This is a life-changing collection of philosophical and spiritual thoughts from the former Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius. The work is grounded in Stoicism, a practical philosophy that encourages us to:<ul><li>keep our mortality in mind at all times, </li><li>view things as they are, </li><li>reflect thoughtfully, </li><li>focus on what’s within our control, and </li><li>practice virtues like generosity, honesty, and self-control. </li></ul>

Summary

“When you wake up in the morning, tell yourself: The people I deal with today will be meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous, and surly. They are like this because they can’t tell good from evil. But I have seen the beauty of good, and the ugliness of evil, and have recognized that the wrongdoer has a nature related to my own—not of the same blood or birth, but the same mind, and possessing a share of the divine. And so none of them can hurt me.” If you start with the expectation that people will be ungrateful, dishonest, and jealous, how can they disappoint you?

Change your expectations

“People who labor all their lives but have no purpose to direct every thought and impulse toward are wasting their time—even when hard at work.” Life is short. Don’t waste it doing work that you don’t find meaningful.

Work with purpose

“So we need to hurry. Not just because we move daily closer to death but also because our understanding—our grasp of the world—may be gone before we get there.” Not only do we all inch closer to death every day, but we also have no idea how long our mental facilities will be strong.

Why we need to hurry

“Nowhere you can go is more peaceful—more free of interruptions—than your own soul. Especially if you have other things to rely on. An instant’s recollection and there it is: complete tranquillity. And by tranquillity I mean a kind of harmony.” “Either pain affects the body (which is the body’s problem) or it affects the soul. But the soul can choose not to be affected, preserving its own serenity, its own tranquillity. All our decisions, urges, desires, aversions lie within. No evil can touch them.” Your soul has the answer. It’s up to you to find a way to tap into it.

Look inward

“The world is nothing but change. Our life is only perception.” “Choose not to be harmed—and you won’t feel harmed. Don’t feel harmed—and you haven’t been.” Life is perception. So if something “bad” happens to you, you can choose to perceive it differently. You can choose not to let the situation harm you, and in doing so, you are no longer harmed.

Perception

“If you seek tranquillity, do less.” Ask yourself at every moment, “Is this necessary?” What are the 10% of activities that bring you 90% of the joy and results in your life? What can you eliminate from your to-do list right now? Don’t waste time on the non-essential.

Do less

“Keep in mind how fast things pass by and are gone—those that are now, and those to come. Existence flows past us like a river: the “what” is in constant flux, the “why” has a thousand variations. Nothing is stable, not even what’s right here. The infinity of past and future gapes before us—a chasm whose depths we cannot see.” Every day, we keep moving down the river of life. It keeps flowing, and we keep floating – until we don’t.

Existence is a river

“It’s unfortunate that this has happened. No. It’s fortunate that this has happened and I’ve remained unharmed by it—not shattered by the present or frightened of the future. It could have happened to anyone. But not everyone could have remained unharmed by it. Why treat the one as a misfortune rather than the other as fortunate? Can you really call something a misfortune that doesn’t violate human nature? Or do you think something that’s not against nature’s will can violate it? ...” Read this when you feel low.

From misfortune to fortune

“Practice the virtues you can show: honesty, gravity, endurance, austerity, resignation, abstinence, patience, sincerity, moderation, seriousness, high-mindedness. Don’t you see how much you have to offer—beyond excuses like “can’t”? And yet you still settle for less.”   Marcus Aurelius focuses on living a life of virtue. No matter the external circumstances in this life, you can practice these virtues.

Practice virtues

“The things you think about determine the quality of your mind. Your soul takes on the color of your thoughts.” What are your destructive thought patterns? How can you stop these? If you don’t, they will determine the quality of your life.

Your thoughts matter

“The mind adapts and converts to its own purposes the obstacle to our acting. The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” “But if you accept the obstacle and work with what you’re given, an alternative will present itself—another piece of what you’re trying to assemble. Action by action.” The biggest challenge in your life at the moment will become your biggest source of growth if you lean into it.

The obstacle is the way

“When you need encouragement, think of the qualities the people around you have: this one’s energy, that one’s modesty, another’s generosity, and so on. Nothing is as encouraging as when virtues are visibly embodied in the people around us, when we’re practically showered with them. It’s good to keep this in mind.” Write the names of your closest friends and note one quality of each that you admire? When you’re struggling, look at that list. Perhaps someone’s patience or compassion will inspire you to adopt more of that quality yourself. It may allow you to endure and conquer your challenge.

