First of all, thank you for having the courage to be here. 

It’s not easy to Google “How to be less toxic,” but it’s a great way to do some inner reflection.

This is a safe space with self-improvement in mind, not judgment or criticism. 

It’s safe to assume that if you always find yourself at the center of the drama, attracting toxic people, and always in a fight or flight mode, you might be contributing to the toxicity in your life. 

What Does It Mean to Be a Toxic Person?

Toxic means something different to each person.

The dictionary defines toxic as “very harmful or unpleasant in a pervasive or insidious way.” 

The truth is, toxic doesn’t always mean “bad,” “evil,” or “broken.” Heck, even too much oxygen –  something we need to survive – can be toxic when misused. 

Characteristics of a toxic person include: 

• Selfish: They always need you but rarely show up when you need them.
• Manipulation: They will get what they want at all costs – guilt, bargaining (to their benefit), lies (from little white to big little lies), and bullying are common tools.
• Negative: If the sun doesn’t come up the right shade of yellow, these people will complain about it all day. They always find something to complain about. 
• Judgy: You become afraid to open up to toxic people because you know they will act as judge, jury, and prosecutor in what should be a safe space. 
• Passive Aggressive: These people might smile to your face when you cancel plans but then post a meme about “loser friends” on their social media accounts. 
• Angry: They lose their temper over the little things – traffic, long lines, you purchasing something they wanted, etc. 

How Do I Know If I’m Toxic?

For some of you reading this, you already know.

That’s why you’re here. Maybe you’re looking for a scapegoat, but you aren’t going to find it here. 

This tool can help you learn how not to be toxic. For the others here, you know you’re toxic:

• If you are always surrounded by drama. 
• If your friendships are fleeting. 
• If you genuinely feel nothing is ever your fault and the world just “seems to be out to get you.” 

There are key indicators in daily life that might help you determine if you need to stop being toxic or if you’re just going through a rough patch. 

• Competition: If everything feels like a competition, whether spoken or internal, you might be fueling a toxic environment. Friends and significant others celebrate the success of the people they love. They don’t try to “one up” them at every turn. 
• Attention Seekers: It’s one thing to love attention when you’ve won accolades; it’s another to turn a bout of the flu into a drama show about medical issues. Parents can also create a toxic environment around sick children. For example, a child has a cold, so they miss a day of school, but the mom constantly tweets about how “deathly ill” the child is, so people will offer comfort. 
• Sarcasm: In a world of memes and hilarious social media commentary, sarcasm has become its own language. People brag about their wit and quick thinking, but if everything generates sarcasm from you, put it on pause. There’s a difference between sarcasm and sadism. Remove “I told you so” from your vocabulary entirely. 
• Annoyed: You know deep down when this happens. Your friend reaches out to you with a “friend emergency,” and you groan to yourself and agree to meet up, only to half listen and nod your head while being disconnected from the conversation. Extra credit toxicity? Repeatedly only saying “That’s crazy” to people via text while they are pouring their hearts out to you. 
• “You Can’t Sit With Us!”: If your friends have gatherings where you aren’t invited, or they meet in splintered groups, they might just be trying to avoid the drama or self-centered features you bring. 

How to Stop Being Toxic: 13 Steps You Can Take

Can toxic people change? Absolutely! 

You must make a concerted effort to find your toxic fault lines and re-adjust your thinking and reaction to the situation. 

If you don’t know how to stop being toxic in your relationship, there are great ways to start the conversation and move forward with a hazmat spill of emotions or hurt feelings. 

1. Do Some Soul Searching

Toxic people don’t just pop out of the woodwork. The habits are usually formed early in life, based on interactions with family and friends. 

Maybe your mom always made a big deal about you being sick, so that trait has carried on to how you react when your children are sick. Identify “where things went toxic” to better understand how you got here. 

Allow yourself grace during this process. This isn’t a session to beat yourself up or list all your regrets. This is a way to focus on being a better you. 

2. Talk to Your Friends, Family, and Partner

This one can be tricky because if your friends already think you have toxic traits, they might not want to be honest with you. These conversations are better in one-on-one environments than in group gatherings. Some conversation starters might be:

• “I feel like I’m not always a good friend to you as you go through this divorce/breakup/job loss. How can I better support you?”
• “I know every time we go out, I end up in a dramatic situation, and I feel like the way I treated the valet attendant was really out of line. From your perspective, tell me where the night goes wrong.” 
• “I have been very dismissive of your opinions during the recent discussions, and I apologize. I want to be a better listener, and I’d like to hear more about your thoughts on the topic we discussed last night.”

3. Remove Toxic Language from Your Vocabulary

Maybe it IS the 10th time your bestie has talked about the breakup from a year ago, and you continue to tell her, “Just get over it.”

Friends don’t tell friends to “just get over it.” Other language that you should nix from your vernacular:

• “You’re Too Sensitive” – Some people are more sensitive than others. Some people are better at math than art. Everyone is different, and accepting people for who they are will go a long way in the toxic cleanup. 
  • INSTEAD: “I can tell this is an emotional topic for you, and I want to respect your space. Do you want to pause this and think about it overnight? We can regroup in the morning.” 
• “Whatever” – Lord help the person on the receiving end of a “Whatever.” This is a dismissive and cruel tactic to use, as it invalidates anything else the other person is saying. Always remember, the person you disagree with believes what they believe with the same conviction of your beliefs. 
  • INSTEAD: “I feel like we’re chasing our tails here. Let’s just agree to disagree and go get that brunch.”
•  “You are just like your mother/father/brother” – This is taking proprietary information, like how much your friend gets frustrated by her mom and shoves it right back in her face.  
  • INSTEAD: Just don’t say it. Even trying an “I know how much your mom frustrates you, which is why I’m confused about why you are acting like her “ is the same dang thing. 

4. Turn Your Thoughts Around

We aren’t just learning how not to be toxic to our loved ones; we have to stop being toxic to ourselves. 

Start the day with an affirmation of positivity if you know you are prone to be negative. Stop looking at everything that went wrong in your rush to work and celebrate the things that went right, like when you hit a green light. Yes, this holds even if every other light was red. 

When we speak in a kinder voice to ourselves, we’re better mentally prepared to handle the things that come up in the environment of people we love. 

5. Make a Permission Pact

Make an agreement with your friends that any “emotional vomiting” needs to come with permission. 

A sentence like “Do you have the headspace right now to talk about a situation that is bothering me?” will show respect for the other person’s time and any demons of their own they might be fighting. 

6. Don’t Gaslight

This concept is also in the words of the “How to Be Less Toxic” invisible handbook. 

When you tell someone they are overreacting or not experiencing something valid, you make that person feel crazy. Any lover of the Real Housewives franchise sees this happening repeatedly. 

Gaslighting isn’t just toxic; it’s psychological abuse that leaves deep scars. It’s used to gain a power position over the other person, but in the end, nobody wins. 

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7. Dig Deep

“If you start up with Big again, I don’t want to know anything about it.” Those scorching words from Miranda to Carrie during Season 3 of Sex & The City shocked fans to the core. 

Miranda just had enough of hearing about the same person causing the same hurt to her beloved friend. 

Sometimes you just have to dig deep inside yourself and find the ability to listen. Don’t try to offer help or solutions. 

Don’t judge the person. Actually pay attention, even if you’ve heard the same stories repeatedly. Your friends listen to your repetition. Pay in kind. 

BONUS: If you can say, “Do you want advice, or do you just want me to listen? I’m here for you either way.” 

8. Empathy Doesn’t Mean What You Might Think

Just because empathy means you understand what the person is going through doesn’t mean it’s time for you to steal the stage and tell your tale of a similar experience. 

Of course, it does feel natural to say, “I understand. I went through the same thing ten years ago and…” 

The problem with this is – suddenly, the issue is all about you and not about your friend.

