| How to Volunteer Posted: 12 May 2022 01:00 AM PDT Volunteering in your community gives you a chance to give back. You'll feel a sense of pride that you are volunteering your time, and a local organization will benefit, too. If you want to get started volunteering, find an organization that's a good fit for you, and then decide what you have to offer. Then you can apply to volunteer at that organization and get started in your new position. [Edit]Picking an Organization - Focus on causes you feel strongly about. When you decide to volunteer, you may want to plug into the first volunteer opportunity you come across. However, you're likely to be happier and volunteer longer at an organization that supports a cause you care about. When looking for an organization to volunteer at, try to pick one with a cause that riles your passions.[1]
- For example, if you're passionate about animal welfare, maybe you want to volunteer at an animal shelter. If you believe in literacy, maybe you want to volunteer at a library or a school.
- Look for more than just the "standard" volunteer organizations. When you think about volunteering, your mind may focus on organizations such as soup kitchens, homeless shelters, or food banks. While those organizations are very worthy of your time, you may find other opportunities better fit your personality or skill set, ones that you may not think of immediately but that still need help.[2]
- For example, you may find that volunteering with your local parks, at a prison, with youth organizations, or even for disaster relief may be more to your liking.
- Use a volunteer site to find a good match. Much like job search sites, you can use volunteer sites like Volunteer Match or Serve.gov to help you find volunteer opportunities in your area. Organizations list volunteer openings on their website, and you can search through and narrow them down, much like you would job listings.[3]
- Talk to friends and family. If you still can't narrow down where you want to volunteer, start asking people you know where they volunteer. You may find one of them has the perfect opportunity for you, and it can make it easier to volunteer with someone you know the first time.[4]
- Volunteering with friends can make it less scary and more enjoyable because you're with people you know and have fun with.
- Pick an organization that will teach you something new. The first objective of volunteering is helping an organization and your community. However, volunteer opportunities can also benefit you. For one, they can give you career experience you don't have. Some organizations will also offer you training and career development. Consider how volunteering at a particular organization may benefit you in the future.[5]
- For instance, volunteering at a clinic can teach you some about the healthcare system, while volunteering at library can teach you about community programs, literacy initiatives, and library organization. If you volunteer with the park system, you'll learn about park management.
- You could also choose organizations that would develop skills you already have. For instance, if you are partially fluent in another language, you could offer your skills as a translator to community organizations, improving your skills along the way.
- Volunteer overseas. While you'll find plenty of opportunities to volunteer in your own community, volunteering overseas is also an option. When you volunteer overseas, you can do everything from assisting at a pop-up health clinic in a remote village, assisting scientists on a biological expedition, or building schools in an impoverished area.[6]
- When volunteering abroad, you can go on short, week-long excursions, or you can commit to much longer periods of volunteering
- You could even join an organization like the Peace Corps for a long-term experience, where you can volunteer in fields like agriculture, education, health, economic development, and youth development.[7]
[Edit]Establishing What You Can Offer - Identify your skills. When thinking about where you want to volunteer, considering your skill set is important. Organizations are always looking for people with different skill sets, so no matter what you're good at, you should be able to find a place that can use those skills. First, though, you need to identify those skills.[8]
- For example, maybe you have stellar people skills, so you'd do well at a place where you interact with people often, such as a soup kitchen or homeless shelter.
- On the other hand, if writing is more your style, look into opportunities that can put that skill to use. For example, maybe you could write brochures for local nonprofits.
- Review your weekly schedule. You don't want to say that you can volunteer five times a week only to bail on the organization after a month. You need to be realistic about how much time you can give to an organization based on your other commitments.[9]
- Try not to over-commit yourself. If you try to do too much, you're more likely to give up.
- Establish the length of time you'd like to volunteer. Maybe you really only want to volunteer at a place for a month. On the other hand, maybe you're looking for a place to volunteer for the long term. Either is fine, but you need to figure out what you want and be upfront about it with the organization.[10]
- Knowing the length of time you want to commit to can also help you choose an organization and type of volunteering. For instance, if you only want a short-term commitment, you might want to help organize an educational talk at the local art museum. On the other hand, if you want a long-term commitment, you might become a docent at the museum.[11]
- You can even find one-time volunteer opportunities, such as volunteering at a pet adoption event, helping at the library's annual sale, or joining a group park cleanup.
- Volunteer in person or online. Some people have the time to go in person to an organization to volunteer. If that's you, great. If it's not, think about volunteering remotely by doing work online. Many organizations are now looking for people who can help with things like writing and PR work, most of which can be done online.[12]
- You'll find there are all kinds of ways to volunteer. You can run in a marathon to raise money for an organization, work as a big brother or big sister, or organize food at a food bank.
- If you do want to volunteer online, you'd still need to find the right organization. You could send emails to local organizations and offer your writing or design skills, for instance, though they will probably still want to meet you in person at least once. You could also do things like tutor kids on the internet who are in need of homework assistance.
[Edit]Beginning a Volunteer Opportunity - Treat the application like a job. While some volunteer opportunities will be relatively low-key when it comes to the application process, others will want many of the same things an employer would want. For instance, many will have you fill out an application. They'll likely want to talk with you, as well as check your references. Be courteous and professional throughout these interactions.
- Spend some time preparing for the interview, much as you would for a job interview. Be ready to talk about yourself, your background, and what you have to offer to the organization.[13]
- Remember, the interview is also a time for you to assess whether the organization is the right fit for you. Don't be afraid to ask any questions you may have.
- Ask what's expected of volunteers. Organizations are going to have certain objectives for their volunteers. Some may require training or a certain number of hours per week. Some may have a rigid volunteer schedule, while others may be more flexible. The important thing is you know what you're getting into ahead of time.[14]
- For instance, volunteers at a museum may be expected to learn parts of the galleries to give tours, while volunteers at a clinic will be expected to maintain certain privacy standards.
- If you're helping with a 5K charity run, you may find volunteers are expected to do things like sign people in, assist at water stations, or help organize the crowd.
