5 Signs You’re in a Relationship With an Enlightened Man

February 15, 2023 by Kristen Lawrence

It’s like finding a needle in a haystack when encountering an enlightened man. They’re a rare breed in our world, so you should consider yourself lucky if you’ve met one of these beautiful souls. Enlightenment traditionally means being free from the cycles of birth and death, or samsara, in Sanskrit.

However, it can also refer to having a spiritual or emotional awakening that alters your perspective. Someone who goes through a dark night of the soul will often feel like a new person after shedding layers of their ego.

They may have more karma to work out on Earth, but they have evolved and matured in their current incarnation. An enlightened man will often see the world differently and have a more open, compassionate mindset.

He also will have a clear vision of what he wants in life and won’t settle for less. However, he won’t cut others down to feel taller or more successful, as he’s too humble to act maliciously. A sophisticated, intelligent man helps others on their journey while he traverses his path. He’s also optimistic and tries to see the silver lining in all situations.

If you’re in a relationship with an awakened soul, he will have so much love and wisdom to offer. You’re sure to become your best self and learn something from an exceptional man like this by your side.

But how can you know if you’re dating one of these unique souls? Make sure to look out for the following signs of an illuminated man.

NOTE: If you seek information on the signs of an awakened woman, we cover those traits in a separate article.

5 Signs You’re Dating an Enlightened Man

1. An enlightened man prioritizes spiritual and emotional development.

A critical difference between an enlightened and an average man is his desire to improve himself consistently. Men who want to become the best version of themselves never feel comfortable with complacency. They always strive to acquire more knowledge and seek the truth in their souls instead of looking elsewhere. If you’re in a relationship with someone who yearns to find the ultimate answers in life, it’s a sign you’ve met a highly spiritual man.

He probably practices yoga or meditation to cleanse his spirit and feel connected to his higher self. These spiritual practices also allow him to experience deeper emotions and develop closer relationships with people. Since he knows himself on a higher plane, he can give more love, affection, and compassion in his platonic and romantic relationships.

2. He cares deeply about the well-being and happiness of others.

An enlightened man will have a pure, beautiful soul and see others’ happiness as an extension of his. In other words, an illuminated man knows that the separation between himself and others is merely an illusion. Therefore, he cares about life beyond his physical body and tries to help people whenever possible.

He values connections with others and talks to everyone he meets, even if only for a few minutes. An enlightened man has no selfish motives and tries to create positive karma by carrying out the universal will. He puts aside ideas of personal gain and does his best to make a difference with his limited time on Earth. When you’re in a relationship with an enlightened man, he’ll have a warm, uplifting energy and put everyone around him at ease.

You’ll know you’re in a relationship with a high-caliber man by how he treats others, including you. His beautiful soul will shine through his eyes, and you will feel rejuvenated and peaceful in his presence.

3. An enlightened man forms his own beliefs and opinions.

While a spiritually evolved man may seem headstrong, he doesn’t mean to come off that way. He stands behind his convictions and doesn’t waver, even if no one else agrees. He’s comfortable in his skin and doesn’t need validation from anyone else. That sets him apart from others who may cave under peer pressure or follow trends just to become popular.

He stays in his lane and doesn’t worry about what others think or say behind his back. The enlightened man may seem unconventional and strange compared to others in the modern world, but he follows his heart. When you’re in a relationship with an awakened soul, it will seem like a breath of fresh air.

He won’t attempt to change your opinions because he’s evolved enough to accept them, even if he disagrees. These rare souls see the beauty in diversity and understand the importance of keeping an open mind. He also won’t get defensive or interrupt you when you talk because he knows active listening strengthens relationships.

4. He practices gratitude and mindfulness.

While typical male behavior encourages ambition, dominance, and power, the enlightened male doesn’t follow the crowd. He seeks inner peace instead of outward success and egotistical activities that only create more problems in his life. Even if he enjoys a prestigious career, he remains humble and focuses on serving others. The evolved man isn’t greedy and expresses gratitude for everything the universe provides for him.

Instead of living in the past or present, he accepts the current moment and feels content in any situation. This attitude helps him maintain mental equanimity and ensures he can withstand life’s many tests. If you’re in a relationship with an enlightened man, he will show gratitude often for having you in his life. Every moment with him will feel special because he’ll put everything aside and give you his full attention.

5. An enlightened man knows how to tame his ego.

While an enlightened male isn’t perfect, he will still try to conquer his ego instead of feeding it. He knows the ego only causes more suffering, so he works relentlessly to dissolve it and become entirely selfless. If you’re in a relationship with an evolved man, you’ll notice he always puts others first. He probably won’t talk much about himself, preferring to listen to you most of the time. An altruistic, unpretentious man is truly a gem and an incredible partner to have in life.

Final Thoughts on Being in a Relationship with an Enlightened Man

The enlightened man enhances his relationships because he knows himself deeply and puts his best foot forward. He encourages his partner to become their most authentic self but doesn’t try to control them. The evolved man prioritizes self-development, knowing that his transformation is the greatest gift he can offer the world. He’s also compassionate and generous and looks out for those around him. In a relationship with an exceptional man like this, you will surely become a more enlightened version of yourself.