Only speak about your experience if they ask you. While experiences can be similar, no two people have the exact same reaction or adaption to life changes or grief. 

9. Leave the Jokes to Jimmy Fallon

There’s a time to infuse humor, and there’s a time to avoid all urges to make a joke. 

The problem with humor is that only stand-up comics use it as a way to be funny. Regular humans use it to mask emotions, avoid confrontation, or speak their truth without saying it directly. 

An example of this might be meeting a friend for happy hour, and they say, “I had a terrible day.” You respond, “Well, you look like a truck ran over you, so there’s that.” 

Even the closest friendships and the most understanding of loved ones will cringe a little when they hear that. 

10. Stop Saying It on Social Media

Toxic traits spill over onto social media at MACH 3. 

Even friends who aren’t directly impacted by whatever your drama is are going to tire of the barrage of memes about your inner struggles. (C’mon, you know you’ve unfollowed someone who did that!) 

You also don’t know if a friend who isn’t on your mind might take a passive-aggressive post as a dig at them. You could be hurting more people than you even realize with your posts. 

11. Don’t Seek Counsel in Other Loved Ones

There are three reasons why going to friends for mental health help isn’t a good idea when you really want to learn how to be less toxic.

• They are scared of you. Your inner Regina George might have your friends bowing down to anything you feel and unwilling to help you because they fear being ostracized from the group. 
• They aren’t unbiased. Your friends see your beauty and skills from a very biased perspective. You might have been completely rude to a server, but they will take your side because you DID ask for ketchup, and she brought ranch dressing. She must be an idiot, right? 
• They aren’t skilled enough to help. Your friends can help you through a lot, but you wouldn’t want them to do heart surgery on you. A mental health professional is trained to deal with your issues in a safe zone while being honest. Even if your friend is a therapist, a conflict of interest will prevent them from treating you anyway. 

12. Stop Being Critical

You call it “wanting the best for your partner,” but they see it as nothing they do is good enough. The fact that they did load the dishwasher is a good thing, yet you’ll list off the ten ways they did it wrong and throw in another no-no phase of “If I want it done right, I have to do it myself.”

Now, it’s one thing to tell a friend she spilled coffee on her white pants. It’s another to tell her five reasons why white pants are just not cool and then suggest you go through her closet for appropriate clothing. 

See if you can go one day without criticizing anything about a loved one or yourself. Exchange criticism for thankful words of what did happen. 

13. Learn To Say Sorry… and Mean It

One of the best ways to stop being toxic in your relationship is to offer a wholehearted “I’m sorry.” 

For toxic people, those words taste like you-know-what coming out of their mouths. 

Apologizing doesn’t mean you are weak or invalid. It just means you made a mistake. Forgiveness is the root of improvement in our daily lives.  

Why Am I Toxic and How to Change

These characteristics of a toxic person aren’t going to go away immediately. 

The traits didn’t develop overnight. They come from a lifetime of experiences and relationships that fueled defense mechanisms or selfish behavior. Some people stop being toxic after a stressful life event. 

You can change if you take some time to focus on yourself and practice some basic mental health support techniques. 

• Journaling: This will help you get thoughts out of your head and onto paper instead of spewing venom at your tribe. 
• Remove Other Toxic Forces: You can’t just say sayonara to your toxic mother, but you can limit triggering situations with her. If you have a colleague who is giving you toxic energy and fueling your own emotional hazmat container, take up a fitness class on the night you usually go to happy hour with him or her. 
• Know Your Triggers: List off all the situations that trigger your venomous side. Take a beat before you react to or address those situations and make a brief affirmation of being kind, attentive, or present.

Final Thoughts

There’s a great line in the song Apex Predator from the Mean Girls musical. It goes, “So I’m kinda friends, but you’re kinda prey. Jesus, what a day with the Apex Predator. Will she braid your hair, will she eat your heart?” 

Nobody wants to be in a relationship or friendship with someone who constantly brings a negative vibe and cold heart. At best, your friendships will suffer. At worst, your relationships will end.

Learning how to be less toxic is actually much easier to clean up than you might think. The hardest part, which you’ve already done, is accepting you need to make some changes.

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Have you been dreaming about the same person night after night?

What does it mean?

Is it a good or bad omen?

In many instances, dreams are the last thing we ponder before falling asleep. Other times, they have spiritual meanings.

They’re a way for our subconscious and superconscious minds to penetrate our conscious realm. 

So grab a drink, get comfortable, and let’s do a deep dive into reoccurring dreams about the same person. 

Why Do I Keep Dreaming About the Same Person? 

Why do they keep popping up?

Is there a spiritual or cosmic reason we repeatedly see the same people while dreaming?

The most straightforward answer is that you’ve been thinking about the individual in question and therefore dream about them.

But their presence could also be a spiritual sign.

How can you tell if it’s a prophetic or practical dream?

• How Do You Wake? When you wake from the dream, do you feel flustered or normal? Prophetic dreams stay with us for at least a few minutes after waking and make an imprint. 
• How Did the Dream Make You Feel? Did the dream make you feel protected or frightened? Besotted or restricted? It could be a sign if you have a strong feeling when waking.
• Have You Thought About or Seen the Person Lately? Did you recently bump into the person you’re dreaming about, or did they pop into your night vision out of nowhere? You’re likely looking at a supernatural intervention if it’s the latter.
• Does it Make Sense? Did the dream make perfect sense, or was it a bizarre ride punctuated with metaphors and avant-garde imagery? The weirder it is, the more meaning it may hold.
• Are Patterns Emerging? Since you’re dreaming about the same person, night after night, have you noticed any patterns emerge? Do they appear in the same color? At the same point? Do they say the same thing?

The Spiritual Meaning of Dreaming about the Same Person 

What is the spiritual meaning of dreaming about the same person? Let’s explore 20 possibilities.

1. Seeing an Acquaintance

Maybe they’re a colleague you see once a week or a cashier at the local market. Whatever the case, the person popping up in your dreams is no more than an acquaintance — someone who doesn’t play a starring role in your conscious life opera. 

But remember what they say: there’s no such thing as small roles, only small actors.

So ask yourself: Why does this particular person keep popping up? What could they possibly represent to me? Am I attracted to this person? Do I want to be romantically involved with them? Or do they represent something that’s plaguing my subconscious?

2. Seeing a Mother Who’s Passed Away

Is your deceased mother popping up at night? If she recently died, seeing her may be a byproduct of her passing.  

If she died years ago and stops in for a visit, she’s thinking of you. It’s a reminder that you have a cosmic crew that looks after you. They’re available for help. All you need to do is ask.

Seeing the spirit of your mom can also be a good omen. She’s telling you to prepare for an excellent opportunity that may fall into your lap sooner rather than later.

3. Seeing a Father Who’s Passed Away

Seeing a father who’s passed away is similar to seeing your mom. He wants to let you know you have a multidimensional support system.

However, seeing dad instead of mom may mean you must batten down the hatches and prepare for a challenging stretch.

It’s nothing to stress over. If you prepare and protect yourself, you’ll be able to weather the storm and even come out on the other side with a few invaluable lessons learned.

4. Seeing an Old Friend From Childhood (Good Terms)

Is an old friend from childhood regularly making appearances in your dreamscape?

As always, it could mean they’ve been on your mind lately, or it may be an advanced warning that they’re about to pop back into your life. Since you didn’t end on bad terms, the reunion is destined to be joyous.

However, be aware that they may be popping back into your life to teach you a hard lesson — so pay attention. Cracking the code could bring you one step closer to an enhanced cosmic connection.

5. Seeing an Old Friend From Childhood (Bad Terms)

Your nights may not go well if an old friend with whom you parted badly shows up in your dreams. It can trigger a psychodrama if they keep showing up, night after night.

But don’t necessarily take it as a bad sign. Their emergence in your subconscious or superconscious may be a clue about something you need to remember.

