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15 Small Things That Make Life Happier

Posted on September 17, 2016 by The Twentysomething Social Recluse

Sometimes it is the little things that put us in a great mood. Here are 15 things that make life better!

Finishing work early.
Walking home from work when the weather is beautiful.
Waking up before your alarm goes off, and realizing you still have hours left in bed.
Being praised by your friends, family or boss.
Finding money in your pocket or jacket that you forgot you had.
When the elevator arrives as soon as you press the button.
Listening to a new song that you’ve just discovered on repeat.
Listening to your all-time favorite song on repeat.
When you realize that a show you love is back with a new season.
When you see a happy child or puppy in public.
Having a great hair day.
When you sing/rap the whole song correctly.
When the sun starts shining and you put your winter coat away for a few months.
When a package arrives that you’ve been looking forward to. (Today a big box of Twiglets arrived for me. Day = made!)
When you think of a funny memory and you can’t help but to smile.

What small thing made your life better this week? Let me know with a comment!

Interesting Quotes About The Internet

Posted on September 1, 2016 by The Twentysomething Social Recluse

“We are all now connected by the Internet, like neurons in a giant brain.” Stephen Hawking

“The internet could be a very positive step towards education, organisation and participation in a meaningful society.” Noam Chomsky

“If television’s a babysitter, the Internet is a drunk librarian who won’t shut up.” Dorothy Gambrell

“People rely on Wikipedia, and a lot of it is wrong. But because there it is on the Internet, they assume it’s right. Rumor gets printed as fact. We may have lost our critical facility as a nation.” Ben Mezrich

“Oh, Wikipedia, with your tension between those who would share knowledge and those who would destroy it.” John Green

“You are what you share.” Charles Leadbeater

“There’s a danger in the internet and social media. The notion that information is enough, that more and more information is enough, that you don’t have to think, you just have to get more information – gets very dangerous.” Edward de Bono

“The amount of control you have over somebody if you can monitor internet activity is amazing.” Tim Berners-Lee

“Whether in cave paintings or the latest uses of the Internet, human beings have always told their histories and truths through parable and fable. We are inveterate storytellers.” Beeban Kidron

“Don’t believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose.” Douglas Adams

How To Spot A Narcissist

Posted on August 8, 2016 by The Twentysomething Social Recluse

We’ve all encountered narcissists, but sometimes it isn’t easy to tell that they’re a narcissist until it is too late. Before you know it, you have a co-worker who is always bragging about their life, or a friend who always makes the conversation about themselves.

If you can relate to this, don’t worry. There are often tell-tale signs that give away narcissism – and here they are.

They are likeable to begin with. Narcissists often make great first impressions, coming across as charismatic and friendly – which is probably why they perform so well in job interviews.

They often work in leadership positions. This isn’t because they make better leaders; it is just because they want to lead and rule, so they are more likely to end up in a leadership position than someone else. If they aren’t a leader, you can bet that they wish they were!

They always make the conversation about themselves. They often do this without any clear link – one minute you are talking about work, and the next minute they are talking about their problems/achievements, such as a break up or a promotion.

In all the stories they tell, they are never to blame. The story could paint them as either a winner or a victim – either way, they will still be blameless.

Appearance is important to them. They are more likely to make an effort with their appearance, and they are also more likely to buy high-status items such as an expensive phone or car.

Their past is filled with human wreckage. They may have been through many jobs and break-ups, because narcissists put themselves before everyone else (including their partners.)

They are more likely to take things personally. If you and a narcissistic co-worker disagree about a future project, they will think that you are against them personally, instead of accepting that you both have different ideas.

What do you think about these points? Do you know a narcissist?

15 Inspiring Quotes About Inner Strength

Posted on July 31, 2016 by The Twentysomething Social Recluse

“You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” Marcus Aurelius
“I found an inner strength to fight for myself. It was clear that nobody else would.” Tehmina Durrani
“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.” Mahatma Gandhi
“The storm is out there and every one of us must eventually face the storm. When the storm comes, pray that it will shake you to your roots and break you wide-open. Being broken open by the storm is your only hope. When you are broken open you get to discover for the first time what is inside you. Some people never get to see what is inside them; what beauty, what strength, what truth and love. They were never broken open by the storm. So, don’t run from your pain — run into your pain. Let life’s storm shatter you.” Bryant McGill
“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” Albert Camus
“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” Mahatma Gandhi
“Anyone can hide. Facing up to things, working through them, that’s what makes you strong.” Sarah Dessen
“Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.” Maya Angelou
“Deep roots are not reached by the frost.” J.R.R. Tolkien
“What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.” Plutarch
“Self-discovery is the most empowering time of your life, you remember who you are and you become the best version of yourself but what they forget to tell you is, to get to a point of pleasure you must face the pain.” Nikki Rowe
“You are your master. Only you have the master keys to open the inner locks.” Amit Ray
“There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.” Jane Austen
“Man often becomes what he believes himself to be.” Mahatma Gandhi
“Courage isn’t having the strength to go on – it is going on when you don’t have strength.” Napoléon Bonaparte

What do you think about these quotes? Which is your favorite?

