Relationships Archives ⋆

Why you Need Friendships in your Life

nmasipa — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 12:23:41 +0000

The building or maintaining of friendships is not easy. Having true friendship is vital for your overall well-being. It’s important to know why you need friends and how to nurture those relationships. Good friends are good for you. From sharing laughs and cries to having someone to comfort and cheer you on. Life would be dull without a friend or two. Healthy friendships are great. However, you need to do your part to maintain good friendships. It’s a two-way street. Human beings are innately social beings. We value connection and togetherness, which is why friendships are an important part of life. The inner circle Your inner circle of friends is about 5 close friends you can go to for emotional, social and financial support should things fall apart in your life. These are the friends who would be by your side at a drop of a hat. It’s important to identify your inner circle because these are the friends who are there through it all. Quality is definitely better than quantity. Throughout our lives, we will have had countless friends or acquaintances, but it’s the inner circle that have a meaningful impact on your life. They also play different roles in your life. Qualities of a good freinship Honesty Trust Mutual respect Dependability Reliability Non judgemental A good friendship is about giving and taking. There is a lot to take into consideration when selecting friends. Social skills, approachability, similarities and closeness in addition to the qualities.Environmental factors such as proximity, activities, life events and influence affect our choice of friends. You may also like: 25 Friendship quotes Types of friends in our lives “A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.” Unknown The easy going friend They are chilled and easy to get along with. This friend is always up for anything. You can call them to try something new and go on an adventure. They keep things light and don’t take offence too much. They are the most understanding of friends and you feel comfortable being yourself around them without judgment. The brutally honest friend This friend keeps it 100%. They tell us what we need to hear however painful. There are no sugar coating things. They are honest, even if you don’t want to hear it but do it out of love. This friend cares more about what’s good for you than you being mad at them for something they said. They are straightforward and no-nonsense types of friends. These are the friends you call on when you need to hear the truth or need an honest opinion. They keep you in check and are not afraid to tell you things as they are. The motivator This is a friend who inspires you to be the best version of yourself. They motivate you to be great and get out of your comfort zone because they are supportive and always ready for a challenge. This is the friend who roots and cheers for you. They applaud you, approve and accept you for who you are. The funny one We all have that friend who never takes things seriously. They are a laugh and a half. They can turn any situation into a good ol’ laugh. Their humour is appreciated and makes for a great time. They are very interesting and make great memories. The guide This type of friend is a soul sister. They meet the deeper innermost needs in the friendship. You are your most authentic around them. You can go to them for advice or help. They give the best advice and you rely on them for guidance when you need it the most. They are smart and intelligent and very trustworthy. The guide is a true friend who will stick by you no matter what. What type of friend are you? Take this Friendship Quiz to find out! The type of friend we are can also vary with every friendship because you have different friends with different traits. There 3 types of friendships Active friendships are those we keep in constant contact with. We are actively in touch and communicate frequently. Dormant friendships are the ones we have a history with. There is no frequent communication but we can pick up the phone even after months and chat or text as if no time has passed. Commemorative friendship is one where at one point you were close, but not any more. Friendships are a lifelong investment that will vary and go through various phases over time. There is a lot of factors for growing apart from friends. Distance, busy schedules and personal and similarities changes. When a friendship no longer serves you or becomes toxic, it is time to let it go. When you feel drained by a friendship or things start to feel forced then it’s no longer healthy. Why you Need Friends in your Life I think we’ve covered a lot about why friendships are important in life. Here are the main key points to take away. They are good for your overall wellbeing Friends help to boost your self-confidence They help ease stress To build social and communication skills Have someone to support and be there for you Share life’s journey How to nurture friendships Find time to connect. Any means to stay in touch means a lot in a friendship. Share a caring text or call unexpectedly just to check how they’re doing. Make yourself available. Even with a busy schedule, it’s important to set time out to be with your friends. There is time, you just need to find it. Plan a get together or getaway. Nothing is as much fun as a get together with friends. Catching up is the best kind of therapy you didn’t even know you needed. Show that you can be trusted. Trust is earned over time. Be someone who sticks to their word and show your trustworthiness. Take up your interests and pursue new hobbies. This is an easy way to reconnect and have fun with friends. Find a shared hobby or activity, whether be it exercising or baking. Go for it! Resist the urge to be a recluse. Netflix on the couch and ordering your favourite food can be very tempting. But don’t it. Get up, and get out. Be kind. Kindness goes a long way. Friends are not only good for social wellbeing but for mental and emotional support as well. they are good for the soul. Having healthy friendships is good for boosting your confidence, encouragement to be a better person and increasing your sense of self and purpose. The benefits of having good friends around you are only evident if you are a good friend yourself. Healthy friendships make life more interesting and worth going through life’s journey with. To have a friend, be a friend. Love, Everyday Ntha Sharing is caring

