How To Have a Glow-Up: 12 Tips To Help You Experience a Total Transformation

Everyone wants to experience growth and change over time, but some feel like their lives have stagnated, requiring rapid, dramatic change or a glow-up.

But while the concept of a glow-up is well-known, learning how to have a glow-up can seem like an impossible feat.

Fortunately, going about your glow-up is much easier than it seems.

If you’re ready to look and feel like a new person, let’s walk through 12 glow-up tips that will help you experience a total transformation.

#1. Figure Out Who You Want To Become Through Journaling

One of the most important aspects of starting the glow-up process is figuring out who you want to be when you emerge on the other side.

For example, are you looking to be more confident? Are you hoping to become more assertive and get the things you want? Are you trying to attract more people to you?

Whatever the end goal is, one fantastic way to get started is to journal. Journaling can be an invaluable tool in the process of self-discovery and helping you track your progress, and there are plenty of journal prompts to help you begin.

#2. Reinvent Yourself With a New Wardrobe

Glow-ups come in many forms, but most associate them with physical changes you undergo over time.

If you’re interested in how to have a glow-up in the physical sense, one pervasive element of ourselves that we may feel unsatisfied with is the clothing we wear. After all, if our clothes don’t give us confidence, it’s tough to become the person we want to be.

Reinvent yourself with a new wardrobe that makes you look and feel great. If you’re struggling to figure out how to dress, there’s plenty of helpful fashion advice out there that you can use to easily develop your sense of style.

#3. Make It a Priority to Exercise More

Getting enough movement throughout the day is something that many struggle with, and it can make them feel bad now and in the future if it causes any health complications.

No matter how much free time you have, make it a priority to exercise daily. Whether you go for a brisk walk for half an hour or squeeze in some weight training and cardio at home or your local gym, it benefits you and your glow-up.

You may even want to squeeze in extra movement throughout the day if you have a relatively sedentary job.

Do small exercises during your breaks or walk to work instead of driving (if possible).

#4. Consider Tapping Into Your Spiritual Side

Discovering how to have a glow-up and executing it are two different things. The latter requires tremendous willpower, and turning to spirituality could help in this department and beyond.

For example, if you’re looking to empower yourself and transform into the person you know you can be, learning how to do daily affirmations can be a great way to bolster your self-confidence and help you become the person you want to be.

Positive affirmations are phrases we repeat daily to inspire ourselves and achieve what we want (for example, “I am beautiful.”).

Repeating it becomes something you internalize and manifest in your life, which can make all the difference in a significant life transition.

#5. Nourish Your Body With Healthier Foods

You are what you eat, and it can be easy to feel not-so-great about yourself if you fill your diet with foods that aren’t supporting your overall health and wellness.

To glow up, nourish your body with healthier foods that support holistic well-being. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy any foods deemed not as good for you, but you should consider reducing them significantly.

#6. Develop a Skincare Regimen

Trying out a new skincare routine is expected with any glow-up, but skincare can be a bit difficult to master if you haven’t paid close attention to it in the past.

Here are a few tips to help you if you want a glow-up that focuses on your physical attributes:

• Figure out what your skin type is. Do you have dry skin, oily skin, or sensitive skin?
• Find products that will help you identify your problem areas. Look for products that support your skin type and make your skin look more hydrated, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, or help you with any other issue you’re experiencing.
• Consider reaching out to a dermatologist. They can help you better determine what products you need and how to care for your skin.

Even a basic skincare routine of cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing can go a long way toward healthy skin.

#7. Try Out a New Hairstyle

Our hair is an inherent part of our appearance and identity, so it makes sense to change things if we want to take our lives in an entirely new direction. Consider trying out a new hairstyle if you want a glow-up that makes you feel like a new you.

A new hairstyle could include:

• Cutting it shorter
• Giving it a minor trim to bring life back to lifeless hair
• Even dyeing it to change it completely

It’s all up to you!

#8. Establish Goals for the Future You

Glowing up personally requires you to set goals you can achieve to transform your life and boost your overall confidence in yourself.

It’s pretty easy to set unachievable or undefined goals, which only sets you back and makes your glow-up harder.

Always set SMART goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

For example, if you’re looking to go back to college and start a career you’re passionate about, you’ll need to figure out how to apply and pay for it, figure out when you want to get started, and create a plan of action that allows you to balance school and life.

