fabiochiu/medium-articles huggingface dataset:
6 Lockdown Consumer Trends that are Here to Stay.
By: Digital Lab
Tags: Covid 19, Digital Transformation

With most of the world in lockdown for the best part of a year, situational restrictions have led to an inevitable change in consumer trends. COVID-19 has heavily influenced consumer trends, however, important clues have emerged as to which consumer trends may be here for the long term.

After intensive research and analysis, we have found 6 consumer trends that are likely to stay.

1) Change in health and wellness habits.

Having spent a lot of time focusing on both physical and mental well-being. Searches for organic food, vitamins, activity tackers, general well-being, and exercise habits saw increment at an exponential level. However, the lockdown seems to have had a disproportionate effect on the general well-being of women and ethnic minority groups.

2) Connecting with nature.

Even as the lockdown eased, people were looking for gardening help on Google and YouTube at an increasingly higher rate than in 2019. Working from home has also allowed people to look for properties outside major cities and further fuel this desire to be closer to nature.

3) Remodelling our homes.

Due to the lockdown, most people end up spending all their time at home, so it’s only natural to want our homes to fulfill all our needs.

Searches for “homemaking” and “interior décor” saw a big surge from 2019- sustaining this surge even when lockdown restrictions were eased. Our focus was on repurposing spaces to meet new requirements (office, gym, yoga), all while making our homes more aesthetically pleasing.

4) Ethical emphasis on brands.

Brands making a conscious effort to do good in any way will go a long way in boosting the image of the brand in the eyes of the consumer. Brands working towards sustainability, doing their part, and contributing towards society even in these trying times will surely reap the benefits in the long term.

5) Accelerating localism.

The lockdown made people aware of the social and environmental motives for keeping things local, encouraging them to buy from local stores and services.

Consumers now believe local businesses benefit the economy. People also said they were more likely to purchase from businesses offering local products than they would have done before.

6) Increased online shopping equals higher consumer demands.

More and more consumers have turned to online shopping during the lockdown due to its convenience and the safety aspect. However, with more customers, there come higher expectations.

Customers expect better service with a big jump in searches for “live chat service”, “next day delivery” and other such demands.

Consumer trends formed or accelerated during lockdown look set to have a long-term impact on the way we live our lives. Although the future is uncertain, one thing is for sure — adapting business models to be digital-first is vital for keeping pace with the dynamic changes in consumer behavior.
Has Covid-19 Changed Holiday Shopping Patterns?
Tags: Digital Transformation, Digital Marketing Agency, Holidays, Branding, Covid Diaries

Has the pandemic changed the shopping patterns? The duration of shopping and the product category has taken a toll.

The pandemic has changed the face of shopping from being a swift one to a longer one. Criteo, advertising, and retail technology expert team published data on the holiday shopping pattern, product category, and many others.

Criteo reports that the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales were less by 5% from 2019. The majority of this was accounted for by online sales than by in-store shopping. Past patterns have proved that customers begin their shopping spree from the Thanksgiving holiday week off and take it up until year-end. However, this year may be tempered because of the pandemic. Let’s be what are the changes.

November — Cyber Month

Unlike the regular sales spike through the long holiday shopping season, 2020 cyber sales saw a sales drop by 9% vs 2019. However, sales on the holiday weekend, Saturday and Sunday had an increase of 6% over last year than Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

COVID’s influence on Product Type

In the review of Criteo’s data, it is quite clear that COVID certainly has an impact on the purchase pattern and the product category movement. Furniture, software, sporting goods, and electronics indexed low in comparison to previous years. This is factful as consumers brought furniture and other products during the lockdown and quarantine earlier in the year. Apparel, accessories, toys, and games topped the list as classic gifts like every year. Interesting products that sold well are pet supply products, winter apparel, musical instruments, and cameras.

High sales of these products seem to focus on comfort and warmth, which makes sense in the context of the pandemic. Post pandemic, there will be an increase in the conventional in-store shopping and recovery of less selling product categories. The pandemic has changed the face of shopping, made it a longer season and home-oriented products.
Best No-Code Platforms in 2021 — What to Expect
By: Ian Tomlin
Tags: No Code, Digital Transformation, Fusion Team, Low Code, DevOps

2020 saw a significant boost in the popularity of No-Code platforms, as many businesses concluded the best way to grow out of an economic down-turn (resulting from the pandemic) was to innovate. Will 2021 be the year that no-code applications development takes hold? If so, what new innovations can enterprise buyers expect from state-of-the-art platforms like Encanvas.

Overcoming Bias

Few people who’ve been involved in the enterprise applications development market would be unaware of the strong bias towards coding and coding skills. The industry has been run by people who themselves trained as coder, and who believe coding offers unlimited versatility while any form of abstraction layer will inevitably lead to inflexibilities; if not in the functionality they can build into apps, then in the ongoing platform architecture — making it more difficult to protect data, integrate with other systems, scale apps or manage User and Group permissions.