Or, it could symbolize your strength and ability to walk away from people who don’t vibe with your energy at a given moment.

We try not to label relationships as wholly toxic because connections can be noxious for a time and morph into something positive and supportive in the future.

You may also see an estranged friend in your night vision after realizing you were the one to blame, not them.

6. Seeing Someone You’re Dating

Is someone you’re dating making frequent appearances in your mind’s nighttime movies? Of course, their current leading role could be symptomatic of a fun, new relationship at the top of your mind. 

But if you’re not that type of person and hail from the land of Chill, seeing someone you’re casually dating in recurring dreams could signify that they’re worth more than a casual relationship. Perhaps it’s time to take it to the next level.

If, however, you dream about this person and wake up feeling frantic and fevered, consider if you’re missing glaring red flags.

7. Feeling Cosmically Attached Upon Waking

Do you ever wake up feeling cosmically attached and energized? It’s a signal that you’ve dreamt something prophetic overnight.

Try to recall everything about the dream, even if only mere glimpses. If a person keeps showing up, try to get a good look at them. Moreover, listen to what they’re saying.

After a few nights, go back and re-read what you wrote. Does anything stand out? Are patterns emerging?

8. Seeing a Colleague (Good Terms)

Are you navigating a professional maze? Maybe you’re considering another position or thinking about branching out on your own. It may be a clue if you see an old colleague with whom you got along in your dreams.

Could this person help you? Are they a role model? Did they once give you a piece of advice you should heed now? Or, maybe the Universe is telling you to reach out to the person constantly popping up in your night vision.

9. Seeing a Colleague (Bad Terms)

Seeing an old colleague with whom you had conflict can be unsettling. But if you’re dealing with a professional issue, think long and hard about potential reasons why the person you’re seeing may be significant. 

And don’t rule out the possibility that they may be an ally in some way. Just because you’ve butted heads in the past doesn’t mean you can’t let bygones be bygones.  

10. Seeing an Old Lover (Good Terms)

Were they the one that got away? Do you still catch yourself daydreaming that they’ll walk through the door?

Dreaming about a former lover with whom you parted on good terms can be downright exhilarating.

They’d likely appear in your dreams if you bumped into them recently. But it may be a spiritual sign if you haven’t seen or thought of them in a while.

Perhaps you’re destined to see them again, and your higher self is prepping you. Or maybe it’s a sign you should reach out to them. A third possibility is that your soul is urging you to think about who you were when you dated the person you’re seeing.

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11. Seeing an Old Lover (Bad Terms)

Seeing an old flame with whom you left things on bad terms may fall into the nightmare category. 

But what does it mean when it happens?

Perhaps you still need closure. Or maybe you haven’t quite gotten over them yet. Who knows, your subconscious may have seen someone who looked like your ex that day.

But sometimes, people pop up in our dreams because they’re thinking of us — and it’s for you to decide if that’s a terrible thing or a new possibility. 

12. Seeing Someone You Wronged

If you’re reading this, you’ve done something mean, wrong, and thoughtless. How do we know? 

Like the rest of us, you’re human. And there’s no such thing as a person over the age of 7 who’s perfect.

So if you’re repeatedly seeing someone you wronged in your dreams, it probably means you need to apologize.

Essentially, it’s your subconscious guilt talking. If there’s no way of getting in touch with them, send them good thoughts.

13. Seeing Someone Who Wronged You

Dream meeting someone who once wronged you can be a bewitching experience, and they represent myriad things.

You may be seeing them again and again because:

• You now realize that you were also in the wrong.
• Your subconscious is ready to forgive them and wipe the resentment from your memory database. 
• You need to stand up for yourself now as you did with this person.
• They have a lesson to teach that you still haven’t learned.

Keep a dream journal for situations like this. Make a note of everything that stands out. You should be able to figure it out within a week.

14. Seeing a Stranger (Woman)

Is a strange woman making recurring appearances in your night vision?

She may be a spiritual messenger bearing good news. Typically, if the stranger in your dreams is a woman, she’s carrying positive tidings. 

Also, pay attention to how you feel and receive her in your dream. Does she scare you, or is she a beacon of warmth and encouragement?  

15. Seeing a Stranger (Man)

Repeatedly seeing the same strange man in your dreams may also be a premonition — or it could just be a person that your subconscious remembers and you don’t.

If an unknown male keeps showing up, they may be there to warn you about something ahead.

It doesn’t mean a catastrophe lurks around the corner, but you should pay close attention to any upcoming contracts and agreements.

16. Seeing a Friend Who Passed Away

Seeing a deceased friend in your dreams can be comforting or unnerving. Sometimes, they pop around just to let you know they’re thinking of you. After all, they love you too and want to stop by and say hi — see how you’re doing. 

Pay close attention to anything they say or do. Friends are always on our side and may have some vital information to impart. Treat them as your lodestar — a benevolent being pointing you in the right direction.

17. Seeing a Sibling (Alive)

Are you close with your sibling(s)? Have you not been able to see them much lately? That’s usually why they end up hanging out in your dreams. In these situations, do your best to make time for a family gathering. It will rejuvenate you.

If you’re not close with your brother(s) or sister(s) and they visit your night vision consistently, night after night, they may need help.

If possible, put your differences aside and reach out. Healing the relationship may be exactly what you need to move on.

18. Seeing a Sibling (Deceased)

If one or more of your siblings has passed away, and they show up in your dreams a few nights in a row, it probably means they’re thinking of you and want to encourage you. 

As is the case with seeing a mother or father who passed away, your siblings are letting you know that they’re still with you and support you in everything.

19. Seeing Your Spouse

Spousal dream occupation may signal that you need to spend more time together and do things that make you both happy. Marriages fall into ruts. It’s no one’s fault — life just takes over. 

But when you realize your partner has become someone you pass in the distance and exchange shopping favors with, it’s probably time to set aside some time for two. 

20. Seeing a God or Goddess

Seeing a god or goddess in your night vision is rare. But when it happens, get ready for your spiritual socks to be knocked off. 

Connecting with deities and other cosmic forces is largely inexplicable. However, the feeling can stay with you for weeks, if not longer. 

Final Thoughts

Remember that night vision is partly anchored in avoidance and denial. So try not to ignore warnings. Moreover, don’t turn your cheek on the good omens, either.

Whether scientifically, psychologically, or spiritually speaking, dreams provide insight into our emotional lives — our worries, dreams, regrets, and joys. They may even offer a clue or two about the best course of action when you’re plagued with a tough decision. 

Pay attention to your dreams; they may contain the insight needed to move forward and grow.

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It’s the age-old question: how can I become more productive? With so many distractions in life, particularly from our phones, it’s difficult to find ways to be productive that work and make a lasting difference. Read on for some key changes you can make today that can have an effective impact on how productive you are. Plus, each of these tips can be easily executed without disrupting your day-to-day life.

1. Avoid Your Phone When You Wake Up

Our phones are quite literally with us at all times. We rely on them for everything and that includes an alarm clock. It can be tempting to reach for your phone as soon as you wake up in the morning. Whether you want to check your emails, scroll social media, or take a peek at the news, it’s become part of a normal morning routine for many. Consuming content right when you wake up can lead to stress and start your day off on the wrong foot. Instead, spend some time with yourself.

“I used to be obsessed with scrolling through my phone the second I woke up, but I started to realize how anxious it made me feel”, says Yuvraj Tuli, Founder of Compound Banc. “I decided to ditch my phone the first hour of my day. I lie in bed and check-in with myself, I journal my thoughts, and I do my morning routine without my phone. I’ve found such a sense of peace in putting myself first each day and that has led me to have more productive days with my work and increased my mood. Win-win!”

2. Practice Time Blocking

Instead of creating a to-do list every day, practice time-blocking. Map out your day or week and fill in when you’ll be completing your tasks. This type of schedule doesn’t have to feel rigid, instead, it allows you to be proactive about how you’re going to complete your work promptly to give yourself more time freedom.