20 Best Love Quotes for Every Couple

February 14, 2023 by Sarah Barkley

It’s not always easy to find the words to express your love. When that’s the case, love quotes are a beneficial way to communicate your feelings to your partner.

You can share these quotes with your partner or read them together. Bonding over these phrases can help you see how much you mean to one another. Your partner will also think of you whenever they read the quote, even if you’re not around.

While it’s good to tell your partner you love them, it’s sometimes not enough. These quotes delve deeper, explaining what you can’t find words to say. They help clarify your feelings, letting your partner know how important they are in your life.

Twenty Quotes About Love for Couples

Whether your relationship is new or you’ve been together for a while, these love quotes can help you explain your feelings. They can also help you improve your relationship or determine what to do next.

1 – “I love you for all that you are, all that you have been and all that you will be.” – Unknown

This quote shows that you’ll care about your partner unconditionally. You care for who they used to be, who they are in the present, and who they will become. When your partner knows this, they’ll feel secure in the relationship and happy knowing how you feel.

2 – “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” – Lao-Tzu

Being in a loving relationship is a blessing that offers strength and courage. As Lao-Tzu explains, you’ll gain strength from being cared for and courage from feeling deeply about someone.

3 – “Because of you, I can feel myself slowly, but surely, becoming the me I have always dreamed of being.” – Tyler Knott Gregson

Your partner can help you become a better version of yourself. They can encourage you to achieve your dreams, learn all you can, and experience growth. Sharing this quote can express to your partner how good they are for you and how much you appreciate them being around you.

4 – “You are the finest, loveliest, tenderest, and most beautiful person I have ever known and even that is an understatement.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald

Finding the best words to express your feelings about your partner can be hard. This quote describes how you feel about the one you love, but Fitzgerald also clarifies that it’s still not enough description. Sharing this phrase with your partner will help them understand that your feelings for them are deeper than any words can explain.

5 – “We’re often afraid of being vulnerable, but vulnerability creates genuine connection.” – Gabby Bernstein

Don’t be afraid to show your vulnerable sign. It’s one of the best ways to deepen your connection and develop a healthy relationship. When you want the romance to last, let your guard down and release your fears.

6 – “Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get, only with what you are expecting to give—which is everything.” – Katharine Hepburn

When you romantically care for someone, you won’t worry about what you’ll receive. Instead, you’ll only consider what you can give to your partner. You’ll know you’re in it for the long haul when you feel this way.

7 – “Trust in a relationship is very crucial. Without trust, a relationship cannot last as a healthy and happy bond.” – Alana Johnson

Developing trust within your relationship is essential. As Johnson explains, romance won’t last or be a healthy experience without a trusting bond.

8 – “It is a curious thought, but it is only when you see people looking ridiculous that you realize just how much you love them.” – Agatha Christie

You’ll know how deeply you care for your partner when you find joy in watching them be ridiculous. It’ll happen when they let loose and show their silly or exciting side. How you feel in those moments can clarify your feelings and make you fall for your partner even more.

9 – “My soul and your soul are forever tangled.” – N.R. Hart

Falling in love with someone connects you for life. Whether you split up later or stay together forever, your souls are entangled. You grew and learned together, forming an unbreakable connection that remains with you forever.

10 – “If I had a flower for every time I thought of you… I could walk through my garden forever.” – Alfred Tennyson

This Tennyson quote explains how being in love with someone often leads to thinking about them. Your partner will always be on your mind, frequently causing you to lose focus on other things.

11 – “In all the world, there is no heart for me like yours. In all the world, there is no love for you like mine.” – Maya Angelou

When you find your person, you won’t want to lose them or find another partner. Having them will feel like the best thing you could ask for, filling your heart with joy.

12 – “Love is when you sit beside someone doing nothing, yet you feel perfectly happy.” – Unknown

Loving someone often means spending time with your partner without doing anything exciting. You won’t always need plans or to stay busy because sitting next to one another is good enough. It shows that you want their company and don’t need anything else.

13 – “Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.” – Robert A. Heinlein

While you’re responsible for your happiness, your partner’s feelings can affect them. You’ll notice that when they get upset, you can’t be happy until they feel better. It signifies a deep emotional connection and shows that you want your partner to feel good.

14 – “Remember that creating a successful marriage is like farming: you have to start over again every morning.” – H. Jackson Brown, Jr

Having a lasting relationship requires constant work. Keep working on your connection, even when things are going well. Consider what you can do to show your feelings each day.

15 – “I saw that you were perfect, and so I loved you. Then I saw that you were not perfect and I loved you even more.” – Angelita Lim

Some love quotes are reminders–like this one.No one is perfect, even if you think they are when you first meet them. You might fall for your partner for the things you enjoy about them, but there’s much more to a relationship.

