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"never leave a room empty-handed" if you are leaving a room look around for something that doesn't below to that room take it with you and just move it somewhere close where it's supposed to be, eventually it's going to find it's place.
I actually started doing that 4 years ago. Not as consistently as i should, but it really helped me get out of my depression hole. I kept uttering the phrase: if you see something, do something. I found it pretty amusing, and it worked (and still does) bit for bit.
Better, there's an entire book of them. "Dialectical Behavioral Therapy" (DBT) calls them "skills", but they could just as easily be called psychological cheat codes or lifehacks.
Two minute rule. If you can do it in two minutes, just do it.
When talking to people, just ask open questions about them, listen and keep asking question. People will think, you have great conversation skills, eventhough you do not.
There's a great book about this: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. It's a bit dated in some aspects, but the underlying advice is solid.
But do not ask questions only. Make remarks about your own experiences, or things you heard (within reason). It's small talk, not an interrogation.
What kind of questions can I ask without going too far. I ask around things concerning school and thats where I stop, I usually fear touching something sensitive to them
I've stopped asking people about jobs (unless they bring it up) because I hate how we treat people's place in the capitalist system as their primary worth. My go to question is whether the person is from the area we are currently in. If we're doing an activity, i ask how they became involved. I also like to ask about pets and hobbies.
Whatever they touch on, as long as you also add here and there your own experiences with the topic, so it does not feel like and interview.
I can be pretty direct (I'm Dutch lol what can I say), so I've learned to follow it up with something like "is that OK?" or "does that sound good to you?"
Be kind to your future self.
Helps me when I feel like procrastinating or overworking.
Does it help you in acceptance or in not doing it?
A bit of both.
If I'm taking on something when I already have a full schedule, I think this and decide if I should pursue the activity or not.
Otherwise, if I'm feeling lazy, I think of what my future self would have to put up with if I didn't do that particular task.
I hope that made some sense.
If you're overthinking or worried about something you can't control, other than something like planning for contingency, all that overthinking is pointless. Worse than pointless, since it adds stress and anxiety. There's usually zero real benefit.
It takes practice, but being able to say to yourself "well, I'll deal with that when it happens. No point in worrying about that now, " helps keep you out of the doom loop.
"Don't borrow trouble" is one of my mottos.
Kindness and understanding first and foremost, always. But when dealing with uppity assholes in a situation where you are right, first remind yourself that nearly all adults are just faking it to get by, then start making direct eye contact, make every statement crisp, concise, and do not use any "partial" words {words like guess, sort of, possibly, might be, probably, etc) and when you've said what needs to be said stop talking, keep making eye contact, and focus on the idea that there is no other way than the way you just said. Don't be hostile, don't be insulting, smug, or anything other than resolute. Never break that silence first.
Most of the time, that will get you through, either by convincing everyone else that the issue is ended, or if any of these people are that rare adult who legit has their shit together, they will either move things along or engage you directly to work out a solution.
Confidence is one of the rare things that if you lie about it really well, it becomes truth.
This isn't some alpha thing, it's about removing unnecessary doubt. Sometimes that's more dangerous/costly/wasteful than anything else.
If you want a clear answer/decision for something (instead of "whatever", "don't care") give two alternatives, the other simply has to choose one. If you only give one, the other might feel pressured/manipulated.
When working security / event safety and I’d have to request a member of the public stop doing something I’d speak to them and then I’d disconnect my ears while maintaining eye contact - I just nod along to the pair of bumping gums opposite me until they stop. Then I’d repeat what had to be said. Most times things got resolved.
Go to therapy and work on yourself deliberately for years and years. It works. I was super messed up and hateful and angry and I would never have believed that I could love myself, but I do.
I know "cheat code" implies quick or easy or both and this isn't either one, but it's life changing if you do it.
Not techniques I use personally, but different forms of manipulation that one could (but shouldn't) use. You should look out for:
- Informing someone of a fact that is different than what the recipient actually experienced. If they question it, tell them they just forgot it. This works best on people who don't write stuff down (like a diary).