- Complete any needed training. For some organizations, training will be minimal. You may need to attend a short orientation, for instance. In other organizations, it may be more extensive. One suicide crisis organization, for instance, requires its volunteers to take a training course and get certification that costs $250, though you may be able to get assistance with the cost.
- Start volunteering slowly. That is, you don't want to immediately commit to volunteering three times a week for a year only to find that you hate your volunteer position. Of course, you can always back out, but it's better to commit to just a little bit of time at first to see if you like volunteering at the organization. Once you've volunteered there for a short period and decided you like it, you can commit to a longer period of time.[15]
- Move organizations if needed.. You shouldn't stay in a volunteer position you're unhappy with. If you are unhappy, try asking about how your work could be shifted within the organization. If that doesn't work, consider finding another opportunity somewhere else.[16]
- If you are offered a leadership position or nominated as an officer, consider carefully whether that is what you want. If what you love is the in-the-trenches work for an organization, its board meetings and budgets may only prove to be a burden and an extra time commitment. On the other hand, if you feel you can best contribute by helping an organization to run smoothly, give leadership a try.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Create Cornstarch Playdough Posted: 11 May 2022 05:00 PM PDT Playdough can be just as fun and easy to make as it is to play with. Maybe your old playdough dried out and you don't have the time to run to the store to buy more. Or maybe you want to make a special color that you can't buy. Whatever your reason, with a little time, effort, and a couple of supplies from the kitchen (or bathroom!) cabinet, you will have your very own playdough! [Edit]Ingredients [Edit]Two-Ingredient Playdough[1] - 1 cup (340 grams) lotion or hair conditioner
- 2 cups (250 grams) cornstarch
- Food coloring (optional)
[Edit]Simple Playdough[2] - 1 cup (180 grams) baking soda
- ½ cup (65 grams) cornstarch
- ¾ cup (180 milliliters) water
- 4 to 5 drops food coloring (optional)
- 2 to 3 drops essential oil (optional)
[Edit]Edible Playdough[3] - 6 large marshmallows
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil
- Food coloring (optional)
[Edit]Stovetop Playdough[4] - 1 cup (240 milliliters) water
- 1 cup (100 grams) flour
- ½ cup (115 grams) salt
- ¼ cup (30 grams) cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- ½ tablespoon powdered Alum
- Food coloring (optional)
[Edit]Making Two-Ingredient Playdough - Add the lotion or hair conditioner into a large bowl. You can use the scented or unscented kind. Avoid using the expensive kind; the cheap kind from the dollar or discount store will work just fine![5]
- You can also make this using shaving cream instead.
- If you'd like to make it in smaller amounts, simply use the ratio of 1 part lotion/conditioner to 2 parts cornstarch.
- Add the cornstarch. If you are using shaving cream, then use only 1 cup (125 grams) of cornstarch.[6] For a stiffer, more dry playdough, use up to 3 cups (375 grams) of cornstarch.
- Add in a few drops of food coloring, if desired. Start with 3 drops of food coloring.[7] It is not completely necessary, but it can make your playdough look more interesting.
- Finish kneading the dough with your hands. It may take up to 5 minutes for the dough to come together. Note that this part can get very messy and sticky.[8] If you used food coloring, there should be no streaks or swirls of color.
- Make any necessary adjustments. At this point, your playdough is ready. If it is not quite to your liking, however, you can still fix it. Add in some of the adjustments based on the list below, and knead the dough again until everything is well-blended.
- If the playdough is too sticky, add more cornstarch.
- If it is too dry, add more lotion/conditioner/shaving cream.
- If the color is not dark enough, add in a few more drops of food coloring.
- Play with your playdough. Smooth it, pull it, or make figures with it. You can even try rolling it out flat and cutting shapes out of it. Store it an air-tight container when you are done playing with it so that it doesn't dry out.
[Edit]Making Simple Playdough - Combine the baking soda, cornstarch, and water in a saucepan. Stir the ingredients together briskly until the baking soda and cornstarch dissolve. Don't add the food coloring and essential oils yet.
- Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it starts to turn solid. Place the saucepan on the stove and turn the heat to medium. Stir it constantly as it cooks. After about 4 to 5 minutes, it will start to bubble. It will then start to solidify and clump into a ball.[9]
- Once the ball forms, take the dough out of the saucepan and place it down onto a sheet of parchment paper so that it can cool. Every so often, carefully flip it over and knead it. This will help speed up the cooling process. Be careful, however; the dough will be hot!
- Add the food coloring and essential oils, if desired, and knead until well-blended. The essential oils are not necessary, but they will give your playdough a nice smell. The food coloring is only necessary if you wish to make colored playdough. Keep kneading the dough until it is an even color; there should be no streaks or swirls.
- You can use even less food coloring. Even a single drop will give it a lovely pastel color.[10]
- Play with the playdough. Smoosh it, pull it, and make figures with it. You can even roll it out and cut out shapes using cookie cutters. When you are done playing with it, store it in an airtight container.
[Edit]Making Edible Playdough - Place the marshmallows, cornstarch, and coconut oil into a microwave-safe bowl. Note that while this playdough is safe to eat, it probably would not be a good idea to gobble it up all at once. It is a great choice for young children who like to put things into their mouths, however.
- Add a few drops of food coloring, if desired, and give the ingredients a quick stir to combine. This is enough for one batch of edible playdough. If you'd like to make more colors, you will need to make another batch.
- How much food coloring you add is up to you. The more you add, the darker your playdough will be.
- Heat the ingredients in the microwave until the marshmallows start to expand. This will take about 30 seconds, but it may take less depending on the strength of your microwave.[11]
- Carefully take the bowl out of the microwave and stir the ingredients together with a spoon. Keep stirring until the ingredients thicken and you can't stir anymore.[12] If you need to, use a potholder to handle the bowl.
- Knead the dough with your hands until everything is evenly mixed together. If the dough is too dry, add a little bit more coconut oil. If the dough is too wet, add some more cornstarch.
- Be careful; the ingredients may still be hot.
