daily. When you are neglecting your emotional well-being, hurtful remarks are more likely to sting. Counteract any negative comments or behaviors from others by treating yourself with loving kindness. This can translate to many different things. Make a list of the positive activities you enjoy the most. Then, make a commitment to do a few of them daily. For example, you might like to cook healthy meals for yourself, walk your dog near the lake, or meditate before bed. There is always something to be learned from a conflict or painful experience. Once you've had some time to move away from the initial hurt, take time to reflect on what happened. Some things to think about include: What might have been going on in the other person's life, or in your relationship with them, to trigger the unkind words? Was there any truth in the words that you might be able to benefit from, even if they were phrased harshly or in an unhelpful way? If someone speaks to you this way again, how can you deal with it better in the future? Positive people bring positive vibes and negative people bring negative vibes. Make the choice to reduce the time you spend with negative or toxic people who criticize or devalue you. Choose to spend your time with supportive people who value what you bring to the table. A great way to heal from hurtful words is to engage in pleasurable activities. Pick up a hobby, join a new club or organization, or start back doing something you gave up a long time ago. Make more time in your daily and weekly schedule for things that make you smile. This could be pursuing a passion for learning, teaching others a skill that you are really good at, or simply improving your own knowledge of an activity like sewing or gardening. Stimulate your own emotional healing by doing more good for others. Commit to having more positive interactions with the people in your life and in your community. Interact with your loved ones in a positive way by expressing your appreciation for them and letting them know the good that you see in them. For instance, you might say, "Matt, you are so helpful. I don't know what I would do without you." You can also do this by engaging in random acts of kindness, like helping a neighbor with their yard work or buying lunch for the person behind you at the cafe. You might also radiate good vibes in your community by volunteering or donating to charity. Writing down your thoughts can bring clarity to what's happening in your inner world. Plus, when you write out hurtful comments you stop them from weighing you down. Start a journaling habit in which you write for a few minutes each day. You can write about the events of your day, follow an online journal prompt, or note a few things you are grateful for.

Summary: Practice self-love Learn from the experience. Surround yourself with positive people. Do things you enjoy. Give back to others. Write in a journal to better understand how you feel.

Horizontal or vertical stripes can add a lot of color to a room. First, use painting tape to measure out your stripes. Next, use your roller or a large paintbrush to paint every other taped section. Once the paint is dry to the touch, remove the tape. If the original paint is dark, you may need several coats of paint on the stripes to cover it up. A large, textured painting sponge can be used to create a soft color gradient on your walls. First, dip a small part of the sponge in the paint. Next, dab the sponge against the wall. Continue dabbing with the sponge to create a soft pattern. Dab two or three colors on top of one another to create layers of bright color. For example: Layers of forest green, teal, and bright yellow paint can be used to create a garden atmosphere. Dab on light pink, dark salmon, and a dusky rose paint to add a romantic blush to the wall. Create a neutral gradient by layering beige, light grey, and soft pink paint. Wall decals can be used to add interesting designs to your walls. First, peel off the backing of the wall decal. Next, press the sticky side of the decal against the wall. Smooth out any wrinkles with your hand or a soft towel. Last, peel away the clear transfer paper. Don't peel the transfer paper too quickly or you may damage the decal. Let the paint dry for 2-3 days before applying decals. If you aren't interested in painting your whole room, add an accent wall instead. First, choose a bold, bright color that matches the decorations in your room. Next, choose a wall to paint. Section off the wall with painters tape and paint it using a roller or large paintbrush. Remove any wall hangings or light features from the wall before painting it.

Summary: Add stripes. Paint soft patterns with a sponge. Apply wall decals. Paint an accent wall.

If you think it's the right time and place, just tell her directly, "I love you." This is extremely direct, but it's simple and it will convey what you are feeling. Of course there are a few ways to slightly soften this direct approach: Say something like "I have a confession to make" then "I love you." Ask her for her hand, and tell her you love her. Lead into a conversation about how you see the rest of your life, and then tell her you love her. You can tell her you love her in an indirect approach, if you feel more comfortable doing so. However, be warned. While this might alleviate some of the stress and anxiety for you, it might take some of the magic out of the moment. If you do go with the indirect approach, consider: Spelling "I love you" on a mirror or another surface. Sending her flowers with a card that says "I love you." Write her a "love letter" and snail mail it to her. Understand that an indirect approach could be construed as a grandiose admission of love, too. Sharing your love in a nonverbal way is something many people do. There are pros and cons to this approach. First, a nonverbal signal of love might mean more than just mere words. However, it could also lack the force and emotion of a direct verbal approach. If you're going to go nonverbal, consider: Looking into her eyes at the right moment. If you have a true connection, she'll understand. Holding her and kissing her on the neck at the right moment and at the right place. Perhaps you're on a beach watching the sunset. This action might say much more than words could communicate. Be warned that this approach might be considered a cop-out by some, and might not actually communicate what you want. Only you and your partner can know.

Summary: Tell her directly, at the right time and the right place. Let her know indirectly. Communicate your love nonverbally.

Rub a damp rag over the bar of saddle soap. Move the rag in a circular motion. Check the damp rag intermittently, looking for a sudsy layer on the rag. Rub the rag across the dye you wish to remove from the leather. You should begin to see a reduction in the intensity of the dye staining the leather. After applying the saddle soap lather to the leather, rinse the rag in clean water. Wring it out so that it is damp rather than soaked through. Gently wipe away any soap residue that remains on the leather. After using saddle soap, you'll need to use conditioner to add moisture to the leather. Dab a bit of the conditioner on a soft cloth. Rub the conditioner into the leather using a firm circular motion. There are several different types of leather conditioners available, including mink oil, leather honey, and neatsfoot oil. Even if you aren't removing dye from leather, it's a good idea to apply conditioner to your leather once a month in order to keep it looking shiny and new.
Summary: Work the soap into a lather. Apply the lather to the stained leather. Wipe the leather off. Condition your leather.