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Red Flags to Look out for in a Relationship

nmasipa — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 23:09:02 +0000

A new relationship is fun and exciting. There is a lot to learn about each other but there are also red flags to look out for. It can be complicated so you need to be prepared for it. Everyone has their ups and downs. We all have that list of what we’d like in the perfect partner. Sorry to tell you, the perfect partner does not exist. No one is perfect. Your relationship can only be as good as both parties make it. The honeymoon phase is butterflies and roses. Your significant other seems to do no wrong. Or maybe you’re blinded by all the fancy gifts and outings that you miss key factors of who they really are. It’s important to walk into a relationship eyes wide open. What are your deal breakers? What are theirs? Be accommodating but not to a point where you lose your essence and you can’t be true to yourself. Relationships require sacrifice and compromise but also compatibility. Take your time in meeting and nurturing relations with someone you are compatible with, not just physically but holistically. Do not change who you are for someone else and don’t try to change anyone else. The right person for you will not require you to go to those extremes. Be patient in finding your Mr. or miss right. People don’t change after a year of meeting them, they either didn’t reveal their true nature or you were unaware of who they really are. You may also like: 10 Habits of Happy Couples 7 Red flags in a relationship These are the red flags to look out for in any relationship. Don’t ignore the signs of trouble when you see them, hoping that someone will change or things will get better. Unreliable A relationship is a partnership, or at least it should be. You should be able to rely on your partner and know you have each other’s backs. When someone can’t fulfil a promise or stick to their word multiple occasions, run for the hills. You can’t rely on someone who can’t do what they said they would. They will leave you hanging when you need them most. Inconsistency will leave you feeling let down and not taken seriously. Controlling If your partner is controlling, be wary. There is a thin line between being protective, overprotective, and controlling. No one has the right to control you. Or dictate what you should do, how you should do it and when. If you have no say in anything, red flag alert. Being in a relationship does not mean you have no say. It means you talk through things even if you don’t agree on some things. There shouldn’t be force or pressure to do what your partner says. Of course, you will go the extra mile to make your partner happy, as long as it comes from a place of love and not out of fear. Watch out if your partner wants you all to themselves. Isolating and keeping you from friends and family is not love. Not on the same page Everyone is different. Opposites attract for a reason. However, it’s also important that you share similar interests, principals, and values. You should be in agreement with the things that matter. It’s important to note how they treat people, their beliefs, how they communicate and behave. Ask relevant questions; and be on the same page about having kids or not, roles and expectations, finances and family. These can cause major problems if they aren’t communicated. Poor communication Are you constantly bickering and fighting? You can’t seem to agree on anything. Communication takes openness and willingness to learn each other’s traits and love language. Communication is one of the main reasons relationships fail. However, it can be fixed. If you are willing to listen attentively to what your partner is trying to say and ask if what you got out of it is what they meant, you will be on the right track. Arguments are mostly caused by misunderstanding. Speak in a nonjudgmental, non-condescending manner and be mutually respectful with one another. Withdrawal, silent treatment and lashing out are just some forms of poor communication that can be hindering your relationship. Abusive Abuse can come in many forms. Sometimes it’s even disguised as love. It can be so subtle that you end up making excuses for the abuser. Emotional, verbal. sexual and physical abuses are signs to turn away and never look back. No matter the circumstances, you don’t deserve to be violated in any way or form. You may also like: Improve your Relationship by knowing your Love Langauge Lack of trust Trust is the foundation of any relationship. Without it, a relationship is doomed. Hiding things from your partner and keeping secretes are a breach of trust. Trust is not easily gained, especially in the early stages of a relationship or if you have had your trust broken in the past. Honesty and transparency are key to building and maintaining trust. Money problems Money is among the highest reasons for divorce. However, money problems don’t start in marriage, they start right at the beginning of dating. Pay attention to the relationship your partner has with money. You need to have open discussions around money matters. Your spending habits can be the cause of constant fighting. Money has security, stability and trust implications to it. Wrapping up Counselling, time to do fun things and having your own life outside of the relationship are just some ways you can improve your relationship.. Red flags don’t always mean the end of a relationship. But it better prepares you to know what signs to look out for and put a stop to it before it escalates. Trust your gut. If something doesn’t feel right, there’s often trouble lurking. I hope these red flags will help set boundaries in your relationship. You deserve love and respect. Don’t settle for anything less. What relationship red flags have you had to u-turn from in the past? 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Knowing your Love Language Improve your Relationship