This has led some IT leadership teams to focus their cultures and behaviors around coders and coding, not speed-to-market and business outcomes. It was assumed, through this professional bias, that any product claiming to be able to produce enterprise apps without coding was intended for ‘citizen developers’ — which has become industry speak for ‘amateur.’

The great thing about working with teams of awesomely clever and passionate people wanting to solve a problem, is they don’t see things like ‘bias’ as being an insurmountable obstacle; but rather just another bridge to cross.
Dijital İş Arkadaşınız; RPA Robotları
Tags: Digital Transformation, Automation, Teknoloji, Dijital Dönüşüm, Rpa Tools

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Organizational Agility: Why is it so important?
By: Adriano L. Candido
Tags: Innovation, Digital Transformation, Organizational Ambidextry, Organizational Agility

Organizational Agility: Why is it so important?

Photo by Murilo Viviani on Unsplash

Recently, innovation and business model reconfiguration are well-known concepts. As we know, when we are talking about an organization that was born based on digital assets and digital processes it’s easier to put these topics in place, but for most organizations operating for a long time, and they make up most of the market, it is not so simple.

One of the main challenges for solid companies is how to manage their capabilities to keep their business rhythm while adapting themselves or integrating into new business models. Keep in mind that traditional model companies pay the bills until new models become feasible and profitable.

When we attend a dozen talks, read strategy books, or even review business cases, everything seems to be effortless and it looks like an act of courage and willingness, but believe me, it is not.

The fact is that successful companies in this approach developed something called Organizational Ambidextry, which are nothing more than, are their abilities to explore their current business model and exploit new paths for the business alongside. Developing this ability is not simple, losing business focus and scarce resources, and even the strong cultural impact are some of the risks.

Photo by Javier Allegue Barros on Unsplash

However, in a very challenging business scene, these abilities show how agile the organizations are in terms of adjusting and keeping in the high incipient and dynamic market. The buzzword “Organizational Agility” defines these capabilities as “keep playing the game” when the rules changes or “new players” get in, and the rules are ever-changing and faster.

A 5-year strategic plan probably will not be feasible at the end of the first execution, so it is better to develop the abilities adjusting and adapting it than plan something that we want.

The concept is not new and a lot of studies have already deep-dived and identified how it affects the Advantage Competitiveness and Performance for modern companies. In the past Harvard Business Review, in 2004, Tushman and O'Reilly III compared the company's performance with these abilities, and it turned out that 90% of them are better assertive in their objectives.

And then? Is your Organization Agile enough to survive in this dynamic new world?
Digital Selling: Tips to help you relate to your clients
Tags: Salesforce Implementation, Salesforce, Salesforce Consulting, Digital Transformation, Implementation Partner

The current pandemic of COVID-19 has had a significant effect on the lives and livelihoods of people across the globe. In the face of slowing economic growth, companies are searching for new ways to support themselves. One such fantastic choice is a virtual sale, which has allowed them to succeed in such a crisis situation. However, online/virtual transactions require the same degree of effort and commitment as offline sales. Instead, virtual sales call for greater dedication.

But, how do companies make the most of virtual sales? Mentioned below are some expert appraisal that will guarantee the success of the shot:

Technology Necessary

Developing good relationships with consumers is critical for companies, regardless of the mode of sale. The introduction of emerging technology has made it more simple for companies to communicate with their clients in a more effective and efficient fashion. For example, conferencing applications such as Google Hangout, Zoom, etc. offer a forum that enables companies and consumers to communicate with each other in the most productive manner.

Communication is the key: It is correctly said that consistency is always above volume. Relationships are working under this theory. Sales reps need to focus on the following to ensure good communication with clients:

Attention works:

Decisions and interests differ from person to person. Personalized consideration should then be paid to every client so that their preferences and requirements can be identified and adequately handled.

Technology does work: Technology can be leveraged to simplify and automate company operations in order to minimize mistakes and duplication induced by human involvement.

Preparing for present and future

We all are living through tough times, and it’s impossible to guess whether the future lies ahead. Rather than getting minimal choices at your side, it is a wise step to keep your future primed by incorporating technological solutions such as AI (Artificial Intelligence), data analytics, and similar other innovative strategies. AI-backed Virtual selling makes sales rep more empathetic towards customers as customers tend to develop a sense of trust with the brands

Conclusion:

In brief, we would conclude that companies should be prepared to support themselves in unpredictable and difficult times, and the safest thing to do is to offer quality and timely solutions to their clients by using technical solutions that can hold them ahead of the chase.