Brooke Castillo of the Life Coach School utilizes the Monday Hour One approach to time block her tasks. “Monday Hour One is an approach to time management that can transform not only how much you get done, but your commitment to yourself,” Brooke shared. “When we start writing down all the to-dos and all the things we want to do and all the things that we have put on the backburner. Part of Monday Hour One is bringing that all up and then asking ourselves why are we doing this, does this even matter to me? Does this make sense? Nothing will steal your dreams faster than not managing your time and not honoring your relationship with yourself.”

3. Take More Breaks

It sounds counterintuitive, but taking more breaks throughout your work day can lead you to be more productive. When you’re not prioritizing yourself during the day and giving your mind a chance to relax with a sense of calm, it can lead to burnout. Working from home, at a computer, or running from meeting to meeting all day without a break in between will leave you feeling rundown and unable to focus. So take more time out of your day for breaks, even if they’re just 10 minutes long.

“Taking multiple breaks in the workday has been a game-changer,” Natalia Morozova, Partner of Cohen, Tucker & Ades P.C. shares. “I go for a short walk around the block, call up a friend for 15 minutes, or have a drink or snack without looking at my phone or computer. Those little moments let me recharge and I come back to my desk more energized and ready to tackle the next thing.”

4. Reduce Email Check-Ins

Keeping a tab with your email open has become customary, but checking emails as they come into your inbox can throw a wrench into your productivity. Not only can they be distracting, but they can derail your current task, which could result in your work piling up.

“During the workday, I check my email once every hour,” shared Jimmy Minhas, Founder and CEO of GerdLi. “I dedicate no more than 15 minutes to my emails each hour, which leaves the remaining 45 minutes to get more work done. Now, I don’t worry about constantly checking my email and it reduced my stress and allowed me to stay focused on my work.”

5. Ditch Multi-Tasking

It might seem like multitasking is a great way to increase your productivity, but in fact, the opposite is true. When you divert your attention to more than one task, you’re not able to put your full focus on each project, which can have an adverse effect. Multi-tasking can mean you spend a long time completing a task and leaves room for more mistakes to be made.

Ryder Carroll, author of the book The Bullet Journal Method: Track the Past, Order the Present, Design the Future, explains how multitasking can prevent us from accomplishing our tasks to the best of our ability. “Inevitably we find ourselves tackling too many things at the same time, spreading our focus so thin that nothing gets the attention it deserves. This is commonly referred to as ‘being busy.’ Being busy, however, is not the same thing as being productive.”

6. Unplug More Frequently

Phones are a huge distraction and it’s easy to get sucked into content online. Aside from distracting you from other things, the constant scrolling can affect how you feel. Whatever you’re watching could make you feel anxious, unmotivated, or discouraged. This causes your productivity to plummet and you’re not able to get anything done. And that’s not just during the workday either. Constantly using your phone can prevent you from enjoying the things you love.

“So much of my downtime used to be spent on my phone,” says Colette Shelton, Founder of Chirpyest. “I didn’t think it was all that bad because I was connecting with friends and family online. But it was draining. Now, I opt for in-person interactions with my friends and family, and boy does it make a difference. I don’t find myself craving my phone. Being with a community of people fills me up in ways that I never realized could affect how productive I am in my work.”

Not so scary, right? Take these tips one step at a time to slowly ease your way into a routine that leaves you feeling more productive and gives you the time and freedom to enjoy your life.

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When you’re writing a nice message to someone, the perfect word can be elusive.

Forget the advice in English class about not using too many adjectives.

Go ahead and get as wordy as you want.

Your effort will shine through, especially if you’re trying to make an impact.

A dazzling word that describes a person perfectly will get you noticed and remembered.

People like to be recognized for their best qualities.

This list presents many character traits that start with E.

151 Positive Words That Start with E to Describe a Person

After scouring the back shelves of the English language and the always enlightening Scrabble dictionary, we present a massive list of positive adjectives that start with E.

You’re certain to find an excellent or extraordinary word here!

1. Eager – Ready and willing to do something right away.

2. Eagle-eyed – Notices things that other people miss.

3. Early – Stays ahead of deadlines and gets work done.

4. Earnest – Honest desire to do something or express a belief.

5. Earthshaking – Has a momentous effect upon surroundings.

6. Earthy – Lives close to the land and is not distracted by abstractions.

7. Easy-Going – Tends to go with the flow and does not upset easily.

8. Ebullient – Bubbling with excitement and happiness.

9. Eccentric – Odd and weird but in an interesting or harmless way.

10. Ecclesiastic – Rooted in religious teachings.

11. Eco-friendly – Tries to live in a nontoxic manner and affirm all life.

12. Ecological – Understands the relationships among living things.

13. Economic – Takes care to use resources wisely.

14. Economical – Looks for ways to reduce costs and shed inefficiency.

15. Ecstatic – Overflowing with positive emotion.

16. Ecumenical – Takes a worldwide view and celebrates similarities across cultures and religions.

17. Edgy – Likes to test boundaries and seek alternatives to the status quo.

18. Edifying – Provides information that leads to character development.

19. Educated – Well informed about specific topics as opposed to ignorant.

20. Effective – Good at achieving goals.

21. Effectual – Displays competence at completing tasks.

22. Effervescent – Full of life and happy to engage with people or activities.

23. Efficacious – Has a good record of meeting goals.

24. Efficient – Does not waste time or resources.

25. Effortless – Makes everything look easy.

26. Effusive – Communicates gratitude, happiness, or approval with great zeal.

27. Egalitarian – Strives to treat everyone as equal and promote fairness.

28. Einsteinian – Shows great intellect, particularly in physics.

29. Elaborate – Skillfully navigates many details.

30. Elastic – Has a flexible attitude and can fit in within different groups.

31. Elated – Extreme joy.

32. Elating – Inspires joy in others.

33. Eldest – Deserves respect for their position in life.

34. Electric – Impresses people with uniquely strong personal magnetism.

35. Electrifying – Captures and holds people’s attention with amazing performance.

36. Elegant – Moves with precision and displays a timeless style.

37. Elemental – Possesses one or more traits in their purest forms.

38. Elevated – Rises above the situation and does not deal in petty matters.

39. Elfin – Small, cute, delicate.

40. Elfish – Has delicate features and a playful personality.

41. Eligible – Qualifies for special privileges.

42. Elite – Occupies a high status.

43. Eloquent – Speaks beautiful and is well understood by others.

44. Elucidative – Able to describe ideas clearly and help others understand.

45. Elysian – Produces feelings of delight and happiness.

46. Emancipative – Celebrates and promotes everyone’s liberty.

47. Emblematic – Embodies something to the point of being representative of the concept.

48. Emboldened – Feels justified to pursue a matter of importance.

49. Embracing – Strong willingness to accept people and ideas.

50. Emeritus – Worthy of retaining an important title and status even after retirement.

51. Eminent – An excellent example of something.

52. Emollient – Has a softening effect that diffuses harsh or upsetting situations.

53. Emotional – Is not afraid to conceal or suppress feelings.

54. Emotive – Draws out emotions from others.

55. Empathetic – Takes the point of view and feelings of others into consideration.

56. Empathic – Shares in the feelings of others by absorbing their emotions.

57. Empirical – Looks to experience and information to evaluate situations.

58. Employable – Has the skills and work ethic to earn money from labor.

59. Employed – Gainfully busy.

60. Empowered – Belief in one’s capabilities and right to act on them.

61. Empyreal – Possessing a divine or heavenly quality.

62. Enamoring – Can hold people’s attention and win their approval.

63. Enchanting – Attractive to such an extent that the allure seems magical.

64. Encouraging – Quick to help others overcome insecurities and try new things.

65. Encyclopedic – Possesses an impressive knowledge of many subjects.

66. Endearing – Inspires people to think of you as precious.

67. Endeavoring – Tries really hard to succeed even in the face of difficulty.

68. Endless – Has a limitless reserve of something.

69. Endowed – Has a reserve of resources to draw upon.

70. Enduring – Will not quit even in the face of adversity.

71. Energetic – Full of life and able to pursue tasks without tiring.

72. Energizing – Helps other people feel stronger.

73. Engaged – Stays busy and can easily focus on tasks.

74. Engaging – Holds the attention of people due to being very interesting.

75. Engrossing – Very interesting to the point of blocking out other concerns.

76. Enhanced – Has special features or skills that are above average.

77. Enigmatic – Mysterious and not entirely possible to understand.

78. Enjoyable – Produces feelings of happiness and satisfaction in others.

79. Enlightened – Approaches the world with a modern outlook, appreciates facts, and wants what’s best regardless of tradition.