nmasipa — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 18:35:05 +0000

Knowing your partner’s love language can improve your relationship and strengthen your bond. The love languages is a concept made known by author Gary Chapman in his book The Five Love Languages. Communication issues in relationships are often caused by not understanding how your partner receives and gives love. It’s important to know each other’s love language. As a result, you get to know how to meet their needs. Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. You can get the The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts Here We all experience love in different ways. When you know your love language and your partners, it brings more understanding to how you love. It’s important for your partner to also know your love language. Take this quiz to learn more about your love language. Words of Affirmation Words of affirmation are more than ‘sweet nothings’ to your partner if this their primary love language. Compliments are how your partner feels loved. They want to hear you say good, positive words to them and about them. Equally, hurtful words will cause more damage than you can imagine. They will hold on to the negative words and dwell on them for a long time to come. It is extremely hurtful to them when you don’t positively affirm them. Acts of Service Actions speak louder than words for your partner. They appreciate you helping out more around the house and showing your love. Taking the load off on some things means you love them. It’s easy for your partner to feel unappreciated if you don’t do little things for your partner with this love language. Your partner will appreciate you more for doing things from your heart and not because you feel obligated to. These acts of service don’t have to be grand. It can be a simple task like doing the dishes, changing the light bulb or cooking a meal for your partner. Receiving Gifts A good gesture brings joy. It’s the thought that counts more than just material things. Getting little gifts from the heart are the way your partner feels most loved. The gift can be a small token of your love that has special meaning to your partner or memory you both share. The effort and time taken to get something will melt your partner’s heart. You may also like: Habits of Happy Couples Quality Time Spending time with your partner will mean more than you’ll ever know. If your partners love language is quality time, it means they value the time spent with you more than anything. You may mistake this love language as being clingy or needy. However, they just love your presence and attention. It shows you care about them and appreciate having them in your life. Quality time is not just about being physically present, but also being emotionally and mentally present for your partner. Physical Touch If your partners love language falls in this section, they love holding hands, long hugs and intimacy. It might seem more on the PDA side of things. But touch is worth a thousand words for your partner who receives love physically. You need to be gentle and reciprocate your partner’s gestures, otherwise they may feel neglected and disconnected. Physical touch is not all about sex. It is more about the connection and closeness. Conclusion You and your partner must be open to each other. Have those conversations, even if it feels uncomfortable. This helps avoid disappointment and unrealistic expectations. Put in a little more effort to show your partner you care by doing the things they will appreciate more. I hope you’ve taken the love language quiz so you better understand your love language. Relationships go through a lot of changes along the way. It’s important to keep the love going strong. Communication and understanding each other are key. Here’s to many more happy loving years. To you and yours! Love, Everyday Ntha Sharing is caring

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13 Father’s Day Gifts that Dad will Love