About A5:

As a reputed establishment, A5 empowers organizations to digitally transform customer experiences through their high-end services including Salesforce Consulting and Salesforce Implementation
Artificial Intelligence and Digital Marketing Becoming One
By: Emily Angold
Tags: Digital Transformation, Digital Marketing, Social Media, Artificial Intelligence, AI

Many people are still not familiar with the concept of AI (artificial intelligence), but despite its global lack of familiarity, AI is a technology that is transforming businesses across the globe. AI is a tool that people are beginning to adopt in the business world, from using it to analyse data and mass amounts of information to improving decision making in general.

Digital marketing is being transformed by AI as it continues to advance. It has the ability to improve existing marketing campaigns and strategies by providing customer insights for your brand. With the ability to collect customer data, analyse it in depth and then react to it, AI truly is revolutionising the digital marketing field. With existing customer, as well as potential customer information continuously increasing, we are entering a dimension where brands will not need to spend time figuring out their target market’s needs and shopping behaviours. Even if you are unsure about your target audience, AI can help you segment your customers easily with intelligent algorithms and automated segmentation which will ensure your message and values are delivered effectively to a specific group of consumers.

This technology refers to CRM (customer relationship management) which is a strategy many companies use nowadays. It establishes a customer-centric approach to business by maximising customer information and then filtering the valid and important data. AI can also supercharge their leads by using predictive analysis and algorithms.

The main use of CRM is the creation of targeted recommendations, personalised sales and marketing aimed at the target customer, all which can be effectively delivered a specific time. Other examples of AI integrated with CRM is online customer support (usually in the format of smart chat boxes), intelligent personal assistantsand process automation.

CRM is becoming an essential part of a business as many business owners are beginning to recognise that is can help improve the customer journey and the customer service as a whole. It can help avoid the risk of any human errors through different everyday tasks and administrative duties.

Every business owner should consider implementing AI into their business, and in particular in their marketing strategy.

Visit www.thesocialcombo.com to learn how to digitise your business!
WHO WE ARE?
By: Harshad Mane
Tags: Digital Marketing Service, Digital Transformation, Digital Marketing, Web Development, Digital Marketing Agency

Gigante Technologies Pvt. Ltd. is a digital marketing and website development company in Pune, with a group of young and enthusiastic minds working together to fulfill the requirements of our clients in the area of web hosting, web development, website development, online application development, search engine optimization. , Internet marketing, Social media optimization, online reputation management, online branding, e-commerce solutions and mobile app development, software development, email gateways, payment gateways integration, SMS integration, enterprise resource planning.

We are providing our services for the last ten years to more than five hundred clients and we are being admired and recommend over others.

https://gigante.co.in/#
El lado positivo de un año desafiante: las oportunidades que nos deja 2020
By: Silvina Moschini
Tags: 2020, Digital Transformation, Technology, Remote Work, Future Of Work

in The Price of Tomorrow
Empowering Frontline Employees with a Connected Worker Experience Strategy
By: Logical Design Solutions
Tags: Employee Experience, Company Culture, Digital Transformation, Employee Engagement, Future Of Work

Empowering Frontline Employees with a Connected Worker Experience Strategy

In her presentation, Mimi described lessons learned in the first 10 years of digital transformation. These first-wave efforts focused on acquiring, experimenting, and launching new technologies without building the organizational capabilities, culture, and worker-experiences needed to support sustainable change.

Mimi then provided insight into how organizations can focus their efforts for success in the current second wave as they transform to business-digital ecosystems driven by human value and purpose. In successfully transformed organizations, the worker is central to the organizational ecosystem through new work practices, human workers are comfortable with their machine counterparts and a collaborative human-machine approach to problem-solving evolves, the organization learns on multiple timescales as a competitive necessity, and that knowledge flows rapidly within ecosystems as the “edges” of digital become the “core”.

If you are interested in having Mimi present at your next leadership event, please contact John Fee, VP Marketing.
Web and App Development Digital Transformation
Tags: Digital Transformation, Innovation, iOS, Web Development, Software Development

CodeRoutes is the best iOS application development company in the US, that you can approach for your business application needs since we follow an inflexible methodology towards holding fast to all the set business norms.

https://code-routes.com/

#business #software #development #innovation #seo #marketing #strategy #ios #digitalmarketingagency
The Age of Automation Disruption-Benefits of Using AI Technology
Tags: Digital Transformation, Quality Assurance, Testing Tools, Ai Technology, Automation Disruption

The world has fast been moving in the direction of Digital Transformation, understanding the requirements of the market in advance and developing a robust system that is predictive and scalable on-demand is the need of the hour. Continuous testing is inevitable and accelerated delivery is the key. Artificial Intelligence in Quality Assurance can help achieve that.

Benefits of Using AI Technology

Better Test Planning

For QA experts a lot of their time goes into planning test case scenario to help them launch the product with confidence and the same process is followed every time a new version is released.

AI test automation tools save time by crawling every screen and generating and executing the test scenarios.