Think about the qualities of others

“When people injure you, ask yourself what good or harm they thought would come of it. If you understand that, you’ll feel sympathy rather than outrage or anger. Your sense of good and evil may be the same as theirs, or near it, in which case you have to excuse them. Or your sense of good and evil may differ from theirs. In which case they’re misguided and deserve your compassion. Is that so hard?” We learn to practice understanding and compassion instead of judgment and resentment, life gets a lot easier.

When people injure you

“So this is how a thoughtful person should await death: not with indifference, not with impatience, not with disdain, but simply viewing it as one of the things that happen to us.” When you start understanding death as an event, it loses parts of its grip on your mind.

Accept utmost reality

“Whereas humans were made to help others. And when we do help others—or help them to do something—we’re doing what we were designed for. We perform our function.” Life is not about you. Help others.

Help others

“So too a healthy mind should be prepared for anything. The one that keeps saying, “Are my children all right?” or “Everyone must approve of me” is like eyes that can only stand pale colors, or teeth that can handle only mush.” Bad things will happen in your life. Instead of worrying about them, prepare yourself for a life in which bad things happen.

Prepare for the worst

“When you start to lose your temper, remember: There’s nothing manly about rage. It’s courtesy and kindness that define a human being—and a man. That’s who possesses strength and nerves and guts, not the angry whiners.” Kindness trumps anger every day.

Anger vs Kindness

"... But you know what its will is. Does what’s happened keep you from acting with justice, generosity, self-control, sanity, prudence, honesty, humility, straightforwardness, and all the other qualities that allow a person’s nature to fulfill itself? So remember this principle when something threatens to cause you pain: the thing itself was no misfortune at all; to endure it and prevail is great good fortune."

philosophy

Philosophy

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

books

Books

Meditations by Marcus Aurelius | Book Summary

Little by little, a little becomes A LOT.

Currently, all around the world, innocent people suffer and die due to poverty-related causes such as inadequate access to food, shelter, and medical care.Start giving small amounts and work your way up.By donating to aid agencies, you can prevent suffering and death from lack of food, shelter, and medical care without sacrificing anything nearly as important.Start by donating a little bit of money here and there, and assess how it makes you feel.You may find that the act of saving lives is exactly as satisfying as it sounds.Every act counts, no matter how small!!

For the first time in history, eradicating world poverty is within our reach. Yet around the world, a billion people struggle to live each day on less than many of us pay for bottled water. In The Life You Can Save, Peter Singer uses ethical arguments, illuminating examples, and case studies of charitable giving to show that our current response to world poverty is not only insufficient but morally indefensible. The Life You Can Save teaches us to be a part of the solution, helping others as we help ourselves.

leadershipandmanagement

Leadership & Management

For the first time in history, eradicating world poverty is within our reach. Yet around the world, a billion people struggle to live each day on less than many of us pay for bottled water. In The Life You Can Save, Peter Singer uses ethical arguments, illuminating examples, and case studies of charitable giving to show that our current response to world poverty is not only insufficient but morally indefensible. The Life You Can Save teaches us to be a part of the solution, helping others as we help ourselves.

Peter Singer

The Life You Can Save

Classic, timeless clothing made of materials that will last well into the next decade is what you should be looking to add to your essential wardrobe. Think cotton, wool, linen, and silk.

#1 Wear Items that are Made of Classic Fabrics

Bold patterns and prints can definitely work in a sophisticated and classy look, but you may not be comfortable with such patterns if you are just beginning on your classy style journal. Neutrals are your friend in this case.﻿Solids are plentiful in the stores (and probably your closet), easily combined, and help to stretch your wardrobe.Typical neutrals are white/beige/cream, navy blue, black, and gray.

#2 If in Doubt, Wear Solid Neutrals

Classy and sophisticated clothing is typically tailored and form-fitting. Skirts should hit just above or below the knee, as should your classy dresses. Classic trousers are straight, slightly wide, faintly bootcut, or menswear-inspired and should be ½-inch off the floor in the back. Wide-leg pants and skinny pants in classic fabrics are also acceptable, as are ankle pants. Blazers, blouses, and sweaters should follow the curve of your waist.Do not hesitate to take items to a local dressmaker or tailor to be altered to fit correctly.

