Inspiration to your inbox

subscribe
Twt-img.png
Search
Close this search box.
burger-icon.svg
Main Menu

7 Things That Are Perfect To Do Alone

by

There’s been a lot written about the harmful effects of loneliness. Social interactions and community can lower stress and even help you live longer. But being alone once in a while isn’t all that bad. It’s called solitude. Practicing solitude gives individuals more happiness and a better sense of their life. Solitude gives you time to reflect on your life experiences and learn about yourself. Here are seven habits to help you enjoy some much-needed alone time.

What’s the difference between loneliness and solitude?

There are two different ways to experience being alone-solitude or loneliness. Loneliness is a negative feeling associated with wishing you had more social contact. Solitude is a choice to disengage from being around people for a time. Studies show that individuals who understand the benefits of solitude have a more positive mood when alone.

7 Habits to help enjoy solitude

solitude

1 – Schedule time alone

It’s good to be part of a community where you know people and they know you.  But sometimes you need to be alone. Keep a balance by including solitude in our daily schedule. Being alone is self-care that can help you solve problems, know yourself better, and give you a chance to relax.

2 – Start projects you enjoy

One way to establish a habit of solitude is by starting a project. Use your privacy to do a project you enjoy. Alone time gives you an inspiration to be creative or the ability to accomplish something. Finishing a project gives you a sense of accomplishment and success. Projects you can start may include:

  • Take an online painting class or woodworking class
  • Organize a closet
  • Gardening
  • Go out for lunch
  • Ride your bike
  • Test drive a cool car
  • Go to a museum

3 – Be sure to keep a routine

Be sure to keep a routine that includes solitude. Having a pattern relieves your stress and makes life calmer. Regularly scheduled times with your friends and family help fight loneliness, but alone time is just as important. You may feel selfish or too busy to set aside time to be alone. Don’t overbook your schedule to the point you don’t have time for solitude. You need time to recoup and get a mental break from your busy life. Be sure to schedule time each week to:

  • Get to bed on time
  • Have time to relax
  • Time to read a book or do a hobby
  • Schedule things like house cleaning, running errands or doing other chores
  • Schedule some open spaces to allow for spontaneity in your life

4 – Keep your thoughts positive

When you’re having your times of solitude, avoid allowing your thoughts to slip into negativity. Let your mind wander to the bad stuff going on is easy. Avoid rehearsing bad situations or stuff that bother you, like your argument with your teenager or your neighbor’s rude comment. Of course, solitude helps you solve problems, but if the time turns all negative, you must switch your focus to more positive things. Or, if you can’t get yourself focused, get busy on a project in your house or go outside to dig in the garden.

5 – Make self-care a priority

Face it, life is busy, and it’s hard to stop for a break. You may have family responsibilities,  household chores, and community commitments. Even during a hectic schedule, it’s essential to practice good self-care.  You may think you can function without times of solitude, but you won’t be at your best. You’re apt to be grumpy and tired, which can lead to burnout.

If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t stop, it may be time to do a redo. Start choosing self-care as a priority in your life. You don’t need to take long solitude breaks. Just 15 minutes every day by yourself with a cup of coffee out on the deck can help you regroup and allow your mind to relax.

6 – Get out in nature

Exposure to nature benefits your brain, reduces blood pressure, and improves mental health. Getting fresh air and sunshine even improves your sleep. Studies found a connection between nature and a lowered risk of cardiovascular disease. This is because you’re more physically active when you’re out in nature. This reduces your blood pressure and stress, making you less likely to have a healthier heart. Any outdoor activity is beneficial, whether at the beach, in the woods, or climbing the mountains. You can choose:

  • Hiking
  • Walking
  • Riding your bike
  • Gardening
  • Running
  • Tennis
  • Pickleball
  • Shooting a basketball
  • Reading while sitting on the deck

7 – Solitude is a life choice

Solitude is a life choice. It’s not likely that someone else will schedule it for you. Hearing your thoughts and enjoying a little peace is more than a luxury when life is busy; it’s necessary. You must teach yourself the value and believe it’s essential for your mental health and self-care. You won’t make time for solitude if you don’t value it.

alone time

What are the benefits of solitude?

Here are some other benefits of solitude worth considering.

Solitude helps you have more compassion for others.

When you have time alone, you can relax and regroup. You let go of all your negative thoughts and solve problems that bother you. This “house cleaning” of your mind gives you a better capacity to think of others. Of course, there’s a fine line between selfishness and being others-oriented. But solitude isn’t selfish. It’s a healthy way to get yourself in a good place to help others.

Alone time increases your productivity.

Your productivity goes up when you get time by yourself. Just a little privacy helps you get things done. It allows you to be more creative when it’s quiet and you’re alone in your thoughts.

Solitude boosts creativity

When you get time by yourself without the noise of people and activities,  it allows your brain to destress. You let go of all your busy thoughts. You can be outside by a lake or sitting on a sofa in your living room. Solitude gives your brain a chance to wander and dream. As you brainstorm, creativity flows. You can dream up a new vacation idea, a book you want to write, or a new recipe you want to try.

Alone time builds mental strength.

Humans are, by nature, social beings. Even if you have strong ties to people, you still need regular time alone. You’ll feel happier and have better mental strength when you’ve had time alone.

Time alone helps kids.

Kids who learn how to spend time alone can entertain themselves. When kids learn how to be alone, they know how to relax and enjoy the quiet.