80. Enlivening – Adds more interest and excitement to a situation.

81. Ennobling – Makes something feel noble, especially if it is difficult to bear.

82. Enraptured – Full of delight.

83. Enriching – Adds to the depth and purpose of a subject.

84. Entertaining – Pleasing and engaging, the opposite of boring.

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85. Enthralling – So interesting that a person cannot get enough of you.

86. Enthused – Filled with positive regard.

87. Enthusiastic – Expresses strong approval.

88. Enticing – Very tempting.

89. Entire – Has everything; nothing is lacking.

90. Entrancing – Holds attention as if by casting a spell.

91. Entrepreneurial – Willing to take risks and make something for themselves without relying on getting it from others.

92. Enumerable – Unable to be measured or counted.

93. Enviable – Has one or more traits that others long to have for themselves.

94. Environmental – Conscious of natural surroundings and health of ecologically tied communities.

95. Epic – Displays traits and takes actions that go beyond normal life.

96. Epicurean – Has well-developed and discriminating tastes in food and beverages.

97. Equable – Regards others from the point of view that everyone has the same value.

98. Equanimous – In balance with self and others and treating the world with good humor.

99. Equipped – Has what is necessary to succeed.

100. Erogenous – Sexually arousing.

101. Errorless – Exists without flaw; does not make mistakes.

102. Erudite – Displaying knowledge acquired through study.

103. Esoteric – Possessing of secret knowledge.

104. Especial – Has distinctive prestige above what is normal.

105. Essential – Is needed and cannot be done without.

106. Established – Well set up to deal with life and care for oneself.

107. Esteemed – Is highly regarded by others.

108. Eternal – Always there and will never fade.

109. Ethereal – Has a supernatural quality.

110. Ethical – Makes decisions based on what is right for others.

111. Euphonic – Has a pleasing voice or produces harmonic music.

112. Euphoric – Overcome with intense joy that goes beyond day-to-day pleasures.

113. Evaluative – Takes the time to ponder the facts before responding.

114. Evanescent – Shimmering and temporary.

115. Even-tempered – Measures emotional responses carefully and tends not to have extreme feelings.

116. Evenhanded – Treats others with fairness and impartiality.

117. Ever-present – Highly dependable and always there for you.

118. Evergreen – Something that is always in style.

119. Everlasting – Does not change or decline.

120. Evocative – Able to arouse emotions in others.

121. Exacting – Acts carefully and strives for precision.

122. Exalted – Worthy of praise and more accomplished than peers.

123. Exceeding – Brings more to the table; goes beyond normal expectations.

124. Excellent – Has top-quality traits.

125. Exceptional – Is an outlier in a positive way.

126. Excitant – Can add to something’s quality and make it better than normal.

127. Exciting – The quality of making others energetic about your presence.

128. Exclamatory – Does not hold back in expressing thoughts.

129. Exclusive – Sets high standards and only accepts the very best.

130. Exemplary – Demonstrates the best qualities and traits.

131. Exhilarating – Causes deep excitement.

132. Exonerative – Willing to see the good in others and forgive.

133. Exotic – Intriguing and out of the ordinary for the current environment.

134. Expansive – Always willing to do more and be inclusive.

135. Expeditious – Gets things done proactively and efficiently.

136. Experienced – Proven ability in a subject area or task developed over time.

137. Experiential – Focuses on doing things or seeing things instead of having possessions.

138. Experimental – Willing to try things out to see what the results are.

139. Expert – Has such a high level of knowledge that mistakes or errors are unlikely or rare.

140. Explorative – Wants to find out things through direct contact.

141. Expressive – Shares thoughts and feelings with great clarity.

142. Exquisite – Something so awesome it summons feelings of pleasure.

143. Extemporary – Able to speak on a subject with little to no preparation.

144. Extraordinary – Far outside the normal things that occur.

145. Extravagant – Indulges in an excess of style, speech, or possessions, often for dramatic effect.

146. Extroverted – Likes talking to people and prefers frequent social interactions.

147. Exuberant – Bursting with positive vibes and a desire to spread the joy.

148. Exultant – Communicates triumph dramatically.

149. Eye-catching – Always attracts attention.

150. Eye-popping – Induces surprise in others due to an unexpected quality.

151. Eyesome – Very attractive and pleasing to look upon.

Budding word nerds should bookmark this page.

That way, you’ll know where to answer the question “What’s a nice word that starts with E?” the next time you’re looking for an eye-catching adjective.  

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What makes bitter people the way they are?

You’ve run out of ideas on how to help someone in your life see things in a more positive light.

The more you try, the more signs of bitterness you pick up in their words and behavior.

You recognize the negativity at the root of everything they say and do.

And it’s exhausting.

Where does it all come from?

And what can you do about it?

What is Bitterness in a Person?

The answer to “What are the causes of bitterness?” depends on whom you ask. Most bitter people are holding onto an old wound they feel unable or unwilling to forget.

They often don’t realize they have the power to choose differently, because the pain they’re holding onto blinds them to any other way.

Whatever the details, bitterness starts with some kind of trauma. It’s for that reason German psychiatrist and professor Michael Linden proposed calling it “post-traumatic embitterment disorder” or PTED.

Not all who experience trauma develop the fear-based anxiety that often leads to a diagnosis of PTSD. But they can still suffer long-term negative effects. An embittered spirit can be one of them.

And while bitter people can be difficult to be around, understanding them better does help. We’re not justifying terrible behavior, but the list below does help explain it a bit.

11 Characteristics of a Bitter Person

If you know a bitter person (or more than one), the following characteristics should sound familiar. Make a note of the points that stand out for you.

1. They hold a grudge like their life depends on it.

They won’t forget. They won’t leave themselves vulnerable to the same pain. Better to keep everyone at a safe distance than to risk being exposed or attacked. They see the same warning signs in everyone they meet. Because they’re always looking for them.

To them, it’s a survival thing. They can’t afford to risk further trauma. They haven’t even processed (let alone healed from) the one they’ve already suffered.

Grudges are the best way to ensure they’ll never forget—and never give you a chance to hurt them again.

2. They’re always complaining.

They focus only on the negative and always find something or someone to complain about. It’s not their fault life is a total suckfest and people are horrible.

Life and other people are the problem. And what can they do but call it as they see it?

Ask them to stop complaining or to think of something good in their life, and they’re likely to accuse you of “toxic positivity”—as if, by asking them to be more positive, you’re invalidating their pain. And now you’ve become someone they complain about.

3. They’re not grateful for the good in their life.

Most times, they don’t even see it. They’re too busy focusing on what’s wrong to notice what’s good. And they don’t want you or anyone pressuring them to be grateful.

As with positive thinking, they interpret any suggestion that they practice gratitude as a self-righteous dismissal of what they’ve suffered in the past—and what they continue to suffer because they refuse to let go of that pain. Or, in their view, it won’t let go of them.

If their main takeaway from life is negative, expressing gratitude feels disingenuous.