Researched Build Release

Artificial Intelligence in QA makes it possible to examine similar apps, their contribution to the market and how was it a success. Understanding the market requirements helps build test cases to ensure the app doesn’t break upon the introduction and execution of specific goals.

Timelines

Incorporating disruptions in the testing process helps developers speed up the development of the product. AI is capable of sorting through the log files, scan codes and detect errors within seconds, manual scanning takes up significantly more time, besides AI does not burnout and thus yields better results. AI can adapt to new functions and can immediately identify bugs arising out of code change.

The role of AI in Quality Assurance and testing will also be seen in the changing of testing tools, the tests will be enhanced with AI-powered visual verification, which will give out a range of different outcomes.

Testers can use AI in Quality Assurance to achieve various tasks.
BURGER KING AND GOOGLE TEAMING UP?!
By: Noelle Hartt
Tags: Mobile Marketing, Digital Transformation, Digital Marketing, Fast Food, Mobile Apps

Have you heard about Burger King’s new integration with Google?

I’m covering it in my latest video. Check it out here; I’ll see you there!
Title: Digital Transformation Consulting
Tags: Customer Experience, Digital Transformation

https://www.brillio.com The brillio was born with “Product DNA” in everything we do. We are fluent with Agile and as a result, get you to market fast by ag what matters NOW. We are unreasonably focused on our customer’s success and we don’t apologize for that. Whether it is helping them achieve growth, or take a product to market faster, we are always focused on our customers. Our size allows us to collaborate and partner with our alliance partners and clients in ways that make them successful.If these 4 traits excite you, contact us we’d love to partner with you, or have you become a Brillian!To continue being the leader in global digital transformation.we acheive this through an outcome -driven portfolio of innovative and market-related solutions enabled by world-class design, technology, consulting, and throught leadership capabilities. The Brillio team’s mission has been to bring innovation to the digital world and provide the best customer experience possible through true partnership and integration with our clients.

India

Bengaluru SJR “The Hub”,4th&5th floor,8/2,ambalipura village,sarijapura Main Road, Bangalore-560102

Call us: 080 4633 7000

Email: info@brillio.com join us:careers@brillio.com
Podcast — A 2020 Retrospective
By: Michael Martino
Tags: Digital Transformation, Organizational Culture, Business Transformation

Podcast — A 2020 Retrospective

In the last proper episode of the year (bonus episode coming next week!) the guys take a look back on the year, the podcast, and all things 2020.
Is the silicon power base shifting? The value of ecosystem, tax and talent.
By: Karan Jain
Tags: Ecosystem, Digital Transformation, Fintech

As I grab coffee this morning, I wonder… the value of ecosystem for next generation of high growth tech startups that look to transform services that we consume. Especially in light of the possible hub shift from silicon bay to silicon hills.

Coffee this morning is Ethiopian medium roast beans. Location is rooftop somewhere in Botswana.

Silicon Valley has been a hub of entrepreneurship for decades with the birth of HP in Palo Alto, Intel and IBM alike, followed by the scaling of the FAANG. The environment created by the pool of talent, entrepreneurs, investors and advisors are now leaving the area and Silicon Valley is no longer the top consideration as the go to place to set up a high tech transformation businesses. The cost of living and tax has taken the balance out triggering many tech leaders to consider alternatives across US. The new ways of working during the pandemic was the last nail.

Talent being the key attraction of the Bay area was driven by universities, Stanford being one of the huge talent generator who then join the high tech companies, in the last decade the rise of web tech companies created their own system to generate talent proving that it is possible to set this up elsewhere.

We started to pay attention when Elon announced his move to Texas, the likes or HP and Oracle have decided to move along with many others to join the bustling Texas tech scene. Speaking to a friend recently, the state has seen a steady growth of angel networks and incubators in the last few years.

The value of ecosystem is critical for growing high tech companies. The pandemic has shown the co-location is not mandatory and certain beliefs have been broken and proven wrong. According to a recent poll – 61% of the respondents said that they would follow tech leaders to emerging tech hubs if they were to relocate – 58% of the respondents worked at FAANG.

The ecosystem will require the money (VCs, Bankers) and other entrepreneurial services infrastructure to be available, such as lawyers, accountants and incubators.

To my knowledge, other popular hubs can include cities in Canada, India, Vietnam, China, Estonia and other European nations that offer the infrastructure, visas and talent for the upcoming high growth startups that are digitally transforming services that we use. I know that UK is continuing to put in serious efforts to grow the entrepreneurial infrastructure services and is well regarded ecosystem for launching and scaling Fintechs.

Where else could be the new tech hubs in the world?
Mind Wandering and its Factors
By: Hunter Leckonby
Tags: Mind Wandering, Concentration, Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Emotion

Mind wandering occurs when one’s attention shifts from its current thoughts, which is usually focused on an external task, to internal self-generated thoughts that are unrelated to the task at hand. Several studies have shown a link between working memory and mind wandering.