Solitude helps you plan.

Life happens whether you have a schedule. You must feed your family, wash clothes, and complete hundreds of other tasks. If you don’t create a schedule, you’ll feel you’re just running from one thing to the next. Having alone time allows you to plan dental visits, playtimes for the kids and their friends, and shopping trips for school clothes.

Alone time gives you time to talk to God.

Historically, many religions emphasize the importance of solitude. Spiritual people understand the importance of being alone with God to pray and reflect on life. You can confess your shortcomings, thank God for your many blessings, or ask for wisdom and strength.

Time alone gives you an appreciation for the shortness of life.

An ancient poem says, So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12 ESV). Numbering your days means you realize you won’t live forever. Because you sense this, you make wise choices about what’s essential in life, like times alone and times with others.

How to carve out alone time each day

If you’re convinced that solitude is essential, don’t hesitate to spend time alone. Here are some suggestions for carving out time to be by yourself.

  • Get comfortable with solitude: You may not enjoy privacy at first. It’s a learned experience. As you spend bits of time alone here and there, you’ll gain an appreciation for it and benefit from being alone.
  • Every day include a scheduled quiet time for your kids: It can be thirty minutes or an hour in their room looking at a book or quietly putting together a puzzle. This gives you a break to relax and destress.
  • Stay off devices: During these quiet times, you and the kids should stay off your computer or smartphone. Your brain needs to relax without electronics for better mental health and relaxation.

solitude

Final thoughts on enjoying your solitude

Although solitude is sometimes confused with loneliness, it’s a different experience. Of course, you need time with friends and family to grow as a person, but solitude is just as valuable for your growth. This self-care activity helps you grow in creativity, better understand yourself and boosts your happiness. If you’re convinced, that alone time is essential, practice habits to help you enjoy solitude.

5 Steps to Rebuild Your Relationship After Infidelity

by

The stable foundation of any loving relationship is love, trust, and faithfulness. If your partner cheats on you, rebuilding that crumbling foundation will take more than love. How can you mend your heart after the cruel betrayal of infidelity?

Five Steps to Reconciliation After Infidelity

The decision to reconcile after infidelity can be an overwhelming task. It takes commitment and works from both partners. Here are five steps for rebuilding your relationship after cheating.

relationship

1. Put an End to the Affair to Begin to Heal the Relationship

The first step to healing a relationship after infidelity is for the affair to stop. Period. All communications with the other person must end. There must be no phone calls, texts, or other contacts.

Your partner must distance themselves from the situation and destroy any photos, letters, or other mementos. If they are serious about rebuilding your connection, they shouldn’t have a problem with your request.

However, things can get a little complicated if the other person is a co-worker or, even worse, a close relative. In these delicate situations, they may consider applying for a different department in the company or getting another job. If crossing paths is inevitable, the conversation should be kept to a minimum.

If your partner has cheated in your relationship, the last thing you want to hear is excuses. You want them to be adult enough to say they messed up and for them to make amends.

2. Be Honest About Your Feelings About the Relationship

If there’s ever a time to be genuine and transparent with your feelings, it’s now. Don’t be afraid to tell your partner how their infidelity hurt you. They’ve betrayed your trust and broken your heart.

Even though it will be difficult, try to listen to how they feel. Chances are they are experiencing profound guilt and embarrassment. They may feel lost and remorseful because they hurt you and don’t know how to fix it.

These serious discussions probably won’t happen in the beginning. The first communication will probably be a whirlwind of fury and tears. Give yourself some time, so you can both have a heart-to-heart conversation instead of a shouting match.

The notion that time heals wounds isn’t based on reality. You may have a chance to learn better coping skills, but you can’t erase the hurt. Nor can you accept excuses for why they broke things with infidelity.

Nevertheless, time is still one of the best gifts you can give yourself after such a traumatic experience. Both of you need time and space to focus on your next steps. Be patient and let your heart, mind, and soul take all the time it needs to heal.

If your spouse truly loves you, they won’t pressure you into forgiving instantaneously. They need to understand their betrayal’s gravity and how it hurts. The least they can do is be patient and considerate in the process.

3. Get the Support You Need to Recover From Infidelity

After intense soul searching and conversations, maybe you’ve both decided to move forward with your relationship. It doesn’t mean everything will be fine and return to normal. Your first attempts at talking may seem forced and awkward.

When you both feel comfortable and can have a civil conversation, try to spend quality time together. While parts of the conversation must be serious, it doesn’t all have to be doom and gloom. Discuss the negative things, but you must shift to a positive focus.

These are moments when you can rediscover the love that brought you together in the first place. As you rebuild, you may learn new things about each other you never knew. The quantity of time you share isn’t as important as the quality.

Most people who are faced with an unfaithful mate find themselves in a dark place. It affects you physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. More than one person can bear the sense of grief, betrayal, and bitterness.

In the beginning, you may feel too embarrassed or ashamed to talk to anyone about the infidelity. However, it would help if you had the support of your closest family and friends. Only confide in ones that you completely trust and who can remain unbiased in the matter.

Likewise, your partner will need people who can listen to them and offer support. The object isn’t to try to build a team in each corner. You need to gain support for your relationship as a couple.