4. They want only bad things for those who have hurt them.

Once someone has hurt or offended the bitter person, there’s nothing they can do to earn that person’s forgiveness. Cross them once, and you’re an enemy forever.

And enemies should be glad the bitter person doesn’t hunt them down. Things to do, etc.

So, the bitter person honestly does not care if bad things happen to people who’ve hurt or offended them in some way. In fact, they prefer to hear bad news where those offenders are concerned. They might even be gleeful about it.

The only downside is if they’re not able to see just how much the other person is suffering.

5. They’re jealous of anything good that happens to others.

They’re especially jealous and resentful if something good happens to someone who hurt or offended them. If only karma would pass the torch once in a while, they’d make sure nothing good happened for those bottom-feeders.

Anything good that happens to someone they’re angry with feels like a slap in the face.

If they could turn blessings into curses, they would. And for that reason, their entire existence is more a curse than a blessing to them.

So, they keep wishing the same on others.

6. They can’t share in someone else’s joy.

Bitter people find it difficult to celebrate even with people they care about. Someone else’s joy feels as though life has, once again, not only passed them by but smacked them upside the head (just for fun) — especially if the one celebrating is an enemy.

Even if they aren’t, though — even if they’re someone the bitter person loves — something in them is blocking their capacity to empathize and feel the same joy.

They see other people happy, and it only reminds them of how comparatively joyless their life is. They’re more likely to feel offended or excluded than to join in the celebration.

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7. They act out to get attention.

If someone else is getting all the attention, the bitter person will do what they can to upstage the interloper and remind everyone that they should have the spotlight.

They’ve already forgotten whatever that poser said, because it’s not as important as what they have to share. And just to spice things up, they’ll embellish the news with a bit of exaggeration (just a bit) and an extra helping of melodrama.

If the reaction is not what they hoped, they’ll up their game and invent a juicy scandal. Or, if possible, they’ll make a scene that humiliates the object of their jealousy.

8. They’re cynical.

They expect the worst from people. Because people are, well, the worst—some more than others. They also expect the worst from life, even when good things happen.

They’re more likely to either focus on negative details or to explain away any blessing.

They often use sarcasm or scornful language to express their thoughts. Negative thoughts are the only ones they entertain with any regularity, so most, if not all, of what comes out of their mouth is negative, too.

And if other people “knew” what they did, they’d think the same way.

9. They’re quick to blame others for their problems.

Bitter people are more likely to blame others for their problems than to take responsibility for them. The very idea that they might be prolonging their own suffering is anathema to them—proof that you just don’t understand.

Much as they might bristle at the idea of being a victim, they’re quick to turn any complaint into an opportunity to blame someone else.

Ask them what they could do to make their situation better, and they’re more likely to point at the obstacles (real or imaginary) and blame someone else for putting them there.

How could the bad things in their life be their fault when they’re the one suffering?

10. They have nothing positive to say about positive people.

The bitter person often has harsh words for those described as positive people. Anyone who describes their life in glowing terms, expressing gratitude and dwelling on what they love must be a phony, a Pollyanna, or a moron.

They must not have experienced what the bitter person has suffered. They can’t possibly have suffered as badly (let alone worse) if they’re going around being positive all the time.

Bitter people prefer bitter company—people who “get” them. They don’t want their viewpoint challenged by someone whose ready smile is a direct affront to their chosen mindset. Positivity has no place in their world. So, neither do positive people.

11. They make (and defend) sweeping assumptions.

The bitter person can’t look too hard at what they say, think, or do. Quick as they are to criticize others, they can’t bring themselves to ask, “Is this really true?” about something they put forth as true or factual. It must be true, and how dare you suggest otherwise?

Ask them about their sources, and chances are good they won’t have more than assertions and insults to back them up.

Confronted with something that doesn’t fit their idea of how people should be, the bitter person will make assumptions about them (none of which are likely to be flattering).

And they’re happy to share what they “know.”

Conclusion

Now that you’re better acquainted with the characteristics of a bitter person, which ones stood out for you? And what will you do differently today?

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Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it’s a quality that can make you feel alive and engaged in life.

Curious people feel compelled to find answers, understand more profound meanings, and learn as much as possible about people and the world around them.

And while curiosity can make life more interesting, there are a few caveats to consider.

That’s why we’ve created this list of 11 characteristics of a curious person.  

Read on to see if anyone comes to mind. 

What Does It Mean to be a Curious Person? 

If you have a curious personality, your mind is always asking questions and seeking answers.

You want to understand your world and everyone and everything in it. Surface-level knowledge just won’t cut it. 

So, what is a curious person like? How do curious people behave on an average day? 

Here are a few examples of curiosity in action: 

• Needing to discuss and explain the things that happen around you; 
• Wanting to explore new places—sometimes without full awareness of the risks; 
• Wanting to meet and learn more about the new people around you; 

That desire to wrap your head around the things in your world shows up in a variety of ways, as you’ll see in the list below. 

11 Characteristics of a Curious Person 

If you’re a curious person (or you know someone who is), the following characteristics should sound familiar. But some might not have occurred to you yet. Read through the list and make a note of the points that stand out for you. 

1. You live in the moment. 

You don’t dwell on the past. There’s too much going on in the present that you’re curious about. That said, you might be using your curious mind to seek a better understanding of a past experience.  

But these experiences are usually more recent–and related somehow to what’s going on in the present. Dwelling on past issues that have no relevance to present ones just gets in the way.  

2. You make connections more easily. 

Your curious mind is always looking for connections—between ideas and between people. The more you can learn about them, the more connections you’re able to make. You link new ideas and information to what you already know. 

With people, your default move is to look for things you have in common, and you’re quick to look for other connections—further proof of your connectedness. 

You want to understand them, so you listen and observe until you find more evidence of common ground or anything that can lead to new, mutually exciting topics of conversation. 

3. You don’t dwell on rejection or disappointment. 

This is true except in cases where you feel a need to understand why something didn’t turn out as you expected–or why someone has rejected you. The curious mind is always looking for something to dig into. 

It’s just that what’s going on in the present often feels more urgent than what happened the other day. If you’re living in the present moment, with your mind open to everything around you, you’ll find plenty of things to be curious about. 

4. You’re open to different viewpoints and ideas. 

You welcome different viewpoints and want to know more about things that are new to you and somehow connect to interests you already have. You listen to others, not intending to debate them on what they believe but simply learn more about them. 

And you listen without judgment. You know you don’t have it all figured out. You know your background has a lot to do with where you are now. How others become who they are is of interest to you, too. 

In fact, it’s so interesting you might come off as too curious about others. 

5. You’re never bored for long. 

While you might find routines boring, you’re good at finding something to occupy your hungry mind. Your combination of intelligence and curiosity gets you thinking of problems in unusual ways. 

You crave knowledge and new experiences more than you fear risks, making you an asset to entrepreneurs and start-ups. You don’t fall back on the usual way of doing things if you think of something new you’d like to try. 

When it comes to people, as dull as a quiet new person might seem on the outside, you’re quick to notice signs of the contrary. 

6. You’re good at reading people. 

You’re used to listening to people and observing their body language—and picking up clues from both. And after years of this attentive engagement with others, you’ve learned to pick things up more quickly. 

The more you pick up, the more curious you become, eager to learn as much as you can about the person who will either enjoy your focused attention or try to avoid it. 

You might pick up on something others missed—even friends or family members. Don’t be surprised if those same people take issue with what you’ve noticed and dismiss your concerns. It’s not easy to learn you’ve missed essential signals from someone you love. 

7. You’re willing to admit when you’re wrong.  

You’re not afraid of being wrong or what people might think of you when you admit you were wrong about something important to them. 

If you see that you were wrong about something, you care far more about filling the gaps in your knowledge than about proving to others that you were right all along. 

Your mind quickly gets over the sting of being wrong (It’s not like it’s the first time) and moves on to what you can learn from your mistake and do better next time. 

