Problem: Article: You may not be able to control that person's behavior, but you can control how you respond to it. Sometimes, people are mean just to get a reaction, you can control whether they get it or not. You are in control of how you react and where the situation ends up. If this person is from work or school, you may not be able to avoid them all the time; however, you can try to avoid them during breaks, and just try to stay away from them for as long as you can so they won't bother you. Try fighting the negative behavior with positive behavior. Go out of your way to be nice to them and create a better interaction. There may be a deeper issue that the mean person is using negative behavior to hide. Sometimes, the biggest bully is the one that has suffered unthinkable abuse elsewhere. Meanness may appear as frustration, irritation, or impatience. If you spot any of these, you could say "Looks like you could use a break. Why don't we take 5 minutes?" or "Is there something I can help you with?" Taking the time to get to know them may clear up some things for you. Maybe you're just taking things too personally or maybe they're just misunderstood. Taking a compassionate approach can help to show them that you actually see the person and not just the behavior. Assertiveness means standing up for yourself and your needs while also respecting the needs of others. At some point, you might encounter a mean person who doesn't respond to compassion and you can't simply take the "high road". In these types of situations, it's best to be straightforward and let the person know that you will not allow yourself to be walked over. For example, you're at school, another kid might bully you into doing something you don't want to. Make eye contact and tell them "no" using a calm and steady voice. You may have to repeat this a few times, but eventually they'll stop. Being within proximity of a mean person often requires proper armory. You know, at some point, the individual might throw something vicious your way. Feel the emotions that come with being around such a person. Don't push these feelings away or act as if they are irrelevant. Name them. It's easy to dismiss your feelings but this isn't really fair to you or the mean person. You just end up bottling things up that some point might explode. Addressing your feelings might give insight as to why this is happening. Does your reaction fuel the fire and give the mean person more reason to pick on you? Sometimes, mean people target others because they want a reaction. Step back and observe how the mean person interacts with others. Is the behavior only happening with you or is it how he or she generally acts? Care for yourself. Do a self-soothing exercise. Preparing yourself for a necessary interaction can also help to take some of the sting out of what he or she might say. Breathe deeply and make positive affirmations to calm yourself. Getting upset will only encourage the mean person to continue their behavior. This means taking the time to focus on your body, how it handles stress and a way to focus on relieving that stress through meditation or concentrated thought. Dealing with a mean person can be stressful and exhaustingthis is a way to let that go. Try a body scan exercise to release the tension. Lay down or sit back in a chair and clear your mind. Starting with your toes, tense and relax each body part until you reach your face and fingers. This usually takes about 15 minutes. You can also download many relaxation videos on YouTube if you prefer to listen to something that will guide you through the process.
Summary: Recognize that you have control. Respond with compassion. Practice assertiveness. Acknowledge how the person makes you feel. Attend to your pain. Practice mindfulness.

Problem: Article: Apartment buildings can vary widely in the type of amenities and perks that they offer to their residents. When you're evaluating apartment buildings, figure out which amenities you would like to have, and choose a building accordingly. For example, you may feel that an in-apartment washing machine is mandatory, but an on-site gym isn't something you need. Ask the property manager if the building offers perks like: Laundry machines in the rooms (or on-site laundry facilities) On-site weight room or gym Pool or sauna Event space Look at an apartment complex's website to find their rental rates, or call and speak with the apartment manager if the rates aren't online. As a rule of thumb, you shouldn't pay more than a third of your after-tax salary on rent. So, if you make $2,000 USD a month after taxes are taken out, look for an apartment building that offers rental rates less than $670 USD a month. Keep in mind, though, that more expensive apartment buildings often offset the cost by offering extra amenities. If a building has more than 1 floor, ask the building manager which floors have open rooms that you could rent. Buildings on higher floors are often more expensive, but they also tend to be quieter, have better security, and to have fewer pests. On the other hand, ground-floor or garden-level rooms are more convenient to get to and may come with outdoor space. Decide what's most important to you, and choose an apartment building that offers rooms on the floor you prefer. You can also use this criteria to remove buildings from the running. Say you like the idea of a no-hassle move in and move out from a bottom floor, but the building only has third-floor rooms open. Move on and look into other buildings with the ground-floor room you want. Take a 30-minute walk around the area and find out the distance to the nearest park, whether a grocery store is within walking distance, and how far you'll have to travel for a good cup of coffee or a hamburger. Or, if you'd rather save some time, look around online to see what kinds of businesses, public facilities, and parks the neighborhood has. For example, it'd be much nicer to live in a building in a cultural part of town than in one that borders an industrial power plant. Think about all the places you go most often and look for a building that's near as many of them as possible. If you're moving with a pet, make sure that the apartment building you're considering takes pets. Find out by talking to the property manager. Although most apartment buildings allow small cats and dogs under 20 pounds (9.1kg), some may disallow all kinds of pets. On the other hand, if you're severely allergic to cats or dogs, an animal-free building may be just what you're looking for. You could also try looking online to find this information. Most apartment complexes will post their pet policy on their website. It would also be wise to ask about a pet fee. Some buildings will charge a relatively small pet feesay, $30 USD a monthwhile others may charge prohibitively high feessay, $300 USD a month. While the view out of your apartment window may not make or break an apartment building, it's still important. In most cases, apartments on higher floors that offer a view of a park, mountains, or other scenery will be more expensive than those that can only offer views of the back of a strip mall. However, the difference may be worth it if a terrible view discourages you from opening the blinds and letting in some sunshine! If you're evaluating multiple apartment buildings within a single complex, try to choose the building with the best view!
Summary:
Look for a building that offers the amenities you're looking for. Find an apartment building that's within your monthly budget. Determine which floor of a building will best suit your needs. Find out what else is in the neighborhood with the apartment building. Ask the property manager about the building's pet policy. See what the view is like from a few of the interior apartments.