#3 Fit is Key

Dressing classy requires a bit of modesty.Necklines are typically collared, boatneck, crew neck or V-neck. For more formal occasions, asymmetrical, sweetheart and halter necklines work as well.

#4 Never Overexpose

Simple jewelry is the best way to go.<ul><li>Earrings: small silver or gold hoops, pearl or diamond studs.</li><li>Bracelet: silver or gold bangles (one heavy or several delicate), watch (gold or silver with metal or leather band).</li><li>Necklace: Long pendants, pearls, diamond solitaire, cross.</li><li>Ring: Not necessary, but if you do, go either delicate or statement.</li><li>Scarf: Scarves are a great way to add color and visual interest to a any outfit.</li></ul>And don’t forget your shoes. Yes, shoes are an accessory! <a href="https://rstyle.me/n/c6grtwpdaw">Pumps </a>, <a href="https://rstyle.me/n/c6grudpdaw">slingbacks </a>, <a href="https://rstyle.me/n/c6gru4pdaw">ballet flats </a>, or boots in solid neutrals, such as cream, navy, or black, are your best bet.

#5 Don’t Go Overboard with Accessories

Spend a little bit of time styling your hair. If you’re short on time in the mornings or don’t like styling your hair opt for an easy haircut or a haircut that you can quickly put up.Find a hairstyle that is easy for you to style every day and one that you love as well like a sleek bun or ponytail.

#6 Style Your Hair

If you are don’t spend much time on your makeup, focus on these three things that will make a difference.Eyes, cheeks, and lips should be what you focus on if you only have 5 minutes. Put on some mascara to open up your eyes, add some blush to bring some life and dimension to a face, and wear a bold lip to add a pop of color.

#7 Makeup Makes a Difference

Are you wondering how to dress classy? Discover the ins and outs of styling yourself with sophistication for a classy look and classy outfits.

fashion

Fashion & Beauty

How to Dress Classy - 7 Style Tips You Need to Know

Caregiver burnout is categorised as a state of total physical, emotional and mental exhaustion. This happens due to multiple demands, lack of resources, less energy and/ or lack of support. There are many factors that may contribute to caregivers experiencing burnout. Taking care of own health and wellbeing reduces the burden and facilitates better care to receivers.

What is caregiver burnout?

First factor is the ambiguity regarding your role and how to best support the person.Second factor is the lack of or limited resources such as money, professional support, skills, time, hospitals, etc.Third factor is the nature of the illness. Terminal, long-lasting illness and disability can lead to putting in more hours and resources.Fourth factor is the workload that you may experience. It can get tiring to juggle between caretaking along managing your own life.

Factors contributing to burnout

Physical exhaustion: Constant body aches, fatigue, frequent headachesWeak immune system: Falling constantly illChanges in appetite: Eating too much or very littleSleep concerns: Disturbed sleep patternsIsolation from others: Avoiding family members, friends, or coworkersLoss of interest: Lack of motivation to resume hobbies or even day-to-day activitiesAnxiety & depression: Constantly worrying about the patient, overthinkingEmotional changes: Feeling irritated, frustrated, worthless, hopeless and helplessNeglect of your own health & priorities: Not following basic self-care

Signs and symptoms of caregiver burnout

Stage one: Caregiver stressStress arises due to a sudden shift in the role of a caregiver. Handling the news, understanding treatment, gathering resources can lead to extreme stress and worry along with frustration.Stage two: Caregiver burnoutAs overwhelming feelings continue, prolonged stress leads to a state of breakdown. Neglecting of self in the process of caregiving and isolation may increase. Stage three: Compassion FatigueA state of emotional and physical collapse where the caregiver has reduced ability to empathize towards the receiver and causes severe emotional distress.

Stages of caregiver burnout

Self-care: <ul><li>It is important to prioritize your health along with taking care of other(s). </li><li>You cannot pour from an empty cup. </li><li>Your health and wellbeing are equally important. </li><li>Some self-care strategies can look like eating healthy food, following a routine as much as possible, regulating, and getting enough sleep.</li></ul>

Ways to manage caregiver burnout

Emotional Regulation:<ul><li>As a caregiver, you undergo different emotions.</li><li>It’s important to recognize, accept, and work through these emotions.</li><li>Some common emotions are guilt, frustration, disappointment, resentment etc.</li><li>Healthy ways of an outlet like art, journaling, meditation etc. can help in channelizing.</li></ul>

Ways to manage caregiver burnout (cont.)