Life Update

Posted on July 5, 2016 by The Twentysomething Social Recluse

I realised that I’ve not really posted anything about myself for a few months, but today it is time for an update!

I created this blog to be useful – I wanted to help other people in lots of little ways. However, I’ve started to get more followers, and I thought I should let you know a little bit about myself, too.

I’m a freelance writer/editor/transcriptionist, and I’ve been freelance since I finished studying Journalism at University. I write for Lifehack, Thought Catalog, The Talko, Simple and Bloomwell – lots of different publications doing different things!

Some articles are motivational, such as ”30 things you can do today to make yourself feel better.” (All of the articles I mention here are linked at the bottom, if you want to read them!)

I really enjoy writing list articles, or anything to do with productivity or motivation. It feels like I am being (semi)useful in the world. I (very occasionally) get an email from a reader thanking me for helping them to achieve something, and that makes me feel amazing.

Others are more educational. I write scientific articles for Bloomwell, a family legal company. For instance, I recently wrote “Your daughter’s brain and soccer: here’s what you need to know.”

Simple is a mobile banking service, so I write articles about saving money. I also write budget articles, such as “everything you’ll need to run a triathlon.”

I also run the newsletter, blog and social media pages for online dating website Date British Guys. I recently wrote a piece for the Queen’s birthday – “10 things you didn’t know about the Queen.”

I love writing for Date British Guys, as I manage some interns – so I actually have co-workers! Hurray for social contact with other people. 😉

I also do a couple of hours of transcription each week, and I write for a few other publications (but not as often).

Are you a freelancer? Would you enjoy freelancing? Let me know with a comment!

http://thoughtcatalog.com/amy-johnson/2016/06/30-simple-things-you-can-do-today-that-will-make-your-life-better-tomorrow/

https://www.bloomwell.com/blog/your-daughter%E2%80%99s-brain-and-soccer-here%E2%80%99s-what-you-need-know

https://www.simple.com/blog/first-triathlon-gear

http://www.datebritishguys.com/blog/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-queen/

10 PRODUCTIVE THINGS YOU CAN DO IN YOUR FREE TIME

Posted on June 10, 2016 by The Twentysomething Social Recluse

If you have a big chunk of free time, it is best to spend it with your friends or family, relaxing and enjoying yourself. However, if you only have a couple of minutes or quarter of an hour, it is often more useful to do a little productive task to make your life easier.

Here are 10 productive ways to fill a spare five minutes!

Use the time to clear out your inbox and respond to any important emails.
Do you have a friend or a co-worker that you need to speak to? Use this as a chance to pick up the phone and get the job done. You can do this wherever you are (if you have your phone!)
If your desk is covered in junk and paper, spend a few minutes throwing away the rubbish and filing the important things. It will make the rest of your working day much more pleasant, and it will be easier for you to stay focused.
Lots of people fall behind on their finances, but you can spend your free time paying a bill or making a note of a transaction. You’ll thank yourself later for this one!
Back up your favorite photographs of you with your friends and family. It’s always good to have a back-up copy, and you can email a copy to the other people in the photograph.
Network with your co-workers by contacting them with a question, or a follow-up email. This can really benefit your working relationships!
Exercise. Do some jumping jacks, sit ups or push ups for a few minutes to get your heart racing.
Stretch. Sitting at a desk all day can be really bad for your back, so do a few quick stretches while breathing slowly. This will relax your muscles and your mind.
Become an expert. Do you love learning about steam trains, or are you fascinated by World War II? Learn everything you possibly can about your passion so that you’re an expert on the topic!
Start a to-read collection. Bookmark webpages that you want to read later, or buy a magazine or a book that you can read later.

What do you think of these suggestions? Do you have any of your own? Please let me know with a comment! 🙂

QUOTES ABOUT LAZINESS

Posted on May 29, 2016 by The Twentysomething Social Recluse

Everyone is lazy sometimes! Here are a few quotes about laziness – what do you think of them? Do you disagree with any, or do any ring true with you? Let me know with a comment 🙂

“We often miss opportunity because it’s dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Thomas A. Edison

“Progress isn’t made by early risers. It’s made by lazy men trying to find easier ways to do something.” Robert A. Heinlein

“So avoid using the word ‘very’ because it’s lazy. A man is not very tired, he is exhausted. Don’t use very sad, use morose. Language was invented for one reason, boys – to woo women – and, in that endeavor, laziness will not do. It also won’t do in your essays.” N.H. Kleinbaum (Dead Poets Society)

“If your dream is a big dream, and if you want your life to work on the high level that you say you do, there’s no way around doing the work it takes to get you there.” Joyce Chapman