Getting a counselor involved for you individually and as a couple might be beneficial. There’s probably a plethora of thoughts and emotions you need to explore and sort. Remember that there’s no shame in asking for help from your inner circle or mental health professional.

infidelity

4. Establish Boundaries for Recommitment

At some point, a partner who cheats has lost their faith and commitment in their relationship. Maybe you’re one of the many couples who choose to rebuild and recommit themselves. It’s not an easy decision, and there will be plenty of hurdles along the way.

According to an article published by Health Research Funding, 31 percent of American couples surveyed would stay together after cheating. However, at least 80 percent say infidelity is wrong, and 99 percent of those polled expect their partners to be faithful. A couple’s chances of dealing with a cheating spouse are one in four.

Maybe the odds of 31 percent who are for reconciliation isn’t the best, but it doesn’t mean things are impossible. It depends on how much you want to fix things and how hard you’re willing to work to make this happen.

Also, is your partner on the same page and determined as you to make amends? It takes two people to create a relationship, and you work together to heal the hurts.

Once that sacred vow is broken, it’s pretty challenging to rebuild. However, it can be done with time, patience, and extensive communication about where to go from this point. Some have compared reconciling after a cheating partner to an exquisite vase.

How do you repair it if it falls and shatters into a million pieces? Only time and hard work will determine if rebuilding is possible. Even once it’s fixed, it will never be as pristine as it was before it was shattered. Take baby steps as you work through the suspicious feelings and bitterness you harbor.

If this relationship is worth saving, your partner must focus on earning your trust and respect. It’s going to be a while before you can trust them on their phone or computer. It may be tempting to spy on their accounts, but that makes matters worse. Give it time to see how determined they are to make things right.

Establishing and enforcing boundaries is the only way to have a healthy, lasting relationship. If your lover has cheated on you, they must have lost sight of these mutual perimeters. Reconciliation will take some serious efforts to rebuild boundaries.

You may never know why they breached these rules, but they’re still non-negotiable. Rebuilding boundaries doesn’t mean that you expect any less from your mate. It’s a long process where you must define your limits and let them know how you wish to be treated.

5. Embrace Self-Care After Infidelity

An article published by Southern New Hampshire University defines self-care as anything you do to keep yourself healthy. It’s a holistic approach that includes body, mind, and spirit. Unfortunately, it’s one of the first things that go out the door after a traumatic experience.

Don’t lose yourself in the rubble when you feel like your whole world is crumbling around you. You can’t love anybody else until you learn to love yourself. It’s essential when your significant other has stepped out on you.

It’s not uncommon for spouses who have been cheated on to blame themselves. You may develop anxiety, depression, and other health issues. Also, you may buy into the delusion that they wouldn’t have cheated if you were younger, prettier, or more intelligent.

Instead of putting yourself down, it’s time to lift your spirits with self-care. Pamper yourself with massages, manicures, and days at the spa. It may not help your current problems, but it can put you in a better mind frame.

Another healthy way you can take care of yourself is by using meditation. Set aside a sacred space in your home to breathe and focus on relaxing your mind. Meditation is ideal for mental clarity and relieving stress.

Journaling is another avenue to explore for expressing your thoughts and emotions. For now, it may be hard to discuss how hurt and angry you are because your partner cheated. Keeping a journal allows you to write whatever is on your mind without pressure or judgment.

infidelity

Final Thoughts on Rebuilding a Relationship after Infidelity

Few things can break your heart and spirit, like learning that your partner cheated on you. Should you decide to take the path of forgiveness and reconciliation, you must realize it’s a lot of work. However, you may be unable to walk this path, and you should know when to walk away. Realistically, not every relationship will survive such an act of betrayal.

How to Train Your Brain to Feel Good Enough 

by

Imagine when you were experiencing emotional distress from something that went wrong in your life. Did you feel like your entire world had fallen to pieces? Do you think these self-degrading thoughts regularly? If this is a familiar feeling for you, it may not be surprising for many people because they don’t give themselves grace as they do for others. They lose all sense of positivity and believe they are not good enough.

As a result, they can easily blame themselves when they are trapped with these heartbreaking moments that don’t go to plan. If people don’t train themselves to view themselves more kindly, these thoughts might spiral and enter other parts of their life.

For the people who have trained their brains to feel good enough, they are not immune to the challenges life will throw them. Life will happen, but they don’t allow themselves to experience the true meaning of life. Life is about understanding and not perfection. Falling prey to negative energy isn’t your fault. We live in a world where negativity is fostered in the news and the media. The world includes many pessimistic areas, where it feels like people must work harder to be kind to themselves. They focus on the feelings of melancholy because they may be accustomed to it. 

According to the National Science Foundation, an average person has about 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day. Of those, 80% are negative, and 95% are repetitive thoughts. Since a negative culture influences how things are seen, thought of, and perceived in the world, there is a need to methodically and intentionally rewire the brain to achieve the power of positivity. This mindset will help people feel good and worthy and transform how they treat themselves and the people around them.

Rewiring May Be a Gradual Process

As mentioned in the beginning, the world is filled with negativity, but there is also light and encouragement. It just isn’t glorified by the stories told in society. Rewiring and motivating your brain to accept yourself and speak kindly to yourself so you feel good enough can be very hard. For some, their unwavering thoughts may have been personified very young, which stemmed from the people telling them they weren’t good enough. 

positivity

When a child begins to internalize these feelings from a very young age, they can mature into adult life in overwhelming and maybe catastrophic ways for their mental health, wellness, and esteem. This is a difficult journey because you are tasking yourself with breaking what you learned, which can feel like a challenging adventure. You may desire immediate results, but give yourself the time and grace to embrace change. If you are struggling to love yourself and tell yourself you aren’t good enough, understand it is a process that may take time.

