Turning 30: Embracing the Benefits of Aging

aging

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As I turn 30 this year, I couldn't be more excited about the journey ahead! Personally, I've honed in on a career path that ignites my passion, affording me the ability to invest in experiences that truly enrich my life. This pivotal age allows me to direct my focus towards my spouse and family with newfound clarity.

They say wisdom accompanies age, and indeed, as you gain more insight into how the world operates, you find yourself increasingly at peace, with fewer uncertainties clouding your mind. Here are some remarkable benefits that come with turning 30, and if you're feeling apprehensive, fear not:

It Took Me Two Decades To Realize These

emotions

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Life is a journey of self-discovery. These past few months, I have noticed a significant slump on the road. Many seemingly minuscule and massive events made me realize how important it is to undergo a personal cleanse.

 No! I am not referring to the latest dietary cleanse or juice fast in the market (which I probably consider). I am referring to taking necessary actions to become a better version of myself. Actions needed to become a better daughter, a better friend, a better co-worker, a better partner, and a better person. 

 I turned to social support, spirituality, and Philosophy for guidance. A school of thought that shifted my mindset entirely is Stoicism. Stoicism highlights the division between what is happening to the world and how we emotionally respond to it. It is founded by Zeno, a wealthy merchant who had lost it all. In his despair, he turned to Philosophy for strength. 

How To Interact With Needy Individuals (Including Yourself)

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Before we get down to business, I must define what neediness and being needy really is.

 Neediness is considered as a condition of indigence. People with low socioeconomic status feel this condition. On the other hand, a needy person is insecure and codependent. He or she usually uses tactics to gain approval, attention, or both. 

 As with everything, there are two sides of the story. There are those who deal with the needy individuals and those who deal with their emotional conflicts. Continue reading on to know more!

Psychology Hacks: How To "Win" The Break-up

breakups


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We will all experience breaking up or parting from someone at least once in our lives. The end of any romantic relationship has its negative effects such as loneliness, distress, and a loss of sense of self. Aside from these negative outcomes, break-ups can also lead to fruitful results such as personal growth and self-improvement. A good coping strategy shall encourage individuals to focus on the positive aspects of their experience while simultaneously minimizing negative emotions. 

 Here are some ways to positively handle your recent break-up: 

 LIMIT YOUR GRIEVING

 Accept your emotions and allow yourself to grieve - to feel pain and anger. We all grieve in different ways, which is why there is no actual time limit for it. But, there is a difference between healthy grieving and drowning in depression and regret. Set a maximum of 30 minutes of grieving each day followed by an uplifting task. This will allow you to reflect and process your loss. 

5 Tips To Survive Valentine's Day When You're Single

cupid

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Valentine's Day is fast approaching! You can just see heart-shaped chocolates at the groceries and smell fresh flowers in the air. However, there is one thing that you realized - you are single! 

 HASHTAG FOREVER ALONE.

 Instead of smothering yourself with loneliness, here are some Psychology-based hacks to survive February 14: 

1. CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE

Try to be as positive as possible in a seemingly negative situation such as this. Thoughts lead to feelings which lead to behavior. Think of how lucky you really are because you can spend V-Day in a way that pleases you the most. You can even ignore it if you want. 

Life Lessons: The Day I Thought I Was Going To Die

abnormal psychology

By: Anna Agoncillo
Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)
As the wheels of the aircraft were getting ready for take-off, the surge of negative emotions deep inside me were too. In my mind, I thought that was the day I was going to die.

 4 hours before…

 Before reaching the airport, the nationwide scare brought by the "Tanim Bala Scam" urged the passengers of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Philippines) to cover-up their baggages securely. 

 Allegedly, officials "plant" live ammunition in the unsuspecting passenger's luggage and then busting this international traveler for having bullets in his bag. Victims of this scam were asked to pay a hefty fine or to face the consequences of "their" actions (i.e., imprisonment and fines). 

 And, nobody wants to become a victim! Not even me. 

Everything You Need To Know About Mental Toughness

athletes

By: Anna Agoncillo
Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)
Have you ever wondered what makes elite athletes or great leaders excel from the rest? 

 Is it because of their innate skills or their formative environments? Most likely, it is the combination of the two plus an ability called Mental Toughness.

 Mental Toughness helps an athlete to positively persevere despite the difficult circumstances. And, it can help you too!

 DEFINITION

 This Psychology term has been frequently used by Sport Psychologists, coaches, and business leaders. Despite of its popularity in Applied Sport Psychology, experts have yet to arrive at a singular description for it. 