With the right plans and goals, nothing can stop your glow-up from happening.

#9. Prioritize Your Rest

Getting enough sleep is crucial to every facet of your health, but it’s often easier said than done.

However, a great glow-up without good rest is nearly impossible, mainly because it will make it much harder to look your best and perform to your expectations. It’s essential to ensure you get at least seven hours of high-quality sleep each night.

If you’re someone who struggles to get good sleep, consider doing the following each night:

• Turn off all electronics before bed so the light and noise don’t distract or keep you up.
• Avoid drinking alcohol or caffeine too close to bedtime.
• Develop a nightly ritual that helps you unwind and fall asleep more easily.
• Consider exercising more throughout the day to tire yourself out. Conversely, ensure you’re scheduling your day correctly so you’re not staying up late to catch up on work.

#10. Invest in Your Personal Development

Investing in yourself is one of the best personal development tips if you’re interested in an internally focused glow-up.

For some, this might look like taking a new class that helps them master a skill they are interested in or buying a self-help book that gives them the support they need to take control of their lives. For others, personal development may mean taking classes that help them advance in life to reach their goals more easily.

No matter what personal development looks like to you set aside a certain amount of money regularly (or find free opportunities) to allow you to experience the growth you want.

#11. Reach Out to a Therapist

Not everyone can decide that they’re going to make changes and stick to that path.

Everyone is different, and there may be personal blocks that you’re struggling to overcome, difficulty figuring out who you are or who you want to be, or even mental health issues preventing you from seeing yourself as someone worthy of praise and attention.

If you can relate to this, one of the best resources at your disposal is a therapist. A therapist can help you figure out your biggest obstacles and what to do to overcome those. They can also provide you with broader support as you learn how to have a glow-up. Who knows? You might get more out of it than you expect.

#12. Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

It’s hard to glow up if you engage in old habits that haven’t improved your life thus far.

Now’s the time to challenge yourself and get out of your comfort zone to experience the growth and change you want. If you’re looking to glow up and get more attention from others, you’ll need to get out more and interact with people around you. If you want to feel more confident, you have to allow yourself to be seen and heard both in your personal life and in your professional life.

Change can be scary, but it can also be liberating.

Glow-ups aren’t as difficult as they sound, but they require a lot of hard work if you want to see the radical changes you seek.

If you feel it’s your time to glow up and become the version of yourself that you’ve always wanted to be, let the 12 tips on how to have a glow-up above help you establish a foundation and guide you as you start the transition. The new you is waiting!

This article originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks.

source https://eyecatchingconfidence.com/how-to-have-a-glow-up-tips-to-help-you-experience-a-total-transformation/

7 Signs of a Toxic Relationship & How To Get Out of It

You’ve probably felt that gut-wrenching sense something’s off in your relationship. There’s a name for that: it’s called a toxic relationship. 

When you’re in a problematic relationship, it’s normal to have an off day now and then, but we’re talking about patterns that consistently make you feel awful.

Let’s examine all the warning signs. Recognizing these red flags can be your first step toward a healthier life.

7 Signs of a Toxic Relationship

1. Lack of Support

Are you having a tough day, and there’s no one to talk to about it? That’s often what happens in toxic relationships. The support you need just isn’t there. Your partner should be your cheerleader, not someone who sits on the sidelines — or worse, roots against you.

If they don’t celebrate your wins or offer a shoulder when you’re down, that’s a big red flag. It feels pretty terrible. You might share good news only to get cold looks or offhand comments. Or maybe during hard times, instead of getting comfort from them, all you hear are crickets — ouch! 

Support is like the glue in any healthy bond; without it, things start falling apart fast.

2. Toxic Communication

After discussing how a lack of support can hurt, let’s discuss another warning sign: toxic communication. It can be tricky because it doesn’t always mean someone is being mean on purpose. But wow, can it make you feel small? 

We’re not just talking shouting matches – this also includes those sneaky comments that sting and times when silence says more than words ever could.

Let’s face it: feeling ignored or joked about harshly? That’s rough.

What makes toxic talk even worse is that it can happen without anyone noticing at first. Maybe your partner always puts down your ideas or mocks the things you say with a laugh as if they’re kidding around.

Or perhaps every time you share something significant from your heart, they barely look up from their phone. These moments add up, and before you know it, chatting with someone close feels like walking through a minefield – never knowing when the next explosion will happen.      

