[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":673},["ShallowReactive",2],{"cms:/api/categories?fields[0]=name&fields[1]=slug&pagination[pageSize]=100&sort=documentId":3,"cms:/api/categories?filters[slug]=mindset":45,"cms:/api/homepage?fields[0]=updatedAt&populate[navigation][fields][0]=name&populate[navigation][fields][1]=slug":53,"cms:/api/articles?populate=*&filters[category][id]=4&pagination[limit]=9&pagination[start]=81&sort[0]=bylineDate:DESC&sort[1]=createdAt:DESC":58},{"data":4,"meta":40},[5,10,15,20,25,30,35],{"id":6,"documentId":7,"name":8,"slug":9},8,"agm3bwiivq9ytkopje139uoj","Voices","voices",{"id":11,"documentId":12,"name":13,"slug":14},6,"fxhrufaspnwq0yurrk98sas3","Wellness","wellness",{"id":16,"documentId":17,"name":18,"slug":19},14,"gj8d0n6sxxe1mqfb0ticcamv","Style","style",{"id":21,"documentId":22,"name":23,"slug":24},12,"pra84h71qx5yo2kq8g18uy9h","After Hours","after-hours",{"id":26,"documentId":27,"name":28,"slug":29},2,"pregl64gjxpa6tec7l94j5fb","Career & Finance","career-and-finance",{"id":31,"documentId":32,"name":33,"slug":34},10,"vf2luiz1aic436stak4yr339","Nourish","food",{"id":36,"documentId":37,"name":38,"slug":39},4,"y4wuht99krufymt1c62zqtk1","Mindset","mindset",{"pagination":41},{"page":42,"pageSize":43,"pageCount":42,"total":44},1,100,7,{"data":46,"meta":50},[47],{"id":36,"documentId":37,"name":38,"slug":39,"createdAt":48,"updatedAt":48,"publishedAt":49},"2026-09-06T10:31:16.716Z","2026-09-06T10:31:16.780Z",{"pagination":51},{"page":42,"pageSize":52,"pageCount":42,"total":42},25,{"data":54,"meta":57},{"id":42,"documentId":55,"updatedAt":56},"nhhccnp3ibbyv1cn1er78o9h","2026-09-06T10:40:24.841Z",{},{"data":59,"meta":668},[60,152,235,291,348,426,482,538,614],{"id":61,"documentId":62,"title":63,"content":64,"slug":65,"coffees":26,"seo_title":63,"keywords":66,"seo_desc":67,"bylineDate":68,"bylineTimezone":69,"createdAt":70,"updatedAt":71,"publishedAt":72,"featuredImage":73,"category":125,"author":126,"img":122},244,"pmt5cr6eof7zikhjqq3j1t2u","Stress Management: These 5 Techniques From Experts Will Calm You Down Instantly!","****\n\nStress is one of the biggest enemies of our modern everyday life and affects the health and psychology of millions of people worldwide. Balancing life, a career, our relationships with our loved ones, and taking some time for self-care is considered a feat.\n\nWhat we can say for sure is that everyone **undergoes** stress at various times in their lives. [Stress](https://www.workingal.com/articles/how-to-reduce-stress-naturally) is a normal reaction that occurs when you experience changes or challenges, and your body responds physically and mentally to stress.\n\nWhen you feel stressed, you may experience anxiety, depression or panic attacks, chest pain or racing heart rate, fatigue or insomnia, headache, high blood pressure, and upset stomach (indigestion).\n\nIf you feel that stress overwhelms you and makes your daily life difficult, it is important to address the problem and take up some effective stress management techniques.\n\nStress management involves using techniques to improve how you respond to life **stressors**. These techniques, recommended by experts, can prevent or ease stress-induced symptoms, calm you down immediately, and improve your quality of life.\n\n# Deep Breathing\n\nDeep breathing is a simple but extremely effective technique for _immediate stress reduction_. When you are under stress, your breathing becomes fast and shallow, which increases tension. Deep breathing reverses this process, promoting calm and relaxation.\n\n## How to do it right:\n\n- Find a quiet place and sit comfortably.\n- Close your eyes and take a slow, deep breath from your nose, completely filling your lungs.\n- Hold your breath for a few seconds, and then exhale through your mouth.\n- Repeat this process for a few minutes, focusing on your breath and letting go of your thoughts.\n\n# Meditation\n\nMeditation is one of the oldest techniques of relaxation and concentration. It helps reduce stress, enhances concentration, and provides a sense of peace and balance. It may feel awkward in the beginning and may need practice, but if you keep practicing it daily, then you will benefit more and more.\n\n## How to do it right:\n\n![stress management techniques.webp](https://assets.workingal.com/stress_management_techniques_c32d6d9ae1.webp)\n\n- Find a quiet place without distractions.\n- Sit or lie down comfortably and close your eyes.