Eventually, you’ll notice imperfections in your partner, but you continue loving them. Sometimes you’ll fall harder when you see that they aren’t perfect, learning to cherish their unique qualities.

16 – “You don’t love someone for their looks, or their clothes, or for their fancy car, but because they sing a song only you can hear.” – Oscar Wilde

Someone’s appearance, fashion, or material items might initially attract you to them. However, you don’t fall for someone because of those things. Deep feelings occur when you connect with them in a way no one else does.

17 – “Spend a few minutes a day really listening to your spouse. No matter how stupid his problems sound to you.” – Megan Mullally

Listening to your partner is one of the best ways to show how much you care about them. You might not even be interested in what they’re talking about, but they still want you to listen.

18 – “When you’re lucky enough to meet your one person, then life takes a turn for the best. It can’t get better than that.” – John Krasinski

Meeting a person you can deeply connect with is one of the biggest blessings. Don’t take it for granted because not everyone experiences it. Share this quote with your partner, so they know how you feel about your romance.

19 – “You might not have been my first love, but you were the love that made all the other loves irrelevant.” – Rupi Kaur

Many people fall for different people on their journey to finding the one. As Kaur explains, once you find your person, all the others won’t matter as much anymore. Make sure your partner knows they’re different from your exes so that they know how special they are to you.

20 – “We’re all a little weird. And life is a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness—and call it love—true love.” – Robert Fulghum

You won’t be compatible with everyone, so it’s a good feeling when you find someone you connect with. This quote reminds you of how lucky you are to find your person, and it can bring a smile to your partner’s face.

Final Thoughts on the Best Quotes About Love

These quotes about love can help you recognize how lucky you are to have found your person. Whether you find advice or the words to describe your feelings, these phrases can help strengthen your relationship.

You can share the phrases with your partner to let them know how you feel. It’ll bring a smile to their face and make them think about you that day as they reflect on the love quote.

3 Manifestation Hacks to Live Your Best Life

February 14, 2023 by Ellie Shoja

Like gravity, the Law of Attraction applies to everyone equally. No exceptions! Why, then, can some people manifest the life of their dreams while others struggle to get by? It just doesn’t seem fair. And if you’ve been on the “tried that, it didn’t work” side of the manifestation conversation, you might feel frustrated and discouraged. It might seem to you like you’re swimming upstream, fighting tooth and nail for what you want, and feeling defeated when it still doesn’t manifest. Perhaps you feel confused and overwhelmed by all the complex Law of Attraction theories and don’t know where to begin.

Manifestation Hacks for the Best Life Imaginable

Here are three easy, actionable Law of Attraction hacks that you can use today to make this mighty law of the universe work for you so you can manifest your dream life.

Implementing just one of these hacks significantly changes your point of attraction and turns you into a cooperative component in creating your best life. These three hacks, used together, can significantly accelerate the manifestation process, transforming your life into one you’re excited to experience.

By incorporating these hacks into your manifestation toolkit, you not only accelerate the manifestation process but also deepen your connection to the universal flow of abundance. As you witness the tangible results of your intentional focus and alignment, you cultivate a profound sense of trust in the inherent wisdom of the universe. This trust becomes a cornerstone of your spiritual growth journey, guiding you towards greater self-awareness, expansion, and fulfillment. With each hack, you reaffirm your innate power to shape your reality and manifest a life that reflects your highest aspirations and deepest truths.

Manifestation Hack #1: Align Your Intentions

Intentional living is perhaps the greatest gift you can give to not only yourself but to everyone who knows and interacts with you.

When you live intentionally, you transition from WISHful living into WILLful living. You do this by realizing that you choose every moment of your life and that you can choose deliberately.

To set an effective intention, you must first become clear about what it is you want. This is often easier said than done. Many people never allow themselves the luxury of asking the vital question: “What is it that I actually want?”

Whether you’ve never done this before or you set intentions regularly, take a moment now and define your intentions. This is a gift you give yourself.

Even though setting intentions is vital in manifesting what you want, it is only half the work. This is evidenced by how not everyone who sets intentions attains them. Many people set intentions, but few live the intentions they set. For most people, their intentions are dreams that in time, fade into the shadows of their minds and cause them pain and regret. This is because four elements must align for an intention to manifest.

These four additional elements are:

Vision
Belief
Emotion
Action

Each of the below elements leads into and supports the next:

Let’s start with a vision. For your vision to manifest, you must first see it with absolute clarity. If your vision is fuzzy or it keeps changing, you’re not cultivating a strong point of attraction. If you’re not sure what you want or you can’t see it with clarity, take some time to build out your vision. Journal on it, talk to your allies about it, daydream, and meditate on it.

Once your vision is clear, you must match it with equal or greater belief. Let’s say you have a clear vision to make a million dollars this year. You know precisely what this would look like, how this money would change or influence your life, what you’d spend it on, and so on. But, when you’re truly honest with yourself, you realize that you don’t believe that you can make that much money in one year. In this situation, you can want the money and see it with absolute clarity, but it will not manifest because you don’t believe it’s possible. You have too much doubt.