8. You ask a LOT of questions. 

Your mind is a non-stop question generator. You ask so many questions—all to better understand something (or someone)—but you sometimes run afoul of less curious or more private people. 

You don’t mean to annoy people with your questions, but some folks have a lower tolerance for them than you do. 

You also welcome questions from others—as well as constructive feedback. You encourage curiosity in others by challenging them to voice any questions they might have. 

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9. You’re not great at being still. 

“But I can’t shut off my brain!” is something you might say when someone suggests you try meditation. Your mind is always on hyperdrive. You’re always thinking, asking questions (if only in your head), and exploring possible answers. It’s anything but calm in there. 

Mindfulness meditation, in particular, sounds about as inviting as staring at a brick wall. It goes against the grain to just acknowledge invasive thoughts and let them go–without engaging with them. 

Your first instinct is to ask, “Why am I thinking about this?” And off you go. 

10. You’re not afraid to say, “I don’t know.”

Philosopher and author Alain de Botton describes curiosity this way: 

“Curiosity takes ignorance seriously—and is confident enough to admit when it’s in the dark. It is aware of not knowing. And then it sets out to do something about it.” 

If you’re a curious person, you’re more likely to approach any situation with the mind of a “beginner”—with more questions than answers—always ready to make new connections in your mind. 

The moment you self-identify as an expert is the moment you close yourself off to what other people can teach you. And that, to you, is a kind of death (at least of the mind). 

If there’s nothing more to learn, what is there left to do?

How Can You Tell If Someone Is Curious? 

Maybe you have someone else in mind, and you’re not sure if they’re curious or just using questions as a distraction. Someone with an inquisitive mind will display many, if not all, the characteristics listed above. 

Some things are easier to notice in other people than in yourself: 

• They’re always asking questions (often to an exasperating degree); 
• To them, a “No Trespassing” sign is like an open and unattended cookie jar; 
• They seem a bit too ready to dig into someone else’s business; 
• They often have a hard time keeping still or just accepting things as they are; 

Now that you know the top traits of a naturally curious person, which ones stood out? And who comes to mind when you read them?

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How do you know if you’re a mentally strong person?

What qualities should you cultivate if you want to be stronger? 

You recognize strength in others. You’ve seen how they operate and what makes them stand out.

But when you ask yourself, “Am I strong?” you’re just not sure. 

Let’s start by asking what it even means to be strong.

Then read on to learn about 23 characteristics shared by mentally strong people. 

What Does It Mean to Be a Strong Person? 

When you meet a mentally strong person, you recognize something in them that sets them apart. You might describe them with words like “old soul” or “wise beyond their years.” 

Your main takeaway is their resilience, which you can’t help wanting to see in yourself, too. So, what qualities should you cultivate if you don’t have them already? 

What Are the Qualities of a Strong Person? 

Here’s just a sampling of the qualities you’re likely to see in a mentally strong person. 

• Humility
• Courage
• Resilience
• Broadmindedness
• Kindness & Compassion
• Serenity
• Patience

Which of these have you seen in a strong person you know? Which do you see in yourself? And how do these traits manifest in everyday life?

23 Signs Of A Mentally Strong Person

It’s all well and good to know a list of qualities shared by strong people, but how do you recognize those qualities in yourself or others?

Look for the following behaviors as signs of growing mental strength. 

1. You’re slow to anger. 

You don’t get ruffled easily. You’ve learned not to take other people’s words and actions personally—or to make assumptions about other people’s intentions toward you. You generally manage to remain calm even when most people find it difficult. 

2. You welcome feedback and new perspectives. 

You’re open to different viewpoints and always ready to listen to constructive feedback. You recognize that you don’t see everything the way others do—and vice-versa. You’re not afraid to hear from people who might challenge your beliefs. 

3. You rarely (or never) yell at people. 

As a rule, you don’t yell at people. You don’t like to raise your voice unless it’s necessary to alert others to danger or get someone’s attention. Plus, you know how jarring and unpleasant it is to be yelled at. And you don’t need to yell to have your voice heard. 

4. You apologize when you’re in the wrong. 

You’re not afraid to admit when you’re wrong and to apologize when your words or actions have hurt or offended someone. You’re always learning how to do better. Part of that is being grateful when someone helps you realize you were wrong about something.

5. You own your mistakes and learn from them. 

You’re not afraid of making mistakes, though you try to minimize the consequences for others. Then you do everything you can to learn from your mistakes so you won’t repeat them. If others call you out for past mistakes, you see it as a teachable moment—for you or for someone else. 

6. You’re willing to suffer inconvenience to bring about an improvement for all. 

You don’t mind being inconvenienced if it leads to a benefit for you or someone else. You might even take on extra work or inconvenience to lighten someone else’s load. You’re also happy to make adjustments to benefit the whole group. 

7. You look beyond the surface. 

You’ve learned not to react to appearances because there’s usually more to see.

So, you look deeper than most and see things others miss or don’t care to notice. Gaining a better understanding of a person or situation is more important to you than being right. 

8. You don’t make assumptions about others. 

Because you look beyond the surface, you’re not quick to make assumptions about other people or think you know their intentions, character, or what they want. 

You look at what a person says and does before you venture a guess about what’s going on in their heads. And you know it’s just a guess. 

9. You don’t impose your personal expectations on others. 

You know everyone has different backgrounds and different battles. So, you don’t impose on others the expectations you have of yourself. You might encourage them, and you’re quick to celebrate their wins. But you don’t judge them if they don’t do as you do. 

10. You set and maintain healthy boundaries. 

While you don’t impose on others, you’re not a doormat for anyone else, either. You set clear boundaries and enforce them politely but firmly. You’re not afraid to tell someone they’ve crossed a line or to insist on a venue where you feel safe. 

11. You’re not afraid to ask for help when you need it. 

You’re not too proud to ask for help when you need it. While you always try to do as much as you can yourself, you recognize that with help, you can get even better results. You don’t base your value as a human being on how low-maintenance or self-sufficient you are. 

12. You’d rather risk someone’s anger than enable them to do harm. 

You’re not a go-along-with-the-crowd person. You’ve learned that usually leads to nowhere good. And you’re secure enough in yourself to risk being labeled a “killjoy” by speaking up and advocating for better solutions. 

13. You’re as good at receiving as you are at giving. 

You’re as gracious at receiving gifts from others as you are generous in giving of yourself and your resources. You’re not too proud to accept an offer of help if you need it. You’re no stranger to receiving blessings, knowing the giver will benefit, too. 

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14. You trust your inner voice. 

You listen to that voice and value its promptings. You recognize that your conscious mind can only do so much and that it can’t overrule deeply-held beliefs. When your conscious and unconscious minds work together for your benefit, you feel whole and at peace. 

15. You forgive yourself. 

You know that you’re still human and fallible no matter how much you learn and grow. You’ve made mistakes, and you’ll probably make more. The only way you move forward is by forgiving yourself — and others. You welcome the freedom and peace that come with it. 

16. You understand the value of conflict in problem-solving. 

Just as you’re open to differing viewpoints, you also see value in conflict because it highlights a disconnect or a misunderstanding, which is often correctable. You look for ways to turn conflicts into solutions that benefit everyone involved. 

17. You don’t let negativity affect your judgment. 

And when your plans don’t turn out as you hoped, you don’t let that get you down (or not for long, anyway). You decide it must be a stepping stone to something better.

You keep doing what you can to get closer to your goals and become the person you want to be.

18. You avoid procrastination. 

Maybe you’ve been a notorious procrastinator in the past, but you’ve built habits and learned tricks that help you avoid it. You don’t expect perfection in your finished product. But you know the sooner you get it done, the sooner you can make improvements. 