\n- Focus on your breath or a word/phrase that calms you down.\n- Let your thoughts come and go without criticism.\n- Start with 5-10 minutes a day and increase the time as you get familiarized.\n\n# Physical Exercise\n\nExercise is a natural way to release tension and improve your mood. Apart from the benefits in our overall well-being and health, exercise is good for our mental health as well. During exercise, the body releases endorphins, the hormones that boost our mood directly.\n\n## How to do it right:\n\n- Find a form of exercise that you enjoy, such as walking, running, yoga, pilates, or dancing.\n- Try to workout for at least 30 minutes, 3-4 times a week, to meet the weekly recommendation of 150 minutes/week that is recommended by experts.\n- Integrate exercise into your daily routine, by adding your workout session to your calendar.\n\n# Nature Therapy\n\nNature has a magical ability to calm the mind and reduce stress. Research has shown that contact with nature can lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Even if you are a big city resident, fortunately, there are many places where you can find a little oasis.\n\n## How to do it right:\n\n- Go for a walk in the park, forest or near the sea.\n- Focus on the sounds, smells, and images around you, staying away from your phone.\n- If possible, dedicate at least 20-30 minutes a day to getting in touch with nature.\n\n# Social Connection\n\nOur immediate social environment plays a decisive role in managing stress. Friends, family, and all our loved ones can provide emotional support, understanding, and security. Don’t underestimate the power of social connection; afterall, we are all social creatures!\n\n## How to do it right:\n\n- Spend time with people who make you feel comfortable and enjoyable.\n- Share your thoughts and feelings with people you trust.\n- Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.\n\nWhat you should always remember is that stress is inevitable in life; the key is to be able to manage it without letting it overwhelm you. Following small but effective techniques to help you calm down and enjoy a more balanced life is the ultimate stress management tool.\n\n### Sources:\n\n**_Mayo Clinic:_** [**_Deep Breathing for Stress Relief_**](https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/deep-breathing/expert-answers/deep-breathing/faq-20057923)\n\n**_Harvard Health:_** [**_Relaxation Techniques: Breath Control Helps Quell Errant Stress Response_**](https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/relaxation-techniques-breath-control-helps-quell-errant-stress-response)\n\n**_National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH):_** [**_Meditation: In depth_**](https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/meditation-in-depth)\n\n**_Harvard Health:_** [**_The Exercise Effect_**](https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/the-exercise-effect)\n\n**_American Psychological Association (APA):_** [**_Nurtured by Nature_**](https://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/04/nature)\n\n**_American Psychological Association (APA):_** [**_The Power of Social Support_**](https://www.apa.org/helpcenter/emotional-support)","stress-management-these-5-techniques","stress reduction management, stress mgt, stress management, stress treatments, stress management techniques","Feeling overwhelmed by stress? We asked the experts and they relieved the most effective stress management techniques.","2024-08-06","Europe/Berlin","2024-08-06T19:25:45.497Z","2024-08-06T19:33:05.925Z","2024-08-06T19:33:05.922Z",{"id":74,"documentId":75,"name":76,"alternativeText":77,"caption":78,"focalPoint":79,"width":80,"height":81,"formats":82,"hash":120,"ext":84,"mime":88,"size":121,"url":122,"previewUrl":79,"provider":123,"provider_metadata":79,"createdAt":124,"updatedAt":124,"publishedAt":124},138,"jcu8cmfr6wsy8fvdyxbmsecr","stress management techniques-9fd4bd4d0d71c94d5b6aa272068659021aa16a4d8926c64141e0342ba450673b.webp","","stress management techniques",null,1600,900,{"large":83,"small":94,"medium":103,"thumbnail":112},{"ext":84,"url":85,"etag":86,"hash":87,"mime":88,"name":89,"path":79,"size":90,"width":91,"height":92,"sizeInBytes":93},".webp","https://assets.workingal.com/large_stress_management_techniques_9fd4bd4d0d71c94d5b6aa272068659021aa16a4d8926c64141e0342ba450673b.webp","f6a29b1e2d810864ad513e8c02aab03d","large_stress_management_techniques_9fd4bd4d0d71c94d5b6aa272068659021aa16a4d8926c64141e0342ba450673b","image/webp","large_stress