Take time for yourself by doing things you enjoy or that make you happy. It can be hard to take time for yourself, especially if you're someone who tends to put other people first. It might also be challenging if you have a life situation such as having small children at home or taking care of someone who is ill. But always remember to "secure your own oxygen mask before assisting others." You are the best caretaker when you are your best self. If music makes you happy, listen to music. If reading books makes you happy, take a little time to read in a calm environment. Go look at a beautiful view, take yourself to a museum, or watch a movie that you enjoy. Stay active doing the things that bring you pleasure. This is a great way to focus on the positive. No one else is watching or judging your review of your day and yourself, so there's no need to worry about seeming arrogant. You don't have to be good at something or please others in order to enjoy it. If you're good at cooking, admit to yourself that you're a talented cook. Likewise, you don't need to be able to charm woodland creatures in order to enjoy singing. Observing moments of satisfaction, pride, contentment or joy in your life and the activities that cause them is a good way to make sure you can repeat them again in the future. You are not like other people, so there's little reason to judge yourself based on other people's standards. You may enjoy things that other people don't enjoy. You are certainly "allowed" to define for yourself what success means for your life. Your view of yourself is very different from your view of other people, just as viewing a Monet painting from one foot away is very different from viewing it from twenty feet away. Realize that the image of someone else that you see may be a contrived image that he or she strives to project. This image may only partially reflect reality. Let go of measuring yourself against other people and basing your self-worth on other people's opinions. This will help you make less subjective inferences about other people's behavior. For example, if you have a negative interaction with a casual acquaintance, don't assume that they don't like you. Rather, assume that there was a miscommunication between the two of you, or that something else is frustrating your acquaintance.
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One-sentence summary -- Do things you enjoy. Take time to think about moments of satisfaction. Worry less about others. Avoid comparing yourself to other people.

In-home testing kits come equipped with their own instruments and instructions. Follow the kit's directions. Submit the sampling to a local lab. If you see mold in a visual inspection, a testing kit isn't necessary. These kits can be difficult to use, and their results can be unreliable. Use them only as a last resort if other options aren't available. A borescope can be helpful for inspecting spaces between walls. Drill a small hole into a wall recently affected by water or moisture. Slowly insert the fiber optic cable end through the hole. Check the monitor for signs of mold. Continue to move slowly as you probe deeper into the area. Borescopes distort the size and color of mold on the monitor. If you find areas of discoloration inside the wall, contact a professional for a second opinion. You can also use a borescope to inspect air ducts, but there are drawbacks. The instrument only lets you see so far into a duct. If the duct makes a sudden 90-degree turn, you won't be able to see beyond that turn. They have instruments for mold detection that aren't available to the general public. Get estimates from several inspectors to make sure you get a fair deal. Contact former customers for reviews and possible complaints. Consult your state's contractor licensing board to ensure your potential inspector is licensed. Make sure the inspector works with a lab accredited by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA).
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One-sentence summary -- Use an in-home mold testing kit. Use a borescope. Hire a professional mold inspector.

Bringing your question up on a whim might not give you enough time to talk. Invite your parents to have a formal conversation. Your parents will see how serious this is for you, as well as how much you value their decision. If they say now isn't an ideal time, set up a scheduled conversation with them later on. You could say, for example, "Hey, Mom and Dad. I have a question for both of you. If you're not busy, can we talk tonight at around seven?" Look through your notes and pick one of your strongest talking points. Tell them how much you loved your first piercing and how you've thought about getting a second. Let them know how much your respect their authority, and ask them what their opinion is. A sample conversation could look like: "Mom and Dad, remember how I got my ears pierced last December? Well, I want to get my upper ear pierced, too. I think upper ear piercings look really stylish and are low-maintenance to take care of. The last thing I want to do is get pierced without your permission. What do you think?" Your parents, especially if they dislike piercings, might have a perspective opposite of your own. Don't launch into a yelling match. Instead, listen to them. Let them know what points of theirs you agree with, and show them that you understand their point. Bring up your own points in response with a level and empathetic head. If they say tongue piercings get infected easily, for example, you could say, "Thanks for thinking of my safety. I know that tongue piercings are harder to take care of, but I've taken care of my earrings for two years with no infection. Plus, I looked up proper tongue ring care for the first six months." Even after explaining your points, your parents still might feel wary about multiple piercings. Maybe they feel like piercings are expensive, or maybe they don't agree with where you want a piercing. Try to meet them in the middle and find a resolution that works for both sides. If they're worried about the money, for example, offer to do chores around the house or babysit for the neighbors. Remember to keep your end of the bargain. If you forget, your parents may judge you as irresponsible. Even if you don't agree with your parents' decision, don't raise your voice or insult them. In most cases, your parents have your best interest in mind. If the conversation gets to heated, ask your parents if you can resume talking about it at another time. When you and your parents are upset, neither side is going to listen. Actions are just as important as words. Avoid rolling your eyes, scowling, or shaking your head at your parents.
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One-sentence summary --
Ask your parents to talk, when the time is right. Explain to your parents what you want and why. Validate their argument. Make a compromise, if your parents are hesitant. Stay calm and respectful.