Q: Social media is not the only way to stay in contact with people. Instead of getting updates about what your friends are up to via social media, give them a call or send them an email or text message. Ask them, "What are you up to later? Would you like to grab some pizza and hang out?" Without the constant instinct to check social media, you'll be more engaged in the world around you. Strike up a conversation with your seatmate on the bus. "Lovely weather today, isn't it?" you might say. You could also get involved in your community. Look up local charities or nonprofit organizations that offer volunteer opportunities. You might be able to volunteer at your local soup kitchen, food bank, or home-building organization (like Habitat for Humanity). Check out local clubs and groups on Meetup.com. The site allows people to connect and share their favorite interests, including movies, books, and meals. If you don't see a group you're interested in, start one of your own! Social media isn't just a great tool for communicating and seeing what others are doing. It is also often a primary mode of getting the news. But even without social media, you can stay informed. To read the day's news, read a newspaper, visit the site of your favorite news purveyor, or grab a periodical covering current events from your local newsstand. Many people have a long backlog of books they promised themselves they'd get to "someday." Now that you're taking a break from social media, your "someday" has arrived. Settle into a cozy chair with a mug of warm tea and one of the books that seem most interesting to you. If you like reading but don't have books of your own to read, visit your local public library and check out a few volumes that seem interesting. Dust, vacuum, and do the dishes. Go through your closet and identify clothes that you don't wear anymore. Take them to the secondhand store for donation. Go through your books, movies, and games and look for ones that you're willing to part with. Put them up for sale on Craigslist or eBay. Use time that you'd otherwise devote to browsing social media to reply to your other correspondence (email or voicemail). Get started on school projects or catch up on your homework. If you work from home, use social media time to locate new clients or revenue streams. Take stock of everything and everyone in your life that you're thankful for. For instance, make a list of friends and family who are always there for you when you're down. Make another list of your favorite things or places your local library, for instance, or your game collection. This will redirect your attention from social media and make it easier to take and maintain your break from it.
A: Connect with your friends outside of social media. Meet new people. Read a newspaper. Catch up on your reading. Organize your house. Take care of business. Be thankful for what you have.

Q: Move the furniture onto the tarp so no primer or paint gets on the floor. Use newspaper if you don't have a tarp. Look for an oil-based bonding primer at your local hardware or paint store. Apply the primer using a brush or roller until there's an even coverage on the entire surface of the furniture. Use a spray can primer for an easier application. After four hours, gently touch the primed surface with the tip of your finger to see if it's fully dried. If the primer is still wet, let it finish drying. Lightly sand in circular motions like you did the first time you sanded the furniture. Wipe off any dust from the surface with a damp cloth.
A: Lay down a tarp in a well-ventilated area. Apply an oil-based bonding primer to the furniture's surface. Let the primer dry for at least four hours. Sand the primed surface with a 220-grit sandpaper.

Q: Local libraries are great resources for information and material. Go to your local library and talk to your librarian about what resources the library offers. Be sure to ask them about the subject or period you are interested in studying. Many libraries have connections with other libraries, which means they can reserve resources that they do not have. Most public libraries require a library card. If you don't have a library card ask your librarian about the registration process. Libraries are also a quiet place where you can spend time studying. Online resources can be particularly helpful, especially if you live in a remote area or have a schedule that won't allow you to frequently go to a library. There are many comprehensive online learning resources that can help you source material, test your knowledge, and take part in conversations with others who are also interested in history. Try looking up scholarly articles and peer-reviewed essays on online resources, like Google Scholar and JSTOR. Look for period or subject specific blogs or forums online, like history subreddits on Reddit or personal blogs devoted to your area of interest. Many online resources, like universities and scholarly sites, also offer multimedia material, like recorder lectures, slideshows, and interactive websites. When you're learning history on your own, you need a way to test your knowledge. Quizzing yourself is a great option. You can make your own flashcards, or look online on Quizlet for flash cards or on Kahoot for quizzes. These sites allow you to access materials others have created on a topic, if they were made public.
A: Go to your local library. Look for online resources. Quiz yourself using flashcards, Quizlet, or Kahoot.

Q: Strong-minded girls are used to being in control, and they can appreciate when a guy takes charge. Go right up and talk to her, let her know that you're interested. She might be guarded at first, but she'll mostly likely be impressed by your directness. Don't be too forceful or demanding. This could give her the wrong idea about your intentions. You don't have to be a "bad boy" to display confidence in yourself. Stay relaxed and comfortable in any situation. Be assertive; use a firm, clear voice, and speak your mind. She's probably used to being the most confident person in the room. Stand out and show her that you're just as sure of yourself. Assertiveness is the key, not aggression. Come on too strong and you risk looking like a jerk. Let your personality speak for itself. There's no need to brag, but don't downplay yourself or be unnecessarily modest. Take pride in yourself and own it. Loosen up. It's more impressive to people if you can handle mistakes and awkward moments gracefully. If she values her individuality, she'll also be able to recognize yours. Don't mindlessly follow trends or conform to what others are doing hoping it will get you noticed. Instead, be up front about your interests and beliefs and make it clear that you're someone worth knowing. Find things that the two of you have in common, no matter how small. You don't have to dress the same or have the same favorite band, but the more she can relate to you, the more comfortable she'll be around you. Finding things you have in common can be as broad and impassioned as political beliefs or as casual as your favorite breakfast cereal. Take this opportunity to get to know more about her, and as you do, you'll find that you have more things you connect with. While it's great to be direct, assertive and up front, leave a little for her to wonder about. She'll want to know more about you if you keep her guessing, and you'll come off as a more complex person. This could be the lead-in you need for your next conversation or date. Hold a little back in conversation. Don't be too eager or talk about yourself too much. Let her imagination do some work in figuring you out. Don't complain. Quiet dignity is an undeniable trait in anyone. There's no need to lay it on too thick. She'll know if you're boasting or trying to seem more appealing to her, and talking yourself up too much can be annoying. Confidence and assertiveness are qualities that anyone can develop, not stand-ins for your innate personality. If you get too wrapped up in trying to impress her, you'll lose sight of yourself. Trust her enough to let her make up her own mind about what she wants.
A:
Make the first move. Exude confidence. Be your own person. Relate to her. Be a little bit mysterious. Don't try too hard.