To make the Law of Attraction work for you, you’ll have to either raise your belief to match your vision or you need to adjust your vision to one that you can actually believe is possible.

Your emotions and intentions must align.

When you think about your intention, the relationship between your belief and vision creates your emotions. You want your emotions to be mostly positive for your intention to manifest. Enthusiasm, excitement, positive anticipation, gratitude. These emotions turn you into a magnet for your desires. If, when you think about your intention, you experience fear, paralysis, or feel overwhelmed, you need to find ways to shift your emotions into a more positive place.

Finally, to work toward your intentions, you need to take action fueled by positive emotions like enthusiasm and excitement rather than by fear. If you find yourself taking action because you fear missing out on an opportunity, it’s time to take a step back, take a deep breath, and relax.

Manifestation favors inspired action, not forced action.

Aligning your intentions along the four elements of Vision, Belief, Emotion, and Action is a highly effective way of manifesting more deliberately.

Manifestation Hack #2: Match the Emotion, Not the Action

“Act as though you already have the thing you want,” is the most misunderstood piece of manifestation advice shared by nearly everyone who speaks of or teaches the Law of Attraction. Misunderstood because too often, this advice leads well-meaning people to take unnecessary risk with their lives and livelihoods that lead them into financial disaster, heightened anxiety, and a sense of being dishonest with themselves.

This advice, though seemingly reckless, is quite sound. To make it work for you, however, you have to understand one key quality of the inner workings of your brain: Your brain cannot distinguish between whether you are experiencing an event in your physical reality right now, remembering that event from a past experience, or fantasizing about a possible future.

If your brain cannot differentiate between a current occurrence, a memory, or a fantasy, do you have to buy that Chanel purse to feel like you own it? Or can you imagine what having a Chanel purse would feel like and give yourself the experience of owning it without having to charge $3,000 to your credit card?

Be bold enough to match the emotion, not the behavior.

Matching the emotion is vital in the manifestation process. That’s because it is the emotion within you that the Law of Attraction responds to.

Your desires can mobilize toward you only when you become an emotional match to them. So, instead of going out and charging a bunch of goodies to your credit cards, take a few minutes and answer these three questions:

What would you like to manifest?
How would you feel if you manifested your desire today?
What free, easy, low-impact action can you take daily that helps you feel this way?

Now that you know what having what you want feels like and what free action you can take to feel this way, make sure that you create this emotion within yourself every day. You’ll be surprised how quickly you start manifesting the things you want when you match the emotion of already having them.

Manifestation Hack #3: Keep Your Word To Yourself

The Law of Attraction responds to the certainty you feel when you decide on what you want and declare it to yourself. One powerful way to develop this certainty within yourself is by strengthening your personal integrity.

Many people mistake integrity for morality or ethics, but there are distinct differences between these.

Morality refers to a society’s standards about right and wrong behavior. It assumes that there is a course of action or behavior that is right and something that is wrong.
Ethics refers to the normative sets of values between right and wrong and applies them to all members of a group or organization.
Integrity, on the other hand, is a purely positive proposition devoid of all judgment of right or wrongdoing.

Social science backs this up.

Michael Jensen of the Social Science Research Network (SSRN) defines integrity as the decision to be your word or honor your word. He says that integrity sets up the relationship between your word and the outcome of your actions. Basically, when you live 100% in integrity, you are your word by following through on all your promises. Suppose you can’t follow through on your promise. In that case, you can honor your word by letting each person affected know right away and make alternate arrangements to minimize the impact of your inability to follow through.

Here’s an example:

If I tell you that I will call you tomorrow at ten in the morning, I can either be my word by calling you at the predetermined time or, if I, for whatever reason, am unable to call, I will let you know as soon as possible.

Let’s say I’m calling to translate a conversation for you. This means that you’re counting on me and have perhaps arranged your phone call at that specific time so that I’d be available to help you. In a situation like this, it would be very inconvenient for you if I didn’t show up or if I canceled last minute without offering a solution.

If I’m genuinely in integrity, I’ll honor my word by finding you an alternate translator who can fill in for me. I then message you as soon as possible, letting you know that, regretfully, I won’t be able to be there for your call, but I have arranged for Sarah, an excellent translator, to take over for me. Sarah has already been briefed on the job. I’ll even send an introduction email or text, connecting you to Sarah, so you can rest assured that your translation needs will still be met, even though I won’t be able to meet them.

Integrity is much like the law of gravity.

There’s no right or wrong gravity. There’s only gravity. Similarly, there’s no right or wrong integrity; you are either in integrity or not. If you’re not integrity, that’s okay. You can always decide to be more integrity than you have been in the past. In fact, I urge you to do so. That’s because becoming a person who is in integrity will change your life in positive ways far greater than the small amount of effort required.

Michael Jensen found that when companies implement a 100% in-integrity policy — meaning every employee is his/her word or honors his/her word 100% of the time — productivity within the company rises between 100 – 500% without additional input. This is a vast increase in productivity!