- Play with the playdough. Because it is edible, you can even eat some of it too. Just don't eat too much, or you'll get a tummy ache! When you are done playing with it, store it in an airtight container. If it starts to smell funny or weird, throw it out; it is expired and not safe to eat anymore.
[Edit]Making Stovetop Playdough - Whisk together all of the ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Place a large saucepan on the stove, and add the water, flour, salt, cornstarch, vegetable oil, and powdered Alum. Turn the heat to medium, and begin stirring with a whisk.
- Switch to a wooden spoon when the mixture starts to thicken, and continue stirring. As the mixture heats up, it will start to thicken. Switch to a wooden spoon so that it doesn't get caught in our whisk.[13]
- Remove the dough from the saucepan. As you continue to stir it, the ingredients will begin to leave the sides of the saucepan and clump together to form a dough. When this happens, turn off the stove, and carefully remove the dough from the saucepan. Set it down onto a smooth working surface.[14]
- Knead in some food coloring, if desired. You can make it all one color, or you can split the playdough up into smaller balls, and knead some food coloring into each one. Keep kneading until the food coloring is mixed evenly throughout the playdough. There should be no streaks or swirls; the color should be even.
- If you are working with one big ball, start with just three drops of food coloring. If you are working with smaller balls, start with one drop. A little bit goes a long way!
- The more food coloring you add, the darker your playdough will become.
- Finish kneading the playdough, and adjust it as necessary. If the playdough's texture is not quite right for you, you can still fix it. Knead in a little more cornstarch or flour if it is too wet or sticky. If it is too dry, knead in some water. Lastly, if the playdough is too light in color for you, add a few more drops of food coloring.
- Play with the playdough. You can make little figures with it, or roll it out and cut shapes out using cookie cutters. When you are done playing with it, put it into an airtight container so that it doesn't dry out.
- Give your playdough some sparkle with some extra-fine, scrapbooking glitter. If you are making the edible one, you can add edible glitter or pearls if you like.
- Give your playdough some fragrance with a few drops of essential oil. Or, if you making the two-ingredient playdough, use a conditioner that has a fragrance you like.
- If the cornstarch, flour, or baking soda are clumpy, sift them before using them in your recipe.
- To make different colors out of the same batch of playdough, make the dough first, then divide it up into smaller balls. Knead a drop or two of food coloring into each ball.
- If you can't find cornstarch, use cornflour instead.
- If the playdough dries out a little, knead in some more of the liquid base from the recipe you were using (ie: lotion, conditioner, water, oil, etc). A little bit of water will also help revive it.[15]
- Homemade playdough is great for sensory play. If the child is very young and still teething or "tasting" everything, make the edible playdough.
- Store the playdough in a plastic baggie or airtight container when you are not playing with it.
[Edit]Warnings - Do not leave out of container; it hardens after a couple of days!
- Do not eat playdough, unless it is specifically indicated to be edible.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Two-Ingredient Playdough - Large bowl
- Airtight container(s) for storing
[Edit]Making Simple Playdough - Saucepan
- Stirring spoon
- Parchment paper or silicon mat
- Airtight container(s) for storing
[Edit]Edible Playdough - Microwave-safe bowl
- Stirring spoon
- Airtight container(s) for storing
[Edit]Stovetop Playdough - Saucepan
- Whisk
- Wooden spoon
- Decent container(s) for storing
[Edit]Related wikiHows
[Edit]References |
| How to Be Confident in Your Looks Posted: 11 May 2022 09:00 AM PDT Having low self-esteem when it comes to your appearance can feel demoralizing and make it harder to focus on enjoying your life. Fortunately, there are things you can do to shut down your inner critic and start feeling more comfortable in your own skin. Keep reading to learn how you can become confident in your looks using proven, expert-recommended tips. [Edit]Improving your Appearance Self-Esteem - Identify the source of your lack of confidence. Figuring out why you lack confidence can help you target those feelings. Start writing a "self-esteem" journal, where you note when you feel more and less confident about the way you look. After a week or two, look back at your notes and try to find patterns to the way you feel.
- Were you more confident in any of the following situations: after spending more time grooming or getting ready, if you dressed a certain way, spending time in smaller groups, spending time away from certain individuals, or spending less time on social media or looking at celebrity media?[1]
- Are there any "bigger" issues, such as your employment status or personal troubles that seem to trigger your feelings of low confidence? Some people turn this type of anxiety towards their self-perception, which may seem easier to deal with than the "bigger" problem of job security or personal problems.[2]
- If you don't see any patterns or you're still not sure what is causing your lack of confidence, you may want to try a number of different tips to find what seems to help the most.
- Address your body image perception. Dr. Vivian Diller has a number of different cognitive-behavioral techniques for improving your confidence in your looks, which she calls "beauty self-esteem."[3] These techniques focus on evaluating the source of your self-esteem, questioning your negative opinion of your looks, and thinking about ways to think about your looks more positively.
- Focus on sitting up straight with your chest pushed out while doing the following steps for maximum confidence.[4]
- Write down your positive attributes. Write the 3 things about your looks and the 3 things about your personality that you like the most. Place all 6 items in order of importance and write 1 sentence about each. For example, "I help others. I volunteer every week for a local charity and always call my friends back right away when they need to talk."
- Analyze your positive attributes. Notice where the physical features ranked relative to your personality features; most people rank personality features above physical features, which emphasizes not only that our self-esteem is influenced more about how we feel about our personality but also that others' opinion of us is likely more influenced about personality too.
- List your best features. Write down the 3 physical features that you think are most appealing to you, using a sentence to describe each one. For example, "My long curly hair - especially just after I leave the hair salon and looks so full and bouncy" or "My broad shoulders, especially when my girlfriend puts her head on my shoulder for comfort."
- This exercise shows that everyone has features they can be proud of. These features can be accentuated by clothing choice.
- Look in the mirror. Look at yourself in the mirror and see what thoughts come into your head. Whose words are they: your own or someone else's? Whose words do they remind you of: a bully's, a parent's or a friend's?