Seek Support: <ul><li>Caregiving is not an easy job that can be handled alone. </li><li>Reach out to others for help. </li><li>During pandemics this can look like having virtual emotional support, financial support, reducing the number of commitments at home and/or office.</li></ul>

Physical movement: <ul><li>Despite the fatigue and weariness, it is essential to move your body and give it exercise. </li><li>This helps in flexing the muscles, releasing the pain and aches. </li><li>Some ways to get enough movements are climbing stairs, exercising, dance, stretching, etc.</li></ul>

Support groups: <ul><li>Support groups are a great way to connect with individuals going through similar experiences. </li><li>This allows you to vent and share your experiences, learn or improve on your caregiving skills and strategies, and make you feel less lonely.</li></ul>

Professional help: <ul><li>The therapist helps you express and manage emotional changes you may experience as a caregiver. </li><li>They can help you in finding ways to reduce burnout, start self-care and make small helpful changes in your life.</li></ul>

This pandemic has led people to take the role of a caregiver to help loved ones. Learn about caregiver burnout and ways to manage it.

health

Health

mentalhealth

Mental Health

How to Handle Caregiver Burnout During the Pandemic?

<ul><li><a href="https://www.headspace.com/">Headspace </a>: Two-week free trial.</li><li><a href="https://www.calm.com/">Calm </a>: Seven-day free trial. A meditation, sleep, and relaxation app that also provides resources specifically for coping with COVID-19 anxiety.</li><li><a href="http://www.stopbreathethink.com/">Stop, Breathe & Think </a>: Always free, and for kids too.</li><li><a href="https://insighttimer.com/">Insight Timer </a>: Always free. This is not a daily app, but rather a great library where you can search for various types of meditations and lengths by excellent teachers.</li><li><a href="https://www.tenpercent.com/">10% Happier </a>: Free and paid options available.</li><li><a href="https://www.uclahealth.org/marc/ucla-mindful-app">UCLA Mindful App </a>: Free and has meditation by Diana Winston.</li></ul>

Meditation and relaxation

<ul><li><a href="https://www.sanvello.com/">Sanvello </a>: Clinically validated techniques for reducing stress, anxiety, treating depression (free access during COVID-19 pandemic).</li><li><a href="https://www.happify.com/">Happify </a>: Some free content, including stress reduction and addressing anxiety.</li><li><a href="https://www.anxietycanada.com/resources/mindshift-cbt/">MindShift CBT </a>: Free content, including cognitive behavioral therapy strategies to address general worry, social anxiety, and panic.</li><li><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?hl=en_US&id=is.vertical.ptsdcoach">PTSD Coach </a>: This app provides you with education about post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and ways to manage it.</li><li><a href="https://www.mobile.va.gov/app/covid-coach">COVID Coach </a>: Created for everyone to support self-care and overall mental health during the coronavirus pandemic.</li></ul>

Coping with stress and anxiety

Articles tell us what to do, but apps help lead us and remind us to practice self-care every day.

mindfulness

Mindfulness

Useful Wellness and Mental Health Apps

<ul><li>Most of the 78 organs in our bodies have performed pretty reliably since the day we were born.</li><li>Everyone messes up their life quite a bit. </li><li>We’ve sometimes been surprised by how things turned out. </li><li>We don’t need to be afraid of starving – or even of being very cold. </li><li>Every year, if we just stay in one spot, there are at least two weeks of perfect weather.</li><li>We are never too far from a very hot bath. </li><li>We’ve come a long way since the early shyness, incompetence and fear. </li><li>Of course we couldn’t have known. </li><li>Compared with what we feared in the rockiest patches, this is almost OK.</li></ul>

A Few Things Still to Be Grateful For 🙏

<ul><li>We’re still here. </li><li>There were no outright catastrophes today. </li><li>A few times, we really experienced what love felt like. </li><li>A few times, we really felt understood. </li><li>Many of the people we love are still alive. </li><li>We could disappear for a bit. </li><li>We still have quite a lot of time left. </li><li>Children of three or four are, intermittently, reliably sweet. </li><li>There hasn’t been a war here for a while. </li><li>You can turn on the tap and clean water comes out for almost nothing. </li><li>We can leave the places we were born and raised.</li></ul>

cont.

