Photo by Toimetaja tõlkebüroo on Unsplash.

We all struggle with some form of vice or another in our lives. Some of us are addicted to sugar, some of us are people pleasers, others may deal with eating disorders, alcohol, and so much more. Maybe your vice is catering to a family member or friend who abuses your kindness, affection, and love. The point is, you and I are not infallible, and that’s okay! 

What’s not okay is us being complacent with our vices. It is not alright for us to remain sitting in our issues, problems, and backward conditions to stay comfortable. To grow, be warriors, and change the circumstances of our living situations, we must all do our best to challenge ourselves and grow.

I have never struggled with addiction in the first person. Still, I have supported family members and close friends many times as they struggle to recover and find themselves again. I have watched cousins falter and fall, rise and prosper, to fall again and repeat the process. Addiction is a challenging disease to work through, but I promise you it is possible to do it. I’ve walked the journey with my family time and again, and I’m here today to share some tips I think may work for you too. 

Step 1 / Tip 1 – Gather as Much Information About Your Condition as Possible 

Whoever said it was right, knowledge is most certainly power! And knowing what you are up against can give you a tremendous head start when it is time to start looking at your recovery options. For instance, fentanyl is a laboratory-made synthetic opioid capable of producing effects 50 to 100x more potent than the drug morphine. 

Scientists initially released the medication for public use in treating severe or chronic pain in the 1950s. Still, “recreational” misuse of the drug began to spiral out of control by the 1970s and only continues to escalate today. Resulting in fentanyl achieving Schedule II class classification, meaning fentanyl is still prescribed. Still, doctors, nurses, and patients are warned highly of its high abuse potential beforehand. My family is one of the millions of people and families who struggle with opioid use disorders and addictions.

For many years we have struggled to rid our family of the influence of fentanyl. And it was not until very recently, within the last few years actually, that we finally began to succeed. How? We started learning everything we could about fentanyl, addiction, substance abuse, and how to support our loved ones as they struggled with recovery. 

We became a support system for our loved ones who wrestled with addiction and each other. We learned to constantly refer back to positive reinforcement, encouragement, and even tough love. We were and continue to be honest with each other. And we continue to learn to serve our family and others better as time continues, and we make it another year together fentanyl abuse-free.

Addiction is hard. Recovery is an uphill battle. But family, love, and genuine, authentic, unconditional support can help get you and your loved ones who are struggling through even the worst of times together. Individuals need to pursue recovery for themselves first and foremost, but it does not have to be a lonely expedition.

Step 2 / Tip 2 – Research the Addiction Rehab Facilities Around and See What Is Available to You 

Not all drug and alcohol rehab facilities work the same way. Some rehabs offer only traditional services, and others cater to holistic, alternative treatment practices. There are many ways you can receive fentanyl addiction treatment. Florida rehabilitation centers, in my personal opinion, typically tend to offer the widest variety of treatment opportunities to their clients. They have more flexibility to provide exotic treatments due to weather conditions and a more laid-back atmosphere.

Of course, this does not mean a drug and alcohol rehab center in Michigan would be the wrong move for you. But, if you are looking to experience a broader range of fentanyl addiction treatments, Florida may just be the place for you. It mostly comes down to what you need to recover. Not everyone experiences rehab in the same way. 

Therefore, you’ll want to make sure you do some research on the addiction treatment programs you are interested in before enrolling. For my family, we had to make sure the rehab we chose would give our loved ones plenty of access to the outdoors and animals. We knew that those things would help bring them joy in the recovery process, ultimately helping them stay on track. We had experience with getting our loved ones to rehab centers that did not offer these types of programs before, and it never lasted very long. 

Each person is different. Therefore, you’ll want to make sure you enroll yourself, or your loved one, in a recovery center that tailors their program to the client’s individual needs. Taking your time in finding the right rehab that fits you should ultimately help save you time, money, and a lot of stress. Just make sure you know what you need from a treatment program before you start looking into centers, this way, you won’t waste your time looking into rehabs that won’t work for you. 

Step 3 / Tip 3 – Realistic Goals Will Make Recovery a Reality  

In other words, don’t bite off more than you can chew. Many people enroll in addiction rehab thinking it’ll solve all of their problems, get them a new job, living space, care, and a new lease on life quickly. But rehab is a process that requires a lot of work.

Now, don’t be get scared of me! Anything worth having in life will take you putting in some work, which includes repairing relationships and working towards sobriety. Recovery is challenging for you and all of your loved ones who will work through it with you. But it is doable! 

Recovery will take time, diligence, and a lot of effort. Having realistic expectations on the recovery journey will help you keep calm and stay motivated. Remember, you don’t have to cure yourself of addiction in a day, a month, three months, or even a year. Recovery takes time, and it won’t look the same for everyone. Taking your time to heal correctly should be your primary focus. Everything else is secondary and will happen in time.