Suggested Mental Toughness definitions from 1970s-1990s include:

 a. an ability to persist,
b. an ability to overcome failures,
c. the possession of superior mental skills,
d. and an ability to cope with pressure, stress, and adversity.

Book Review: 5 Greatest Things You'll Learn From Psychology Of Love, Money, & Life

book review

By: Anna Agoncillo
CLICK HERE FOR GOODREADS REVIEW AND FREE SAMPLE
You deserve to achieve understanding, awareness, and especially control over your life. Everyone does. And, "Psychology Of Love, Money, & Life" book might just be the answer!

 Aside from the "A Hack A Day – 5 ways to use psychology to your benefit" and "Simple Money Hacks To Improve Your Financial Life Now", here are the 5 greatest things you'll learn from the book...








There you go, a brief peek inside my #PLMLBook. It is available on Amazon (Kindle), Google Play Books, Apple Itunes, M1 Learning Centre, and Kobo.
Grab the copy with the price that suits you best! :)

Passion: How To Pursue What You Love In Work And Life

creativity

By: Anna Agoncillo
Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)
I had an interesting conversation with my sister the other day. It started casually with me asking her a simple question: "Are you willing to do everything in the pursuit of what you love?"

In no time, my teenage sister answered without hesitation: "I am willing to take the risks and take on new adventures in order to get what I love. It is because I want to do something that will make me happy." As a university student who majors in Management and Communication, she added: "It is the economics of life that states - higher risk is equal to higher return."

Flowers Can Improve Your Emotional Health And Other Areas Of Life In Just 5 Ways

benefits of flowers

By: Anna Agoncillo
Image Credits: Navdeep Raj via Flickr With Creative Commons License
Wonderfully diverse in colors, shapes, and sizes, flowers of all kind blossom to brighten up our days. Since the beginning of time, these beautiful creations had emerged as an evolutionary tool for pleasure, memory, and transcendence. Flowers are able to express a myriad of emotions from the declarations of love to the melodies of sympathy. It can even be used as a means of spiritual communication. The wide spectrum of positive and negative emotions that flowers are able to convey makes it the perfect gift.

 On that note, here are the 5 Ways Flowers Can Improve Your Emotional Health And Other Areas Of Life: 

 1. ITS MERE PRESENCE BOOSTS HAPPINESS

 A group of researchers from Rutgers University, New Jersey found that the mere presence of flowers immediately boosted the participants' happiness levels. All of them, regardless of their ages, had universal and genuine smiles across their faces. Indeed gorgeous blooms can trigger happy emotions. 

9 Perfect Gifts For Psychology Majors And Freud Enthusiasts

brain development

By: Anna Agoncillo
Image Credits: Hey Paul Studios via Flickr with Creative Commons License
From brain-shaped ice cubes to Freudian therapy balls or Psychological board games, here are the 9 Perfect Gifts For Psychology Majors And Freud Enthusiasts...

 SOMETHING USUAL WITH A COOL TWIST

 1. REVERSE PSYCHOLOGY T-SHIRT
Image Credits: Brain Level via Etsy.com
Using eco-friendly inks, the Reverse Psychology T-shirts are printed after you order. It comes in 9 colors with sizes ranging from S to XXL. So, there is surely something for everyone! 

 Available here. 

Life Lessons: Important Lessons From My First Job Experience After College

author's opinion

By: Anna Agoncillo
Image Credits: IModels Holdings
This is especially addressed for the young adults who had just graduated from college. :) 

 Finally, after grueling years of hard work, you have graduated! The next chapter ahead would not be easier but, I hope you find success and happiness in the process. 

 A couple of weeks after I graduated, I immediately landed my first full-time job. I was overwhelmed with how fast everything went! I know that there were going to be challenges ahead from workplace drama to workplace etiquette yet deep inside me, I felt excited and ready to transition to the working life. 

 In the beginning, my goal was to make enough money to save up for my graduate studies and to help my parents in the household expenses. I did so. I gave about 10% of my salary to my parents and 50% would go to my savings account. Aside from following my long-term goals, here were the important lessons I realized from my first job experience after college...

ASK ANNA #6: How To Make Quicker And More Accurate Decisions?

advice
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HOW TO MAKE QUICKER AND MORE ACCURATE DECISIONS?
Image Credits: Satya Murthy via Flickr
Tiger asks…

I don't know how to explain this. But when I buy something...I buy it and then, after a couple of days, I feel like I bought the wrong one. So I bought a backpack yesterday, it's not my usual style but I liked it at that time. Then today I feel like returning it. I don't know why but I feel like I'm really indecisive in everything I do. I have to think over and over again about a single thing. This is really frustrating. How can I get rid of this?

