happy.^[13]
   
   • This is another great time to experiment. Try new foods, music, or movies. Do activities you’ve never done before. You may discover things you really love.
4. Seek help. If your aversion to your single life is insurmountable or feels too overwhelming to sort out by yourself, seek the help of a counselor or therapist. Although you might feel like you are alone in your struggle with being alone, plenty of people struggle to be both happy and single. A qualified professional can give you strategies to cope with your frustration, and may also be able to provide you with a fresh perspective on your situation.^[14]
   
5. Practice mindfulness. Finally, make some room for gratitude and mindfulness in your life. While single, notice the way food feels against your lips and tongue, notice the sounds you hear as you take your dog for a walk, or tune in to your feelings on a particularly stressful day. Mindfulness helps you know your body and mind thoroughly, so that you can make more concrete decisions, and develop confidence and ease.^[15]
   
   • Mindfulness can be difficult when you are in a relationship, as a lot of your time and attention are diverted.

[Edit]Tips

• Ignore what people think of your relationship status. Your life is yours, and not anyone else’s.
• Make the most of your single time by hanging out with your single friends. They might enjoy being unattached just as much as you.

[Edit]Related WikiHows

• Enjoy Being Alone
• Enjoy Your Job
• Make Friends

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://psyche.co/guides/how-to-defy-societys-singlism-and-embrace-independent-life
2. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-be-ok-with-being-single/
3. ↑ [v161578_b01]. 29 September 2020.
4. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-be-ok-with-being-single/
5. ↑ https://theawarenesscentre.com/being-single/
6. ↑ https://time.com/5401028/benefits-being-single-experts/
7. ↑ [v161578_b01]. 29 September 2020.
8. ↑ https://medium.com/mind-cafe/how-learning-to-enjoy-being-single-can-make-you-happier-46b03ea4af64
9. ↑ https://theawarenesscentre.com/being-single/
10. ↑ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0191886922002513
11. ↑ https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00746/full
12. ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-carol-morgan/if-you-dont-like-being-single-you-need-to-read-this_b_6294266.html
13. ↑ https://asi.cpp.edu/campuscrop/?p=16842
14. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/web-loneliness/201404/treating-loneliness-its-more-just-meeting-others
15. ↑ https://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/07-08/ce-corner

source How to of the Day https://ift.tt/nV8lFNJ