Final Thoughts? Yup, We Have Those Too!

Florida is a beautiful state that millions of people from around the world enjoy every year. It is also the drug and alcohol capital of the United States. It is home to many addiction treatment centers that can help you feel your best again. In the end, Florida is a great state that holds many recovery benefits and opportunities within itself. Florida keeps the opportunity for clients to engage in more alternative therapies year-round, added sunshine, good food, great weather, and a supportive community.

Whether attending fentanyl addiction treatment in Florida is for you or not is entirely up to you. Florida can help you heal from any type of addiction in as holistic a manner as possible, treating your mind, body, and soul. Florida helped me and my family rebuild our personal relationships. It helped us build a solid foundation in a new, supportive community, and above all else, helped my loved ones recover and find themselves again. The path to sobriety may be a long journey, but it is an expedition well worth taking. You and your family can make this journey together!

References   

SJRP. St. John’s Recovery Place. Florida Drug and Alcohol Rehab Center. Fentanyl. (Accessed 2021, March 19). 

SJRP. St. John’s Recovery Place. Florida Drug and Alcohol Rehab Center. Fentanyl Withdrawal & Detox. (Accessed 2021, March 19). 

Florida Health. Substance Abuse. (2021, March 5). (2021, March 19). 

National Center for Biotechnology Information: U.S. National Library of Medicine: National Institutes of Health. What Does Recovery Mean to You? Lessons from the Recovery experience for Research and Practice. (2007, October). (2021, March 19). 

SJRP. St. John’s Recovery Place. Florida Drug and Alcohol Rehab Center. Holistic Rehab. (Accessed 2021, March 19). 

SJRP. St. John’s Recovery Place. Florida Drug and Alcohol Rehab Center. Is Addiction a Disease? (Accessed 2021, March 19).

This year’s Valentine’s Day will be a lot different from previous ones, as lockdown and social distancing restrictions are currently in place in different parts of the world. But despite the fact that most of us are living in a stay-at-home world, people are still looking forward to this day, with a survey showing that 55 percent of couples are still planning to celebrate Valentine’s Day in some way. While things may certainly feel a little different this year, there are plenty of ways to make your significant other feel special while you’re celebrating at home. Here are some Valentine’s Day ideas to keep the romance alive.

Make a blanket fort

Restaurant and movie dates may have been put on hold this year, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t do the same in your home. Celebrate your love in a meaningful way by putting a new spin on dinner and a movie. First, build a place for your Valentine’s Day date by setting up an outdoor home cinema or making a blanket fort in your living room.  Make it extra comfy and cozy by placing cushions and pillows on the floor, then decorate with fairy lights to enhance the romantic vibe of your fort. For your date, feast on some comfort food such as chicken pot pie, beef steak pie, cheesy fries, or beef stroganoff; then later, watch a movie on your laptop or tablet while snuggling under a blanket. Don’t forget to give your loved one a present – jewelry is always a sure hit, but don’t underestimate the power of a handwritten love letter and some chocolates to make your significant other’s heart flutter. 

Watch a livestream concert

If you and your loved one are music fans and you’re itching to hear some live music on Valentine’s Day, you’re in luck. Some of the most popular artists and singers have announced that they will have a virtual concert on February 14, so make sure to get your ticket online to have special access to these performances. Among those who will have a livestream concert on Valentine’s Day are Josh Groban, Air Supply, Dave Koz and Brian McKnight, Jim Brickman, and O-Town. Once you’ve secured your ticket, prepare a few snacks and a bottle of wine for the concert, and don’t hesitate to sing along to make your date even more fun.

Have breakfast in bed

Change things up by having your Valentine’s date in the morning. Prepare a decadent breakfast in bed by making delicious treats such as heart-shaped pancakes or waffles, quiche, a meat and vegetable frittata, and freshly baked bread. Serve the food on a sturdy tray, and don’t forget to have coffee, a smoothie, or mimosas to make your breakfast even more indulgent. Play some soft jazz music in the background during your breakfast date, and give your loved one some fresh flowers to start your day on a romantic note.

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be any less romantic just because we’re spending more time at home. Consider these ideas to surprise your significant other and make them feel special. 

There are many couples who would love to have more romance in their lives, but there are so many things standing in the way. Some couples have to juggle work, raising a family, and financial issues among other things, which can impact on the romance in their relationship. Others find it very difficult to afford anything but the bare essentials, which can impact what they can do as a couple. 