- Question the accuracy of the words in your head: Are your muscles really smaller than most people's? Are your hips really that big? Are you really that much taller than other people? Do any of those things really matter?
- Think about how you would talk to a friend. How is it different than your self-talk, and how can you get yourself to think positively about yourself instead of using the critical or negative tone you likely used to begin with?
- Find what you like about yourself in the mirror and from now on, whenever you look in the mirror, look at this attribute rather any perceived negative attributes you normally focus on.
- Be skeptical of the media. Remember that the media portrayal of the body is designed to make you feel bad about yourself because that is what gets you to buy products and new clothes. Not only are the body images portrayed not average, they are often helped by digital enhancement using software like Adobe Photoshop. People who recognize this and are more media savvy often have better self-perceptions. [5] [6]
- Work on positive re-framing. If you find yourself having negative thoughts about the way you look, stop yourself and re-frame it as something positive. For example, if you think your nose is too big, stop and remind yourself that you have a strong, unique profile. If you think you are overweight, think about your awesome curves and plan what lifestyle changes you can make.
- Keep a confidence journal. Every night before you go to sleep, write down 3 positive things about yourself. Then in the morning, read them and add two more. It's okay to repeat what you have said before. The more positive self-thought you have, the better your overall self-esteem will become.
- Seek counselling. If your negative self-perception persists, you may want to consider seeing a therapist. Your thoughts about the way you look may be related to deeper issues that you're not fully aware of, and counselling can help you have a healthier self-esteem in general.
[Edit]Changing Your Style - Wear clothes that make you feel comfortable. The clothes you wear can really have an effect on your self-esteem. For example, wearing a superhero costume can boost confidence and make people feel stronger; women perform better on a math test in a sweater than in a swimsuit; and a white coat gives people more "mental agility."[7]
- Focus on wearing clothes that make you feel comfortable, such as a nice soft sweater, your favorite jeans, and a suit and tie (or something else professional looking).[8]
- Examine your wardrobe and make sure your clothes fit your style. If they don't, you may need to go shopping! If you dislike shopping in public or don't know what is in style, consider a service that selects clothes for you and sends them to your house or find an online retailer with an easy free return policy.
- Wear colors that you like. Doing so will help boost your mood. If you can't decide on a color you like, a good go-to color is blue because people general respond positively to it.[9]
- Wear clothes that accentuate the physical features you like. Find outfits that will look good to you when you look in a mirror because they match your body type or include accessories that show off your good features.[10] There is no perfect body type, but there are good and bad clothes for particular body types. Clothes that fit because they match your type are more likely to look good on you.[11]
 - If you are very skinny, avoid wearing dark colors, such as black, which are slimming. Wear lighter colors instead. Slim women should try to create some curve by belting a flowing dress in the center.[12] Thin men should avoid wearing large or baggy clothing to add the appearance of bulk; dressing in the appropriate size will look better.[13]
- If you have broad shoulders and narrow hips, avoid scarves with patterns (calling attention to your shoulders), shirts that accentuate your shoulders, and footwear that looks small for your body type, but do wear pants that make your hips look bigger and shoes with wider heels or boots with buckles that call attention to your feet.
- If your body is pear-shaped, wear bright colors or patterns on top and dark, solid colors on the bottom and avoid horizontal stripes, particularly on the bottom.
- If you have a round body type, avoid too much fabric in the middle of your body, belts, and skirts less than knee-length, but do wear details above your bust line and below your hipline.
- If you have a curvy body shape, try clothing that is skinny at the waist but flowy at the top and bottom. This will accentuate your curves and downplay your legs a bit.[14]
- Wear clothes in the appropriate size or have them tailored. Wearing clothes that fit you at your current weight and height will make you feel better about the way you look, even if the clothes are not the ideal size you want to be.
- Special order clothes in sizes that actually fit you. If you are a very tall and skinny man, for example, you may need to order Medium Tall sizes online rather than settling for clothing in the store that is too wide and baggy on you because it is the appropriate length.
- Have clothing tailored for length or width to fit you well. Tailors also know tricks like adding darts (folded sections of fabric that create a flattering shape) to clothing to accentuate positive features such as curves.
- Wear the right lipstick. Using lipstick well means more than just selecting the right color; it also means taking care of your lips as a part of your overall look by exfoliating (eg, with a mixture of salt and almond oil) and applying balm twice a week. For the lipstick itself, makeup artists recommend the following:[15]
- Avoid lipstick that shimmers and sparkles because it tends to look cheap
- Choose a bright color based on your lip color (eg, pale lips=cherry lipstick, natural=cranberry, and dark lips=burgundy).
- Choose a nude color based on your skin tone (choose something slightly brighter or deeper than your skin).
- Avoid blue or black based shades, as they tend to make you look older, more severe, and yes, even scarier (think vampire).
- Liner is not necessary, but when you use it, pick a color that matches your lips, not the lipstick.
- Apply lipstick carefully then smudge the border slightly for a softer effect.
- Apply starting in the center and then blend the color towards the corners, careful not to apply directly to the corners of your mouth.
- Apply strong lipstick shades to the bottom lip and then press your lips together for a lighter application.
- Apply lipstick once, blot your lips on a tissue, and apply again for a longer lasting effect.
- Apply make-up based on your face shape. Although makeup is not for everyone, those who use makeup can improve their self-image by becoming more educated on how to use makeup to improve their confidence in their looks. Just as with clothes, the goal is to match your shape (in this case face shape) and direct the eyes to the features you want to accentuate. To determine your face shape, pull your hair back and look in the mirror at your hairline and chin:[16]
- Heart-shaped faces (broad forehead and pointed chin) should draw focus away from their prominent chin and cheekbones with soft tones on the face and color on the lips.
- Rounded faces (forehead and lower face are the same width) should help add definition using makeup on the cheeks and eyes (eg, using smoky eye shadow).
- Square faces (Angular jawbone and hairline) should use soft colors on the skin, mouth, and eyes to soften facial features.
