INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Focus on the things that you like about yourself to remind yourself that there is more to you than the negative thoughts your inner voice focuses on. Congratulate yourself for your accomplishments without qualifying them. People with higher self-esteem are able to accept that they have positive attributes, even if they are not perfect. Post your list somewhere visible, like your bathroom mirror, and look at it daily. You can add to it as your inner voice becomes more positive. Write down you accomplishments, compliments people give you, and good thoughts you have about yourself. While the negative thoughts may not completely go away, spending more time focusing on the positive will improve your overall feelings of self-worth. Journaling can be a powerful tool to monitor your inner dialogue and improve your self-esteem. Try to focus your positivity journal on opposing your normal negative inner thoughts. For example, if you would tend to insult yourself for not speaking your mind about something, be sure to write down times that you do speak your mind. You can set goals for improving yourself without expecting perfection in every aspect of your life. Your goals should be clear and specific, but allow some "wiggle room" for imperfection. For example, instead of, "I will always speak against people who are spreading discrimination and hate," you might make your goal, "I will do my best to calmly oppose the ideas of others who spread discrimination and hate." Instead of "I will never eat sugar again and will lose 30 pounds," your goal could be, "I will strive to live a healthier lifestyle with better food choices and more exercise." Remember that you, like everyone, are human. You do not have to be perfect to have high self-esteem. If you can accept yourself as you are, even if you are trying to improve in some areas, you will have much higher self-esteem. Create a mantra for yourself, like "that's okay, I'm awesome anyway." For example, if you lost your temper and yelled at your child at the park, you can say to yourself, "I am not perfect, and I will work on keeping my emotions in control. I will apologize to my child for yelling and explain to him why I became upset. It's okay, I'm an awesome mom anyway." If you feel that you are unable to improve your self-esteem on your own, or if you become very upset when exploring the roots of your low self-esteem, you may want to see a therapist who can help you identify and deal with the roots of your self-esteem problems. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an approach that will address your automatic negative thoughts about yourself and teach you how to deal with your emotions in a healthy way. For more complex self-esteem issues, more in-depth psychodynamic therapy may be a better option for dealing with the roots of your problems. Many people begin to feel better about themselves when they are contributing to a cause outside of their own needs. Volunteering for a charitable organization helps both the volunteer and the recipients of the charity: a real win-win! Find an organization that addresses a cause that you feel passionate about. Volunteer somewhere with a friend or a group of friends; this will help the organization (many hands make light work) and the experience may be more enjoyable.

SUMMARY: List your positive attributes. Keep a positivity journal. Use your journal for goal setting. Forgive yourself for being imperfect. Seek counseling. Participate in charitable work.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Depending on the formality of your office or your profession, you may be able to wear a maxi dress. Pair the dress with office or meeting appropriate toppers and accessories. Match the print to your office. For example, you may be able to get away with a brightly colored print at an art gallery whereas you'd need something more subdued at a law office. Layer with appropriate pieces. Cardigans or blazers can make a maxi seem more office appropriate. Make sure the proportions of your layering pieces match your dress. Avoid strapless dresses, which are inappropriate for most offices. Be sure that your bra is covered as well. Wear office appropriate shoes. If you don't have any that match your maxi, consider wearing something different. Use accessories such as diamond studs or a patent belt to dress up your maxi. If you are going to a wedding, anniversary party, or any other type of formal event, you may want to wear a maxi dress for comfort and sophistication. Having the right cut, fabric, and accessories can make you look polished and proper at formal events. Wear a more formal fabric like chiffon, silk, or satin. Beaded detailing on the fabric can also impart an air of sophistication. Make sure the cut doesn't reveal too much of your skin. Wear a pair of heeled strappy sandals or other simple shoes that match your dress. Avoid wearing flip flops. Match accessories such as jewelry and a small bag to your dresses motif. Talitha Getty's photo in Marrakesh set the tone for the multitudes of women who embrace boho, or bohemian, dressing. You can make a maxi dress boho with the right print and great accessories. Get a maxi in a floral, tie dye, or paisley print. Pair your maxi with mini boots in suede or beaded or gladiator sandals. Add accessories or details like pompoms, sequins, or beads to your look. Wrap your head in a turban-style wrap. Also consider flower crowns or braids for your hair. Layer on loads of accessories like bracelets and necklaces. If you are having a day at the beach or just knocking around, or even meeting friends or a guy for a casual dinner, a maxi dress can be a comfortable way to enjoy the time. Keep you overall look simple and let your personality shine through. Choose higher-quality fabrics like jersey-cotton, which are comfortable and can keep their shape throughout the day. Keep accessories simple and to a minimum. For example, wear a long necklace or a nice pair of earrings and a couple of rings that match the print or color of your dress. Wear minimal makeup and let your hair flow naturally. For example, a swipe of mascara and waves from the beach can make you look healthy and glowing. Wear a comfortable and simple pair of shoes, such as leather thongs.

SUMMARY: Work a professional maxi. Dress up for formal events. Go boho. Enjoy a day at the beach, a casual dinner, or a first date.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Again, place your front foot on the front of the deck and rest your back foot slightly behind your front foot. Make sure your stance is solid and you feel well balanced. Push off with your back foot and get moving at a comfortable pace. Stay relaxed and make sure that you're heading straight forward. The more speed you build up now, the faster and more impressive looking your tailwhip will be. Do the simple jump trick by crouching down, jumping up and pulling the scooter behind you. You'll need plenty of air time to perform the tail whip, so make sure you jump as high as you can. With your back foot, kick the tail of the scooter out, either right or left. The direction doesn't matter, choose what is most comfortable to you. Since the scooter deck is attached to a pivot point (the handlebars), it will move away from you on a circular path. Once you're airborne and you've kicked the tail to start the circle, you'll need to make sure the deck returns under your feet so that you can land. Momentum will do most of the work, and the deck will continue to rotate back to you, but you'll need to help it out by moving the handlebars. Push them in a circular motion, moving in the same direction that the board is moving in. The deck will continue turning, so you need to catch it with your feet. When the deck returns to its original position, catch it with your front and back foot. Return to your original stance, with front foot facing forward and back foot just behind it. Stay relaxed as you fall to the ground, and make sure your stance is solid. As you connect with the pavement, let your knees buckle a bit to absorb the shock. Straighten up your handlebars a bit if you need to, you may have changed course in midair on accident.

SUMMARY:
Position your feet on the deck. Get some speed. Perform a jump. Kick the tail of the scooter. Move the handlebars. Regain your stance. Land.