Accept You Aren’t Perfect, But You Are Good Enough

Accepting that the world isn’t perfect, including the people, seems easy. Millions of messages appear affirming people aren’t perfect and shouldn’t strive to be. It is impossible to be perfect, and you set yourself up for failure when you do so. This is an easy concept to understand. But we must still ask this. Why do people come across layers of borders when they try to apply it to themselves? 

We already know things are out of people’s control, like how others treat one another. They can’t change people, but some stress themselves by trying to change people and their behaviors. Without positive guidance, even the things in their emotional possession, they may feel lost if they don’t have an ounce of stability. Even for things you cannot control, it doesn’t mean you can’t make mistakes. It isn’t a mistake if you don’t learn from it. 

Language Matters When You Speak to Yourself

What are the negative thoughts you think of every day? Acknowledging what you believe often will allow you to understand where these thoughts come from. Reflect on how and when these negative thoughts manifest in your life. When you think about these thoughts, what is coming up for you? If you can identify why these thoughts emerge, you can better proactively tackle them when they show up for you.

Let’s try an activity to replace your negative thoughts with positivity from yourself physically. Position yourself in a relaxing, non-distracting space where you can become vulnerable to yourself. Look for a journal or computer you can write on. Once you have what you need, write them down in your journal or type them on your computer, on the left side. This may be a complex task at first, But it is vital to underline these thoughts in your journal and in a place accessible to you. Next to the negative thought, write something you should say. For example, usually, you might think, “I am completely worthless.” 

If you already know what you would rather say, you take an excellent first step in retraining your brain to think you are good enough. Some need a reminder, which is why you want these positive replacements you can access with ease. Instead, write, “I made one mistake, the world will not end, and I will do better next time.”

Train Your Brain to Surround Yourself with Positivity

The energy you put out in the world is precisely what you will face and undergo. If you are putting negative energy into the world, don’t be surprised when you make the stark discovery you are also receiving it. Energy is vibrational, and people need to be intentional and responsible about what they put into the world. The best part is knowing you have a choice to make–positivity or negativity. You can empower yourself by taking ownership of your emotions and energy or sulk in the dread and negativity. Choose wisely–that negativity is why you might not feel good enough.

If you surround yourself with people who do not bring out the best version of yourself, there is nothing wrong with changing your physical or virtual surroundings, including those you associate with. It isn’t about what you put into the world because sometimes your surroundings can encourage negativity. If that is the case and you want to be around positive energy, there is something called detachment. Detachment is not something you should fear. It is often shamed, but it needs to be embraced more. 

good enough

Final Thoughts Training Your Brain to Feel Good Enough and Restore Positivity in Life

Training your brain to feel good enough can be long and demanding, but taking these initial efforts to appreciate who you are will reinforce your wellness, wellbeing, positivity, and esteem in your future. It will make you feel better about how you treat yourself and others.

Counselor Explains Why Stability Is Essential to Long-Lasting Love

by

Stability in your relationship is essential to having a healthy, long-lasting love. All couples experience hardship, but those in a stable relationship can handle it respectfully. Stability requires prioritizing your partner and allowing your relationship to flourish.

Being in a stable relationship doesn’t mean you must always stay positive. Instead, it means you work through challenges together rather than blaming one another. Understanding why stability is so important can help you handle disruptions in your relationship.

Experts describe stable relationships as ones where both partners recognize when things are off. Then, you’ll work together to repair the issues and return to how you usually are with one another. These relationships involve strong communication that allows you to connect on a deeper level with your partner.

Both of you will know what the expectations are, and you’ll agree to them. Even in conflict, you respect boundaries and work to strengthen the relationship. Understanding why stability is essential to long-lasting love can help you improve your relationship and find happiness together.

Why Stability Is Essential to Long-Lasting Love

Studies show that nearly forty percent of marriages end in divorce. This statistic can be alarming, but don’t worry. You can have a successful long-term relationship if you focus on stability.

Other studies indicate that long-term relationships activate areas of your brain associated with reward, motivation, and desire. Brain scans show that long-term relationships trigger parts of the brain that ease anxiety and pain, promoting happiness and calmness. Short-term relationships don’t do this.

Falling out of love isn’t inevitable, so don’t worry that it’ll happen to you. You can promote a healthy relationship by focusing on stability and respect.

stability

Humans require relationships with others, and their mental and emotional well-being can suffer without it. You likely want to be close to others, building and connecting as you form relationships.

You can’t get everything you need from the relationship with your partner. While that relationship is essential, stability requires fostering other friendships and family connections. Allow your partner to focus on other people in their life, too.

Another reason stability is essential to long-lasting love is because it promotes support and encouragement. When you’re in a healthy relationship, you’ll care for your partner physically, mentally, and emotionally. You’ll also focus on positive communication to promote a healthy relationship.

Benefits of Stability

With stability in a long-term relationship, you may experience:

  • Less stress: Committed relationships decrease the production of cortisol, a stress hormone. A supportive partner protects you from stress because you know someone loves and supports you.
  • Healing and improved health: When you’re in a healthy relationship, you have someone to remind you to take care of yourself. They’ll encourage healthy eating, exercising, and stopping unhealthy habits. You also have someone to comfort you and distract you from pain.
  • A sense of purpose: Being in a stable relationship requires doing good for your partner. You’ll experience a great sense of purpose as you contribute to your partner’s life.
  • A longer life: Studies show that having a solid relationship can increase longevity. It improves your mental and physical health, helping you live healthier.