On an individual level, too, being in integrity has a massive impact. When you make plans and decisions you don’t honor, you fall out of integrity with yourself. This lack of integrity causes you to mistrust your own words. This mistrust gets in the way of you manifesting the life you want.

If you lack integrity and declare your desires, some doubt you can have what you want. This makes it nearly impossible for you to manifest.

On the other hand, a powerful psychological and metaphysical occurrence takes root within you when you consciously choose to live in integrity: When you become your word, you KNOW that what you say will come true.

When you learn to live 100% in integrity with yourself. That means you are either your word or honor it 100% of the time. Everything you declare becomes infused with the certainty of, “It is done!” This certainty magnetizes your intentions, draws to you all cooperative components, and allows you to use The Law of Attraction to manifest your dreams.

Final Thoughts on Putting These Manifestation Hacks to Work for a Fuller Life

Let me know in the comments which of these three hacks you’re committing to using. For one whole week, implement the hack into your daily life. Then return and let me know how this hack has changed your life. I cannot wait to hear your manifestation stories.

12 Signs Someone is a Toxic Perfectionist

February 13, 2023 by Chris Butler

Most people like perfection. You want to do a good job and have things align flawlessly, which is an admirable trait. So, being a perfectionist isn’t always a bad thing until the need to have everything picture-perfect becomes toxic.

Striving to do things correctly and having a good work ethic is impressive. However, when the thoughts that everything must be perfect consume you, they can take over your entire life. When something is less than you envisioned, you feel angry with yourself and those around you.

The real problem with being a perfectionist isn’t that everything must be impeccable, and you must always be on top. Consequently, the crux of the matter goes much deeper, as these ideations can hurt you and those you love. Something is fundamentally wrong inside when you think you can’t be anything less than perfect.

Twelve Signs of a Toxic Perfectionist

Perfectionists don’t understand that they’re chasing the avoidance of failure rather than pursuing excellence. Something fundamental happened along the way, making you feel inferior to those around you. It can stem from depression, anxiety disorders, and growing up in a home where you didn’t feel loved and appreciated. Here are some classic signs of toxic perfectionism.

1. A Toxic Perfectionist Can’t Take Any Criticism

If you want everything in your life to be picture-perfect, you likely have difficulty dealing with criticism. Even constructive criticism can send you over the edge. You don’t like making mistakes, and when someone points out such things, you only hear, “you’re not good enough.” People who want perfectionism hold high standards they live by, and when someone offers advice, they feel attacked and defensive.

2. Feeling Unsatisfied

While you strive for perfection, you likely don’t do well under stress. You work best in a low-stress environment, as you can’t deal with anything that challenges you. Folks with the mindset that everything must be perfect often have issues when the things they envision don’t happen as they should. These moments are unsettling and increase their anxiety, but they also decrease their life satisfaction.

3. A Toxic Perfectionist Avoids Socializing

Someone who has a mindset of perfection might avoid socializing. The rationale behind this is that they need to uphold the perfect self-image. These individuals fear that if people get to know the real them they wouldn’t be liked.

It’s not uncommon for them to put intense pressure on themselves to wear specific social masks. Some of the pressure they feel is socially prescribed. For instance, women often think they need precise measurements and a certain weight to be acceptable. If someone isn’t a size two with blonde hair and blue eyes, they might avoid social gatherings for fear of being judged.

The struggle with not socializing is that it’s a lonely world when you’re all alone. Socializing is healthy and necessary; isolating yourself can lead to mental health issues.

4. Superior Work Ethic

Remember the movie Beauty and the Beast? Gaston was trying to win the heart of Belle, and he was a classic narcissist. He felt he was the better man for her because he had everything to offer her.

He was severely depressed, and the town folks gathered and sang a song to him about all his power and might. While it’s a fairy tale, there’s a lot of truth to unpack. Perfectionists believe that no one can be as good as them. They think they’re always the best person for the job, and it can be devastating when they take a fatal blow to their ego.

5. A Toxic Perfectionist Is a Master Procrastinator

Perfectionists often are procrastinators. They have many ideas swimming around, but few come to fruition. They know what they need to do. However, their high standards make it impossible to know where to start.

They often become overwhelmed by all the steps and look at the entire project instead of small, manageable pieces. The key is jumping in and getting started, but these individuals contemplate how they can fail, making it challenging to accomplish anything.

6. Misses Deadlines

When you were in school, how often did you tear up a paper and throw it away because it wasn’t good enough? Did you ever miss any of your deadlines for assignments? People with toxic perfectionism often miss deadlines because they will only turn in something they view as perfect.

So, they will try time and again to get something they feel is worthy of their reputation. Sadly, this causes them to miss work, school, and home deadlines because their mindset has them going in circles.

7. Everything Must Be Done Their Way

The phrase “It’s my way or the highway” was probably created with a toxic perfectionist in mind. These individuals can’t see things any way but through their lenses. They can’t for one moment consider anyone else’s opinion.