Thoughts

Researchers have also found that self-generated thoughts that have been reported to occur during mind wandering are frequently associated with episodic thought and emotion. The content of self-generated thoughts during mind wandering are usually focused on events that have occurred at a distinct time period such as the past or future. These kinds of thoughts are believed to depend on episodic memory processes in order to create this mental content. This shows that the episodic memory system plays a partial role in mind wandering when it comes to the creation of certain self-generated thoughts.

Emotion

Emotion has also been found to bring about mind wandering and self-generated thoughts. Studies have found that those with dysphoria have a higher chance of mind wandering. It has also been discovered that people are more likely to mind wander when their mood is low. This shows that emotion and mood play a role in the occurrence of mind wandering.

Executive Control

In addition, executive control has been found to be a factor in mind wandering. Individuals who have high cognitive control have the ability to limit mind wandering when the external task is demanding. On the other hand, these same individuals are likely to experience an increase in mind wandering when the task is less challenging. This shows that the occurrence of mind wandering in those who exhibit a greater degree of executive control varies based on how demanding they believe an external task to be.
5 New Words That Explain Your Emotions
By: Natalie Corbin
Tags: Educational, Emotions, Psychology, New Words, Explanation

We all feel a myriad of emotions and feelings that often seem too complex to put into words. Not anymore, here you go…

Kenopsia

Ever been in an airport at night when barely anyone’s around? How about at a bar that’s always bustling on Fridays, but you’re there on a Tuesday afternoon. What you are Experiencing is kenopsia, “The eerie, forlorn atmosphere of a place that is usually bustling with people but is now abandoned and quiet.”

2. Jouska

Think that you’re crazy for playing out scenes in your head and daydreaming about how you would react or feel in obscure situations? Well, you’re not alone, in fact, there's a whole word for it — Jouska, “A hypothetical conversation that you compulsively play out in your head.”

3. Adronitis

Have you ever been thrown into a new situation where you have to make new friends and connections but feel unsatisfied with the amount of time it takes to be comfortable with a new person? Well, you’re most likely experiencing Adronitis, “Frustration with how long it takes to get to know someone.”

4. Sonder

Does it ever catch you off-guard that there are hundreds of people that you will never know that pass you by each day, all living their own lives? This feeling is a common one and it is called Sonder, “The realization that each passerby has a life as vivid and complex as your own.”

5. Opia

Ever get uncomfortable yet fascinated with looking into someone's eyes? Yep? That's Opia, “The ambiguous intensity of looking someone in the eye which can feel simultaneously invasive and vulnerable.”
A Mystery
By: Nika Paradis
Tags: Emotions, Body, Life, Self, Feelings

We smile or laugh when we are happy.

We cry when we are sad or lonely.

Usually we know why we smile, laugh, or cry. Usually we are aware of how we feel and why.

Sometimes, though, we feel happy and full of energy for no apparent reason.

Sometimes, we feel like crying for no apparent reason.

Where do these feelings come from?

This afternoon, I was sitting in my chair, feeling very comfortable and at peace, and I took my little Sudoku book and started working on a puzzle. Halfway through the puzzle, I suddenly had this urgent need to cry.

I wasn’t feeling sad when I started the puzzle. Nothing happened to me. The puzzle was fun. I didn’t get any bad news or talk to anyone or do anything that would cause me any sadness.

I don’t know why I felt that way, but I know it wasn’t the first time I felt that way. This had happened before, and based on my various responses to these feelings on the different occasions they had happened, I learned that the best way to react to them is to embrace them… to listen to my body and let the tears flow. I shouldn’t try to reason or be logical about it. If I do, I will get a headache later.

This is a mystery to me. I don’t know why it happens from time to time, but I’ve learned to respect my feelings and my body and give them the proper response.

So I cried for about a minute. Then I got up and washed my face and dried it. Then I sat back down and finished my puzzle, feeling completely fine.

Thanks for reading.
LOST TRAIN OF THOUGHTS
Tags: Weird, Thoughts, Emotions, Imaginations, Non Writers

I woke up this morning thinking I would make this day as productive as possible. Then, I started thinking of the things I could have achieved at this point, had I started to do these same things I was thinking would make today much product, earlier on in life.

Then, I thought of what I would eat and what I would drink and what type of exercise I would do and what chore I would complete. I thought of what my peers whom I perceive better than me, much privileged than I am and quite smart as compared to myself would be doing at this very moment. I also thought of the possible luxury and comfort they may be in at this very moment and the type of food or place they would visit only today. I thought of how successful they would be as compared to me.

The trick was that, if I had stayed my course and continued to think of how I could better myself, I may have been able to get a much better life for my generations generation.

Instead, here I am, still lost in my unproductive train of thoughts.
Smoke and Laundry-sonder
Tags: Sonder, Thoughts, Emotions, Thinking, Calm

I walked past them. I’ll never know who they were, where they came from or what they were doing, but at that moment, they were there.