<ul><li>There’s always music. </li><li>Without asking anyone, we could go into many shops and buy a treat. </li><li>There’s always someone suffering just in the way we are. </li><li>Everyone is weird, we just don’t have access to their inner minds. </li><li>The silent majesty of a clear night sky. </li><li>We’re very normal in the number of idiocies we’ve committed. </li><li>We don’t have to take ourselves seriously. </li><li>We can feel heroic about the ordinary. </li><li>We can smile even on little things we enjoy.</li><li>We have managed to learn a few things down the years. </li></ul>

<ul><li>There are lots of beautiful people we can take pleasure in looking at. </li><li>There are people who have loved us, even though we didn’t totally deserve their affection or devotion. </li><li>A few bits of our body are really rather beautiful.</li><li>Things really do look better when we have slept. </li><li>Many of the world’s most interesting people have written down their thoughts and ideas. </li><li>Other people are usually shyer, sweeter and kinder than we’d anticipated. </li><li>We’ve perhaps found one good friend or a special someone.</li></ul>

<ul><li>We can write everything we feel down on paper. </li><li>We can, without too much effort, order a bowl of French fries.</li><li>Others forget the stupid things we’ve done faster than we do. </li><li>Sincere apologies tend to be gladly accepted. </li><li>We can reinvent ourselves – a bit. </li><li>Parents keep on loving us even if we largely ignore them for a few years. </li><li>Children continue to love us even if they say they don’t; and even if we were not always perfect parents. </li><li>By the time we are forty, nothing we did or thought at the age of twenty will seem very important.</li></ul>

<ul><li>No-one can stop us having our own thoughts. </li><li>We can with complete impunity fantasise about the people we can’t have.</li><li>We can get to hear the jokes and stories of the funniest people on the planet. </li><li>In the middle of the night, and in the early morning, we have the world to ourselves. </li><li>It isn’t what happened to us that counts; but how we choose to tell the story. </li><li>We do not know what will happen in the future.</li></ul>

motivationandinspiration

Motivation & Inspiration

A Few Things Still to Be Grateful For -The School of Life Articles | Formerly The Book of Life

It could be taking a walk outside, petting your dog, meditating, baking, drawing, organizing your closet, listening to a podcast or anything else you enjoy that alleviates stress.You can make a list of such activities when you’re feeling pretty good, so that when you feel burnt out — which happens to everyone — you don’t have to then think of self-care activities.

1. Make a list of activities that feel restorative to you right.

There’s a lot happening in the world to be upset, angry and scared about, especially right now. But in these darker moments, finding things — big and small — that we’re thankful🙏 for is even more essential.Each day, write down three things you’re thankful for in a journal, save them in the Notes app on your phone or share them out loud with a loved one.Your effort to search for goodness in the midst of this chaos is good exercise for your brain and mood.

2. Identify what you’re grateful for.

With many people working from home during the pandemic, living spaces now double as office spaces, blurring the line between work and play.To create more structure, try to stick to the same start and stop times for your workday as you did pre-COVID-19. When you’re not on the clock, put your laptop and other work material in a closet, bin or drawer until you need them again. Out of sight, out of mind.

3. Set boundaries with work.

Many of us aren’t as productive during a pandemic as we are under normal circumstances — and that's totally understandable. But staring at a long list of unfinished tasks on your to-do list is only going to make you feel worse about yourself. Instead, compile a “done” list of all the items you’ve already accomplished.Include all the tasks, large and small, that you’ve successfully completed, from grocery shopping to folding clothes to getting kids through a day of school.

4. Make a “done” list.

Staying up to date with the news and latest developments is important ― but not at the cost of your sanity.When the news becomes a source of dread, anxiety, and futility, it’s time to take a step back.To curb your consumption, block out specific windows of time where you let yourself read or watch the news and try to avoid checking for updates otherwise.

5. Put limits on your news intake.

Pick up that book you’ve been meaning to read and try to get 30 minutes of reading in a day. It doesn’t have to be a straight 30 minutes. You could also break it up, doing something like 10 minutes of reading three times a day.

6. Crack open a book.

People are mourning all kinds of losses right now: the loss of their loved ones, their jobs, their health, their plans, their normal routines, just to name a few.Take a breath and let yourself feel whatever you’re feeling without judgment. Then, when you’re ready, grab a pen and paper and write down all of the supportive forces in your life. They could be “personal, professional, financial, familial”.

