In most cases, starting a new life will require spending some time organizing your finances. This often means calls or visits to your financial institutions. No one looks forward to dealing with these issues, but taking care of them early will make everything that follows easier. For example, if you're starting over because you've lost your home in a fire, you'll need to contact your insurance company right away to set wheels in motion for receiving compensation. If your plans involve an early retirement, you'll need to contact the company that runs your retirement plan to see what options they have for you. If you've lost your job, you'll need to look into getting unemployment and/or food stamps while you work on developing your new career. None of this is glamorous or particularly fun, but all of these actions are important for making sure you have the resources you need for your new life. Next, set about making a fresh routine for yourself that will help you fulfill your plan. Understand that this will unfold as you incorporate different behaviors in your new life. For example, you may now become an early riser. Perhaps you work from home instead of commuting. There is almost an infinite number of variables and changes one could make in beginning a new life. Some changes are determined by the choices you make in where you live, what you do, whether you have returned to school, if you have children or a partner, and ultimately, by the kind of life you wish to lead. It takes about three to six weeks to build a new routine that displaces your old one. After this period, your new routine will be a habit. Do not compare yourself to others. Your journey is your path and yours alone. Focusing on what you don't have, or what others have achieved will only make you miserable and self-critical. Do the best to work with what you have to begin a new life. Spending time comparing yourself to others will only distract you from what you need to do to achieve your goals. Starting a new life is a major task that will be made easier if you have the support of others. Whether your new life is one you've chosen or one that circumstances have forced upon you, a social support structure will be important. Having the emotional support from family, friends and others in the same or similar situations can help beginning a new life less stressful. Especially if you are starting over because of a loss or tragedy, it may be a good idea to seek the help of a mental health professional. The help of a competent and compassionate therapist can help you heal. Even if you've chosen to change your life, by moving to a new city for example, a counselor can help you adjust if you're having difficulty. You may be experiencing significant stress, a sense of being overwhelmed, or worries about how to manage in your new life. Mental health professionals are trained to listen, to be empathic and to help you find comfort in your present situation. A new life is not created overnight. Understand that change and doing things differently is a process. Some parts of this process you will be able to control, and others you will not. Time is an important factor in adjusting to your new life. If you are willing to trust the process, your new life will unfold, and you will adapt.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary -- Take care of the business. Start a new routine. Keep your focus on yourself. Seek help. Be patient.

Your thoughts can change your feelings (loneliness, depression) and behaviors (how well we cope). If you think negatively about being alone, you will most likely have negative feelings about it. However, if you embrace being alone you may be able to better cope with it and reduce your loneliness overall. Use positive self-talk. For example, tell yourself that being alone can be a good thing. Tell yourself, "It's okay to be alone. I like my own company." This can help you build up your tolerance to being alone. When you find yourself thinking negatively about being alone such as, "I hate being alone. I'm so lonely. This is terrible," think of some alternative thoughts that might be more realistic and helpful. For example, you could think or tell yourself, "I can deal with being alone. I feel lonely but I know I can cope with it. It's not so bad. Alone time can be a positive thing." Studies show that how you think about yourself in relation to others has an impact on your level of loneliness.Fear of rejection can discourage social activity and increase feelings of loneliness. If you are thinking you are inferior, this may lead to worrying about social interactions. Remind yourself that we are each different but equal. You are worthy. Expect positive outcomes instead of negative ones when interacting with others. Think of alternative ways that the situation might pan out. For example, perhaps the person will like you! It may not always turn out as badly as you think it will. Animals are the next best thing to humans. There is a reason some therapeutic treatments involve therapy dogs or nature-related activities. Research suggests that being in nature or around animals can give you sense of calm and reduce loneliness. Get a dog, cat, or any other pet (fish, hamster, etc). However, don't overload yourself with too many pets that are difficult to manage. Make sure you identify first what you are prepared to take care of (a fish vs. a dog can be a big difference). If you've never owned a pet before, start small. If you cannot get a pet, go to the pet store and spend some time with the animals. You could also visit a zoo, or offer to watch a friend's pet for the weekend. When alone, reading can give you a sense of social connection and help combat loneliness. You can connect with the author or characters in the book. Reading can also transport you to another place and distract you momentarily from feeling lonely. Read as much as possible, because reading not only calms you but also helps keep your mind fresh and active. Pick a novel that you can read for pleasure. Choose a genre that you enjoy such as adventure, fantasy, or sci-fi. You can even read a magazine. Many books are available online as well.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary -- Change the way you think about being alone. Manage your thoughts about your social interactions. Surround yourself with animals. Read.

If you froze cilantro just on its own, without any butter or oil, you can break off a few leaves, and add it to guacamole or cilantro chutney. You do not need to defrost it. You can also use it in salad dressings. Because it already contains oil, you will need to adjust your recipe and use less oil. A single cube of frozen cilantro will contain about a tablespoon of oil. It will take about 15 to 20 minutes for it to thaw. Once it thaws, you can spread it on bread or crackers. Once frozen, cilantro loses some of its crispness. When it becomes defrosted, it will appear wilted and mushy. This may detract from the appearance (and texture) of salsa and salad. Once frozen cilantro starts to thaw, it will begin to look wilted and mushy. If you need to garnish something, consider using fresh cilantro instead. Frozen cilantro won't last forever, although it will certainly last longer than fresh cilantro. Here are some guidelines as to by when you should use your cilantro: Use frozen cilantro within two months. Use cilantro frozen in oil within three months. Use frozen cilantro butter within a month. If you thaw it and put it in the fridge, use it within five days.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary --
Use frozen cilantro in cilantro chutney or as a guacamole starter. Use cilantro frozen in oil to season soups, sauces, and other cooked dishes. Thaw frozen cilantro butter to room temperature before using it. Avoid using frozen cilantro in salads and salsas. Consider using fresh cilantro as garnish instead of frozen. Know by when to use your frozen cilantro. Finished.