Article: Criticism is often painful, but you may find it easier to deal with if you think of it as an opportunity for growth and improvement rather than something hurtful or discouraging. If someone says something critical to you, listen actively before you get defensive. You may actually find what they have to say helpful. Before getting upset or rejecting the criticism, consider: The source. Did the criticism come from someone generally supportive, whose opinions you respect? The content. Did the other person just say something vague or insulting (e.g., "You're a jerk!"), or did they actually make a specific point about your behavior and how it affects them (e.g., "When you come in late, I feel distracted and it disrupts my work.")? The delivery. Did the person attempt to be tactful and constructive with their criticism, or were they unnecessarily rude and harsh? Just because someone has something critical to say to or about you, that doesn't mean they're right. Weigh their words carefully, but remember that you don't always have to take other people's opinions to heart. For example, if someone says that you're lazy, but you know you have been working as hard as you can, remind yourself of that. You might say to yourself, "I'm not lazy. I may not be able to do everything that they can do, but that's because everyone is different. I'm doing the best I can, and that's okay." If someone says something harsh to or about you, you may be tempted to lash out or get even. This is unlikely to accomplish much, however. Even if you don't feel good about what they have to say, you'll feel better (and others will be impressed!) if you can turn the other cheek and react with kindness and civility. Even if you don't agree with what the other person said, you can still respond in a way that validates the person (if not their words). For example, you might say, "Thanks for the advice. I'll think about that." If the other person was trying to be rude or unkind, a kind response might unnerve them and make them think about how they are behaving. Even if it doesn't, you'll still come out of the encounter as the bigger person. If someone says or thinks something unkind about you, that says more about them than it does about you. You cannot change what other people think of youonly they can do that. Remember that all you can do is work hard to be the best person you can be, and accept that you will never be able to please everyone. It's hard for anyone to feel good about themselves if they're surrounded by people who belittle them and bring them down all the time. If there is someone in your life who consistently puts you down, judges you, takes advantage of you, or violates your boundaries, you may need to cut ties with that person. Try to spend time with people who respect you and come from a place of love and support, even when they are being critical. If you're getting a lot of negativity from someone you can't avoid completely, like a coworker, try to minimize your time with that person as much as you can. Be civil or at least neutral when you have to be around them, but don't seek them out.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Listen to criticism with an open mind. Reject criticism and judgments you know are unfounded. Take the high road when others judge or criticize you. Acknowledge that others' perceptions of you come from them, not you. Spend time with supportive people.
Article: . If you have people in your life who belittle you and put you down, your self-esteem is going to take a hit. It will be hard to lift yourself without some support in your corner. Cut negative friends out of your life and connect with people who accept and care about you. If you don't feel you can cut this person out of your life, call him out on his negativity. Chances are, he is lashing out because he feel badly about himself, too. Set boundaries with negative family members. Choose not to engage in their negativity and try to spend less time with them. Don't play the negativity game and put others down, too. Treating people with kindness and respect can make you feel better about yourself. It's another thing you can add to your list of your positive qualities. You may feel so badly about yourself that you start missing out on the things you like doing, like hiking, going out to movies, or playing an instrument. Force yourself to do at least one thing you enjoy every day. Do thing that make use of your skills or fit with your interests. If you like animals, offer to take a friend's dog for a walk, or spend a day at an animal sanctuary. Try taking a class or learning a new skill. You may meet new people and you'll feel good about your new abilities. Take a walk, go for a swim, play basketball with your sister--when you start to feel depressed or down on yourself, decide to do something active instead. Exercising releases endorphins and neurotransmitters that can make you feel better. It can distract you from your negative thoughts and help you gain confidence. Even less intense activities like gardening, yoga, or pushing a grocery cart around a store can help with depression. Exercising can be a healthy way to cope with depression and negative thoughts. Don't use it to hide from or ignore your problems, but consider it a positive outlet for your feelings. Try setting small, achievable goals, like to walk around the block three times a week. Meeting the challenges you set for yourself can help improve your self-esteem. Sometimes a negative self-image is the result of years of being told you're not good enough, and you may need the help of a professional to get to the root of your poor self-image. If you can't seem to improve on your own, or you start having thoughts of hurting yourself or others, seek help immediately. If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts and live in the United States, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Get rid of negative friends Make a point to do things you enjoy. Get yourself moving and exercise. Talk to a therapist or mental health professional.
Article: In order to learn Japanese, you'll want to expose yourself to as much of the language as you can. Spend your down time watching films or television shows in Japanese. This will expose you to a wider range of terms (including slang) and provide you with another avenue to sharpen your understanding skills. Try to get your hands on Japanese books or a Japanese newspaper. This will expose you to a whole host of new words and phrases, and reading is a very active way to learn. By trying to read in Japanese you will engage deeply with this new language. Like television and films, listening to Japanese radio can be a great resource for encountering new words and practice listening. Seek out Japanese music with lyrics and try to sing along. Or look for Japanese talk radio. Japanese podcasts or language learning podcasts can be great resources as well. Placing yourself in a completely immersive environment is the most effective way to learn a foreign language. If you have the opportunity to go to Japan, or even to spend time with a Japanese family in America, take it. If you have any Japanese friends, see if it is possible for you to spend a bit of time at their home. Speaking Japanese will require you use your mouth in a different way than you are used to. In order to produce the proper sounds, you may need to make new shapes with your lips and tongue. Watch the mouth of a Japanese-speaker to get a visual understanding of how to produce these sounds in your mouth. Trying to find Kanji words in a paper dictionary can be tedious. Instead, use electronic dictionaries to expand your vocabulary, fill in gaps in conversation, and aid in your understanding of new terms. You may use a free online dictionary, download an app for your phone, or invest in a pocket translator.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Watch Japanese movies. Read. Listen to Japanese radio. Immerse yourself. Watch people talk. Use electronic dictionaries.