Many people who want to spice up their physical relationship do so by investing in things such as sensual lifestyle product, but when it comes to the romance in your relationship you need to think of more heartfelt gestures. The good news is that you do not have to spend a fortune on being romantic, as there are plenty of things you can do that are very cheap or completely free – and will mean a lot to your partner. In this article, we will look at some affordable ways in which you can be more romantic. (1)

Some Options to Consider 

The good news is that you have plenty of simple yet very effective options open to you if you want to add more romance without breaking the bank. One very simple thing you can do is to simply surprise your partner with a romantic homecooked meal. All you need is the ingredients and some free romantic meal recipes that are available online. You can then rustle up something fabulous and create the perfect setting with candles, romantic music, and a beautifully laid table. You could even consider having your romantic meal on the patio in the nicer weather and have fairy lights to add a little extra magic. (2)

Another very cost-effective romantic gesture is to whisk your partner off for a picnic one sunny afternoon. All you need to do is get some simple picnic food together, pack some chilled wine and other drinks, and head off to the beach, park, or another local beauty spot. Of course, it may be that there are no suitable places that are within easy reach, in which case you can have your romantic picnic in your very own garden. This gives you a great chance to enjoy some fresh air, eat delicious and simple food, and enjoy one another’s company as a couple. 

If time allows, you could consider taking your partner away for a couple of days so you can enjoy a change of scenery as well as some alone time away from day-to-day distractions. You don’t have to spend a fortune on doing this – you could even go camping for a couple of days where you can dine under the stars, enjoy adventure and excitement, and take in stunning natural beauty. There are plenty of affordable options for those who are on a budget and being able to get away from the stress of your normal life for a short while can work wonders for both of you. 

So, these are just some of the options you can consider if you want to be more romantic, but you are on a budget.

Marriage counseling can make or break your marriage. You cannot go wrong with a marriage counselor. Learn how to find a good marriage counselor here.

They say, happy wife, happy life. They also say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.

All cliches aside, divorce rates are high, so everyone in a relationship has to put their ideals aside to work together. A happy and successful marriage only happens when you put your heads and hearts together to make it work.

Knowing how to find a good marriage counselor is the first step. Here are all the ways you can get the best marriage counselor possible.

Find Someone That Has Training and Qualifications

Any marriage counselor should have qualifications that are easy to verify.

You can get advice from anyone, but a marriage counselor should be a licensed and trained therapist. Verify first what college degrees they have and where they received them.

Ask them when they passed their medical boards and how long they have had their counseling license. The longer they have been around giving professional counseling to married couples, the better they will be in a place for you to trust them.

Be Sure That They Have the Ability to Be Impartial

No one wants to feel like they are under attack. Since you are going to a counselor to make your relationship better, it has to be a safe place for both of you.

Don’t choose a therapist that choose one side or the other. Also, don’t choose a counselor that doesn’t put the success of the marriage as the top priority.

Some therapists lean toward helping people figure out if they want a divorce as opposed to the success of the marriage. Divorce should always be on the table for a failed marriage, but an impartial therapist can help you work on the strategies that will actually help to save the relationship.

Look Into Some Different Counseling Styles

Just because marriage counselors are in the same line of work doesn’t mean they go about business the same way. There are all sorts of counseling styles that professionals use.

Psychodynamic counseling, existential therapy, humanistic counseling, interpersonal counseling, mindfulness counseling, and cognitive behavioral therapy are just a few of the styles that you might get.

No school of thought is right or wrong. The thing to think about is which style fits your personality and the relationship.

A different counseling style might also work better based on your relationship goals.

Know What You Need to Get Out of Going to the Marriage Counselor

There are always different reasons for going to the counselor. It’s always a good idea to get therapy, even if you don’t have anything currently wrong that you need to work through. This will teach you how to communicate with each other and will also make it easier to understand one another.

If you do have a major problem that you need to work through, you should state the specific goal. People that are dealing with infidelity or parenting differences should specifically state these issues so that they can start working through the problems one by one.

The better you know yourselves upfront, the better you can move forward as a couple through some solid counseling.

Assess Their Personality and Communication Styles

Therapists are also human beings so don’t just put all of your stock in their medical experience. You still need to find someone that is friendly and easy to talk to.

Energetically, they should put you at ease every time you speak with them. Their personality traits should match both what you and your husband or wife respond to. This way, you can start your sessions at neutral, rather than in the negative because your counselor’s personality already rubs you or the other partner the wrong way.

Use a Counselor That You Can Afford

Make sure that affordability is something that you put as a priority.

Going to the counselor is something that you will have to do once a week at a minimum if you want it to be effective. This is another bill that you will have to add to your living expenses.

If every counseling session costs $50 to $100, you need to be sure that it isn’t an issue for you to swing it. If one or both of you has health insurance that covers counseling, definitely find a therapist that is in your network.

Think About Any Spiritual or Religious Beliefs

The bonding and unity of your marriage is also a spiritual thing. You need to be sure that your counselor matches your spiritual beliefs.