Eight Signs That You’re in a Stable Relationship

If you wonder if you’re in a stable relationship, there are some indications, including these:

1 – You Can Have Tough Conversations

Every couple goes through hard times, and addressing the situation is essential. Having tough conversations allows you to overcome obstacles while deepening your relationship. Overcoming hard times require having hard conversations and expressing vulnerability and trust.

When you have tough conversations, both of you have a chance to communicate your feelings. It also offers the opportunity to understand each other’s emotional needs.

Couples experience moments of conflict, including misunderstandings, mistakes, and misguided expectations. Even when something is hard to say, you must communicate your needs and allow your partner to do the same.

A stable relationship involves facing these conversations rather than avoiding them. It requires openness, curiosity, and understanding. You can learn more about your partner while they learn more about you.

2 – Kindness Indicates Stability

Being kind to your partner can make all the difference. It promotes a stable, healthy relationship. You’ll make time for one another, say kind things, and treat each other respectfully.

Treating each other with kindness requires listening to one another and working toward understanding. Tough times are bound to happen, but you can get through them together while still expressing kindness.

3 – Healthy Boundaries

Healthy boundaries are essential for healthy relationships. They will help protect you and your partner, ensuring both feel respected and safe. You can implement healthy boundaries surrounding your daily routines, such as needing alone time or having fewer work interruptions.

Another common area for boundaries includes interacting with extended family. If extended family is an issue, you can discuss when and how you socialize with them.

Stable relationships require you and your partner to agree and understand each other’s boundaries. However, implementing them takes compromise from both of you. It won’t always be perfect, either, because it can take time and effort to accomplish.

3 – Self-Reflection

A relationship takes two people, but it also involves self-reflection. Take time to reflect on life changes and how you feel things are going. Taking this time is the only way to develop and grow, an essential aspect of a stable relationship.

It’s easy to forget about or ignore things about yourself when you’re in a relationship. You spend so much time focusing on your partner that you might neglect your desires, thoughts, and feelings. Both of you must spend time reflecting and focusing on who you are.

Reflection also helps increase self-awareness and empathy toward your partner. You’ll have more stability as you develop into a better version of yourself while growing together.

4 – Relationship Stability Builds Trust

A stable relationship requires trust as it’s critical for a healthy foundation. Trust ensures you both feel secure and safe in the relationship without needing constant reassurance. You can spend time apart without stressing or wondering if your partner will leave you.

stable relationship

5 – You Don’t Always Have to Be Right in a Stable Relationship

Being right isn’t essential in a stable relationship. You’ll have arguments, and you can overcome the issue without feeling like you won.

Understanding each other and letting things go is a sure path to stability. When you both want to be right, it creates unhealthy competition rather than encouraging communication. Letting go of the urge to win the argument shows empathy toward your partner. Even during disagreements, you’ll want to understand why your partner reacts a specific way.

6 – You Don’t Ignore Each Other

In a stable relationship, the couples don’t give each other silent treatment. You might disagree, but don’t ignore your partner when things get tricky. It shows that you can repair your relationship and overcome struggles.

When you can do this, it promotes a healthy, long-lasting relationship. Communicating when you’re upset is the way to achieve stability.

7  – Having Each Other’s Back Shows Stability

Strong couples have each other’s backs and stand up for one another. Outside sources can cause issues within your relationship, and standing up for each other is a way to avoid it.

Other people will try to cause drama in your life, and how you and your partner react shows how healthy your relationship is. Your partner won’t let others disrespect or mistreat you. It helps you feel secure and protected, which is essential to a healthy relationship.

8 – Having Separate Friendships and Relationships

Your partner is a significant part of your life, but you also need other positive relationships. You and your partner should have separate relationships with friends and loved ones.

You can’t rely only on your partner to discuss important matters. While you should talk to them about everything, you should also turn to other people for another outlook or idea. When you only rely on your partner, it can create a heavy burden on your relationship.

Having other friendships will ease some of the relationship strain, allowing you and your partner to be happier. It improves stability and promotes a long-lasting romantic relationship.

How to Increase Relationship Stability

If you want to improve your relationship, focus on making beneficial changes. These changes should involve working toward the signs of stability mentioned above. You can also go beyond those tips and do the following:

Go to Couples Therapy

Every relationship is different, and these tips can vary for each couple. For advice specific to your relationship, consider speaking with a professional therapist. They can help address issues within your relationship or help you experience growth as a couple.

Improve Communication

A lack of stability often stems from a lack of communication. You can build a healthy relationship and repair issues by communicating clearly with your partner.

Discuss your expectations and ensure both of you agree to them. Don’t forget to discuss your needs and desires, as both are important in a romantic relationship. Your expectations may change over time, and you must regularly discuss them. Communication is one of the foundations of a stable relationship.

stability

Final Thoughts on Why Stability Is Essential to Long-Lasting Love

You can have long-lasting love, but it requires stability. Having a healthy relationship is essential to making it last and finding happiness. You’ll feel fulfilled, supported, and loved, and your partner will, too.