Free Apps: 5 FREE Mental Health Apps To Improve Your Life

abnormal psychology

By: Anna Agoncillo
Image Credits: CAFNR via Flickr
There is a wide selection of Apps that will help improve your physical, emotional, and mental health. Hidden through it all are these free yet efficient gems we all should have…

1. MINDSHIFT

 Available on Android and iOS

 Tired of running away from anxiety? Then, face it with MindShift App. Developed by Anxiety BC, MindShift App is designed to help individuals to cope efficiently with anxiety. It teaches its users to develop new thinking, healthy activities, and relaxation skills designed to cope with anxiety (e.g., performance or social anxiety), worry, panic, and more.
Image Credits: MindShift via Itunes

Positive Psychology And Motivation: 5 Steps To Achieve Anything You've Envisioned

advice

By: Anna Agoncillo

Image Credits: Bruce McKay via Flickr
Everyone is pretty much up knowledgeable with the dynamics of goal setting. You start by setting a specific goal, employing rewards, recording your progress, and making strict commitments. If its dynamics are laid out, why are some people still failing?

 1. STOP DREAMING

 One of the biggest foes of any goal is excessive positive fantasizing (experiencing mental images about a desired future positively). It has been shown to be associated with failures to get a job, find a partner and pass an exam. It may even cost you harsh decisions such as losing a car over a perceptive positive win at a poker game. 

ASK ANNA #4: Saying Sorry Too Much

advice
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SAYING SORRY TOO MUCH
Image Credits: butupa via Flickr

Mr. Krabs asks…

 I always say sorry even though I didn't do anything wrong. To the person I bump, to the sales lady if I'm asking for another size I didn't see. I made it an expression. Am i too insecure? Help me anna!

 Anna says...

 Yes! Your constant need to say sorry may be rooted from different things such as low self-esteem, higher sense of guilt, overly strict parents, inferiority complex from childhood, or internal locus of control. 

 It is certainly good to say sorry…if it is necessary. However, if there is no valid reason to be sorry then it may affect your everyday relationships. For instance, in business, your clients need to feel that you have good judgement. But, constantly apologizing doesn't send that message. 

Psychology, Love, And Advice: How To Survive A Long Distance Relationship

attraction

By: Anna Agoncillo
Image Credits: J.K. Califf via Flickr
As Rumi once said, “Let yourself be silently drawn by the stronger pull of what you really love".

 Be bold enough to follow what your heart speaks, even if what you really love is thousands of miles away. Speaking from experience, a long distance relationship (LDR) may be hard at first but you will have to conquer the obstacles together.

 Both of you shall be willing to give up your time and effort to keep the relationship alive. If you survive the distance…your relationship can survive anything.

 1. LDRs ARE MORE COMMON THAN YOU THINK

 You are not alone. A study by Cornell University showed that between a quarter and a half of college students are currently in a long distance relationship. Surely, being in a LDR while in your 20s will help you find yourself without being defined by anybody else. 

 If you are new to the scene and you feel uneasy…get the support you need from your family, friends, or online forums. LDRs are present in all walks of life so do not fret.

5 Ways to Get Motivated Today!

advice

By: Anna Agoncillo
Image Credits: Celestine Chua via Flickr
1. IDENTIFY YOUR PRIORITIES

 Identify and list down the Top 10 priorities that will lead you to your concrete goals in life (e.g., becoming a teacher or owning your own house).

 Choose to undertake the projects that are compatible with your concrete goals in life. Then, allocate most of your time to tasks that improve those projects.

 As J.K. Rowling once proclaimed: "it is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities".

 2.  WATCH THIS 60-SECONDS OF INSPIRATION

 Watch this inspiring video that feature quotes from Lily Tomlin, George Eliot, Frank Clark, Betty Smith, Robert Frost, and William Whewell.

Positive Psychology: 6 Ways to Live a Healthier and Happier Life.

by anna agoncillo

By: Anna Agoncillo | First Seen on: SGPsychStuff

One of the common New Year's Resolution is to be happier and to live healthier.

 Instead on focusing on what is wrong with you, Positive Psychology helps you to celebrate what is going right and improves that even more. It highlights your strengths and use it to your advantage.

 Following its principles, here are 6 Ways you can lead a Healthier and Happier Life...

1. Know and live by your values.
© IMGUR
Authentic values (e.g. curiosity, bravery, loyalty, forgiveness, persistence, kindness, leadership, and humor) are very important because these are in lined with your behavior. Identifying your core values will direct you to your personal strengths (Peterson, 2006).

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