If you both have a strong faith leaning, then perhaps choose a counselor that is also faith-based. If you’re atheist, you wouldn’t want a counselor that can’t see past their own spiritual beliefs.

Make this decision early so you can feel good in your heart about who you are hiring.

Ask About Their Own Personal Relationships

How is your counselor’s relationship?

Don’t feel that this is an intrusive question. You don’t need to pry into their personal business, but it is fair for you to want to know if your counselor currently has a successful marriage.

It doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker for you. But seeing if they are able to apply their expertise in real life can be helpful in choosing a counselor.

How to Find a Good Marriage Counselor?

Knowing how to find a good marriage counselor will help your relationship. Choose a counselor to help your marriage before it becomes too late.

Family and relationships are important, so look around at all the content we have to help.

Don’t be flattered by that person who likes all of your selfies on Instagram. 

Be flattered by that person who likes you for you: with your messy hair and no makeup, with your unshaved beard and beer breath. 

Don’t be flattered by the person who sends you heart emojis and memes, or sends you a good night text. That takes a second.

Be flattered by the person who is willing to change his relationship status for you and hold your hand in public. No doubts or hesitations. 

True, genuine love is not rendered by our phones and the texts we send with them. It is not rendered by virtual connections, on the contrary, it is rendered by two people going on dates, communicating, and finding their mutual hobbies and adventures. 

So, don’t be flattered if someone is acting all perfect on social media, but haven’t introduced you to their friends or family yet. 

Be flattered when you get to meet the inner circle of a person thanks to their own initiative. 

Be flattered when they welcome you in their world and shout out from the rooftop you are together.

Modern-day dating is often about physical beauty and who gets to text first. It’s also about appearances. 

What was that thing about appearances? Oh, they are deceiving. 

Virtual relationships are an inevitable stage of modernity. I get that. But after the likes, the comments, and the perfect selfies, you need something more. That something “more” is what will make the difference between a fling and a relationship. 

Show genuine interest in that person you want to be with, invest both in spending time, and creating memories with them.

Don’t be flattered by someone who gives you presents and plans special dinners for your birthday or for Valentine’s day only.

Be flattered if that special someone wants to spend every night with you and gives you presents on a random day.  

Sometimes, what you see is what you get. So, if that special someone is not willing to go the extra mile, take things at face value. If they want to form a life with you and grow old, you’ll notice how they are more present in your life than on social media. 

If you liked this article, share it with other people as well. 

You cannot force life to happen to you. You cannot force getting a better job, fall in love, or even harder yet, get someone else to fall in love with you.

You cannot force getting more money and going on that trip you’ve been planning for months. But, what you can do is stop stewing alone and take every adventure as it comes your way.

Never underestimate the power of new friendships, parties, theatre plays, mountain hikes, or new hobbies. Those things can lift you up just as much as anything else you daydream about. Because those things broaden your horizons and they make you enjoy your time here on Earth.

Everything will fall into place. Sometimes, when you least expect it, all the missing pieces of the puzzle will fall into place. Effortlessly. 

The best thing to do is wait and make good use of the time ahead of you.

You better take your time to discover what is it you want before you lose everything else trying to chase goals imposed by society. (1)

Goals that aren’t necessarily yours. Timing isn’t necessarily yours and yet you chase it for the sake of fitting in. For the sake of conforming to other people’s expectations and standards.

Live your life the way you want to live it and in case you still haven’t fulfilled all your dreams, don’t stress about it. You are not lagging behind. We all walk down a different road and our life events cannot be synchronized.

I mean, just because every one of your friends is in a relationship, or married, or has children, it doesn’t mean that you have to rush to do those things as well.

We are the happiest when love and success surprise us, take us by storm. When they are unforced and spontaneous. We are the happiest when we do our thing; when we live life until life of another form happens to us.

I know you compare yourself to other people, but that’s not a realistic comparison.

You compare yourself to the image of them. You don’t compare yourself to that actual, ordinary, fallible person, but to their Instagram profile. And I know that you want to stop comparing yourself to others, and I know that’s easier said than done.

But trust me, there is a tremendous difference between people on social media and the people behind it.

We are all fragile.  We like to look better, more successful, more in love than we are. It’s all just smoke and mirrors. If you put social media aside for a while, if you look at the people through different lenses you’ll see yourself: with the same insecurities, doubts, dreams, cravings, and plans. Just different timing.

So stop chasing vapor. Focus on what’s already there and trust that you’ll get everything you want and need in life, if only you let loose and let life take its course.

We don’t dictate the order of events, but we do dictate our happiness, our perspective, our mindset. Remember, what you see and what’s real is not always the same. (2)

If you liked this article, share it with other people as well.