- Oval faces (forehead and lower face are same width with longer sides) should apply blush with horizontal strokes and define their eyes and lips to reduce the length of their face.
- Get a good haircut. A great haircut from a stylish salon or respectable barber shop can make you feel more confident about your looks and will give you a more up-to-date, fashionable style. As with makeup, the key to a good hairstyle is to match the shape of your face:[17]
- Heart-shaped faces should consider bangs and side-parts with chin-length hair that helps to round out the face more.
- Round faces should consider a center or slightly off-center part and "face-framing layers" that minimize the fullness and create "a more chiseled illusion."
- Square faces should consider "face-framing layers" and a side-part that draws attention to the cheekbones.
- Oval faces should find that most styles work for them as the techniques for other face shapes are meant to make the face look more like oval-shaped faces.
- Stay well-groomed. Looking like you thought about your appearance and are taking care of yourself can boost your confidence and can be achieved with a few simple grooming tips:[18]
- Keep your nails trimmed and shaped neatly (women and men can benefit from this tip).[19] Be sure your nail beds are clean.
- Brush your teeth several times daily, particularly after meals with tooth-gunk potential.
- Keep moist wipes and cleansing cloths with you to clean off makeup, sunscreen, and sweat, or just to refresh yourself after a few stressful hours. Make sure to also do a full facial wash every 2 to 3 days to keep your skin clear.
- Use an anti-aging moisturizer, sun protector, and concealer (to even out skin tone).
- Use your fingers (as opposed to brushes) to apply makeup and get a better feel (literally) for how much makeup you are applying that can lead to a more natural look.
- Use press-on nails for a quick manicured look. Even for people who experienced the 80's, they are more socially acceptable today than you might realize!
- Apply a deodorant or antiperspirant regularly.
- Use natural oils (eg, avocado, coconut, or almond) to keep your body and hair moisturized.
[Edit]Improving Your Quality of Life - Choose your friends wisely. Pay attention to your friends and how they make you feel. Surround yourself with people who don't criticize or judge you because it can negatively affect your body image.
- Friends can even help you work towards your health and fitness goals, which may help you feel more confident in your looks as well. Find a gym partner or a hiking buddy.
- Smile and laugh as much as possible. As easy and obvious as it sounds, smiling, even when you are forced to do it, can lower stress and make you feel better about yourself.[20] Furthermore, people will see you as approachable and trusting.[21]
- Exercise regularly. Whether or not exercise actually changes your physical appearance, it can change your perception of yourself, which can lead to increased self esteem. A national survey of physical activity and weight has shown that people who were not satisfied with their body size were less likely to be physically active, regardless of how much they actually weighed. This finding suggests that just being physically active can be related to a better self-image. [22]
- The amount of exercise needs to be enough to give you a sense of accomplishment and needs to be regular, but does not need to be any specific type of exercise or be done for any specific amount of time.
- Eat a healthy diet. Certain foods, such as those high in carbohydrates and sugar, can cause you to become sluggish and negatively affect your mood. Foods that can improve your mood are those that are low in fat and release their energy slowly. These foods give energy for sustained periods of time and do not carry the risk of weight gain, bloating, and irritability; they can also lead to stronger hair and nails, which can improve your overall self-image.[23]
- Avoid eating foods that are sugary, fried, or overly processed.[24]
- Eat more nuts and seeds, legumes, and fresh fruits and vegetables, particularly produce with vibrant, rich colors.[25]
- Take a compliment. If you get a compliment, don't deflect it, take it![26] If you are uncertain about your looks, it may feel awkward to get compliments and your anxious reaction might be to deflect or down-play the compliment. For example, if someone compliments your shirt, you might tell them it is a hand-me-down that you only wore because all of your other clothes are dirty. This is a reflection of your anxiety about your looks and can make both you and the person who complimented you uncomfortable. Instead, just say thank you and fully enjoy the compliment you earned.
- Remember that what other people think of you doesn't matter. The important is what you, and only you, think of yourself.
- Saying positive and confident things aloud to yourself can help you feel more confident.
- If people say mean things to you, remember that they are only showing the negative side of themselves, and their comment says more about them than about you.
- Be true to yourself and find what makes you feel comfortable and confident.
- Try not to compare yourself to others.
- Make sure that you keep a detailed and regular record of your emotions and feelings and try to find time for journaling as frequently as possible.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Dry Clothes Outside Posted: 11 May 2022 01:00 AM PDT If you'd like to reduce your energy use or costs, drying your clothes outside rather than in the dryer is a great way to do so. Sunlight is a natural sanitizing and bleaching agent, and line drying keeps your clothes in better condition than drying them in a machine. An added bonus is the sweet smell of sun-dried clothing fresh off the clothesline! [Edit]Creating a Space to Dry Your Clothes - Check your local regulations. In some places, clotheslines are forbidden on balconies and in backyards because the sight of clothes hanging out to dry is considered "unsightly" and liable to bring down property prices. So, you'll need to know the local rules first, including that of the local homeowner's association.[1]
- If you live in an area where this is an issue, you might like to join those advocating for relaxation of such rules so that you can save money and energy too.
- Install a clothesline. This can be as simple as one you put up yourself by stretching a nylon rope between two wooden posts. There are also retractable clotheslines, freestanding-frame rotary (umbrella) clotheslines, and pulley clotheslines for loading clothes from a fixed location.
- A variety of materials, such as paracord, plastic rope and cotton or Hemp Cording will work well for a clothesline.[2]
- Be careful about which trees you use for the ends of your clotheslines. Conifers drip sap, and some are common roosting places for pigeons.
- Keep your clothesline clean. If your clothesline is not wiped down regularly, it will accumulate dirt, sap, and other soiling over time. Naturally, this can transfer onto your "clean" clothes, so to prevent this from happening, give the clothesline a quick wipe-down with a kitchen sponge and a bit of detergent and water every month and allow it to dry before using.
- Also clean the clothespins regularly, as they can sometimes get dirty, or even build up soap residue. Throw out broken ones, and remember that you can never have too many clothespins, so replace them regularly as well.