3. Jealousy and Envy

Toxic communication often leads to feelings that can eat away at trust — like jealousy and envy. These emotions are big red flags in relationships. They show up when one person doesn’t feel secure.

Think about it. If your partner gets jealous over small things or continuously checks up on you, that’s not okay. This isn’t just being protective; it’s a way for them to control who you talk to and what you do.

What about envy? It’s normal to want good things like someone else has sometimes. But in a toxic relationship? Envy turns into somebody wanting what you have all for themselves or putting down your achievements.

So watch out — jealousy and envy can lead folks to do mean stuff, like spreading rumors or lying, to make themselves feel better by knocking you down a peg.

4. Controlling Behaviors

Does your partner always seem like they want to be in charge? Do they try to choose who you can hang out with and even get upset if you have fun without them?

These actions make up controlling behaviors — a big red flag in any relationship.

That kind of control isn’t love; it’s like being locked in an invisible cage. Control and manipulation twist relationships into unhappy ones where one person holds too much power over another.

Everybody deserves freedom within their close connections — nobody should call all the shots.

5. Resentment and Dishonesty

Feeling controlled can often lead to bitterness, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Resentment creeps in when you feel undervalued, or your partner keeps bringing up past mistakes.

It’s like a poison that makes trust disappear and turns minor issues into enormous fights. Meanwhile, dishonesty starts small, maybe with tiny lies about what they spent money on or who they were chatting with online. But soon, it grows until you can’t count on anything they say.

No one deserves to have to be involved in this kind of mess. 

Suppose promises are broken time after time, and excuses replace genuine apologies. In that case, honesty has left the building and taken respect with it.

With each lie told or each secret kept, your bond weakens. Those secrets pile up; before long, your gut tells you something is wrong because actions no longer match words.

They say one thing but do another — ringing alarm bells inside your head that shouldn’t be ignored.

6. Disrespect and Negative Financial Behaviors

Just like resentment and dishonesty chip away at trust, disrespect can show up in ugly ways. Maybe your partner laughs at your ideas or says you’re not smart. 

It gets worse if they start messing with your money. Maybe they’re blowing cash without telling you or making you feel bad for how you spend yours. This kind of mean behavior is a big red flag. 

Sharing money talks isn’t fun, but it’s part of being a team. If someone takes control of the cash to make all the choices alone – that’s not fair! They could say things like “I earn more, so I decide,” or hide what they spend from you.

Now, that messes with their respect for you and hurts your self-esteem, too.

You should always stand up for yourself and watch these sneaky signs – nobody should mistreat you or play games with your wallet.

7. Constant Stress and Ignored Needs

Sometimes, life seems to run on empty, and nobody listens or cares about what it takes away from you. That’s a major red flag in a relationship.

If every day feels like a battle and your life is accompanied by constant worry or stress, then it shouldn’t be like that.

And then there are your needs – everyone has them. It could be a bit of quiet time to read a book or someone simply asking how your day has been going. But suppose those things keep getting brushed off or ignored by someone who’s supposed to care about you. In that case, you should reevaluate your relationship.

When nobody listens to what fulfills or strengthens you, it gradually wears away at your emotional well-being and health. It begins with the fact that these needs should be seen and heard – do not accept less.

The Impact of Toxic Relationships on Mental Health

What happens inside a person because of toxic relationships? These unhealthy connections can do actual harm to your mental health. Constant stress from dealing with negative behaviors like criticism and lack of support wears you down.

It’s tough. Your mind feels tired, your confidence might drop, and finding joy gets harder.

Staying in bad relationships where trust is rare and mutual respect is a dream can change how you see yourself. 

Over time, you may not feel good enough or doubt your worth – that’s low self-esteem sneaking in.

This gloomy feeling doesn’t just stay put; it follows you around like a shadow, even affecting new friends or romantic partners you meet along the way.

5 Steps To Cope With a Toxic Relationship

Trying to cope with a toxic relationship can be difficult, but it’s easier when you’ve got practical steps to guide you through. Keep reading for a nudge toward positivity.

1. Acknowledge the Issue 

You must see the problem before you can fix it. Spotting those warning signs — like constant stress or feeling ignored — is your first step in dealing with a bad relationship. It’s like realizing that the cough you’ve been ignoring is something serious.

When respect takes a back seat, and boundaries get crossed without a sorry, you know there’s trouble.