I came across the word sonder recently, the word used to describe the realisation that everyone who passes you, the strangers in the street, all have lives as complex if not more so than your own. And I do not remember the gender of this person, but I remember the smell that wafted into my nose as they walked past me. The distinct sourness of cigarette smoke and the soft, gentle scent of an unknown laundry detergent.

Why did that smell have such an effect on me? I walked the rest of the way home in what felt like a trance, a happy trance but a trance nonetheless. The world somehow felt a bit clearer and brighter. My senses seemed sharper and my eyesight focused. Long story short, my head felt empty and clarity filled my mind. That smell just stuck with me and lifted my mood from the damp place that it resided.

What i was doing before that and what came after is a blur and irrelevant but the tendrils of parfum that reached me in those moments became so important. And the feeling of sonder wrapped around my mind.

This person is going somewhere, coming from somewhere and have so many rushing thoughts in their whirlpool of a mind.

I dont know what that experience was for me,

but it was good :).
Loneliness
By: Bhavna Narula
Tags: Loneliness, Emotions, Poetry Sunday, Poetry On Medium, Poetry

Loneliness

Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash

Loneliness.

It can be difficult

As it hurts

To be alone.

Loneliness

Is even more difficult

When you realize

You’re the only one suffering.

Loneliness

Is a curse

If you don’t learn

How to handle it well.

Loneliness

can be a blessing

If you learn to turn it around

And celebrate your own company.
Overflow
By: Laura Misener
Tags: Behavior Change, Emotions, Illumination, Overflow, Poetry

Overflow

Photo by Appolinary Kalashnikova on Unsplash

Like a river after a storm, she rages. After an unwelcome and overwhelming abundance had been poured into her, how could she not?

Water can’t absorb water.

Can pain absorb pain?

Rivers and people can only hold so much.

Those nearby are doused by the inevitable overflow. Is it their fault for getting too close? Or are they innocent bystanders, drenched by the swirling and spewing of one who was fed more than she could contain? Curiosity their only crime; inquisitive and eager to observe the transition from calm to turbulent.

But is it any wonder that rivers thunder after the thunder?
Indescribable
Tags: Feelings, Emotions, Mental Health, Writing, Poetry

Though, we may never express a feeling of confusion,

no one is expected to know what we feel before we do.

But we can never know,

exactly when a fellow dweller feels heaviness.

So give a little care to the words that trail from your lips.

Give some mind to your thoughts before you assume their characters.

Show a little compassion, perhaps it’ll lift a life from a deep spool of thoughts.
About the hours spent outdoors
By: Meha Kaushik
Tags: Emotions, Feelings, Outdoors, Life

A picture I took on the same day mentioned in the story.

On a winter morning in late December, I woke up to the sunlight in my bedroom. Living in a part of the world where winter means either snowy days or rainy, if not then cloudy. Clear skies are a very rare sight. Having seen the sun after weeks, I woke up instantly and sat in the corner of the room which maximized my exposure to these bright scorching rays. I had returned from a trip a day earlier, despite this, I took my phone and messaged the first people in my mind, to go for a hike. Meanwhile, I dressed in my sports-wear and went for a walk outside. The heat I felt in my room was a deception, outside was as cold as yesterday, but at least the sun was out.

The sun’s light had brought in me a sense of happiness, joy and excitement. I didn’t do anything but walk around in the vicinity of my home, taking in all the cold winds and the beautiful sun. Listening to the downtown traffic I just walked uninterruptedly, blessing the goodness the day brought with it.

My happiness didn’t last very long, the clouds were back and the sun was shadowed for the rest of the day. Lucky for me, that I stepped out of my home as quickly as I could of waking up and I could steal some minutes for myself in the bright sunny hour. Before Vancouver, I have lived in places where sunlight was abundant but rains were scarce, I used to behave the same every time it rained. I would run out and just dance and play in the rain.

On another occasion this year, when the city was in lockdown as a defense mechanism against Covid-19. I had stepped out for some chores which involved going farther than usual distance. The simple act of walking to places, collecting mail from the post-office was so therapeutic. Back in 2019, I would have hated to go to a post office but this time it was a privilege. The amount of time I spend outdoors, walking, jogging, cycling, shopping forms the biggest part of my life. Some holidays, if I decide to stay in, end of the day, my state of mind rots. I wonder what it is about the outdoors, seeing new human faces, inhaling fresh oxygen, feeling the rawness of the weather on your skin, dressing up or it is just me. Such a basic act, yet the biggest privilege.
an empty entry (a-void)
Tags: Lockdown, Covid 19, New Year 2020, Emotions, New Year

an empty entry (a-void)

While everybody gushes over 2020,

I end up reading my barely written 2019.