- Add a clothes rack. These days, there are excellent foldaway rack options available made from lovely new materials that won't snag your clothes. Alternately, you could put a table near the clothesline for items that must be laid flat to dry rather than hung up.[3]
- An old folding table can be easily turned into a sweater-drying stand. Simply remove the table top and replace with nylon netting (or a similar waterproof surface).[4] The beauty of this is that it can be easily folded away when not in use!
- Get a clothes horse. This can be used for a variety of delicate clothing items or for small loads that you'd like to place just outside the door, on a porch (with a waterproof floor), or to catch an unusual patch of sunshine in your yard that might not be big enough for the clothesline.[5]
- If there is a child around, choose a clothes horse with safely-spaced rods instead of potentially dangerous strings.
- The clothes horse has the benefit of being portable, so you can even "chase the sun" if you like as the shadows move around your yard.
[Edit]Choosing Clothespins - Use metal clothespins for items that won't stretch. Stainless steel clothespins are ideal for sheets, towels, play clothes, and any other items that won't pull out of shape or stretch.[6] Metals pins can easily secure bedding and other heavy items and they won't rust or decay.
- Stainless steel clothespins last the longest.
- Use wooden clothespins for sturdy items. Sheets, blankets, pillowcases, and sturdy clothing such as denim can be hung with wooden clothespins. Delicate clothing or items with lace, beading or other trim should not be held by wooden clothespins, as they can catch and tear the fabric. Wooden clothespins can also develop mildew, so be sure to allow them to dry before storing them.[7]
- Use plastic clothespins for cotton and stretchy materials. Plastic clip-on pins are best for underwear, t-shirts, knit items, and stretch wear. They won't stain or catch on your clothing, and lighter items will be held securely by plastic clothespins.[8]
- Store your clothespins indoors. The outdoor elements can deteriorate your clothespins quickly. Allow them to dry after use, collect them in a plastic container, then store them indoors, such as in the laundry room.[9]
[Edit]Hanging Items to Dry - Run an extra spin cycle if your washing machine has one. This will help drive excess water off and save time. Otherwise, simply wash your laundry as usual. Then, remove the clothing from the washing machine and take it to the clothesline in a laundry basket. If a shorter drying time is not needed, save the cost of electricity for the extra spin if the laundry can be left on the line longer.
- Use a plastic clothes hanger to dry delicate fabrics. Place the piece of clothing on a plastic hanger and clip the hanger to the clothes line to prevent the hanger from blowing off the clothesline. Be careful using hangers on the line on a windy day, as the hanger might blow off, or the item slip off the hanger.
- You may need to pin the clothing with great care to the hanger, and only ever use plastic hangers to avoid staining.
- Hang towels. Hang towels by folding them over the line one end and pinning each end. To help achieve a softer dry, shake towels a lot before hanging them on the line, with a "snap." Doing this loosens the pile. Do it again when removing them from the line.[10]
- Towels that dry faster on the line can feel softer, such as hanging them out on a windy, warm day.
- You could give them a quick 5 minute tumble in the dryer before hanging them up or after bringing them in off the line.
- Adding vinegar to the rinse cycle might also help to reduce towel stiffness.
- Hang sheets. Hang sheets by folding hem to hem, pinning one hem over the line, then pinning the other hem to the corners of the first hem, just a few in/cm inside the first hem corners. Have the sheet open toward the wind, to allow it to billow like a sail, and run your hands down the edges to ensure it is hanging square and even.[11]
- Widthwise is best for hanging items such as sheets, tablecloths, and flatwork because it takes up less space on the line and puts the stress on the warp yarns (the yarns that run lengthwise), which are stronger than the filling yarns.[12]
- Hang blankets and other heavy items across two lines, or more, as needed.
- Always hang pillow cases and similar items with the open side down.
- Hang pants and shorts. Pants and shorts can be line-dried. Hang shorts and pants/trousers by the waistband on the line if you want to minimize wrinkles.[13]
- Hang tops. Most tops can be hung on a clothesline. Hang t-shirts by folding the hem a little over the line and pinning on at each end.[14]
- When hanging 100% cotton items, don't pull or stretch the wet clothing and pin it, as this may cause items to widen.
- Hang dresses and skirts. Most dresses and skirts can be line-dried, although you may want to use a hanger to reduce wrinkles. Hang dresses from the shoulders if straight, or from the hem if it has a full or gathered skirt.[15]
- Hang straight skirts by turning over the waistband and pin each side; hang gathered or full skirts by the hem.[16]
- Hang undergarments. Hang socks by the toes, bras by the hook end, and fold the waistband of underpants over the line and pin either side onto the line. Fold handkerchiefs in half over the line and pin at each end.[17]
- Hang colored clothes in the shade and whites in the sun. To keep your colored items from fading, you should hang them in the shade. White clothing and linens can be hung in the sun, which will naturally bleach the items. Alternatively, you can hang colored items inside out to preserve the fabric dye.[18]
- Attach clothespins in discreet locations. To prevent clothes pin imprints on clothing, try to pin the clothes in discreet locations. If you hang clothes with care, line drying can often result in clothing that dries without wrinkles, saving on ironing time.[19]
- To conserve clothespins, overlap garments and use one pin to hang the end of one piece of clothing and the beginning of the next. This can be space-saving on the line as well, although don't do it where the overlapping would prevent drying on thick items. Use caution when overlapping colored items to be sure the dye doesn't bleed.[20]
- Rotate the clothes. Different clothes and fabrics dry at different rates. If you need to free up line space, check regularly for dried items, remove them, and add new wet items to the line for drying. Sheets are a great thing to get off the line quickly, as they'll dry fast but also take up a lot of space.
- Fold the clothes as you take them off the clothesline. This saves time on ironing and also makes putting them away easier. As you remove the clothes from the line, shake and snap them to restore shape, then fold neatly. If you intend ironing the clothes, remove them slightly damp and iron them immediately.
- Do not store damp clothes. They will grow mildew.