After acknowledging the issue, muster up the courage to face what’s happening.

2. Identify the Toxic Behavior

Toxic behavior is when someone makes you feel small or says mean things to you. That’s verbal abuse, and it can really mess with your head.

These behaviors might not always be on purpose, but they don’t help make things healthy between two people. Sometimes, this includes yelling or name-calling; other times, it’s more sneaky, like someone always putting themselves first and ignoring what you need.

Remember that just because somebody acts toxic doesn’t mean they are aiming to hurt you. But whether they mean it or not, it doesn’t change that it can be rough for your heart and mind.

It’s tricky since some of these actions may seem normal at first — like getting jealous — but if it keeps happening and starts feeling like too much to handle, that’s a huge warning sign.

3. Take Accountability

It’s tough, but facing the fact that you’re in a toxic relationship is like the first step up a steep hill – hard but necessary. 

You may have noticed that your partner often ignores what you want or feel. Or maybe friends keep saying they’re worried about you — they might be onto something. 

Look at your own actions, too; are you making excuses for someone’s bad behavior? If it sounds familiar, it’s time to sit down and take a serious look at what’s really going on.

Owning up to the problem gives you the power to make changes or even to say goodbye. 

You can’t fix things if you don’t acknowledge that there’s something wrong. But think of how wonderful life will be when you no longer meet tension at every turn.

You will be empowered to assume control – deciding which people get close and determining how much space is healthy for each participant.

4. Communicate the Issue

The next phase is discussing the issues. You might be afraid to tell your true feelings or worry about how the other person will feel. However, it is vital to keep an open line of communication. Just tell your partner honestly what the problem is, but be kind about it – no shouting or pointing the finger.

How about if things get a little intense when talking? It happens! Just keep calm and focus on the main ideas.

If they shut down or fight back, don’t give up just yet; some folks need time to think things over before they can chat adequately.

Keep trying for that good communication — whether with friends, family members, or your dating partner.

Suppose talking doesn’t help, and nasty stuff keeps happening. In that case, it might be time for more severe steps like setting healthy boundaries or even waving goodbye to the toxic partner in your life.

Your well-being comes first, always!

5. Set Boundaries

Setting boundaries is like building a fence in your life. It marks what’s okay and what’s not. You might say “no” to someone who keeps asking for money or decide you need an evening alone instead of always hanging out with friends.

Drawing these lines can feel challenging, but it stands up for your own needs — like making sure you have time to relax or saying you won’t put up with yelling.

You start by figuring out what matters most to you. Maybe respect means a lot, so you tell others they can’t make fun of how you look or talk. By being clear about your limits, people learn how to treat you right — and that helps everyone get along better.

Sticking to these rules isn’t mean; it’s taking care of yourself!

How To Leave a Toxic Relationship

Breaking a toxic relationship might seem challenging, but you’ve got this. Here are the ways to exit the toxic relationship in the healthiest ways possible:

Seek Emotional Support

It’s essential to have someone to speak to. Lean on close friends and family who all care about you. Tell them what’s happening, and let them be there for you.

It’s never easy to deal with heartache, but know you are not alone. There are community groups where people with similar experiences help each other.

These can be groups of people somewhere in your town or those that you find online. Their advice may be the very words you need to hear.

Get Additional Support

So, you have your loved ones who support you and care about your feelings. That’s great! 

But sometimes, ending a toxic relationship requires more support.

Find people who can give you different types of help. You can also speak with someone well-versed in relationships or trained to handle difficult emotions.

It is also okay to seek professional assistance if the situation feels too burdening for you. Sometimes, talking with a counselor or a therapist could be just what you need. 

If you break up with your partner and need somewhere safe to stay, many friendly services and hotlines are ready to support you.

It’s not weak to reach out. It’s brave! No one should go through these things alone.

Stick To Your Boundaries & Cut off Communication

Boundaries – they’re like invisible lines that keep you safe and secure. They tell people how to treat you well. Toxic relationships can be extremely difficult to walk away from, and it’s essential to stick to your boundaries when dealing with them.

If those boundaries get crossed too many times…time out! That’s when you need a plan to take care of YOURSELF.

Keep those boundaries strong – it’s all part of ensuring no one else gets to call the shots in your life.

Cut off all communication if you have to. That means no texts, phone calls, or visits to their social media profiles. It would help if you did not try to maintain a friendship with them. 