When someone says that you are not the right person for them or that they would want to move forward with their life without you in it you can do a lot of things. You can certainly start crying and yelling or you can try throwing your phone at them.

But don’t. First, because your phone is more valuable than they are at the moment and second because you should respect their decision. 

Peacefully accepting that someone had a change of heart is the most grown-up thing you can do. You respect yourself by showing that you understand the decision and you do yourself a favor when you walk away.

You take a deep breath, you smile, and you accept. And then you move forward.

Accepting the things we wish weren’t true is one of the hardest challenges, but it’s better to accept them sooner than later because otherwise, we’ll be wasting our time and energy. False hope has rotten roots and nothing good can come out of it. 

I mean, realizing that the person you wanted to spend the rest of your life with didn’t feel that way about you can certainly crush your ego, but you’ll be thankful for that in the future for you’ll learn how not to let your guard down too soon and you’ll learn so much about self-respect, maturity, and individuality. 

You will learn a thing or two about self-worth and you’ll put yourself first. 

One person’s rejection or approval does not, I repeat, does not define your whole life. Your talents, your personality, your achievements. 

You are a special cookie and you’ll find someone who is going to love you for you and you’ll feel it in your gut that they are the right one for you. As humans, we have a way of sensing those things.

If that person decided that you are not right for each other, then you need to stop idealizing the relationship you had with them because obviously, that relationship wasn’t perfect. Far from it.

When you in a relationship some feelings should be mutual. If someone decided to be honest with you and set you free, take that chance to get out of there, slam the door to the past, and seal it. 

You may not find love when you’ll be looking for it. It may take months, years, but it’s better to search for that person who will be happy to have you – alone.

Holding grudges never helped anyone because everyone is just trying to find happiness for themselves. So, don’t take rejection personally. You’ve probably rejected someone or something yourself down the road because it wasn’t what you needed at the time.

True, right? Well, you get my point. Now cheer up and make use of what you already have in front of you. The right person for you will pop up when you least expect them and it will feel right.

Oh, good old dating days… Good old days of love, affection, physical closeness, real values, and true happiness. How I miss those. How I crave those.

It was different back then. People were happier. Relationships were simpler. Love was more genuine. Life was easier.

I consider myself truly lucky to be a part of the last generation that actually valued love over everything. The generation that had real values. The generation that didn’t need to be validated by anyone. The generation that knew what real love means.

Today, we live in a completely different world. All of those things are in the past now…

Nowadays, people are obsessed with sharing their lives on social media. It is the only thing that brings them joy. Or so it seems.  They feel like if they don’t show their partner or share the bits of their relationship on social media, they will be instantly accused of avoiding commitment and hiding their love life. As if Facebook and Instagram were real measures of one’s happiness. It is hilarious.

Just one wrong move in the online world and you can be immediately be charged with not being “the perfect boyfriend/girlfriend”. It doesn’t take much. Just forget to post a photo of your vacation or simply don’t share an anniversary status with the world, and you are done.

I repeat. Done.

Why? Tell me, why do we need to be constantly validated by society?

Isn’t our own validation, our own approval, our own opinion enough?

And if it isn’t, I dare to ask once more. WHY?

You don’t need an online approval of your love life or your life, in general. Social media might be a good place for exchanging information, ideas, and opinions. And that’s it. Nothing more. Social media should not measure the success or the longevity of your relationship. Your partner not posting photos of you on a regular basis or not sharing love posts with you shouldn’t make you doubt them. The only thing that you should care about is their behavior when they are with you.

Your relationship is not a movie for others to see. It is not something that should disclose to the general public. Your intimacy is reserved only for you and your partner. No one else.

And also… What good can come off sharing your entire life on social media when you have no clue what tomorrow might bring? What if you break up? What if one day you wake up and realize that you no longer love that person?

What will you do then? You’ll delete all those posts and photos and pretend like nothing ever happened until the next person comes along, sweeps you off your feet and you start sharing another love story online?

Excuse me, but that’s just sad. Your relationship is not a romantic movie. It is real life. It is happening right here and right now. And it concerns you and your partner. Not your friends. Not your family. And especially not your followers.

So, here’s a wild idea.

What do you say you stop obsessing so much about what your relationship looks online and start focusing on how your relationship looks in real life?

True happiness is found only in togetherness. In respecting, loving, trusting, and cherishing one another.  In being there for one another and spending your life in each other’s company. In talking about the things that startle you, sharing your plans, daydreaming, supporting each other’s goals, listening to each other’s opinions, and simply enjoying your life together. In paying attention. In living in the present moment… In valuing and protecting your intimacy.

So, don’t let this society fool you. You don’t need an online approval to be happy in your relationship.

All you need is love.

A real man always puts his lady first. He always treats her with love and respect. She is the priority in his life.

Here are some quotes about how real men treat their ladies.