7. Let yourself grieve losses big and small.

Taking the time to check in with yourself daily can bring focus and awareness to an otherwise dizzying time.Ask yourself these three questions: <ol><li>“What is captivating your thoughts right now?”</li><li>“What emotions or physical sensations are you experiencing or feeling?”</li><li> “What do you want to accomplish today?” </li></ol>Pairing this practice with an already ingrained part of your routine, like brushing your teeth or making coffee in the morning, will make it easier to stick to.

8. Pause to check in with yourself every day.

Try "box breathing". The technique, outlined below, is popular among Navy SEALs and only takes five minutes:<ol><li> Inhale for four seconds.</li><li> Hold the air in your lungs for four seconds.</li><li> Exhale for four seconds, emptying all of the air in your lungs.</li><li> Hold your lungs empty for four seconds.</li><li> Repeat for five minutes.</li></ol>

9. Try a breathing exercise.

Working out the way we used to do may be hard to do in our current reality. Moving your body can do wonders for your mood and mental health. That’s why it’s important to find ways to sweat safely.You don’t need to do a high-intensity workout to reap the benefits. There are many free videos that are body-positive, mindful of folks with chronic pain or disease and are designed for people with physical limitations and you can find enjoyable forms of exercise at home.

10. Work out.

Getting a good night's sleep can set a positive tone for your day and help you better manage stress and anxiety. To facilitate this, create a nighttime routine that helps your body wind down and puts you in sleep mode.Try including a hot bath or shower because the hot water can help lower your core body temperature, which is needed to initiate and maintain a good night’s sleep. That plus Sleepytime tea and a good book ― and no Instagram scrolling! ― and you’ll be out in no time.

11. Create a bedtime routine to encourage good sleep habits.

When you can’t muster up the energy for a workout, stretching is a more manageable option that still benefits your body and mind. Choose two to three stretches that are your go-to stretches and set a timer on your phone and try to hold each exercise for two minutes.

12. Do some stretching.

If racing thoughts are weighing you down, consider starting a journaling practice. Setting aside some time to self-reflect will help quiet your busy mind and clarify and process what you’re experiencing.If this is something you’re struggling with, try taking 10 minutes each day to reflect on how you’re feeling, write down any worries or concerns, and acknowledge that it’s OK to feel these things.

13. Keep a journal.

Cut yourself some slack. Practice self-compassion.Instead of beating yourself up because you are not ‘leveling up’ right now, try to validate yourself with kind self-talk.Consider what you would say to a dear friend or relative struggling during this time. Then say those things to yourself.

14. Be extra gentle with yourself.

“Gratitude, like anything, is a practice, and neuroscience shows us that if we make efforts to cultivate appreciation, we’ll find more to be grateful for, even during times of loss and grief.”

These healthy habits and activities will help you cope with pandemic stress.

14 Small Self-Care Tips That Will Make A Big Difference Right Now

We are all writers now. Whether you write books, blog posts, emails, Instagram captions, or text messages, you are a writer.No matter your preferred medium, here are a few tips to help you write more effectively.

Why you need to improve your writing skills? 

Before hitting the send button, review your text: spelling, content, punctuation. Ask yourself: What am I attempting to communicate ? What am I attempting to express ? Be more deliberate with your most common form of casual writing, and you’ll automatically become more deliberate in other mediums.

1. Treat text messages like prose

Expand your vocabulary to make your writing more precise. There’s no need to use a ten-dollar word when a ten-cent word will suffice, but having more tools in your toolbox will allow you to select the most appropriate tool for the job. Pick one new word each day, and then use it at least 21 times in your conversations with others that day. The most useful words will stick, and your vocabulary will expand over time.

2. Words are tools

If you want to improve your writing, write every day. Writing is a muscle: if you don’t use it, you lose it.The best way to guarantee consistent writing is to start a blog.

3. Do it daily

To add variety, velocity, and cadence to your writing, play around with different punctuation: periods, commas, em dashes, colons, semicolons. Short, succinct sentences communicate tension. Longer, run-on sentences, on the other hand, help establish a frantic, hurried rhythm—a feeling that the pace is picking up as the words tumble onto the page.

4. Punctuation. Is. Pace

Blogs, books, and social media posts are littered with unnecessary intros, solipsistic digressions, and avoidable drivel. Ditch the nonsense and state your points. When in doubt, delete your first two paragraphs and see whether the writing improves.