Right now, focusing on yourself and cultivating happiness within yourself is crucial.

Seek Therapeutic Support Afterward

Exiting from a toxic relationship is not always easy. But you don’t have to do it all by yourself! Speaking to a therapist can be tremendously helpful. They listen and take in what you are dealing with and then offer solid advice on healing and moving forward.

Therapy is like a sanctuary where it’s all about you feeling better and finding peace.

Suppose your heart is still hurting from having to say goodbye to your previous relationship. In that case, it is high time you reach out for therapeutic help because that might be the best thing for your emotional health.

This article originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks. 

source https://eyecatchingconfidence.com/signs-of-a-toxic-relationship-how-to-get-out-of-it/

The Benefits of Keeping a Gratitude Journal

It’s not always easy to find the good during tough days.  

When disappointments collide with heartbreak and losses, it’s easy to say “life sucks” because that’s how you feel in the moment, right?

Recently, I felt like a fat loser because I wasn’t meeting a lot of the milestones I set for myself, like losing weight, so I’ve been feeling low on the self-esteem scale, and in my “woe is me” moment I said, “I don’t even remember the last time something good happened to me” until a couple of days later when a good friend said “Hey how’s that new client of yours? You found one so quickly.” 

I felt like a complete idiot because I forgot about that recent blessing and she was right!  The gig economy is so competitive right now that it takes a couple of months for people to find clients, but I found one in weeks. It’s a major win that I should have remembered because I have a gratitude journal, I just haven’t been consistent.

So, I promised myself to get back to journaling because it helps remind me about the good things in my life even when things are not going according to plan.

If you’re also inconsistent with your gratitude journal or you’re feeling too low to think of anything, below are some methods to help. 

Gratitude Journal Prompts

1. My favorite blessing is…
2. I’m proud of myself because…
3. The last time I laughed so hard was because…
4. The person who gives me the best advice is
5. The best advice I’ve been given is…
6. Describe what a really good day looks like.
7. I feel strong when…
8. I feel confident when…
9. I love my family because
10. I love my friends because…

If you find those prompts a little difficult, below are some exercises you can practice to get those gratitude juices flowing:

1. Celebrate the sunshine 
2. Look forward to your morning’s MVP (coffee, sunrise, you!).
3. Write a love letter to a song that lifts your spirit and makes you wanna dance like nobody’s watching.
4. Applause for your brainwave of the day.
5. Go for a walk and get some “me time”  
6. Give out hugs
7. Do something nice for someone else
8. Read old emails or letters that always make you feel good
9. Watch an inspiring movie
10. Pray and list down all the ways your prayers are being answered.

Benefits of Having a Gratitude Journal

Yes, it takes some effort but writing down your blessings in a gratitude journal is a practice. It is an easy-to-use yet effective tool that can make a big difference in your well-being. The following are some advantages of keeping a gratitude diary:

1. Boosts Mood and Happiness 

Like finding a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day, writing down what you’re grateful for brightens your outlook. This simple act can lift your spirits and fill your days with more joy.

2. Reduces Anxiety and Stress 

Watch that balloon filled with worry deflate! That’s what gratitude journaling can do. It shifts your focus from worries to wonders, easing anxiety and melting stress away.

3. Improves Sleep Quality 

Just as a lullaby soothes a child to sleep, jotting down grateful thoughts can lead to deeper, more restful slumber. Write in your gratitude journal before bed, and watch as peaceful nights follow.

4. Increases Feelings of Contentment and Satisfaction 

Like savoring a favorite meal, gratitude journaling helps you appreciate the richness of life. It nurtures contentment, making you feel more fulfilled and satisfied.

5. Helps Build Better Relationships 

Sharing thanks is like watering a plant; it helps relationships grow. When you focus on the good in others, your connections deepen and become more meaningful.

6. Promotes Emotional and Physiological Well-Being 

Just as healthy food nourishes your body, gratitude nourishes your soul. It boosts emotional health and can even have positive physical effects, like a stronger heart and a calmer mind.

You won’t regret keeping a gratitude journal, because it’s a lifesaver! When you find yourself on the struggle bus again, you can pull out your journal and remember that despite life’s struggles, you are blessed. 

Need some inspiration? Check out these quotes about strength!

source https://eyecatchingconfidence.com/the-benefits-of-keeping-a-gratitude-journal/