If you want to improve your relationship, try establishing some signs of stability. Focusing on the essential aspects of a healthy relationship can help you improve your happiness and well-being.

Teacher Gets Emotional About Why Students Think He Is the GOAT

by

People commonly refer to others as the GOAT, but not everyone knows the meaning. An 8th-grade math teacher was surprised to learn why his students called him the GOAT. The term is unfamiliar to many of us, but they’re worth knowing so we can keep up with what people mean.

An 8th-grade math teacher turned to Reddit to find out why his students called him the GOAT. Throughout the school year, they continually referred to him this way. He went along with it, thinking it was a funny joke.

Then, curiosity got the best of him, and he had to know why they called him the GOAT. The educator was surprised and flattered to find out what the nickname meant. It made him emotional to find out how much his students respect and look up to him.

The Teacher Made a Reddit Post

He turned to Reddit and asked, “Why do my students call me a goat?”. He explained that it was a running joke, but he didn’t understand why they would call him that. Since he didn’t know why they called him the goat, he called them the same in return. The responses caught him off guard.

One user explained that when they call him the goat, it refers to the acronym G.O.A.T. This acronym stands for the Greatest of All Time. Other Reddit users explained that it means the students enjoyed his classes and that he must be a great teacher.

teacher

When the educator read these responses, he replied, “omg. I am IN TEARS!!! I can’t believe they were complimenting me this whole time!!!!!”. He had no idea that they liked him so much or that he made such a difference in their lives.

Many other Reddit users responded to say that he must be great if his students enjoyed math class. As a least favorite class amongst many students, it’s a tricky subject to teach. This educator not only helped his students learn, but he became a favorite teacher, too.

Why Being Called GOAT is So Impactful

Not only does this nickname make the teacher feel good, but it also lets him see the good he does for the children in his life. Educators go into the profession hoping to make a difference in a child’s life. His students called him the greatest of all time, allowing this man to see that his effort paid off.

He wanted to make a difference, and he made it happen. This teacher was well-loved by students, but he didn’t know how or why he obtained the nickname.

The 8th-grade math teacher’s students called him the GOAT, a meaningful nickname. This educator deserves recognition, and he’s not the only teacher who has earned the title. With all educators have to overcome, those connecting with their students deserve it.

Students never forget their favorite teacher, even through adulthood. The educators who made a difference in their lives hold a special place in the student’s life. Being called the greatest of all time by students is powerful because it shows you’re influencing and getting through to students on their level.

The Power of a Good Teacher

A good educator can make all the difference in many students’ lives. You never know what a student experiences at home or with their peers. As an adult who interacts with them daily, an educator can play a role in the lives of those they teach.

While getting students to like you might sound like an easy feat to non-teachers, it can be challenging. Not all students like school; many need a positive role model in their life. If they struggle academically or emotionally, it can interfere with your ability to teach and get through to them.

If a teacher can help their students learn while also making them feel good about themselves, it’s life-changing. These educators are unique, and students will remember them for the rest of their life. To reach this level, a teacher must break through all the walls in a child’s life.

Not only does it take talent, but it also takes empathy, compassion, and a deep love for children. We all want to help children and see them do well as they grow, but not all of us have the ability. Teachers go out of their way to help, stepping in and fulfilling the many roles for their students.

Many people believe teachers only have to think about teaching. However, they never hesitate to jump in and fill another role in a child’s life when necessary. They must break through and connect with their students to even begin to do their job.

Our children’s teachers do so much for their students, impacting society. Teaching has always had difficulties, but educators deal with more.

Obstacles Every Teacher Must Overcome

Teachers are special people and take on much more than many realize. They don’t just teach, as mentioned before. They influence their students’ lives in ways we could never imagine.

As educators work to influence their students, they also must overcome many challenges. These challenges make it harder for them to be positive influences. However, they push through and continue to make a difference.

GOAT

Some of the obstacles every teacher must overcome include the following:

  • understanding each child’s learning style
  • family problems
  • time management
  • bullying
  • financial issues within the district
  • poverty within the community
  • lack of communication
  • burn out or feeling drained
  • being a positive influence when they are overcoming personal hardship
  • discipline or lack thereof
  • paperwork and extended working hours
  • pressure from administration
  • evolving technology
  • lack of parental involvement
  • politics
  • state standards
  • classroom size
  • following changing safety protocols
  • lack of teamwork or support between students
  • fulfilling many roles simultaneously
  • lack of time

With all these obstacles, it’s clear that teachers have a tough job. They still persevere and continue their positive influence on their students’ lives. Teachers deserve our respect and compassion because they fill a role many people can’t.

It’s also important to note that educators aren’t perfect. Many of us expect our child’s teacher never to make a mistake. However, just like the rest, mistakes occur, and we should focus on understanding and forgiveness.

They want what’s best for our children, and they have many tough decisions to make. Teachers also have so much on their plate that mistakes are inevitable. Cut educators some slack and step in to help when you can. After all, these are the people raising our future society.

Why Learning Math in School is Important

We’ve all heard that the math we learn in school doesn’t help us in our daily lives. Many Reddit users on this thread mentioned it. However, the math teacher from the Reddit post described how that’s an inaccuracy because it can influence our lives.

High school and middle school math can help with money, patterns, and careers, and there are still more benefits. With math being an aspect of the Reddit topic, it’s important to note the benefits of learning math. The life lessons that math teaches include:

Logic and Order

Learning math during the school years teaches logic and order. Each math problem has a predictable outcome, helping students understand to look for answers in life. They also learn to take specific steps to find a solution to their problems.