This mindset’s controlling nature is at the helm, and the underlying issue must be addressed. Thinking that things will always go your way is unrealistic. According to Harvard University, many behaviors are rooted in toxic perfectionism, such as failing to delegate and not knowing when to stop. The article further states that many folks overcompensate in this area because they feel they lack in others.

8. Plays The Blame Game

Rather than admit that they’ve fallen short, these folks would rather blame others for their mistakes. The perfectionist can cross over into the lines of a narcissist, as both issues have similar characteristics.

It’s much too painful for the person who wants everything just right to see their failures, so if something doesn’t turn out as it should, they would rather point fingers.

9. Doesn’t Celebrate Success

Celebrating milestones and success in your personal and professional life is unnecessary to the toxic perfectionist. These individuals think that celebrating things is for babies, and they’ve had so many successful things happen in their lives that they would constantly be partying.

However, this isn’t why they don’t celebrate; inside, they feel they could have done better. Nothing is ever good enough, according to their toxic mindset.

10. A Toxic Perfectionist Believes People Won’t Like Them Unless They’re Perfect

It’s not uncommon for perfectionists to equate their self-worth with their job. They don’t understand that people see them as passionate, having a sense of humor, or all the other wonderful qualities they possess. Rather, they measure their worth by the things they do.

Consider Robert. He was a man who never graduated from high school, yet he worked hard as a mechanic and made his way into the world with his excellent work ethic. He always felt less than others because he didn’t finish his education, and the abuse from his childhood also fueled the mindset that he wasn’t good enough.

Robert worked until his body gave out at 70, always trying to prove something. The sad thing is the people around him knew he was a hard worker and had many gifts and talents. The real problem is that, on the inside, he always felt inferior.

This story is a classic example that you can’t measure your worth by your actions, as people will love you regardless of how you work. Folks will love you for the exceptional qualities you possess.

11. Small Mistakes Feel Like Huge Failures

Have you ever seen someone who makes mountains out of molehills? Perfectionists often blow everything out of proportion because their mindset is geared towards negativity, and they cannot see the positive. Even the smallest infraction is cause for alarm because their brain magnifies the issue.

12. A Toxic Perfectionist Engages in Self-Sabotaging Behaviors

Toxic mindsets cause perfectionists to ruminate on harmful beliefs. They often use negative self-talk and tell themselves things like:

“I’m worthless.”
“I will never be good enough.”
“My life has no meaning.”
“I’m undeserving of love.”

While none of these things are true, they’re setting themselves up for failure. They use perfectionism as a cover for what’s going on inside. According to an article by Anderson University, perfectionism is a faulty belief system. The mindset these folks have is self-destructive and addictive. While they believe being perfect is the key to their success, it hampers achievement.

The article further discusses that perfectionism is a defensive move, as this person has deep-seated issues that they don’t want others to see.

Final Thoughts on Knowing the Signs of a Toxic Perfectionist

You can overcome perfectionism if you get to the root cause and manage it. Those who occasionally want things to be perfect don’t have an issue, but it’s those folks who stress and worry excessively if everything isn’t picture perfect.

Learn to embrace your flaws as you’re human. Learn from your failures instead of sweeping them under the rug and blaming someone else. You can develop a healthier, more rewarding, and less toxic mindset, but it will require effort.

Science Explains What Happens to Your Body When You Stretch Every Day

February 13, 2023 by Kristen Lawrence

Making time to stretch each morning can help improve flexibility and energize you for the day ahead. Most people feel like stretching upon waking up to relieve stiff joints and improve blood circulation. Plus, a stretching exercise or two can boost mental health by reconnecting you with your body and taking attention off the mind.

In addition to these benefits, it simply feels good to move your body after lying in bed for seven or eight hours. Some people like to stretch on breaks at work or when they get home after a long day. Practicing these exercises before and after workouts is also essential to prevent muscle strains.

No matter when you decide to do moves, they will help improve your mental and physical well-being. Below, we’ll delve deeper into the benefits of stretching and give you a few exercises to try at home.

Here’s What Happens to Your Body When You Stretch Each Day

1. Improves flexibility

Performing these motions daily helps increase your flexibility because it elongates the muscles. Most experts recommend doing stretches for at least 10-30 seconds to reap the full benefits of the exercise. Having greater flexibility may not seem that important, but it helps reduce joint stiffness and mobility issues as you age. You naturally lose cartilage in your joints and bones as you get older, so it’s essential to stretch regularly.

2. Enhances range of motion

When you don’t move often, it can lead to stiff, inflexible joints and muscles. This can cause muscles to become shortened and fragile, increasing the risk of injuries like strains and fractures. However, frequent stretching can help loosen tense muscles and improve your range of motion. In fact, one study discovered that static and dynamic stretches, in particular, can help increase your range of motion.

3. Improves athletic performance

Any sports coach or health expert will stress the importance of stretching before exercising. Warming up before a game or workout session prepares the muscles for movement and relieves tension in the body. Therefore, having increased flexibility and range of motion can help enhance your athletic performance. Stretching after a sports event is also essential to reduce the risk of injury.