“Being a good husband is like being a good stand-up comic: you need ten years before you can even call yourself a beginner.” –Jerry Seinfeld

“You spend time with your family?” Good. Because a man who doesn’t spend time with his family can never be a real man.” –Don Vito Corleone, The Godfather

“A real man won’t date the most beautiful girl in the world – he’ll date the girl that makes his world beautiful.” – Anonymous

“A real man loves his wife, and places his family as the most important thing in life. Nothing has brought me more peace and content in life than simply being a good husband and father.” –Frank Abagnale

“If you want to be a real human being – a real woman, a real man – you cannot tolerate things which put you to indignation, to outrage. You must stand up. I always say to people, ‘Look around; look at what makes you unhappy, what makes you furious, and then engage yourself in some action.’” – Stephane Hessel

“The real man is one who always finds excuses for others, but never excuses himself.” – Henry Ward Beecher

“You can’t be a real man if you don’t look out for your kids. They need you.” – Bill O’Reilly

“Remember those black-and-white films with Frank Sinatra? Those guys looked like men and they were only 27! Listen to Otis Redding singing ‘Try A Little Tenderness.’ That was a man who understood what a man has to know in the world. Show me a real man now! Where are they?” – Chrissie Hynde

“Having two daughters changed my perspective on a lot of things, and I definitely have a newfound respect for women. And I think I finally became a good and real man when I had a daughter.” – Mark Wahlberg

Love hurts equally for men and women. There are no real ways of softening the pain after a breakup and whoever tells you that they are over their ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend is probably lying. 

Breakups are like open wounds; they bleed with the mere mentioning of the person that hurt you.

But someday, all of the pain will go away. I can’t tell you when exactly or how, but I know that time plays a key role here. Believe me, I’ve been there.

One day you’ll wake up knowing that you’re over that person and you’ll be ready to move on.

Men have one way of coping with breakups: they go out, they drink, they have fun, they avoid talking about it. Women, on the other hand, cry in their rooms for days and overthink.

Truth is, we all need to do what works for us. The general rule of thumb is: don’t start hating on the opposite sex just because of one person.

We are all human beings, we all want to be loved. If someone did something that hurt you – if they cheated on you, manipulated you, or guilt-tripped you – let them go

We all love in the same way. The only thing we differ in is how we treat others. Women can cheat and lie too. They can be emotionally unstable or emotionally unavailable. They can be psychological abusers too. These are not male or female traits, these are people’s traits. Very ugly and negative ones, I give you that, but everyone chooses their own path.

So, you choose your own path too. You don’t have to hate the rest of the world because of one person. Let them be. They will eventually realize the chaos they’ve created and what they’ve lost. It’s your job to get free of the negativity and to find someone better.

Good, loving, caring people don’t just fall into your laps, you have to search for them. But know this, once they enter your life – don’t let them slip through your hands.

Cherish those tender, hardworking, romantic men, cherish those caring women who are not going to play some mind games with you or act like they are hard to get.

Embrace simplicity, embrace modesty. In a world full of people pretending to be someone they are not, in a world full of people faking wealth and stressing over brands, be real. Be humble and gentle in heart. You will attract fewer people, but you will attract the real ones.

It’s those people that will love you endlessly and that won’t pay attention to the material things you possess but to your soul. They will love you the way you love them and they will reciprocate with the same intensity.

Genuine, mature, and caring people aren’t motivated by ego, stigma, pride, and narcissism.  They are motivated by equality, humbleness, and mutual understanding.

When a woman realizes she’s made it, and by ‘made it’ I don’t mean achieving some kind of financial gain or professional success, then she is unstoppable.

When she reaches a point in her life when she simply doesn’t care about anyone’s bullshit and she is done playing games and entertaining people who don’t deserve her time – then she is a powerful and unshakeable force.

Her motto in life is simply – “I am a mature woman and I won’t settle for your nonsense.”

She won’t settle for your drama. She is not a fan of constant arguments. She doesn’t like wondering where you are and whether you’ll call. She knows who she is and what she deserves, and she doesn’t deserve to be treated as an option.

She doesn’t want a bigger apartment, a bigger salary, bigger anything. She is satisfied with her life as it is. Because you know, some people want a normal and simple life.

She knows she’s not perfect nor she wants to be. She also doesn’t expect her partner to be perfect. She knows every person is flawed in their own way and she is not there to judge. What she does expect though, is love, empathy, kindness, and compassion.

She is confident in the way she looks and doesn’t need anyone that tries to change her. Yes, she has wrinkles, yes, she has under-eye circles, but she doesn’t need anyone to give her a lesson on skincare.

She also doesn’t need anyone to tell her to exercise and eat healthily. She exercises because it makes her feel good, not because she has some beauty standard to achieve. She is happy in her own body regardless of her weight. And yes, she will eat whole chocolate if she feels like it.

