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Magic Potion to Banish the Blues
It was a dreary day and had started badly. One of my colleagues at work seemed to find fault with everything I did. Then we ran out of milk. I wished I had a reset button for the day or a magic potion to banish the blues. But there was a lot to do and…
Read MoreMaking Difficult Conversations Easier
Making Difficult Conversations Easier Most people would prefer me to write about getting rid of the need for awkward discussions, rather than about making difficult conversations easier. This is no more possible than waving a magic wand and get rid of all the ice and snow in winter. However, just as we can lessen the…
Read MoreThe Christmas Cake Story
I have always loved Christmas, so decided to write about Christmas traditions in our household. But I used to get so stressed about it until one year I was too ill to bother–and you know what? We had a lovely Christmas without all the fuss! So we do the stuff we enjoy and that brightens…
Read MorePersonality Clash: Sandpaper People
Have you ever had a personality clash with someone? When just the sight of them starts you prickling? What can you do if it is someone you have to interact with? This might be at work, or socially because they are relatives or friends. A personality clash can really disrupt your life and impact on…
Read MoreHow to manage difficult people
I’m often asked how to manage difficult people, especially at this time of year, when we feel obliged to interact with people we normally avoid. If only life was like the story of the Grinch who stole Christmas. via GIPHY With a bit of magic and a different viewpoint, horrible people could be transformed into lovely…
Read MoreHow to get back up when you’ve been knocked down
However well we plan, life has a habit of throwing unexpected curve balls. We can’t stop getting knocked down, but we can get back up. We can’t make a brand new start, but we can start now and make a brand new ending. What we do that doesn’t help What do we do when we’re…
Read MoreHow to Manage Anger Well
How should we manage anger well? Should we let it rip? Or shut it down, show self-control? Speak up or stay silent? Both have advantages and disadvantages. Read here about how to decide whether to speak up or stay silent. If we are prone to angry outbursts, we listen to the reasons why we should…
Read MoreGuest Post: Fighting with Your Partner? Better Sleep Can Help
In my blog about boosting resilience, I mentioned sleep as a key factor. Here is a guest post from sleep expert Sarah Johnson of Tuck about how sleep helps reduce conflict. Relationships are full of ups and downs. Arguments are a normal and healthy part of life. However, if fighting has become the most common form…
Read MoreWhy can’t they see the truth?
When we argue, our truth seems so obvious. We ask ourselves “Why can’t they see the truth?” Or we accuse them of lying. This makes us even more determined to prove that we are right. We appeal to friends, colleagues, strangers to agree with us and help us prove the other person wrong. Research and…
Read MoreHow random acts of kindness light up everyone’s life
Random acts of kindness may seem an eccentric and inefficient way of making the world a better place. Yet research shows that as well as cheering up the recipients, the givers benefit even more. The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer someone else up. – Mark Twain What are “random…
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