4. Boosts blood circulation throughout the body

When you stretch regularly, it improves blood flow and increases nutrient supply to the muscles. Consequently, the increased blood circulation enhances oxygen levels in the body, helping you feel more energized and refreshed. Finally, having better circulation can reduce your recovery time following a workout and ease sore muscles.

5. Stretching improves posture

Stiff, tight muscles can cause poor posture due to a limited range of motion and inflexibility. In turn, slouching can put extra strain on the muscles, causing them to shorten and weaken. If you’re not careful, it’s a vicious cycle that may eventually lead to injuries.

But studies show that strength training exercises and stretches can help reduce muscle pain and enhance spinal alignment. This can improve your posture over time.

6. Alleviates back pain

Lower back pain is one of the most common complaints among Americans and the leading cause of global disability. Increasingly sedentary lifestyles and the prevalence of desk jobs have reduced our range of motion, leading to stiff, sore muscles. However, exercising and regular stretches can improve mobility and help ease tension in the back muscles. Improving body strength and muscle mass will enhance your physical health, reducing your risk of back injuries.

7. Making time to stretch daily relieves stress

Stress originates in the mind, so eliminating it at the source can help prevent body aches. When you feel stressed, your body naturally tenses up, preventing energy from flowing evenly. However, stretching reminds you to slow down and focus on breathing, which can help calm the mind. It also gives you a break from thinking by getting you back in touch with your body. Like yoga, stretches are mind-body exercises, promoting overall well-being and positive energy.

Three Major Stretching Techniques

There are many types of exercises, but the most common forms include the following:

Static stretches. A static stretch involves lengthening your muscles as much as possible and holding the pose for 10-30 seconds. These help elongate the muscles by stretching muscle fibers and alleviating tension. Perform these after a workout to reduce your risk of injury.
Dynamic stretches. While static stretches are a passive exercise, dynamic stretching involves more movement. It’s best to warm up with these exercises before a workout to increase blood circulation and improve range of motion. A few ideas for dynamic stretches include hip movement with a twist, front kicks with a hand reach, and lateral lunges. Hold each pose for two or three seconds and repeat for six to eight reps.
Ballistic stretches. Finally, ballistic stretching involves repetitive bouncing to help stretch specific muscle groups. The exercises require extending your joints and muscles to a greater range of motion than average. These moves are usually only used for athletic drills with proper supervision, as uncontrolled movements may result in injury. Therefore, most people should stick to dynamic and static options.

Aim for five to ten minutes of muscle-lengthening techniques if you don’t stretch regularly. Try to hold each position for at least ten seconds and focus on areas where you harbor the most tension, like your back, shoulders, and neck. Going at your own pace is essential to avoid injury or overstretching your muscles. Talk with your doctor before starting a stretching routine if you have any physical limitations or injuries.

Final Thoughts on the Benefits of Stretching Daily

Everyone should remember the importance of engaging their joints and muscles daily. However, our increasingly sedentary lifestyles have highlighted the dire need for exercise and self-care. We can feel more energized and restore our health by taking a few moments to extend our sore, stiff muscles. Movement can also help alleviate back pain and improve blood circulation, increasing vitality. While stretches don’t substitute for cardio and weight-lifting exercises, they’re a necessary part of any workout routine. Hopefully, you’ll notice these moves’ mental and physical benefits and feel encouraged to continue the practice.

How to Attract a Woman (Without Saying a Word)

February 12, 2023 by Power of Positivity

Did you know that you can attract a woman without saying a word? The power of body language is very suggestive, and you can show her your interest and increase attraction by using simple gestures.

Remember the famous movie The Little Mermaid? Ursula told her minions Flotsam and Jetsam to “Never underestimate the power of body language.” She wanted to lure Ariel in by putting a spell on her. Ariel wanted the man, and Ursula wanted to get back at King Triton, the girl’s father. Ursula took Ariel’s voice, so she had to rely on her body language to make Prince Eric fall in love.

Ariel used her feminine wiles and charm to make the handsome prince fall head over heels for her, and she didn’t have to utter one word. Sure, it’s a fairy tale, and you must consider that fact, but it shows you can attract a partner with other methods. Personality and intelligence can come shining through even when you don’t talk.

Of course, some might be looking for how to attract a man–and we did not forget to include you. Please see this topic addressed in a separate article.

Ten Ways to Attract a Woman Without Saying a Word

One of the biggest mistakes a man makes is putting so much emphasis on having the perfect opening line. Sadly, these phrases are often discounted and thought of as cheesy, as these lame attempts typically backfire. So, if you want to get a woman, stop using your words and learn to focus on the following things.

1. Dress To Impress to Attract a Woman

When you walk into a crowded room, you can always pick out the lady that looks amazing. Perhaps she has on a dazzling perfume, or her dress is so stunning you can’t take your eyes off her. A woman will notice the same thing about you. A man well-groomed and dressed to impress will undoubtedly catch her eye.

Dressing well affects your confidence level and showcases your ability to clean up nicely. Ladies like a man who knows how to dress, so put a little extra effort into your attire.