She surrounds herself only with people who truly love and understand her. She doesn’t need any toxic or unkind people in her life.

She loves herself and her life and she won’t allow anyone to toy with her.

Kind people are the most beautiful looking ones. Their kindness shines through them and makes this world a better place.

Here are 7 ways how to be kind to yourself and to others.

1. LET GO OF YOUR BAGGAGE

Your past baggage can hold you back and stop your inner light from shining through. We’ve all experienced hardships and pain, but the important thing is that we heal ourselves and start a new life.

2. STOP WORRYING ABOUT YOUR APPEARANCE

You are beautiful inside and out. After all, physical beauty is faltering, what matters is what we carry inside ourselves. A good and kind soul is the most beautiful thing in the world.

3. KEEP A HEALTHY SELF-IMAGE

Accept your flaws. No one is perfect. Love yourself for who you are. Love your body, your face, your hair, your kind heart, your loving soul!

4. HAVE FUN

Be yourself. Have fun. Go out with your friends. Dance. Have a drink. Go to a movie. Go skiing. Have a good time doing what you love.

5. BE KIND TO YOURSELF

Being good to yourself is essential for your happiness. You can’t have meaningful connections with others if you don’t have a good relationship with yourself. Focus on yourself. Eat healthy. Drink water. Take a vacation. Go on spa weekend. Pamper yourself.

6. STOP OVERTHINKING

Let things unfold naturally. Don’t rush anything. Don’t worry about things that may or may not happen in the future. Overthinking won’t help you. Just have faith, stay calm, and believe in yourself.

7. LISTEN TO YOUR HEART

Your heart is always talking to you. You should have courage to listen to it and follow its advice. Your heart knows what’s best for you.

And when you are in tune with your heart and mind and at peace with yourself, your aura will change and you’ll attract positive and beautiful things into your life.

Romance should exist in a relationship and this goes to both men and women. We all need to light up the romance from time to time and make date nights appear a lot more often on our schedules.

Coming up with ideas of how to rekindle the passion in a relationship can be hard, especially for men, so here’s a list of things you should do occasionally for women whose standards you are going to come up to and who are going to secure you a place in their hearts.

1. HOME COOKED MEAL FOR TWO

Every once in a blue moon, try cooking for her, and I don’t mean fake cooking, like ordering from a restaurant and then throwing the boxes out, so she won’t notice. Include a dessert and, of course, – her favorite wine. This won’t cost much, but she’ll be thrilled.

2. DO THE HOUSE CHORES

She must be tired of cleaning around the house, plus cooking, plus going to work every day. So, wash the dishes, throw out the garbage, or organize the closet. You can even try ironing the clothes; if you don’t do them right, she’ll find it funny and sweet because you actually tried. Now, don’t do this while she is in her PMS because then she may not handle it well – but the rest of the days you can give it a go.

3. ROMANTIC WEEKEND

Going somewhere for the weekend from time to time is really important. You can go on a picnic somewhere in nature or get out of town. Hot springs and spas are a really good idea too. It’s the process of planning you did that will make her excited and in love with you now more than ever, so the trip doesn’t have to be somewhere exclusive. It’s your effort that matters.

4. COMPLIMENTS

Complimenting her on her looks will only come as a bonus for you, especially if you are not ashamed to do it publicly. It would be a wonderful reassurance about how much you love her and how proud you are of her. Another plus is the benefit you can get in bed; her sex drive is likely to be higher if you compliment her on her dress, her perfume, or how well the lipstick accentuates her lips.

5. FLOWERS AND LOVE NOTES

Surprise her by sending her flowers at work accompanied by some love note. You’re not a poet, we get it, but something like good morning, love or have a great day can do wonders.

6. GEMS AND JEWELS  

Women love jewelry, so that’s a start, but it’s certainly not the only option you have. Even something simpler and less costly can be a wonderful gesture. A scarf, or that book she said she wanted to buy, or some coffee mug can do the magic. No doubts.

7. MASSAGE

This one speaks for itself, so yeah. Don’t be lazy and give her a massage after she comes home from work.

8. BUILD SOMETHING FOR HER

We all know you, men, are dexterous, and you know how to use all those tools, pliers and wrenches, so making a small library for her books or a new jewelry box would make her jaw drop.

9. DANCING

Yes, dancing, and don’t you dare skip this one. If she thought your dancing is terrible, well go and prove her wrong. Practice your moves and then dance with her from time to time. Some nice, smooth blues or whatever. Very important.

10. MAKE A LIST

Make a list of all the things you like about her or a list of all the things you want to do with her.