Leaving unfinished businesses behind, numbering 19,

Withered through a sweaty hot weather, into a cold 20.

Listening to half composed lullaby's,

And looking at half eaten watermelons.

Spitting the seeds, savoring the sweet.

Looking at the freckles, on myself and my mother.

While she worries about me, I drown myself.

Stuck between 'living' and the 'meaning'.

January- a glitch that corrected itself, well.

February- oblivious, caught in whirlwind.

March- floating in shiny dark galaxy, I danced to techno.

April- touched rock bottoms and flew the top.

May- numb, swimming with soft algae, fearing to be eaten alive.

June- hibernated.

July- found a new voice in my foster cat boys.

August- the pricky new normal of life.

September- peeping out of the hardened shell

October- said hi to the high.

November- kept low, buried in.

December- alas! this too shall (did) pass.

It's all in the head, people say. Steer out of it.

It's all in their words, I say. Help me out of jt?

2020- an empty entry.

A healed new skin, with a nervous grin!

-uk
Blood is not thicker than water.
Tags: Parenting, Emotions, Family, Life, Love

Blood is not thicker than water. I mean, sure in terms of science it is, but not when it comes to indicating that family bonds are greater than non family bonds. In fact, family bonds can be some of the most toxic relationships that a person will experience in a life time. Bringing you to the brink of destruction until you rid yourself of these familial ties.

Sometimes you’ll find that perfect strangers are rooting for you whilst family is praying for your downfall.

An overwhelming sense of peace (and slight guilt) accompanies when you finally rid yourself of toxic family ties.
How to Plot Anticipation on a Graph
By: Lucy Dan 蛋小姐, She Her 她
Tags: Self, Psychology, Emotions, Poetry

How to Plot Anticipation on a Graph

Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash

when I think of anticipation,

I immediately see a graph:

x-axis — valence (positive, negative emotions)

y-axis — arousal (high or arousal).

in the top left quadrant,

we have positive, exciting experiences,

that embody daring adventures,

like sky diving, bungee jumping.

or that feeling of lifting off on an airplane.

in the bottom right quadrant,

we have positive, soothing experiences,

the ones that describe a calm, serene joy

of quietly creating, writing,

or of consuming and admiring art.

in the bottom left quadrant,

we have negative, low arousal emotions,

the fatigue and weight

of depression that makes

daily chores too difficult.

in the top left quadrant, is then

those negative, high arousal emotions,

MY PERSONAL FIRE ALARM

the fight/ flight / freeze / fawn system

ready to fling worry in every which direction.

anticipation is a curious feeling,

because it’s one of high arousal,

way up at the top of that graph,

but it can sit smack dab on that y-axis like a fence

unsure whether to fall over on the left side,

down into a rumination rabbit hole

of all the things that could go wrong;

unsure whether to waltz over to the right side,

of excitable curiosity of the future.

to plot anticipation on this graph, perhaps

means I need more than just a dot,

but a confidence interval denoting a range of possibilities

encompassing the true range of anticipation.
I finally get why emotions are the gateway to the soul
Tags: Anger, Self Improvement, Self-awareness, Emotions

Photo by Luis Galvez on Unsplash

I was always afraid of feeling angry, having seen it take over my dad in ways I never wanted to adopt.

I vowed to control the beast I felt lurking deep within, suppressing her by intellectualizing and attempting to think logically through things that would be better off, felt.

Not thought.

I also felt incredibly weak whenever I would get angry, because, for some unfathomable reason, I would cry…I wouldn’t be able to coherently form sentences and I’d be left looking like a deer in headlights in the middle of a conversation.

Definitely not what I had in mind…No smart, rhetorical quip back because I would have to compose myself first.

Somewhere along the way, I decided to stop fighting it.

Anger. Sadness. Desperation. All those “negative emotions” I didn’t want to feel.

Something snapped in me yesterday, Christmas night after a discussion with my husband and the topic of money came up — specifically that I didn’t have any coming in right now so I can’t go anywhere.

And it was truthful.

But I got SO angry.

At myself.

At the situation I was in.

At having quit my job during a pandemic in a moment of perceived bravery.

At trying to start my own business and not seeing a single cent come through yet.

At wanting to leave my in-laws and feeling stuck.

At being homesick and not being able to see them due to delayed immigration.

At my bitterness and complacency.

And it was liberating.

I decided to feel, and I mean really feel the anger. Not acknowledge it and push it away like I did before. Oh no.

I accepted the tears, sitting in the dark, letting them stream down as I was deep breathing and finding a center.

And I felt lighter.

I heard my voice coaching myself through it, telling myself exactly what I needed to hear, to get back up on my feet.

To stop playing small.

To never, ever be dependent again (this was the biggest driving factor).

To just focus on landing that first client.

That first gig.

To be my #1 fan because no one else would be.

