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Tips on becoming a sweeter person
As featured in Sloto Magazine
How often do you look at yourself in the mirror and think, I want to become a better person? We all know there are many aspects of ourselves that need improvement and yet we hardly dedicate as much time to ourselves as we do with our hobbies, careers and relationships. Improving your personality is not as difficult as you may think, and the rewards could potentially be life changing.
The key is to look at the human mind as a malleable thing. Imagine that it is a ball of playdough and with a little effort you can mold this dough into any shape you want.
Do you want more success, better relationships, greater experiences? Before you pursue these things, begin with the closest thing to you: your own personality. A sweet, caring personality will help you achieve all your dreams with ease and to your own greater satisfaction.
Here are some tips that can help you become a sweeter person:
LET POSITIVITY RULE
While it is easier said than done, having a positive attitude toward life is not as challenging as most people believe. First you must begin by setting up the purpose of being more positive. It can begin with the simple repetition of these words in the morning: I am strong, I am able, I am calm.
A simple mantra to repeat will help you remember your purpose to become more positive. Whenever you catch yourself entering a negative mood or thought pattern, pause and take three deep breaths. Then, after repeating your mantra, engage with the situation you are dealing with.
COMMUNICATION IS THE KEY
Often, we conceal our emotions and thoughts in fear of being judged, condemned or ridiculed. Our fear-based reactions can make us seem antisocial and irritable. Instead of hiding your inner world, learn to communicate it in a balanced way. Since conflicts with other human beings are inevitable, being a sweet positive person does not mean you can’t tackle issues face to face in a serious manner. What is important is the way you handle a conflict.
Conversations must be balanced, so begin first by stating your point of view or current emotion. It is perfectly acceptable to say you are currently offended, hurt or sad. Then calmly state your reasons and be sure to lend a listening ear to what other people say. Don’t let your ego get all worked up and try to recognize the other person’s point of view. Think before you speak, so your words come out calmly. Always show respect and be grateful to your listener when they acknowledge your words.
Once conflicts are left behind, it is a good idea to ask questions and show genuine interest in what others have to say. Feel comfortable to give compliments to others’ achievements and actions. Soon you will become a very amenable conversationalist that people respect and admire.
ACTIONS ARE KING
While you have tuned your attitude and words, next up are your actions. Actions speak louder than words and therefore it is important to align your actions with your intentions. A sweet person will always treat people fairly, so be careful never to become condescending or exploitative. Be focused on respecting every human being regardless of gender, race or status.
A kind person will be willing to go out of their way to help someone. Make it a practice to help at least one person once a week.
Patience is the essence of life. Practice the art of being calm in situations you cannot change. Deep breathing can help you get through dull or hard moments.
Finally, if you want to be the best version of yourself, be sure to smile and laugh often. You will soon notice you will be like a magnet attracting positive people and situations around you!
Sloto Fall Lifestyle
As featured on Sloto Magazine
The cost of living around the world has been increasing over the last 18 months at near historical levels. Both energy and heating costs have shot up dramatically, especially after the Ukrainian crisis. Nonetheless, there is no reason to panic as there are many things you can implement to alleviate the higher costs of living.
In this article we share simple but effective tips that will help you reduce your utility bills and mitigate the impact of inflation and the energy crisis.
CFL Bulbs
Change to compact fluorescent lamps or CFL bulbs to save a fortune in your electricity bill. These unique bulbs can run up to 10,000 hours on just $10.40 worth of electricity.
Check for Air Leaks
There might be small slits around the window frames and this is going to drive your heating bills up. Caulking windows is one of the most cost-effective ways to cut down on heating costs. Different kinds of inexpensive caulk can be used to seal where the airflow is running. Be sure to get a caulk that does not emit toxic fumes.
Atta-Attic
There can be even bigger air leaks in your attic, so it is well worth your time and investment to insulate your attic as well as you can. Attaboy!
Less Hot Water
When you wash and rinse your clothes in hot water, you are spending a small fortune every time. A lot of juice goes into heating the water and only a fraction in running the motor of the washing machine. Run a washing test on a cold water setting and take the temperature of the water in mid-program. You might discover the water is above 65F, so there is no need to run it in a warm water program!
Hang it Dry
Return to the classic method of drying clothes: a clothesline. Clothes dryers suck up a lot of energy and will put a dent in your monthly budget. Air dry your clothes and save money every week!
Pamper your A/C
Spending as little as 2 hours a year pampering your air conditioning system can increase its peak efficiency and thus lower your overall monthly costs. Cleaning, straightening the fins, changing the filter and lubricating the motor are a few of the things you can do every year so your A/C is working optimally.
Watch the Plugs
Electronics have a little-known tendency to suck electricity even when they are turned off. Be sure to unplug all unnecessary electronics when they are turned off so they don’t suck your wallet dry. According to the Department of Energy, these ‘energy vampires’ can cost you an extra $100 each year. Another trick is to use a power strip for all your electronics, so you can simply switch the power strip off when items are no longer in use.
Drain the Heater
If you have an older water heater, the bottom could be filled with sediment and you might be heating through a layer of sediment before you actually heat your water. Drain the tank and flush out the sediment at the bottom. Also, touch the surface of the tank when in use. If it is too warm or hot, then it’s losing heat through its surface. Keep it insulated with a special blanket for this purpose, available in most home center stores.
Over the last few months we’ve been hearing how expensive energy is becoming. Gas is up, oil prices through the roof, but nobody is speaking of the most important form of energy we possess: our own inner energy. While it is important to keep track of current events, it’s even more crucial to keep our own inner equilibrium intact. This article focuses on how to cultivate inner calm and positive energy during tumultuous times.
Tip #1:
Take short relaxation breaks from your everyday chores and activities. It’s important to find your breath as often as possible throughout the day. This means to take deep mindful breaths regularly in your waking hours. These short but essential breaks will allow you to release tension and bring attention to the present moment.
Tip #2:
Engage at least once a week in a mind-body practice. These practices are designed to calm both the mind and your body, since they are deeply interconnected. Such practices include Tai Chi, yoga, walking meditation, ecstatic dance, Pilates, swimming, and gardening.
Tip #3:
It’s important to find time for yourself even in the busiest imaginable schedule. A five to twenty-minute break to do something you care for with no interruption can add volumes of inner calm to your day. Make time to go for a walk, read a book, get a manicure, take a nap, listen to music or take a long hot bath – whatever healthy activity that soothes your spirit.
Tip #4:
During times of war and uncertainty, the human mind has a tendency to spin out of control and create unpleasant future scenarios. Cut these thoughts at their bud and recognize them as stories that don’t need to happen. For the most part, 99 out of 100 times, these stories are just fear-driven fantasies that never manifest in real life. Reduce your anxiety by better curating the thoughts you harbor.