11. WATCH A SHOW WITH HER

Even if the show is great and you can’t wait to watch the next episode, sustain yourself. You can also add: Honey, I’ve been waiting for you to watch the show together, in case she thinks the show is not a big deal for you. Well, you go and tell her that you want to watch it, but you’d much rather watch it with her.

So, men, if women didn’t ask you to do any of these things, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do them.

Come on, level up – it’s not as hard as it seems. Also, if women see this kind of effort you make, they are going to reciprocate as well!

Dating, in general, is hard enough already without all the creeps and back alley negotiations going on, so why add all the drama on top of it all? Well basically, because there are weirdos out there that get a thrill and kick out of it without taking into consideration the consequences and negative impact they are making on lives.

What is dating?

It is the stage in life where you are putting yourself out there to meet a person in a social situation and see if you are compatible as humans as well as assess whether there is the prospect of being together intimately in a relationship.

Courtship and courting these days are where the relationship develops and grows and you begin to realize the long-term possibilities with this person. Read about the etymology and history in this link and how behavior patterns have changed and evolved over the years.

Although nowadays it is done in public through social events, occasions and for sure the social media platforms, it can also be built privately within traditions and no intrusions with the exception perhaps to family approval.

Online Dating.

This system of introductions and creating personal connections via the internet has seemed to take over the need for chivalry, long gone are the days where to get someone’s attention you made an effort of flowers, a card or even a serenade under a window sill. Now it’s all emojis and sexting and chatting to a person who might not even be who they claim to be.

Many of these dating apps and websites allege to be legitimate companies with real people looking for a life partner, but so many are being exposed these days for the corrupt and illegal activities they offer, it can be a worry not to get scammed.

Online Dating site scams.

Being wary when it comes to searching online for the love of your life is an understatement, you have to be real and alert. Many victims fall prey to the charms of others and it can seriously damage your life, with some cases being the end of it, take a minute and see what a brave woman who spoke out on being caught, experienced.

The unfortunate issue with this is that the reputable companies and dating sites out there are being roped into it all and getting a bad reputation along with the rest of them. The fake profiles, the false identities, and the illusion of emotions are all copied and cloned in these fake sites and because they seem so similar you doubt yourself into believing it is genuine.

Signs of a Scam Dating site and its Users.

• Love in a short time. Scam artists will proclaim to have strong feelings for you and even be ‘falling in love’ with you after just a short period, they will ask to have you to themselves and move the conversation to a more private method such as phone and texts, this is a red flag.
• As you get to ‘know’ them, details will start to not add up. Indicating in the profile they have a degree in a certain subject but when asked they avoid the subject or seem to not remember. Photos that don’t match the description or photos you’ve received, and are brushed off as being taken back in college are a rookie mistake.
• No Contact Info. You’ve come across an issue, and the website has no contact info, tell-tale sign its fraudulent. Fortunately, some do get caught and publicized which you can educate yourself on here http://www.datingcop.com/yesbackpage-review and see just how they try their tricks and get away with it.
• Personal issues. A sudden problem has come up with a family member and their money is tied up there, asking if you can help financially in any way should have you packing for the hills.
• Or lack-there-of for customers including bad reviews will help make your decision not to use them easier and more comfortable, do your research, be thorough and don’t give these con-artists a chance.

Karma has a funny way of tying the two ends together at the end of the day, these scammers will get what’s due to them, just be safe and happy dating.

The reality is, we outgrow people who are not true and genuine with us. Those who are not honest. Those who say things we want to hear but never take action to prove them. Those who don’t give a damn about our needs and desires because they only care about their own. Those who expect us to accept them the way they are but are busy changing us and shaping us into the people they want us to be.

We outgrow people who don’t respect us and don’t appreciate us. Those who are fine regardless of whether they have us in their lives. Those who make us feel worthless and replaceable.

We outgrow people who make us beg for their time and attention. People who make us feel like we are not worthy of them. People who put us last on their list of priorities. Those who never have time for us.

Because we reach a point of no return. When we remind ourselves of our worth and what we deserve, we will not be selling short ourselves ever again. We will turn out back to those people and walk away. We won’t be giving them our hearts and energy to someone who takes us for granted.

We are choosing ourselves. We are practicing self-love.

Because we don’t have time for people who don’t invest in us. We outgrow those who treat us as ordinary. Those who keep us around until they find what they are looking for.

We outgrow people who are unable to love us the way we deserve to be loved. Those who don’t contribute to our lives in any way. Those who make us question our self-worth.

We outgrow people who are not scared of losing us because they have never seen our value and they never will.

I am currently writing my first book titled “Inside The Narcissist’s Psyche: His Ability To Make Victims Stay With Him Even Though The Pain They’re Feeling Is Unbearable” If you are interested to take a glimpse at it, follow this link and tell us whether you like the subject so that we can send you a  free chapter after we publish it.