Q: You may not have a girlfriend or boyfriend, but you can always enrich the friendships and close family relationships you have. Especially when you're young, romantic relationships may come and go. Friends and family, on the other hand, may stick with you for life. You don't necessarily need a relationship to be happy. Humans do, however, have a natural need to belong and connect. Invest time and effort in your close relationships. If or when you do enter a new romantic relationship, you will have a healthier outlook and expectations if you have nurtured your preexisting relationships. If you are single and live alone, the solitude may be overwhelming. Aim for a careful balance of spending time alone and spending time with others so you don't drive yourself stir crazy. Sciences tells us that those who are isolated, particularly older adults, have a higher incidence of death. A soft and cuddly cat or dog may make a great companion to cozy up to at night while watching Netflix. Plus, pet owners tend to be healthier and happier. Not having a partner does not mean you don't belong or are unlovable. Oftentimes, people mistakenly allow their relationship status to determine their self-worth. Thinking "I'm nothing without a boyfriend" will only reinforce the idea that somehow you are not as worthy while single. Avoid this by purposely seeking out ways you are worthy of love, respect, and a wonderful life. Take an inventory of your personal strengths. What do you have to offer the world and the people around you? Write down your best qualities and paste them on a mirror or wall so that you can see them daily. Do you find it difficult to assess your best attributes? Turn to a close friend or relative ans ask them to share a few qualities they admire about you. When you are the only single and everyone around you is coupled, you can easily start to think being in a relationship is the way to go. Don't. Romantic relationships take a lot of hard work, compromise, and commitment. They are far from easy. If you're not ready to be paired off, don't let jealousy or fear push you into a relationship just to avoid sticking out. If all of your friends are currently in relationships, and you're tired of being the third-wheel, it may be a good idea for you to hang out with others who are single. This is not to say that you should abandon your existing friendships. However, you may have more fun spending time with teens or young adults who are participating in solo activities. Try striking up conversations with other guys or girls in your classes, when you're out with your kid or when you are at work. When people invite you to events that you and your group wouldn't normally attend, say "yes". Spending time with more singles may help you to realize just how wonderful being unattached can be.
A: Cultivate supportive relationships. Get a furry companion. Recognize that only you can determine your worthiness. Don't feel the need to be attached because your friends are. Expand your social circle.

Q: The grieving process is only intensified when you pull away and isolate yourself from others. Remind yourself of the people still here and that they, too, lost an important family member. Fight the desire to pull away or appear strong and seek comfort from loved ones who are also mourning. If you have religious or spiritual beliefs, now is the time to search out those verses or quotes that remind you that things will get better soon. Participating in religious/spiritual functions can further help you find closure, connect with others, and provide you with hope for the future. Research has shown that people with strong spiritual beliefs--because of the principles described about human life and existence beyond--tend to resolve their grief sooner than those who do not. If you are a non-believer, secular rituals, such as packing up grandma's things or regularly visiting her grave, could help you resolve your grief and find comfort. A bereavement support group can help you and other family members come to terms with the loss. In the groups, you will be able to listen to and share your own feelings and stories with others who are also grieving. These support groups will provide coping resources for overcoming grief over the next several weeks and months after the death. If you find that you continue to heavily mourn the death and cannot function in your daily life, you may need to seek professional help. A grief or bereavement counselor can be effective with helping you process the loss of your grandmother and learn how to properly cope.
A: Spend time with family. Turn to your faith. Join a support group. Go see a grief counselor.

Q: Sometimes a client may be difficult to work with, but in these cases you'll need to remain even more in control of yourself. Losing control of your emotions with a client could ruin your business with that individual, and it could even cost you your job. Do not give an emotional response to anything your client says or does. Be respectful and remember that the client is always right. Remember the importance of being professional, even in the face of abuse. If you're really struggling to control your emotions, try counting to ten or taking a few deep breaths before saying anything. It's generally a good idea to let a client speak freely, but this is more important than ever when the client is being difficult. Your client may be uncooperative because they feel that they're not being heard, so letting your client do most of the talking in tense moments may help defuse the situation. You can communicate a great deal with silence. Let your client talk, and respond when appropriate. Ask follow-up questions to reflect on or clarify anything you're not clear about. For example, you might say, "I think I see what you mean, but I'm a little confused about _____; could you clarify what you meant by that?" When a difficult client doesn't feel heard, that client may become more uncooperative. Engaging in small conversational habits to show engagement and concern can help reassure your client and make the situation less tense. Make eye contact with the client while you're speaking to one another. Use short, small verbal cues to show that you're listening. For example, saying "Mhmm" or "Yes," or even just nodding in agreement, shows that you're engaged. How you say things can be just as important as what's actually being said. When you have a difficult client, it's important to be aware of how you're coming across in your manner of speech. Changing your voice's speed and pitch may help calm an irate client, especially when combined with other conversational techniques. Slow down the speed of your speech and lower the pitch and volume of your voice. Speaking slowly and softly can have a calming effect on upset or anxious clients. Try to make the shift noticeable so that your client will pick up on it subtly. Sometimes agreeing with a difficult client is the best way to placate a bad attitude. Even if you know the client is wrong, it may be best to avoid challenging a difficult client if there's no other way to calm them down. Voice your concerns if the client is about to make a huge mistake, but remember that the decision is ultimately up to the client to make. If you can't placate a client or meet their demands despite your best efforts, it's best just to let them go. Yes, you will lose their business, but in some cases it may not be worth the headache to keep them.
A:
Stay in control of your emotions. Spend more time listening than speaking. Show that you're engaged. Speak with confidence. Fulfill the client's wishes. Fire a client as a last resort.