“Failure is not our only punishment for laziness; there is also the success of others.” Jules Renard

“How often do you find yourself saying, “In a minute”, “I’ll get to it” or “Tomorrow’s good enough” and every other possible excuse in the book? Compare it with how often you decide it’s got to be done, so let’s get on and do it! That should tell you just how serious your procrastinating problem really is.” Stephen Richards

“Laziness may appear attractive, but work gives satisfaction.” Anne Frank

“Both positive and negative thinking are contagious.” Stephen Richards

“Folks who never do any more than they get paid for, never get paid for any more than they do.” Elbert Hubbard

“When we hold back out of laziness, that is when we tie ourselves into knots of boredom.” Walter Annenberg

“There is a great volcano sleeping in every laziness!” Mehmet Murat ildan

10 THINGS YOU DON’T NEED TO FEEL GUILTY ABOUT

Posted on May 23, 2016 by The Twentysomething Social Recluse

Cancelling plans with your friends to have some alone time. Time with yourself is important, too! Put on a film you love and eat your favorite snacks without feeling mean or guilty.

Not putting in 100% at work every day. Life isn’t all about work. Lots of people see being stressed and tired as a sign of being a hard worker, but you should never lower the quality of your life for your work.

Your career choices/life choices. It is your life, and you have to live it in a way that makes sense to you. Don’t feel like you need to change your choices to make other people happy.

Not checking your email outside of work. You’re not at work, so you don’t need to (unless your job description specifically says you need to). Darn Smartphones!

Your appearance. Your flaws make you unique and different.

Ending a bad friendship. You are not obligated to spend time with anyone, and your friends should make you feel happy, supported and loved – not upset, angry or stressed.

Taking a risky chance. Life is for living, and that risk could hugely improve your life – just look at entrepreneurs all around the world.

Saying ‘no’ to people. You are not a machine that is designed to grant the wishes of other humans. If you don’t want to, say no.

Not knowing the answer to a question.

Treating yourself. You work hard (maybe) and you deserve it (probably)!

HOW TO DEAL WITH TOXIC PEOPLE

Posted on May 17, 2016 by The Twentysomething Social Recluse

Everyone in the world will meet a toxic person at some point in their lives.

Liars, narcissists, manipulators and sociopaths are very good at creating drama and dragging other people into it. It can happen at home, with your friends, or even at work with a colleague.

While their behaviour is hard to understand, it often stems from insecurity. If you have a toxic person in your life, here are a few ways to make sure they don’t rule your life – or drag you into the drama!

Don’t gossip with someone who is toxic. Toxic people will share other people’s secrets with you for many reasons; to create drama, to seem interesting, or to gauge your reaction. Don’t gossip back or say anything negative to them, as there is a high chance they will tell everyone. If a toxic person starts gossiping with you, politely excuse yourself.

Ignore their insults. Toxic people love to disguise insults as compliments, such as “You’re brave wearing that – I’d never have the confidence to pull it off!” They want you to wonder about what they said, as it is a power trip for them. Dismiss their offhand comments so they have no control over you.

Ignore attention-seeking behaviour. Toxic people love to be the centre of attention, and often they will act out or behave obnoxiously to gain the attention of other people. Don’t encourage the behaviour by giving them attention – instead focus on the quieter members of the group.

Don’t indulge self-pity. This is the easiest way for toxic people to A. talk about themselves and B. get you involved in their life/drama/problems. Be aware of the pattern and you will never get sucked in!

Stick up for yourself and others. If a toxic person says something nasty about you or someone else, stick up for them. Toxic people often target people who they perceive as weak, and doing this will help them to realize not to mess with you – or other people while you are around.

GET MOTIVATED WITH 15 QUOTES ABOUT HARD WORK AND SUCCESS

Posted on May 5, 2016 by The Twentysomething Social Recluse

Sometimes it can be tough to push yourself to achieve your goals. If you are having an off day and you need a dose of motivation, check out these 15 quotes about hard work and success.

Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out. John Wooden

Entrepreneurs average 3.8 failures before final success. What sets the successful ones apart is their amazing persistence. Lisa M. Amos

I say luck is when an opportunity comes along and you’re prepared for it. Denzel Washington

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. Winston Churchill

I’m a success today because I had a friend who believed in me and I didn’t have the heart to let him down. Abraham Lincoln

Sometimes things fall apart so that better things can fall together. Marilyn Monroe

Stop acting so small. You are the universe in ecstatic motion. Rumi

The best revenge is massive success. Frank Sinatra

All things are difficult before they are easy. Thomas Fuller

The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus. Bruce Lee

Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens. Epictetus

The starting point of all achievement is desire. Napoleon Hill

I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have. Thomas Jefferson

If you have no critics you’ll likely have no success. Malcolm X

Victory is always possible for the person who refuses to stop fighting. Napoleon Hill