Self-Improvement

Are you looking to make positive changes in your life to improve your health, emotional well-being, daily habits, productivity, or relationships?

We all have areas where we want to improve and become a better version of ourselves and better cope with life challenges. You are a wonderful work in progress, and we want to help you reach your self-improvement goals. On this page, you’ll find articles on a variety of self-improvement topics with actionable steps and ideas you can use.

Are You The Black Sheep Of The Family? 7 Ways To Handle It

by Barrie Davenport

You’ve heard people describe themselves (or others) as the “black sheep of the family.”

It’s not usually a compliment.

But the way they describe it sure sounds familiar.

Being the black sheep of the family doesn’t mean you’re never included or that your parents changed the locks when you “finally crossed the line” (though that’s true for some).

The exclusion doesn’t have to be physical or absolute to affect your relationships and mental health.

You don’t have to be “the worst” to be the family outcast.

You just have to stand out in a way they don’t like.

11 Critical Things You Must Do Before Divorcing A Narcissist

by Barrie Davenport

Even without children, divorcing a narcissistic husband or wife is anything but simple, amicable, and low-stress.

Add children, and the narcissist has another powerful weapon at their disposal.

And you can count on them to make the divorce and its aftermath as painful as possible—for you.

So, what can you do to protect yourself (and any children you have) and get the best possible outcome?

How to Divorce a Narcissist

As veterans of this nightmare can tell you, the only thing harder than being married to a narcissist is divorcing one.

The narcissist will do everything in their power to win. And part of that win is making sure you deeply and eternally regret divorcing them.

That said, before we dive into a more detailed list of actions to take, let’s outline the primary strategies for divorcing a narcissist:

Gather your posse (i.e., your support network)
Get a divorce lawyer —because mediation and narcissists don’t mix;
Get clear on what you want and what it will cost you to go after it;
Save and document everything (receipts, recorded conversations, etc.);
Give yourself something to look forward to that’s well worth the fight.

Make a detailed plan for navigating all the stages of divorcing a narcissist. The list further down will be one of your best resources for this. Your lawyer will be another.

Take advantage of all the help you can find. You can bet the narcissist will do the same.

11 Reasons Why Letting Go Is So Hard And What To Do About It

by Barrie Davenport

Have you ever clung to something you knew was wrong or toxic or wondered, “Why is it so hard to let go of someone who's terrible for you?”

Congrats.

You're human, and letting something go is a common obstacle.

But clearing it should be your goal because clinging to negativity and grudges erodes well-being.

So if you're ready to start living the life you want (and deserve), it may be time to shed some emotional baggage.

And that's what we're tackling today: the art of letting go.

15 Strong Personality Traits That Can Overpower Others

by Barrie Davenport

business woman, strong personality traits

Your personality directly influences almost every aspect of your life, from your relationships to your career.

If you have a strong personality type, you are likely self-motivated.

You know what you want and do everything possible to achieve your goals.

Unfortunately, having a domineering personality can also rub some people the wrong way.

A strong personality type may overpower others.

To enjoy the advantages of a strong personality without alienating those around you, explore the traits associated with strong personalities.

37 Of The Best Ways To Tell Someone How Much You Miss Them

by Barrie Davenport

Telling someone you miss them does not have to be hard, but you don't want to come across as weirdly obsessive either.

These days, people often send texts to their love interests and significant others as a way to build emotional connections.

So how can you make a text seem authentic and appropriate?

A basic “I miss you” will get the job done, but maybe you don't want to be that blunt or have concerns about sounding needy.

Here are some other ways to express your desire to see someone again that are casual yet thoughtful.