2. Keep A Stylish Haircut

While some men can pull off long locks that flow down their back, most look best in a quaffed style. A man who has a nice haircut always looks attractive. Another thing to consider is that a person who pays $5 for a discount cut doesn’t have the same look as someone who goes to a hair artist.

Paying attention to the little details is essential, as it helps show that you have a good amount of self-respect. Getting a masculine haircut shows you’re mature and makes you look sharp. Every woman wants a man who knows how to care for himself and doesn’t need her to be the clothes and hair police.

3. Stay Healthy and in Shape to Increase Attraction to You

You don’t need to look like a model or a superhero, but a lady likes to see a man who takes pride in his body. If you want to attract a woman without talking, you will ensure you have a body that speaks volumes. Now, being in shape doesn’t mean that you must keep an overly built physique, but it also doesn’t mean that you let things like a beer gut go.

A woman can form an attraction by simply looking at you. She’s not expecting perfection, but she wants to see that you are healthy, exercise regularly, and have some self-respect. Another thing to consider is that guys can get by with the teddy bear exterior, as society doesn’t seem to judge you as harshly as a woman.

A study by Cornell University found that in the workplace, men who are overweight are more likely to be hired than women. They found that the “big guys” exterior often works for a man. So, regardless of your body size, you must dress right and showcase your attributes to gain her attention in the dating world.

4. Show Your Powerful, Masculine Hands

One of the things that men don’t even think about when it comes to attraction is their hands. The hands are powerful and masculine, and they drive women wild. A lady wants to feel safe when she’s in your arms and holding your hand, so it’s only natural that she will check them out.

Don’t be ashamed if you have rough hands with callouses, have a little grease under the nail, and they’re far from perfect. If you want to attract a woman, you want your hands to be more masculine than on the feminine side.

5. Inconspicuously Touch Her

Attraction without speaking can come in many forms, but you should never underestimate the power of touch. You don’t have to make grand gestures to the lady’s gain attention, but try touching her if you want to attract a woman without speaking. For instance, you’re in a club, and everyone is dancing.

Rubbing your shoulders against hers on the dance floor sends her a physical cue that you’re interested. You can gently brush up against her in an elevator or look deep into her eyes as you grab her hand at dinner. Women love those soft, gentle touches as it drives them wild.

6. Smile to Attract a Woman

Do you often smile when you’re trying to attract a woman? There’s something about a smile that tends to make her feel all warm and fuzzy inside. It removes any threatening body language and is an open invitation to connect with you.

Most guys think they need to act dominant and tricky to impress her, but the truth is that you don’t need to be macho, as she wants to see your caring side. Your entire face lights up when you smile, not just your mouth. While the macho act might impress someone with toxic qualities, women of class are looking for those unthreatening acts.

A study by Walden University found that emotional expression is a powerful part of attraction. A smile can make all the difference in how the world perceives you. While this is geared towards physical attraction, smiling more can help you in many facets of your life.

7. Move With Confidence

If you want to attract a woman, you will pay attention to how you walk. Ironically, something as simple as your gait can say a lot about you. Women notice men who are confident by the way they enter a room. An instant attraction can occur when a guy comes in with his head held high, shoulders back, and smiling.

It shows that he is confident in himself and yet not arrogant. Learning to move confidently can be a significant factor in getting the woman interested without saying a word. People are naturally drawn to confident people. She wants someone not down in the dumps and wallowing in their troubles. Everyone has problems, but learning to smile through the pain is very attractive to a woman.

8. Nonverbal Parody to Attract a Woman

Parody is a way to attract a woman by using specific body language. For instance, you see her across the room, and your eyes meet. Indiscreetly waving and smiling will let her know you’re interested.

How she responds is one way to see if there’s any attraction. You can keep this innocent flirting going on for hours. When you finally get the chance to speak to her, if there’s any allure, you’ll both know for sure.

9. Be In the Right Place at the Right Time

Timing is everything when you want to attract a woman. If you know that she will be at a restaurant with her friends, it might benefit you to dine at the same place. Maybe she doesn’t know someone tipped you off, and she’ll think the chance encounter is a coincidence.

When she sees that you enjoy the same things as her, it can help her feel more drawn to you. Opposites attract, but having someone who likes to see and do similar things is nice.

10. Make Her Jealous to Check Her Attraction to You

While trying to make a lady jealous to attract her might sound a bit shallow, it works like a charm. Have you ever heard the saying that you didn’t want that person until someone got them? When she sees you with a gorgeous girl in your arms, she can’t help but notice.

You look more desirable when you have someone with you, as the forbidden fruit is always the sweetest. The goal is to make it look like any woman would be lucky to have you, and she might find you irresistible.

Final Thoughts on How to Attract a Woman

Women are naturally curious creatures, so you want to do everything possible to step up your game. If you’re going to attract a woman, you must pay attention to your clothes, haircut, body language, and friends. Above all else, make sure you smile and let her know you welcome a chance for a conversation, dinner, or a night on the town.

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