Math also teaches students the discipline it takes to see an equation through. It’ll help them see other life issues through to the end, knowing they’ll find an answer. Plus, future employers know to look for students who can do this.

Math also teaches students to explain their steps in order. They must show their work to explain how they arrived at their answer. People often must do this in life, and not only involving math problems.

Life Skills

Math teaches people how to do basic skills to live their life. It helps them learn about money, percentages, and fractions. All these aspects are necessary for your life, and you’ll use them for cooking, shopping, budgeting, and many other things.

Continuing Education and Career Decisions

Many jobs require math skills and can help determine a career path. A student might want to continue their education by going down a mathematical path if they enjoy math. It’ll help them choose their future job, and it can help them along the way, too.

STEM-related Skills

As technology advances, STEM-related jobs are changing the future. Students must have math skills if they want to achieve in STEM. Science, technology, engineering, and math all tend to go together, so it’s best to learn all you can.

teacher

Final Thoughts on Teacher Gets Emotional About Why Students Think He Is the GOAT

This middle school math teacher learned a heart-warming lesson by taking his question to Reddit. His students respected and valued him enough to call him the GOAT. That nickname says so much about this educator and how his students felt about him.

Educators play an impactful role in students’ lives, and this math teacher made it happen. The people who teach our children don’t get enough credit, but they do so much while overcoming many obstacles. Their importance goes far beyond the classroom, although the academic lessons are essential too.

This teacher’s impact on his students is worth noting, but his educational value is essential, too. He’s fostering a love of math in his students, helping them throughout their life. This educator deserves recognition, as do all the other teachers who help shape the future.

Study Warns of Connection Between Cyberbullying and Teenage Suicide

by

As social beings, humans must form bonds and have relationships with others. It helps them feel secure as they develop a sense of identity. Cyberbullying is an issue that threatens that security, making it hard for teenagers to stay confident. Bullies come in all forms, but new technology makes the harm even more insidious.

The Internet and messaging apps have created new levels of bullying that did not exist before. Electronic communication can be beneficial as it allows you to connect with others quickly and easily.

However, many people use it as a tool to bully one another and tear each other down. As this situation becomes more common, researchers and experts are beginning to realize the connection between cyberbullying and teenage suicide.

Researchers recently published a study on this topic in the journal JAMA Network Open. Their study explored the link between the two issues, giving more insight into the problem. However, before discussing the study, it’s essential to discuss cyberbullying.

What is Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is a type of bullying that involves sending electronic messages, posting information, or sharing images to harm someone. It’s a way to ostracize vulnerable people, and the bullies often don’t realize the potential consequences. The consequences can be severe, going as far as including suicidal behavior and ideation.

cyberbullying

When someone cyberbullies, they use computers, cellphones, or other electronic devices to hurt someone. It involves the following:

  • sending harassing or threatening messages
  • posting negative comments about someone on social media or a website
  • physically threatening or intimidating someone through any means of electronic communication

Cyberbullying is also a repeated behavior intended to harm the victim. Bullies don’t often give up until they achieve their harmful goals. If they obtain what they set out to do and hurt the other person, they might keep going to make it worse.

Traditional bullying involves victims seeing the aggressors in public. For teenagers, this often means seeing them in the school hallways or the cafeteria. Cyberbullying is entirely different because they can remain anonymous if they choose to.

Cyberstalking

On online platforms, the bully might engage in cyberstalking with many of the same characteristics as in-person stalking. However, it only happens online and includes repeatedly sending emails or private messages to scare or harass the victim.

Cyberthreats

Cyberthreats are when someone posts information online to get others angry at a victim. They might also include pressuring the victim to hurt themselves. Additionally, the threats can come from one person, and be specific.

What the Study Shows About the Connection Between Cyberbullying and Teenage Suicide

The study in the journal of JAMA Network Open helps us understand the connection between these two situations. Experts analyzed data of more than 10,000 children aged between ten and 13 years.

Participants filled out surveys, answering questions about their experiences. The results from this study indicated a strong connection between cyberbullying and suicide in children. Out of the group of children, more than 7% of them experienced suicidal thoughts or acts.

Methods of Cyberbullying

The study further broke down bullying into sub-categories. These categories aren’t limited to but include:

  • trolling on social media
  • being mean in text or private messages
  • threats
  • ostracizing
  • gossiping

Connection Between Cyberbullying and Teenage Suicide

Researchers want to determine the connection between cyberbullying and suicide. They also consider how it contributes to depression, anxiety, and stress. Even if a child didn’t have suicidal thoughts initially, long-term symptoms of mental health conditions could lead them there.

Depression and Anxiety

When a victim gets targeted online, it causes feelings that trigger depression and anxiety. These feelings include:

  • sadness
  • shame
  • worthlessness
  • lack of self-esteem
  • overwhelming stress
  • vulnerability
  • helplessness

Victims experience long-term psychological, mental, and sociological problems that those affected by traditional bullying. The teenage years are essential for developing self-esteem and a sense of identity.

When the development is affected by harmful situations, it disrupts the process. It causes them to have trouble making friends and developing positive relationships.

Cyberbullying allows negativity and harm to occur around the clock. Victims don’t only have to deal with it at school like with traditional bullying. The children also have to experience it at home and wherever they have their electronic devices.

