Live Bold and Bloom

You Never Know What Someone Is Going Through: 13 Reasons To Always Be Kind

men talking, you never know what someone is going through

You don't know what others are going through when they are irritating, unpleasant, or short-tempered.

It’s not about you. It almost never is, and that’s a good thing.

Negative interactions with others are unfortunately inevitable, but we do have power over how we respond to them.

Whether some guy cut you off in traffic or the waiter forgot your drink order, you never know what someone is going through until you walk in their shoes.

Before you shout obscenities from your car window or leave a bad tip, consider what they might have gone through today and the positive impact being caring towards them could make.

12 Surprising Hacks To Stay Awake in Class When You’re Tired and Bored

by Barrie Davenport

You were up late last night — either plugging away at your homework or trying to make the day feel longer.

Maybe you just wanted the day to end with something other than work or school.

But now you’re wondering how to stay awake in class when all you want to do is sleep.

Because you have to stay awake — no matter how dull the class might be, and no matter how tired you are.

So, what can you do?

7 Stages Of Healing From Emotional Abuse

by Barrie Davenport

sad woman, stages of healing from emotional abuse

You finally did it. You ended it.

You left your abuser after years of manipulation, verbal assaults, control, and unkindness. Now it's time to face the stages of healing from emotional abuse.

You had the courage to say, “Enough is enough,” and make the excruciating decision to say goodbye to this person you once loved, maybe even still love in spite of everything.

Part of you feels exhilarated.

You are free — free from walking on eggshells, feeling anxious in your own home, spending night after night wondering what you should do.

Your life is now your own.

But another part of you, maybe even the bigger part, feels devastated. All of your hopes and dreams about this relationship have crumbled to dust.

Nothing is ever going to change with this person, and you know it.

Your psyche, your self-esteem, and even your sense of who you are have been shattered by the person who was supposed to love and cherish you the most.

Maybe you beat yourself up over how you could have fallen for this manipulator in the first place. Why didn't you see it? How could you have stayed so long?

Maybe your heart aches from missing him or her, remembering the good times you had together — good memories that suddenly monopolize your thoughts now that you've decided to end things.

There are so many emotions, thoughts, and memories swirling around in your head that you don't know what is real, what is true, and what is right for you.

Why Am I So Unhappy? 15 Top Reasons You’re Miserable

by Barrie Davenport

Do you wake up in a lousy mood nearly every day and ask yourself, “Why am I so unhappy?”

Before you even get out of bed, you feel stressed and negative.

The world simply does not look like a happy place in your mind.

Like most of us, you may have some legitimately difficult things going on in your life.

Maybe you're worried about money, and that is undoubtedly stressful.

Or you might have problems in one of your relationships or an issue at work.

Even though your life isn't terrible and your problems aren't devastating, it feels like a dark cloud follows you around everywhere, and you just can't shake it.

Thinking of Dating a Cop? 9 Things to Consider Before Getting Involved

by Ron Clendenin

law enforcement officer smiling beside car dating a cop

With flashing lights and uniforms that elicit curiosity, cops live lives that seem daring and intriguing to outsiders.

But what's it actually like to date a police officer?

Beyond the fantasy, there's a reality filled with thrills and fulfillment as well as chills, stress, and sacrifice.

Dating an officer of the law comes with unique challenges that you must weigh.

But it also provides an insider's exhilarating view of a life devoted to service and protection.