10 steps to HAPPINESS

1. Hate less, love more.

2. Worry less, dance more.

3. Take less, give more.

4. Consume less, create more.

5. Frown less, smile more.

6. Talk less, listen more.

7. Fear less. try more.

8. Judge less, accept more.

9. Watch less, do more.

10. Complain less, appreciate more.

Friendship Red Flags

Take note when...

• they make you feel bad about yourself

• they always put you down in front of others

• they don't put in any effort

• they don't care about your boundaries

• they never listen to your problems

• they don't apologize

• they only call you when they need something

• they don't celebrate your achievements

• they don't pick up or return your calls

• they treat you like you don't exist

• they brag about themselves and make you feel small

• you are not free to be yourself when you're with them

• you feel anxious meeting or talking to them

• you are not invited to join in their celebrations

• you are not included in their conversations

• your feelings don't matter to them

• you're the one who craves for their time

Conversation starters for couples on a date

1. Who was your first crush?

2. Was there a teacher you admired back in school?

3. Who was your first best friend?

4. What do you miss about your childhood?

5. What was your ambition when you were young?

6. Have you ever broken any school rules?

7. What were your struggles as a teenager?

8. How did you deal with problems with friends in school?

9. What was your most embarrassing moment growing up?

10. What is the name of your favourite childhood snack?

11. Who was the first singer you loved?

12. Who was the first actor/actress you loved?

13. Which was your most favourite song growing up?

14. Which was your most favourite movie growing up?

15. Where did you go shopping when you were young?

16. Did you have a favourite outfit when you were young?

17. How were your birthdays celebrated growing up?

18. What was the best gift you have received till today?

19. Do you remember any of your family traditions?

20. What lessons have you learned from your parents?

21. When is a good age to be married?

22. What do you hope for in your life partner?

23. What do you do when you get angry?

24. What do you think are your bad habits?

25. What does trust mean to you?

What to do when you're in a reading slump?

• Take a break and watch a couple of movies instead.

• Try reading in a different environment like a café or a park.

• Snacking while reading might be a good idea.

• Take a power-nap and go back to your book.

• Pick up a favourite book and read that instead.

• Ask a reader friend to recommend a book.

• Go to a bookstore and browse different sections for inspiration.

• Read a book of short stories to get back into your reading mode.

• Try out a graphic novel or comic instead.

• If you know of a book club then try that out.

• Watch book influencers talk about books they have read.

• Try listening to an audio book.

• Start a book journal and write about books you've read.

• Go for a walk in nature to refresh your mind.

• Reorganize your bookshelf in a preferred sequence.

• Read a magazine or articles on social media.

• Set up a reading nook or reorganize the one you already have.

• Besides coffee, try reading with a glass of wine.

• Allocate reading time starting with fifteen minutes a day.

• Listen to calming music while you read.

What to do during your birthday week...

1. Write and post a heartfelt letter to someone who has inspired you.

2. Make a donation to a charity or volunteer for a charity event.

3. Create a brand new bucket list - listing things you would like to do in the next ten years.

4. Join a Zumba or dance class. Have fun, meet new friends and stay fit.

5. Try out a new hobby, something that has always been on your mind.

6. Go on a trip, take a break from the chaos in your life.

7. Take up cooking or baking which are known to be very therapeutic. 

8. Treat yourself to your favourite childhood meal or snack.

9. Pamper yourself by going for a massage, to the spa, nail salon or the hair salon. 

10. Read a good book, either motivational or just fiction. 

11. Spend time with a family member or good friend who makes you laugh. 

12. Get cozy on your sofa and watch a movie with a bucket of popcorn.

13. Go shopping for clothes or gadgets, perhaps both.

14. Take a walk in a park, enjoy the fresh air and greenery.

15. Make a trip to the nearest beach to watch the sunset.

16. Help a family member, friend or neighbour who is in need.

17. Go on an early morning hike to watch the sunrise.

18. Make a call to a long time friend for a pretty long chat.

19. Fill up your refrigerator with all of your favourites to have for the whole week.

20. Make a wish, blow your candles and cut a cake on your birthday. 

 

RANDOM QUESTIONS you can ask at a gathering with friends to get to know them better. Their answers may surprise you!

1. What do you remember about your childhood?

2. Which was your favourite childhood snack/food?

3. What was your childhood dream?

4. What is your biggest fear?

5. Who was your inspiration while growing up?

6. Who do you miss the most today?

7. Do you have a best friend of more than ten years?

8. Which countries have you visited and where would you like to go next?

9. What is your hobby or a hobby you would like to try?

10. How would you describe your style?

11. What do you regret the most till today?

12. When was a time you felt the saddest?

13. What would your dream house look like?

14. What is your best advice on money?

15. If you had three wishes, what would they be?

16. Where do you see yourself in another twenty years?

17. What is your ideal job?

18. What would you be doing if social media never existed?

19. Who is a singer or actor you admire?

20, After the pandemic, what is a wish you carry in your heart? 

What can reading do for you?

• You learn to communicate better when you read books. Besides grasping new words, you are also exposed to phrases you can use to express yourself clearly. 

• Reading books help you improve in your writing skills. You develop better grammar when your eyes are focused on sentence constructions and word choices.

• Reading stirs your emotions. This will help you understand human character, making you interact with others smoothly.

• A book is easy to carry with you wherever you go. Reading one will fill up the gaps during the day, making you feel that your day was productive. 

• Reading can become a hobby. As there are many genres to explore, completing a book of your favourite genre can feel rewarding. 

• For those who struggle with mental health issues, reading is a good form of distraction as well as healing. You can either engage in a leisurely read or learn more about yourself through self-help books. 

• On a stressful day, pick up a good book that would help you relax and reduce the rising tensions. Reading transports you to another realm where there is no room for stress.

• Reading helps with depression. When you feel lonely and isolated, the characters in your book can take you on an adventure and keep you company. 

• Reading is known to slow down aging. When you read books, magazines or even articles, your mind is active and your memory does not fail you.

• Your are able to travel to different parts of the world when you read books which expose you to different settings and cultures. The vivid descriptions in stories are enough to take you there.