These effects last well into adulthood, causing difficulties after the bullying stops. Depression contributes to suicidal thinking and behavior, so it’s a dangerous position for a teenager.

Suicidal Thoughts, Ideation, and Behavior

Experts have been interested in the psychological impacts of this experience. They’ve looked into the connections between bullying and suicidal ideation and continue researching. This ideation involves thinking about suicide and how to do it, but it doesn’t mean you plan to see it through.

Cyberbullying leads to a diminished sense of self-worth in the victim. Sometimes it goes so far as to make the victim feel like they don’t deserve to live. The victim might exhibit self-harm, an alarming sign that can escalate.

Limitations of the Study

This study on cyberbullying gives helpful insight, but there are limitations. Limitations will always be present because experimental methods are impossible. However, it is essential to note them to help you understand that there’s still more to learn.

This research is limited because the method only involves surveys. The problem with surveys is that some participants won’t answer honestly, even if it’s anonymous. They might under-report being victims because they feel embarrassed or guilty.

It also is a short study rather than following students over some time. Longer studies could help understand the long-term effects better and identify methods of easing the issue.

bullies

Behaviors and Characteristics of a Cyberbully

Cyberbullies can be any age, gender, race, or class. However, it’s more common amongst pre-teens and teenagers. Some of the characteristics to watch for include those who exhibit:

  • aggression
  • low self-esteem
  • a desire for anonymity
  • low-inhibition
  • a need for power
  • other risky online behaviors
  • high beliefs in their internet abilities
  • pride over their online persona
  • a lack of internal moral values
  • low agreeableness
  • neuroticism
  • a lack of self-control

Why People Cyberbully

The motivations for hurting people are hard to grasp for many people because you don’t want to hurt others. There are several unfortunate reasons why bullies use their power to control or harm another person, including:

  • retaliation or revenge
  • to achieve a goal or obtain a resource
  • redirected feelings
  • making themselves feel better
  • jealousy
  • seeking approval from others
  • boredom
  • lack of acceptance of those who are different from themselves
  • believing there are no consequences
  • fear of in-person confrontation
  • thinking it’s funny

What Parents Can Do to Help Children Cope With Bullies

If you are the parent of a teenager, you might be worried about your child. They might not tell you when it occurs, so you’ll often have to figure it out.

Educate Yourself About Cyberbullies

As a parent, it is essential to learn about cyberbullying to help protect and encourage your children. Do what it takes to understand the problem and what can happen. You should also learn the signs and what to do if it happens to your child.

Educating yourself also involves understanding the social platforms your child uses. Your child has access to these platforms almost constantly, and you should learn about it.

Allow Your Child to Be Open and Honest Without Judgement

Teenagers may refrain from reporting cyberbullying for fear of getting in trouble with their parents. They might fear their parents will take their cell phones away or revoke internet privileges.

If you want your child to talk to you, try to avoid punishing them. You might fear for their well-being, but isolating them won’t help.

Give your child the confidence to be open and honest without letting them know they aren’t in trouble. When they talk to you, discuss a plan to deal with it together instead of making decisions without them.

Seek Professional Help to Recover

If you know or suspect your child is depressed, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. You don’t want to wait until it worsens, as they could be hiding the severity. Get your teenager help for depression, anxiety, stress, and feelings of helplessness.

If your child shows any signs of suicidal thoughts, ideation, or attempts, call for emergency help. You can also encourage them to call the teen suicide hotline at 1-800-USA-KIDS.

Cyberbullying: What to Watch For

Your teenager might not always tell you when they experience cyberbullying. Instead, watch for the following signs:

  • frequent headaches
  • recurrent abdominal pain
  • trouble sleeping
  • anxiety
  • depression
  • suicidal ideation
  • self-harm

cyberbullying

Final Thoughts on Study Warns of Connection Between Cyberbullying and Teenage Suicide

Cyberbullying has become a growing problem since social media platforms get more popular. It’s easy to send a meaningful message or post something harmful. Teenagers don’t always think about the consequences until it’s too late.

The connection between cyberbullying and teenage suicide is alarming. It is clear from this study that we need to plan to reduce bullying and help the victims. Even with the limitations, there’s no need to wait before learning how to handle it.

Parents can take proactive steps now to help their children with this experience. Be their safe space and let them talk openly without making them feel like they’re in trouble.

The Community

Our Free Community of Positively Powerful SuperFans

Join our free community of superfans today and get access to courses, affirmations, accountability, and so much more… plus meet other like-minded positive people committed to living the power of positivity. Over the years, we’ve brought 50+ million people together through the Power of Positivity … this free community is an evolution of our journey so far, empowering you to take control, live your best life, and have fun while doing so.

Become a Member

Rise and Shine On!
Master Your Day with the Ultimate Positive Morning Guide + Checklist

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Stay Connected With

Us

33M Follow Us on facebook
38.2K Subscribe Us On YouTube
8.1M Follow Us on Instagram
357.2K Follow Us on pinterest
3,854 Follow Us on LinkedIn
1.1M Follow Us on Twitter
246.8K Follow Us on TikTok
footer-logo.svg

Every day is a day to shine. Shine on!

Search
Close this search box.
  • Copyright Power of Positivity 2024

Quote Remedy — Positive Energy+ — Faith Remedy

Like-img.png
Twt-img.png
Skip to content