- Giving someone a gift out of nowhere. To most people, this gives them the feeling that they owe you.
- Helping someone frequently to the point where they start relying on you. (See previous point)
A few manipulation techniques that should not be used. If you see someone doing these things, assume they have an ulterior motive.
The opposite also works: ask someone for a small favor, and they'll be more kindly disposed to you in the future. You've made being kind to you a part of their identity and behavior.
The last two are just helping each other :D
You probably couldn't call it friendship if you never hang out for the sake of it, but that is just the "I know someone" type of relationship
If you look a little angry all the time nobody guesses that you're actually stoned as balls.
EVERYBODY KNOWS
Good thing I don't care anymore
Just tell yourself you're not going to lift heavy/are going to lift light. When you don't have the motivation (or whatever) to go to the gym, tell yourself this. Like, "I'm not going to work too hard. It'll be easy." Works a treat. Then even if you end up doing that (which is unlikely - I always end up getting in the mood hehe) then at least you did something and kept the momentum.
Edit to say: The hardest lift is getting off the couch.
I used to do a lot of driving for work and it's important to manage stress in traffic. Whenever someone would do something that aggravated me, I'd pretend that they did it for some silly reason and it helped me stay calm.
Someone cut you off? They must have have to shit so bad. Someone driving crazy fast? They're trying to get to their wife before their girlfriend does.
Ha! This is a great idea
I've done this, too. Driving super slow? They've got a 3-tier cake in the backseat.
When you're kind to people or simply are polite, they help you.
I missed a flight once due to delayed connections. I went to the help desk, and in front of me, a rich guy was arguing with the company employee. He was rude and frustrated and left angry, having failed to get the upgrade or whatever he'd wanted. I was next in the queue and offered an empathetic smile and rolling of eyes, then politely explained my situation.
The clerk was clearly still pissed at the previous interaction and didn't crack a smile but simply listened, then slid me over a new ticket for the next flight and winked. I thanked him and scuttled off. I decided to find a place to charge my phone and only then inspected the ticket to confirm how long I had until boarding.
It turns out he'd upgraded me to business class and given me full access to the lounge area where I could charge my phone in comfort and have all the free booze and snacks I want.
And even if they are paid to help you, it makes a big difference to if they put your task on the top or the bottom of their pile of stuff to do.
So real. I ask the food truck guys “how you doing” rather seriously and they always give me a little more than everyone else. It’s such little effort to care, and try it seems make me stand out from others.
I swear everyone needs to work retail for a bit because that's so painfully obvious once you've done a few weeks of it. I never went of my way to help someone who was being a dick
Or food service.
I do method acting, like "in this next scene I am going to play an extrovert who enjoys making small talk at professional conferences with potential customers and employers"
Cleaning when I feel bad. Getting rid of physical things is a substitute for getting rid of mental things. Clean outside = clean(er) inside.
Whenever someone is doing, or is about to do, something stupid, simply say out loud what they're doing, and ask what they want to happen.
Oh wow, I do this to my 4 year old when he’s about to make a mess.
"What is the end result you're looking for?" That's my version of this.
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When I have a thought I don't want, i hum a little tune
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When I feel bad about something happening right now I remind myself that no feeling is forever, everything is temporary, there's always a tomorrow
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When I feel bad about something that happened in the past I remind myself that happened to me, that I transcended it, and it doesn't define me, but allowed me to make better choices in future
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I swapped alcohol and soda for seltzer
Relating to #3. If something really traumatic happened to you that is still affecting you I heard it's helpful to imagine it like you have this "trauma thing". It's not really part of you but something you carry and which kind of has its own will. Really like a small person living in your head. Makes it easier to realize you can decide to listen/react to it or not.
Any_Austin is a youtuber and pilot who uses a pilot's checklist
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IMSAFE
In his everyday life to help him understand why he's feeling bad or grumpy. He talked about it in his podcast with Memoria.