- If you toss clothes into the basket without caring how they fall in, you will have a basket filled with wrinkled clothing. Not only is this disheartening but it undoes all the good you did hanging the clothes so carefully!
[Edit]Laying Items Flat to Dry - Lay wool and loosely knitted garments flat. Items that stretch when wet such as wool and loosely knitted garments should be dried flat on a surface such as sweater drying rack. This can still be placed outside, perhaps on a table or other clean surface.[21]
- Lay textured materials flat. Some items might not look as good after line drying, such as flannelette, terry cloth, chenille, and napped or pile fabrics.[22] It pays to test each item rather than assume the item won't look good, as most fabrics will line dry fine.
- If the care label says not to dry in direct sunlight, hang the item over the clothes horse in the shade or indoors instead.
- Lay items flat that contain down. Sleeping bags and duvets don't always dry so well on the clothesline because the down can drop to one end. To avoid this, hang them across several lines, as if they were like a tablecloth covering a table. This will evenly distribute the weight.
[Edit]Choosing Good Drying Weather - Pick warm and sunny days. The best weather for drying clothes outdoors is a warm, sunny day. A slight breeze will help your clothing dry faster.[23]
- It is more important to have a good breeze than it is to have direct sunlight.
- The sun can fade your clothes, so don't leave them out too long! To lessen fading, dry clothing inside out or dry them in the shade, and collect the item as soon as it has dried.
- Airborne pollen may cling to clothes, so watch out for your outside clothes-drying aggravating your allergies. If it does, use a dryer in the spring.
- Avoid very windy days. A slight breeze is ideal for drying clothes, as the breeze will "iron out" the wrinkles for you and speed up drying time.[24] However, strong and gusty winds can result in your clothes being blown away or into a neighbor's yard. There is also an increased risk of clothes catching on wire, plants, etc. and ripping.
- Clothespins will hold best on a windy day if placed at an angle.[25]
- Don't dry your clothes outside if a storm is coming. If you know the winds are going to kick up, or it's likely to rain, don't put your clothes outside to dry. Wait for another day, hang the items inside, or use the dryer.
- You can also use a rotary clothes dryer cover such as the Rotaire Dryline. It fits over a rotary line and allows you to dry clothes outside even when it's raining! You could also cover your rotary dryer with a piece of polyethylene (or an old shower curtain) to keep your clothes dry.
- Don't dry your clothes outside in freezing temperatures. Not only will you be cold, but your clothes will take too long to dry. If it's really cold your clothes will freeze, and since water expands when it freezes, so will the fibers in your clothes and they may not revert to their original shape.[26]
- You can dry clothes in the basement, on a line or on racks, during the winter if the clothes are wrung out well beforehand. However, avoid doing this if you live in an already humid environment, as you'll be increasing the humidity.
[Edit]Warnings - A string such as a clothesline can be a strangulation hazard. Do not allow a child to play with it. Outdoor clotheslines should be out of children's reach and free of slack that could wrap around something.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Clothesline
- Clothespins
- Laundry basket (preferably plastic)
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary - ↑ http://www.sightline.org/2012/02/21/clothesline-bans-void-in-19-states/
- ↑ http://www.almanac.com/content/how-choose-clothesline
- ↑ http://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/laundry-linens/clothes/dry-clothes/
- ↑ New Zealand Woman's Weekly, Book of Household Hints, (2001), ISBN 1-877214-04-3
- ↑ http://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/laundry-linens/clothes/dry-clothes/
- ↑ Cheryl Mendelsohn, Home Comforts: The art and science of keeping house p. 334, (2001), ISBN 0-304-35624-7
- ↑ https://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/home/organic-way-dry-your-clothes
- ↑ Cheryl Mendelsohn, Home Comforts: The art and science of keeping house, p. 335, (2001), ISBN 0-304-35624-7
- ↑ https://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/home/organic-way-dry-your-clothes
- ↑ Cheryl Mendelsohn, Home Comforts: The art and science of keeping house, p. 335, (2001), ISBN 0-304-35624-7
- ↑ Cheryl Mendelsohn, Home Comforts: The art and science of keeping house, p. 335, (2001), ISBN 0-304-35624-7
- ↑ Cheryl Mendelsohn, Home Comforts: The art and science of keeping house, p. 335, (2001), ISBN 0-304-35624-7
- ↑ Penguin Books, Household Hints, p. 181, (2006), ISBN 0-14-300474-3
- ↑ http://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/laundry-linens/clothes/dry-clothes/
- ↑ Cheryl Mendelsohn, Home Comforts: The art and science of keeping house, p. 335, (2001), ISBN 0-304-35624-7
- ↑ Cheryl Mendelsohn, Home Comforts: The art and science of keeping house, p. 335, (2001), ISBN 0-304-35624-7
- ↑ Cheryl Mendelsohn, Home Comforts: The art and science of keeping house, p. 335, (2001), ISBN 0-304-35624-7
- ↑ http://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/100-year-old-hints-for-drying-clothes
- ↑ Cheryl Mendelsohn, Home Comforts: The art and science of keeping house, p. 333, (2001), ISBN 0-304-35624-7
- ↑ http://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/100-year-old-hints-for-drying-clothes
- ↑ http://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/100-year-old-hints-for-drying-clothes
- ↑ Cheryl Mendelsohn, Home Comforts: The art and science of keeping house, p. 333, (2001), ISBN 0-304-35624-7
- ↑ https://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/home/organic-way-dry-your-clothes
- ↑ Cheryl Mendelsohn, Home Comforts: The art and science of keeping house, p. 333, (2001), ISBN 0-304-35624-7
- ↑ New Zealand Woman's Weekly, Book of Household Hints, (2001), ISBN 1-877214-04-3
- ↑ Cheryl Mendelsohn, Home Comforts: The art and science of keeping house, p. 334, (2001), ISBN 0-304-35624-7
|
| How to Fold a Paper Star Posted: 10 May 2022 05:00 PM PDT Whether it's for decorating or your first steps into origami, learning to fold a paper star is a simple, rewarding activity. Easy to get the hang of, you should be making plenty of stars in no time. All you'll need is some paper and a pair of scissors to get started. [Edit]Folding a Five-Point Star - Choose paper to start with. Any sort of paper will work, though you may want to start with something sturdier like printer paper. Then you can move on to more decorative paper which is more prone to rip.[1]
- You can start with either a square-sized or letter-sized (8.5" x 11") to make your star. The result will be the same.