nmasipa — Wed, 27 May 2020 17:37:48 +0000

Father’s Day is around the corner and you don’t have to be in a fizz about what to get. These gifts are great and special and they won’t cost an arm and a leg. Shopping for the perfect father’s day gift does not have to be daunting. Take care to add a special touch to whatever gift you get dad. Make him feel loved and remind him of how much you care. Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this Father’s Day gift post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Music Playlist If dad loves to jam to some good music, make it a special one by putting his favourite jams on a flash drive that he can take with him wherever he goes or go the old CD mixtape route. For the more tech-savvy dad, mine is totally not by the way. You can get him a year’s subscription on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Music, or Google Play Music so he can get his jams on the go. MultiTool He might not be the handiest with fix me ups, but that has never stopped him from trying. Whether he is the ultimate DIYer or not, this portable multitool with keyring will do the trick. I love that it’s functional and gets the job done. And what’s cool about it is, it’s like having your toolbox in a pocket. Biltong Gift Box You can’t go wrong with a good ol’ gift box. This is easily customizable and can go along with other little gems you know dad will love. For the meat-loving dad, this Customizable Biltong box (beef jerky) will hit the spot. Add some other goodies to make it perfect and he will enjoy it. Desk Organizer If dad can never find his keys or misplaces everything, get him this desk organizer so he never loses anything again. This elegant wooden desk organizer that also comes with a docking station will be a favourite in the home for dad. Chair Cooler Love picnics or camping? You need a cooler. I love this compact yet very handy cooler that comes with a seat. Talk about hitting 2 birds with one stone. Dad will be happy to lighten the load with this Folding Stool Insulated Cooler Bag. Smart Speaker A smart speaker is more than just a speaker. It’s like having your own personal assistant and entertainment centre in one. This Echo Dot (3rd Gen) is not only great for entertainment but can connect to your other devices as well, and Alexa will be a great addition to the family. Perfume Nothing beats a great fragrance to mark your presence in any room. Get your dad this urban sophisticated scent to make a statement. The 212 NYC Men is long-lasting and fresh. I’ve come to love it, and I’m sure dad will too. Fun Socks Brighten up dad’s sock collection with some cool coloured socks. Spread some love with these Funny Funky Socks. Personalized Beer Mug Wine Glass set I just had to add this for the beer-loving dad. Add a cool message and add his name or face to make it extra special. A brew made with love. It comes with a wine glass as well so YAY! This Personalized Dad Beer Mug makes for a cooling drinking experience. Watch Every dad needs a timeless piece of accessory. A timepiece is a thoughtful long-lasting gift. Make sure to get the right one for dad that he will cherish! I love this unique elegant Invicta Men’s Specialty Stainless Steel Watch with Blue Band that is sure to stand time. This is a nice splurge that will make dad very happy. Grill Set Dad will be the braai (barbeque) master with a cool set of grill utensils. He may even love it so much, he starts cooking on the regular. Take your gifting up a notch with this Chef’s Kitchen BBQ Apron and Utensil Set that will have dad go grill pro in style. Father’s Day Personalized Wallet Make dad feel like the treasure he truly is with a sleek wallet he can treasure. Your dad probably uses a wallet every day, so make sure itâ€™s one that he carries with pride and reminds him of you. Don’t just get him a wallet, get him a Personalised Busby Pygmy Brown Billfold Wallet, and make it special by engraving his name on it and writing a heartfelt message inside. Dad Mug This cool personalized Photo mug will make the perfect cup of coffee to start any day. It will give dad a nice memory to look at with each sip. Hope this list will make your gift shopping a lot easier. I hope this Father’s Day will be filled with love and joy. Love, Everyday Ntha Sharing is caring

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A Mother’s Day Mom will Love without the Cost

nmasipa — Fri, 08 May 2020 21:27:39 +0000

Mother’s Day is a few days away. You may have not had the time to go shopping for that perfect gift or maybe you’re on a tight budget. Mother’s day does not have to break your bank balance. Here are some lovely ideas you can spoil mom with without spending much or anything at all. Breakfast in Bed Give mom a break by spoiling her with breakfast in bed made with love. She will love the thoughtfulness and care that went into making something for her. The time and effort will not go unnoticed. It says a lot about your willingness to care for her and consider her. Handmade Card These are not only for kindergarten. A handmade card is special because it comes from the heart. It’s a true reflection of what mom means to you. You can go wild with this one. Pamper Session You don’t have to spend a fortune at a spa to pamper your mom. Bring the spa to you by setting up a massage station followed by a mani & Pedi session. Try these amazing pamper gifts. You can run her a hot bubble bath with salts and play some nice music for her to unwind at the end of the day. Three-Course Dinner Get in the kitchen and cook up a storm. Everyone can chip in for this one, especially if you’re not the cook in the family. Check out some recipes for her favourite meals and take them away. Set the table. Bon appetit. Don’t forget dessert. Fresh Flowers If you have a blooming flower garden all you need is to cut off some flowers and voila! A great way to brighten her day. Personalised Scrapbook Take mom down memory lane with a scrapbook of your favourite pictures and items. A picture is worth a thousand words. Use her favourite colours and personalise them for her. DIY Mug “Mother is the heartbeat in the home; and without her, there seems to be no heartthrob.” —Leroy Brownlow Repurpose any plain old cup in the cupboard. If you have some craft or acrylic paint and deco items, you can write a message on a cup and decorate it for mom to cherish when having a cup of coffee. Check the type of paint you have to see if it’s suitable for the type of mug you have. Here are a few helpful tips to help you along the way. I’m trying this for myself as we speak. Mother’s day is not about spending lots of money or being flashy. It’s about spending time with your mom making her feel loved and special. I hope you will a great with the woman who is a mom in your life. Enjoy and cherish the time you have with her. Love, Everyday Ntha

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