5. Avoid throat-clearing

Our time and our attention are two of our most precious resources. It is selfish to force a reader to spend fifteen minutes reading something you could’ve—and should’ve—communicated in 90 seconds. If you want to earn your reader’s trust, don’t waste their time.

6. Don’t waste the reader’s time

For every hour you spend writing, spend three hours editing, shaping your work into something more concise, more powerful—more beautiful.Writing truly is rewriting.

7. 30% composition, 70% editing

Every sentence must serve a purpose: Your first sentence must make the reader want to read the second. The second sentence must propel the reader to the third. So forth and so on until the very end. If a sentence doesn’t move the narrative forward—if it doesn’t make the writing more urgent—then it must hit the cutting-room floor, no matter how clever or precious it seems.

8. Narrative urgency

A sure sign of amateur writing is the overuse of adverbs, especially -ly adverbs. For example, a woman in a story isn’t incredibly pretty—she’s beautiful; the sky isn’t very blue—it’s azure.Find the perfect words to avoid using adverbs as crutches.

9. Avoid too many adverbs

Learn the rules so you can break them successfully. There are some books to help them understand the guidelines of good writing such as: <a href="https://amzn.to/1gusaiv">Grammatically Correct </a> and <a href="https://amzn.to/2E48pgL">Garner’s Modern English Usage </a>.

10. Follow the rules, and then unfollow the rules

No matter your level of competency, there’s always room for improvement. For daily tips and writing-related articles, you can follow several channels, blogs or newsletters.

11. Read more about writing

writing

Reading & Writing

communication

Communication

artsandculture

Society, Arts & Culture

11 Ways to Write Better | The Minimalists

Check the locks. If you enter credit card information online to make a purchase, you should see a lock in your browser’s status bar, usually in the right corner. If you don’t see the lock, don’t enter your information.

Check for secure websites 

Beware of being redirected to a “middle-man” website when you think you are on a secure site, such as your bank’s webpage. Check for suspicious URLs. Make sure URL is exactly same as original one (even .org or .gov).

Beware of middle-man

Keep track of your credit card and banking statements to check for suspicious transactions. If you found one, make sure to inform the bank and block your account.

Always check for suspicious transactions 

Don’t answer emails or follow links in emails claiming to be from reputable institutions like your bank or university that ask for sensitive information such as your Social Security number. Contact the institution in question via phone or their website about these emails.

Don't share sensitive information in response to certain emails

If an offer sounds too good to be true (“Just enter your credit card number for a free trip to Paris!”), it is likely to be a scam. This can also be the case when a google search reveals one vendor who vastly undercuts all the others on the market. You may have found a fake website designed to get your credit card number. Do some online research if you suspect a scam.

Filter out scam by doing some research

Don’t be cavalier about sending secure information when using the wifi in your favorite cafe. Unless the wifi network is secure, you are only safe when using encrypted websites.

Avoid public wifi

Look out for emails claiming to be from companies such as Norton Anti-Virus that prompt you to download something. Get in touch with the company independently (do not reply to the email itself) to check on the information. Never install some malicious software. Always download softwares from their official website.

Refrain downloading malicious software 

How to Avoid Online Identity Theft — Digital Responsibility

<ul><li>Pick your journaling tool of choice. (Diary, notepad, apps like Keep notes, OneNote, Evernote etc.)</li><li>Pick a topic/prompt to write about, e.g. your daily routine.</li><li>Set a timer for twenty minutes.</li><li>While writing, don’t stop to edit yourself or edit for punctuation.</li><li>When the timer sounds, re-read your entry and tidy it up.</li></ul>

Start journaling today

<ul><li>What’s on my mind?</li><li>How should I have reacted in hindsight?</li><li>How are things different now?</li><li>What would I say to a younger version of myself?</li><li>What am I grateful for?</li><li>What do I value?</li><li>Who helped me?</li><li>What made me laugh today?</li><li>What did I accomplished today?</li></ul>

Prompt ideas for journaling

<ul><li>Remember, you can’t get journaling wrong because it’s a personal pursuit.</li><li>It’ll help you express yourself, think ideas through and create a record of your life. </li><li>If you want to practice journaling, write a short entry at the same time every day. Or even just once a week.</li><li>Consistency is more important than your tools, timing or choice of furniture.</li></ul>

Journaling: a personal pursuit

Years ago, I hated writing. And yet, I wanted to earn an income from writing, publish a best-selling book and call myself an author. Instead, I avoided the blank page as if it carried the bubonic…

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