- Fold your paper in half. If you're using a square, fold along the middle so two opposite edges meet one another. For the letter-sized paper, fold it "hot dog," or along the vertical axis so that the two longer edges meet one another.
- Mark a point on the edge. For your folded square piece of paper, make a mark (a dot, dash, or "x") on the left side (one of the shorter sides) ⅓ of the way from the top edge. For the letter-sized paper, you'll make a mark on the middle of the left edge (again one of the shorter edges). Regardless of which size of paper you're using, you'll use this mark to coordinate your folds.
- Fold so the bottom right corner meets the mark. Crease the paper well once you've made the fold. This fold should create two smaller triangles within the figure, along the left edge, one above and below where the corner has met the mark.
- Fold this bottom triangle towards the center. Take the bottom left corner and fold it over the diagonal edge of the lower triangle made by the previous fold. What you should have now is the same figure as you ended up with in the previous step, but with the lower left triangle flipped over its diagonal edge.
- Fold the rightmost corner to meet the mark. The rightmost edge should now be running alongside the leftmost edge. What should left will look a bit like an ice cream cone; a long acute triangle with a right triangle on top (if using letter-sized paper). If you used a square piece, the long acute triangle will be topped by multiple figures.
- Trim a wedge off the triangle. For those who started with a square, trim the long acute triangle to make it equilateral triangle (with equally sized edges). Those who began with a letter-sized piece of paper, cut from the midpoint of the right edge of the long triangle up to the top left corner or the triangle.
- Unfold the wedge. The piece trimmed off in the previous step will form your star. Unfold it gently to avoid ripping the paper. Left should be a five-point star with a slight 3D effect from its folds.[2]
[Edit]Folding an Origami "Lucky Star" - Begin with a strip of paper. Start with a letter-sized piece of paper and trim a strip a half inch wide. Lay it flat, vertically, on a table in front of you.
- Avoid thinner paper like gift wrap or wax paper as this method will require a bit more handling of the star.
- Make a knot and flatten it. At the top of the strip, make a knot by creating a loop and drawing the end through; only devote the last inch or two of the strip to this knot. Measure first with a ruler before knotting. Make the loop by curling the strip behind itself, pass over the front to the right and around the back and through the loop made.
- Tighten (gently) and leave only about a ¼-inch tag out of the loop. Once the knot is made, flatten it gently with your hand.
- Once done, tuck the tag end into the pocket formed by the knot. This should form a small pentagon at the end of the strip.
- Fold the strip along the edge of the pentagon. First fold the strip over the edge of the pentagon which it meets. The result should be a smaller strip with the same pentagon atop it. After every fold, a different edge of the pentagon will meet the strip.
- Continuing folding in this way until there's only a short bit left, about ½ an inch. Tuck this short strip into one of the creases of the pentagon.
- Gently pinch the corners of the pentagon. Using your thumb and index finger, pinch each of the five corners of the pentagon. These will narrow the edges into points, creating your "lucky star." Once all the corners are pinched, you should have your star.[3]
[Edit]Folding a Four-Sided "Ninja Star" - Start with a square piece of paper. If you've only got letter-sized paper (8.5"x11") available, you can make it into a square with folds and a pair of scissors. With the paper laying vertically in front of you, fold the bottom right corner towards the top left of the paper until it forms a triangle.[4]
- What was the bottom edge should now be flush with the left edge; there should remain a rectangle on top of the triangle formed. Cut this rectangle off with scissors.
- Fold the square in half. Crease the fold well and open it up once you've folded it. Use the remaining crease line as a marker and cut along this line, making two rectangles from the square.
- These two rectangles will be manipulated exactly the same, but mirrored. Eventually each rectangle will come to form two points of the star.
- For a more distinct finished star, use two different colored pieces of paper to make two rectangles to continue on from this step.
- Fold twice more. First fold each rectangle "hot dog" style along the vertical side (meeting the two longer sides). Fold them again in half "hamburger" style, having either short edge meet.'
- Unfold this last fold to have two thin rectangles with a visible crease line horizontally through the middle.
- Fold into right angles. Take the lower half of the left triangle and fold it to the right, forming an "L" with a right angle. Do the same to the right rectangle, but fold it to the left, creating a "J." Then do the same to the unfolded sides of both rectangles, folding them to face opposite the already folded portions.
- Each rectangle should end up as two squares connected by a slanted rectangle.
- Fold each square into a triangle. For each square (four total) on the two figures, fold them in half to make a triangle each. Fold them such that the corners folded in towards the slant face towards one another. Once all squares have been folded into triangles, you should be to flip the figure lengthwise and have it look the same.
- Fold these triangles in towards the connecting rectangle. Along the edge which meets the slanted rectangle, fold the triangles to make a right angle. Fold them to be perpendicular with the surface you're using, with the slanted rectangle lying flat. Fold them flat to make the crease very distinct.
- Flip the right figure and place atop the left. After the last step, your two figures should remain mirror images of one another. Flip the right one upside down so that its folds point towards the surface you're using. This flipped figure should look like two isosceles triangles.
- Then place this flipped figure on top of the left one. There should now be an idea of what the star will come to look like; each triangle forms a point of the star.
- Begin tucking. First, fold the right triangle of the lower piece (the one on bottom) under the top triangle of the top piece. Then do the same with the left triangle of the lower piece and the triangle closest you on the top piece. The two triangles just folded should form the top and bottom points of the star.
- Once completed, flip the whole thing over.
- Tuck the remaining triangles. Fold them both towards the center of the star, tucking them under the folds formed in the last step. Once both have been folded, what remains should be your ninja star.[5]
[Edit]References |
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