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.
No one is perfect, and that includes our friends.
Friends are usually there for us when we need them, but sometimes they let us down.
It can be hard to deal with, especially if we rely on our friends to help us through tough times.
But there are plenty of solutions that can bring us closer to our loved ones in the long run.
Let’s discuss nine common ways a friend can let you down and what you can do about it.
The word “ghosting” is everywhere lately.
But what is it?
Essentially, ghosting is a hurtful behavior that involves cutting off communication with someone without providing any warning or explanation as to why.
It generally refers to the dating world but goes deeper than that.
If you’ve ever stopped responding in a romantic or platonic relationship, left a restaurant or drive-thru line after ordering but before getting your food, or stopped showing up for a job or client, then you, dear friend, are a ghoster.
Have you ever had a repeated thought that will not stop?
The process of continuously thinking about the same ideas is called rumination.
The best way to control rumination or negative thoughts is to distract your mind with other ideas or to find a way to resolve the problem.
Just think – distraction or action.
But it may not be as easy as it sounds.
If your circular thoughts prevent you from living life or going out, it's time to take action.
Whether you try counting or cooking, there are simple ways to help you get something off your mind.
Do you feel attached to the positive reinforcement you receive when making others happy?
Is your sense of worthiness connected to trying to please everyone?
If so, disappointing people, making them angry, or doing what others deem as unacceptable is deeply uncomfortable for you.
You may also have a low tolerance for conflict. You often acquiesce to the wishes of others — even when you don't agree.
You would rather act against your own desires rather than provoke a conflict.
Trying to please everyone can be addictive.
You become addicted to the approval and good feelings that come from making people happy and comfortable, as you tend to their needs over your own.
You crave this acceptance in order to feel validated.
You keep giving and giving to get your fix of approval and self-esteem.
Eventually, you begin to lose yourself.
You lose sight of who you are, what you want, or how to live your life on your own terms.
You've trained your friends and family to expect you'll bend to their will, follow their lead, and do it all with a smile on your face.
Any attempt at standing your ground is met with shock and disappointment — and sometimes outright anger.
Some of the moments when we feel the most trapped, insecure, or anxious come when we have trouble advocating for ourselves and being assertive.
Learning to speak confidently about your wants and needs doesn’t come easily to everyone.
Some people naturally develop these skills, while it takes others many years to work past the feelings of shame and guilt that inhibit them from being assertive.
Assertiveness is one of the most potent qualities we can possess, both in our personal lives and at work.
If you have trouble developing this skill, we have compiled a list of assertiveness exercises for adults to help you.