To let the anger propel me into a greater version of myself.
Anxiety Affirmations
By: Destiny S. Harris
Tags: Emotions, Affirmations, Anxiety, Stress, Peace

Anxiety Affirmations

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

Say These Out Loud:

1. I have the gift of peace.

2. I have the gift of serenity.

3. I am emotionally stable.

4. I am emotionally strong.

5. I am emotionally transparent.

6. I am emotionally available.

7. I am free from worry.

8. Things are working in my favor daily.

9. People and life treat me well.

10. I am grateful for my life in its entirety.

11. Peace, love, and kindness are surrounding me.

12. I have a strong mind, body, soul, and stomach.

13. I know how to relax, breathe, and be one with nature.

14. I am in charge of how I respond to life.

15. Nothing can disturb the peace I have within me.

16. Good fortune, phenomenal opportunities, and positive-kind people follow me wherever I go.
Hipótesis Sapir-Whorf y las Emociones
By: Alejandra Segura Ropa
Tags: Sensation, Emotions

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The emotions felt after a sibling moves out
By: Maysoon El-Ahmad
Tags: Siblings, Emotions, Family, Life, Love

When kids leave home, it is often marked as a moment of grief for many parents. Seeing the human being you raised leave the nest, ready to venture out on their own is understandably a transition many parents struggle with.

This empty nest syndrome is well known and documented, but what doesn’t often get talked about is what it feels like when siblings move out of the family home, and the grief that follows their departure.

I am one of six kids and one of the last to move out of home. I come from a close-knit family, and while we had the usual sibling rivalries growing up, my siblings are my best friends, so watching each of them move out, all within a few years of each other was taxing on the heart. I remember always feeling lost for at least the first few weeks, their departure leaving a gaping hole in the home and hearts of those left behind.

Each of them brought a feeling of warmth to the family home that went each time one of them left. I watched each bedroom go from a living place of scattered mess and blasting noise to a quiet neatly made-up room, empty of their warmth.

It often took a few months to get over each sibling, but eventually, like everything else you get used to it. Your relationship with them changes and becomes more special.

They all have their own kids now and we all live very close to each other, which means family gatherings happen often, and when they do, they fill the house with the light and noise of their presence again.

With sibling relationships said to be the longest we will have in our lifetime, it is no wonder siblings experience feelings of loss when one of them leaves the home.

It’s time we gave this more attention through shared stories, greater awareness, and support during this transition that affects many of us at the most pivotal time in our life.
Sub: Is it all so pointless?
By: Parigya Verma
Tags: Future, Depression, Emotions, Self, Letter

_____________________________________________

To: Me

From: Me

Subject: Re: Is it all so pointless?

_____________________________________________

Dear Me from 2018,

Hey honey. I know I wasn’t the intended recipient for this letter, but I thought I should leave a reply for you. And no, this does not mean that ‘You’ doesn’t exist. He does, and he is a mix of all those things that you wanted and the ones you didn’t. I would describe him to you, but I want you to meet and know him on your own so that you can have that wonderful experience that I had. In these two years, you achieved a lot of those daydreams and escapism that you didn’t want to think about anymore. I won’t say all of them, but living through a few has made you hopeful to experience them all and more, Plus, now you have a partner who’s stupid like you and wants to do the same things.

A lot of things that bothered you have turned out to be futile, few things remain the same, and many new things have been added to the pile. But going through the things that you went through has made me stronger. Soon you will realise, that all of these things that you have gone through will help you know that even though it doesn’t seem that way, things will always get better. And no, that will not happen because you have a ‘saviour’ now. It is all because of you. It is only because you stuck through it, even though it wasn’t for the exact right reasons. Some day you’ll find the right reasons, till then you can just focus on pushing through it however you can.

It is 2020 right now for me, and you would not believe what has happened. The world is in the middle of a lockdown because of a stupid virus, and this was one of the many challenging years for us. I had to stay at home for 9 months (and counting perhaps?), in a place that both of us hate. Life has been tough for me too; going back to toxicity after you’ve tasted freedom and love is never easy, but is inevitable. Despite all of that happening, I still managed to survive and grow, because I had your learnings as a guiding force at the back of my head. We confronted many new things this year and worked on many as well. You embraced the fact that you’re not good at everything and you don’t have to be, and that admitting that you’re behind a something that you thought was your strength is brave. You’re confronting your habits, and you’re working on your mind and your body. You might curse yourself for not blooming, but you are ignoring the many leaves and branches you grew.

Life is still far from amazing, but this time you’re hopeful. And that makes a hell lot of a difference. So push through, my love. All of the highs and lows are worth it because they’re going to make you love yourself. And although I am not perfect at it myself, I know how amazing that feeling can be.

I love you, babe. You’re going to change the world in your own unique way.

Love always,

Me.

P.S. It is high time you start buying clothes that look good on you rather than the ones that you make you slimmer, you’re just increasing the clothes you’re gonna hate!