Friends of Friends

if you had an argument/disagreement/discussion where you didn’t act how you wanted to: - wait for 30 minutes/until you feel calmer & more rational about the situation - figure out what you actually want to say (with anger removed!!) - go and say this calmly to the people involved - generally they’ll respect how much it took to say that, and any points that still need discussing can be (but in a more calm, less-heated way)

it’s really difficult to begin with but it gets so much easier with practice

If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone. There are many support services that are here to help. 

If you are located in the United States, consider reaching out to the National Alliance on Mental Illness HelpLine.

If you are located in the United Kingdom, The Mix is here to help you with any challenge you are facing.  Reach out online, on social or through their free and confidential helpline.

If you are reading this from in any other country in Europe,  Mental Health Europe has compiled a list of helplines and other resources in your country. 

Being grateful is one of the keys to happiness! Gratitude means to be thankful or to be appreciative. Showing gratitude for what you have even if it is less than what you expect or want, will make all the difference.

When we are genuinely grateful we experience joy and positivity. Not only do we experience this for ourselves but our friends and family are also affected by us. When we show or express gratitude, we also become an example to those around us. We can give, without having to expect anything in return.

A life without gratitude is not too great. Unhappiness is likely to follow along. We may not always get what we want but we should always appreciate what we have…

7 ways to show gratitude:

1.Being thoughtful of others

Being thoughtful of others shows understanding and compassion. We may not always know what the other person may be going through or why they may act the way they do. But being thoughtful can help the other person feel appreciated.

2. Saying “Thank You”

People in general do kind things all the time but not everyone says “thank you” in return. A simple “thank you” can make the biggest difference to the other person. It shows appreciation for even the smallest of acts.

3. Create a gratitude notebook

A gratitude notebook is a simple yet powerful way of realizing how much you can be grateful for. It works by writing down different things on why you are grateful. For example, “I am grateful for my home” and “I am grateful for my health“. This habit of writing in your gratitude notebook will have you thinking of even the smallest things you can have gratitude towards.

4. Do a random act of kindness for someone

A genuine act of kindness shows gratitude because it comes from the heart. Something as simple as holding the door for someone or randomly telling someone you know that you appreciate their friendship. This shows gratitude because it was a genuine act without expecting something in return.

5. Apologize when it is necessary

To apologize when necessary, will show compassion and appreciation because sometimes we too can make mistake. We can`t always be correct and sometimes it is ok to take a step back.

6. Check up on a friend or family

We live in a very fast paced world. We may not always have time for everything we want to do during our day but checking up on someone takes only a few minutes. It can completely turn that persons day around. It shows gratitude because it shows that you took some time out of your busy day to care about them.

7. Smile

I learned this one when I used to work in a McDonald`s. They always told us to smile and that “a smile is free”. A smile goes a long way. A genuine smile shows gratitude by expressing that you are acknowledging that other person. A smile can also express that you are kind and approachable.