19. You aim for improvement–not perfection. 

You know that, at its root, procrastination is about perfectionism. You embrace imperfection even as you strive to learn more and do better. You know you’re a work in progress, and you’ve learned to enjoy the process. 

20. You’re a responsible money manager. 

You carefully manage your money, allocating a percentage of your income to savings, as well as monthly bills and other commitments.

And because you’re not afraid to tighten the belt when necessary, your accounts have never looked better. 

21. You’re always looking for ways to learn and grow. 

You’re always on the lookout for opportunities to challenge yourself, learn a new skill, explore a new place, meet new people, or just give your comfort zone some stretching exercises. You never stop doing your best and striving to be your best self. 

22. You’re proactive in maintaining your health and well-being. 

You don’t wait for a heart attack or a diabetes diagnosis to adopt healthy nutrition, fitness, and sleep habits. You think of the person you want to be and then decide to do what that person would do. You give your body what it needs out of gratitude and respect. 

23. You’re always stepping outside your comfort zone. 

When stretching exercises aren’t enough, you’re not afraid to step right out of your comfort zone to embrace a new challenge or try something new. You’re not afraid of making mistakes. And you don’t mind embarrassing yourself if the net effect is positive. 

How Can You Tell If Someone Is Strong? 

What if you’re wondering about someone else in your life? How can you tell if they’re a strong person? 

Aside from what we’ve already mentioned, what are some of the biggest clues?

• They’re patient with everyone — including themselves;
• They’d rather learn something new than guess right and be praised for it; 
• They’re always there for the people they love (or they always strive to be); 
• However they’re treated, they treat everyone with kindness and respect;
• They see the good in others, and they bring out the best in you. 

Now that we’ve covered the qualities and behaviors of mentally strong people, which ones stood out for you? And what will you do differently today? 

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Whether it’s due to the lockdowns around the world or concerns about the virus, many of us have been forced to send gifts to our loved ones through the postal service as opposed to just giving it to them in person. If you’re accustomed to giving gifts to people, then you might find it a little weird to send a gift in the post. In fact, there are plenty of people that aren’t even sure what the process involves.

So in this post, we’re going to help you send thoughtful gifts to your loved ones when you can’t be there in person.

Look Around For Unique Services To Send A Special Gift

You might think that there are some things that would just be impossible to send in the mail. However, you’d be surprised what you can send across the country with a bit of help. For example, you can easily send frozen items if there’s some type of food that you want a friend or family member to try, and you can even send flowers abroad in perfect condition and keep them fresh and smelling great for when your recipient gets them. There are loads of unique services and gifts that you can send, so don’t be afraid to search around in order to find something different.

Send A Digital Gift

Instead of sending a physical present, why not consider a digital gift? There are loads of great options here such as sending gift cards, video games, music, or even subscriptions to services such as Spotify for music or even Netflix. Digital gifts are usually better when targeted at younger audiences, but that’s not to say that you can’t send a digital gift to an older recipient, especially if it helps them get used to using technology. We’d recommend sending gift cards if you’re not really sure what to get someone, but you could also send digital media and entertainment gifts if you know what somebody likes. A great option these days is to send video game codes that can be entered to download a full game. This is often more convenient than buying a physical copy and they don’t need to wait for it to arrive.

Recurring Gifts Can Be Fun Too

Instead of just a single gift, why not a recurring one? Subscribing a friend or family member to an online gift box can be a great way to offer gifts every week, month, or any other period that you set. A gift box can be extra special because nobody really knows what’s going to be inside it. It’s a surprise for everyone involved and can be a simple way to pick gifts as well if you’re indecisive or you’re not sure what to buy for someone. Just make sure that the gift box is suitable for your recipient. Luckily, this isn’t very difficult because there are gift boxes for everyone. Whether it’s Japanese snacks, clothes, or even digital video games, a subscription gift is never a bad idea and can actually be a lot of fun.

*collaborative post

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Research shows that people tend to require more leisure time when they are stressed. This extra bit of relaxation is used to boost the drop in mood that can come with excess stress, and the resulting lift in mood can bring a decrease in stress and an increase in productivity and balance. So a reasonable amount of leisure time can be a good way to relieve stress and become more productive.

The main issue with using leisure time for stress relief is that we only have a set amount of time in the day, and this time is valuable. Increasing leisure time can feel counterproductive for busy people (which probably includes most people in need of stress relief). There’s a danger of spending too much time relaxing and thereby increasing the pressure busy people face as a result–there’s less time to get things done, so back comes the stress.

Here’s how you can use leisure time for stress relief while maintaining balance:

Be Aware Of Your Needs

There are two things that can help you to relax without throwing you into full procrastination mode: Knowing what your goals are for your leisure time and having a list in your head to meet these goals. Do you simply need a break from work because you’re becoming mentally fatigued? Or do you need to get yourself into a better mood? If you are aware of what your needs are, you’ll know when they’ve been met. Most of us benefit from doing something that gets us into a good mood. If you just need a quick mental break, read on, that’s addressed next in this article.

“It’s a good idea always to do something relaxing prior to making an important decision in your life.” ― Paulo Coelho

Find Fast-Acting Pick Me Ups

One important key to fitting leisure time into a busy schedule is to find leisure activities that meet your needs in a short amount of time. It may seem counter-intuitive to “rush” through leisure time, isn’t the whole point that you get to relax and forget about rushing for a while? However, if watching a half-hour comedy can give you an adequate sense of relaxation to meet your needs, it’s important to think of doing this instead of seeing a movie.

Finding quicker leisure activities that work for you and keeping them in mind for when you need them, leaves you with more time left over to do everything else that needs doing. Here are some quick-acting pick-me-up activities. You can use them to start your list and add to them as you find more activities you enjoy.

• Take a quick walk.
• Look at a funny video or two online.
• Call a friend for a few minutes.
• Dance to a few songs.
• Do a sudoku puzzle.
• Ask a kid to share their favorite joke.
• Have a coffee break.
• Write in a gratitude journal.
• Meditate for a few minutes.

Motivate Yourself In Positive Ways

Sometimes you have the urge to take a break but you need to get back on task and stay there as soon as you can. If you’ve taken a break and need to get back to being productive, it helps to find self-motivation before you jump back into your day. Getting in touch with your inner motivation can also help you to avoid feeling depleted at the mere thought of facing the day’s challenges, and delving into procrastination mode. 

But rather than beating yourself up for wanting to relax, or trying to motivate yourself with fear, here are some gentle ways to get yourself engaged in the idea of doing what needs to be done.

Review your accomplishments – When you think of the successes you’ve had already, you can find yourself wanting to do more. If you take a minute to think about all that you’ve done already, you can get yourself more excited about creating more of these accomplishments.

Think about what you’ll gain when you’re done – Why is it important for you to get back to your challenges? What do you gain? If you remind yourself of the rewards that come with getting yourself back on track, it’ll be easier to motivate yourself to cut the leisure time shorter so you can truly enjoy the rewards that come from being done.

Promise yourself rewards when you finish – If these built-in rewards aren’t enough to get you motivated to close your social media pages and get back to work, you may benefit from coming up with something extra. For example, I used to reward myself for going to the gym by letting myself get new clothes after a certain amount of visits until the workouts themselves felt like enough of a reward.

“There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither.” ― Alan Cohen

Maintain Regular Resilience-Building Habits

How would you feel if you could make yourself less reactive to stress in general? When your stress levels are lower overall, you are less likely to need as much leisure time to balance out those stressful days–your stress levels will already be somewhat managed. Fortunately, it is possible to build resilience toward stress–certain habits really do make us less reactive to it over time. Maintaining some of these habits can take time, but not as much as you’d think, and they bring other benefits as well.

Here are some of the best ways to build resilience.

• Exercise regularly – It’s good for your body and your mind.
• Try meditation – It’s simpler than you may think, and it really works!
• Gratitude journaling – It can really build positive thinking and relieve stress. Give it a try.

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