Life Hacks | Will Chatham

How You Can Use Your Art To Make A Big Difference

Published by Will Chatham on 3/3/2021

Art in any form is a brilliant way to express yourself and let people know how you’re feeling and what you think. It’s also a great way to make smart observations on the world we live in. This is why so many people can take a piece of art, whether it’s a song or a painting, and give it their own meaning. One song can mean a lot to different people for entirely different reasons. If you want to have an impact on people with your own artwork, here are a few pointers that could help you.

Figure Out What Your Values And Beliefs Are

If you’re going to make a difference with your artwork, even to one person, you need to figure out what your values and beliefs are. What upsets you? What makes you happy? What are you passionate about? Where do you see injustice? All of these questions are a great way to find what matters to you and can help you to find unique things to create. It doesn’t matter how big or small – if you find something personal to you, you can create a striking piece of art that can resonate with others on a deep level. Usually, the more specific you can make it, the better.

Stay Up To Date With Goings On

Staying up to date with the news and what’s going on can give you new things to comment on in your artwork. You can input your observations into the latest citizen request software and make a difference that way, but don’t underestimate how much of a difference your unique viewpoint can make via your original artwork.

Create Art For Charity

You could create artwork especially for charity. You could give it to them to auction off, or give 100% (or a large percentage) of the proceeds to them. Pick a cause that matters to you and make your artwork relevant.

Drop The Need For External Validation

Create art for yourself first, others second. Drop the need for external validation – as hard as that can be. External validation can be a good motivator and give us a bit of a high, but internal validation is far healthier and will keep us going for longer. Plus, we’re less likely to get put off if we don’t get the feedback we deserve.

Think Outside of The Box

Think outside of the box. Art can be anything you want it to be. You can send a message in any way, shape, or form. It could be a demonstration, the way you dress, or a bit of graffiti.

Remember, putting your artwork out there is an incredibly brave thing to do. So many people stop themselves from doing this, as it’s almost like showing people a piece of your soul. Once you overcome this, you’ll feel liberated. Just remember, once it’s out there, it’s out of your hands. You can’t control how people will react to it, or feel about it. Just keep on creating, keep on putting your work out there, and keep on finding new ways to express yourself!

Why taking Breaks Can Improve your Mental Clarity as a Programmer

Published by Will Chatham on 5/31/2019

When it comes to programming, it can be stressful. From all of the different things that can go wrong, to even all of the different outlets you’ll need to use, a break is a great way to improve your mental clarity, but why is that? Well, read on to find out.

Improves Relationships

Your relationships matter, and if you feel like your marriage is on the rocks, or you need marriage advice, or advice in general, a break, or even seeing a therapist is really rewarding. A break as a programmer also communicates to your peers, friends, and loved ones that they matter, and that you care enough about them to want to spend time with them. Remember, if they know that, they’ll want to spend time with you as well, and it can help you do better too. So yes, taking breaks and checking on others can be beneficial, even if you’re not working out a complex issue.

Help You Handle Issues with a Clear Head

Programming is hard, and whether you’re using Python or another programming language, it can be overwhelming. This can be quite annoying, and sometimes you need a clear head just to deal with it. that’s why, taking a break and making sure that you understand everything with a clear head is important. You may never know how much this can affect you till you start to do that, and you’ll be amazed at the difference this makes in your life. Sometimes, the reason why you struggle with code is because you don’t have a clear head, and even taking a small break can help with improving that so much more.

Reduces Stress

This works into the previous statement, but programming is a bit stressful. Whether you’re trying to figure out the Kali Linux dockerfile or trying a new code to see how this works, usually it’s tedious, and it can make you feel stressed, anxious, and irritated. This increases the risk for high blood pressure and heart disease if you’re not careful, so stress is something that can happen if you’re not paying enough attention to what you’re doing. A break is a good way to reset your mind and body, so that when you go back, you can find out what to do next. you’d be surprised at how helpful this can be, since stress is often something that can grow within a person, but they don’t know how to handle it. But yes, if you feel stressed, sometimes taking a break is good.

A Break Can Be Anything

When you’re a programmer, you may wonder what type of break you want to take. Well, the answer is simple. It can be practically anything, from a small walk, to even spending time with your family. If you do choose to do the latter, there are a couple sites you can check out for some alternatives, including this one, and also this one. They have a bunch of wonderful activities that can help you get your mind off it, and if you do have a kid, these are some great options for the sites that you can try, and you’ll be amazed at the difference this makes in your own personal adventures, and your connections too.

So yes, take your breaks. Programming is stressful, and there is a lot that has to be done, and a lot that can go wrong. it’s better if you take it easy, and take breaks as needed, since it can help you keep a level head, and also not ruin your vision either.

5 Ways To Boost Your Self-Esteem

Published by Marie Miguel on 2/1/2019

We tend to be our own worst critics; we judge and put ourselves down for not meeting a certain standard or expectation either social media or society demands that we live up to or is self-imposed. Sometimes this can go on for years, particularly after a traumatic event, and the struggle of learning to rebuild one’s self-esteem becomes ever more challenging.

Having a healthy self-esteem is about having a compassionate, loving and realistic approach to oneself and it is vital if you want to have a happy and healthy life. Here are ways you can boost your self-esteem and increase your feelings of self-worth:

1. Remember that you are not defined by what happened to you.

It is important that you do not place your identity or define yourself by what was done or said to you. Your self-worth should not be tied to a particular person or event as this false connection only results in feelings of shame and unworthiness. You are not what happened to you; you are not what they say you are. You get to control what you believe about yourself; you get to control your destiny.

2. Be mindful of your thoughts.

One of the first steps to improving your self-esteem is being aware of the negative thoughts going through your head and learning to distance yourself from them. By identifying with them less, you will be able to see your thoughts as just that — thoughts — and not facts or truths that are meant to be believed. Every time you find yourself talking negatively about yourself, simply observe them and remind yourself that they are not facts. If this becomes a persistent problem and you are struggling to disengage with your negative self-talk, consider getting professional help from a therapist or seeking invaluable advice from trusted sources like BetterHelp.

3. Change the way you talk to yourself.

Repeat positive affirmations to yourself, about yourself, everyday; this has shown to decrease symptoms of depression. Start by listing all the things you love about yourself, such as your body shape or that you’re a trustworthy person. Then, list all the things you are good at, such as being a present listener or a reliable planner. The next time negative self-talk arises, look back on your list and remind yourself of at least two things you love about yourself and at least two things you are good at.

4. Accept your strengths and weaknesses.

Someone may be an amazing cook but a terrible reader, but neither of those things define that person’s worth. We all have things we are good at and bad at, and when you choose to focus on your strengths and be more forgiving of your shortcomings, you will gain a more coherent, realistic and compassionate perspective of yourself. If you have trouble identifying your gifts and talents, ask your friends and family — sometimes they see the best in you more than you do yourself.

5. Take good care of yourself.

Invest in forms of self-care as poor health habits significantly affects your mental health in a negative way and leads to a greater devaluation of oneself. Exercise has proven to increase self-esteem, improve mental health and empowers not only the mind but the body; getting sufficient sleep every night helps you think more clearly and rationally; a balanced and nutritious diet also has positive effects on self-perception.

Remember that you are worthy and you are enough. You do not need to do or be anything to be valuable. You deserve respect and love, no matter who has told you otherwise. And with self-compassion and self-care, destructive thoughts can be dismantled and your self-worth can be alive and thriving again.

Marie Miguel

Contributor

Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with
mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.

Category: Life Hacks