management techniques-9fd4bd4d0d71c94d5b6aa272068659021aa16a4d8926c64141e0342ba450673b.webp",32.75,1000,562,32754,{"ext":84,"url":95,"etag":96,"hash":97,"mime":88,"name":98,"path":79,"size":99,"width":100,"height":101,"sizeInBytes":102},"https://assets.workingal.com/small_stress_management_techniques_9fd4bd4d0d71c94d5b6aa272068659021aa16a4d8926c64141e0342ba450673b.webp","7b5fe7d661add77e6b888bd2ee5b627d","small_stress_management_techniques_9fd4bd4d0d71c94d5b6aa272068659021aa16a4d8926c64141e0342ba450673b","small_stress management techniques-9fd4bd4d0d71c94d5b6aa272068659021aa16a4d8926c64141e0342ba450673b.webp",13.44,500,281,13442,{"ext":84,"url":104,"etag":105,"hash":106,"mime":88,"name":107,"path":79,"size":108,"width":109,"height":110,"sizeInBytes":111},"https://assets.workingal.com/medium_stress_management_techniques_9fd4bd4d0d71c94d5b6aa272068659021aa16a4d8926c64141e0342ba450673b.webp","20591ec34b535370cc4e6d76272138a3","medium_stress_management_techniques_9fd4bd4d0d71c94d5b6aa272068659021aa16a4d8926c64141e0342ba450673b","medium_stress management techniques-9fd4bd4d0d71c94d5b6aa272068659021aa16a4d8926c64141e0342ba450673b.webp",22.5,750,422,22502,{"ext":84,"url":113,"etag":114,"hash":115,"mime":88,"name":116,"path":79,"size":117,"width":118,"height":74,"sizeInBytes":119},"https://assets.workingal.com/thumbnail_stress_management_techniques_9fd4bd4d0d71c94d5b6aa272068659021aa16a4d8926c64141e0342ba450673b.webp","9a11d60032c2d31407c2c07990af1456","thumbnail_stress_management_techniques_9fd4bd4d0d71c94d5b6aa272068659021aa16a4d8926c64141e0342ba450673b","thumbnail_stress management techniques-9fd4bd4d0d71c94d5b6aa272068659021aa16a4d8926c64141e0342ba450673b.webp",4.85,245,4850,"stress_management_techniques_9fd4bd4d0d71c94d5b6aa272068659021aa16a4d8926c64141e0342ba450673b",63.86,"https://assets.workingal.com/stress_management_techniques_9fd4bd4d0d71c94d5b6aa272068659021aa16a4d8926c64141e0342ba450673b.webp","@strapi/provider-upload-aws-s3","2026-09-06T10:33:18.925Z",{"id":36,"documentId":37,"name":38,"slug":39,"createdAt":48,"updatedAt":48,"publishedAt":49},{"id":127,"documentId":128,"name":129,"slug":130,"instagram":79,"facebook":79,"bio":131,"linkedIn":79,"createdAt":132,"updatedAt":132,"publishedAt":133,"avatar":134},22,"wyt3u257aw7uw0dwu7iyp43t","Mariana","mariana","Mariana is our amazing psychologist. She is generally shy, but she has the answers to all questions. She is calm but can be pretty sarcastic if she wants to! She is working with women who are struggling in their jobs. She also loves knitting. She helps our Working Gal Team with her valuable insights and tips for a balanced work life.","2026-09-06T10:31:24.439Z","2026-09-06T10:31:24.476Z",{"id":135,"documentId":136,"name":137,"alternativeText":77,"caption":77,"focalPoint":79,"width":138,"height":138,"formats":139,"hash":148,"ext":84,"mime":88,"size":149,"url":150,"previewUrl":79,"provider":123,"provider_metadata":79,"createdAt":151,"updatedAt":151,"publishedAt":151},11,"fheiaa5f5erfp90gy58ro2z5","1-4e8c14f9a17f874e48d1483a84a5e11eff6bee5c825f8de8b99f80ea39cc3be7.webp",250,{"thumbnail":140},{"ext":84,"url":141,"etag":142,"hash":143,"mime":88,"name":144,"path":79,"size":145,"width":146,"height":146,"sizeInBytes":147},"https://assets.workingal.com/thumbnail_1_4e8c14f9a17f874e48d1483a84a5e11eff6bee5c825f8de8b99f80ea39cc3be7.webp","4b4c936585b7dd1c23ef309e30c37e86","thumbnail_1_4e8c14f9a17f874e48d1483a84a5e11eff6bee5c825f8de8b99f80ea39cc3be7","thumbnail_1-4e8c14f9a17f874e48d1483a84a5e11eff6bee5c825f8de8b99f80ea39cc3be7.webp",4.15,156,4148,"1_4e8c14f9a17f874e48d1483a84a5e11eff6bee5c825f8de8b99f80ea39cc3be7",8.36,"https://assets.workingal.com/1_4e8c14f9a17f874e48d1483a84a5e11eff6bee5c825f8de8b99f80ea39cc3be7.webp","2026-09-06T10:31:24.366Z",{"id":153,"documentId":154,"title":155,"content":156,"slug":157,"coffees":158,"seo_title":155,"keywords":159,"seo_desc":160,"bylineDate":161,"bylineTimezone":69,"createdAt":162,"updatedAt":163,"publishedAt":164,"featuredImage":165,"category":204,"author":205,"img":202},240,"hqmsv2u5y4fk2lga4lmdxnft","How I Developed Self-Discipline: 7 Proven Ways","“I want to lose weight, but I can't,” “I'll be on a diet from Monday,” “I'll have to take care of my health, but I don’t have the time,” “I'll start getting my medication,” “I want to change jobs, but I cannot sit down and update my LinkedIn profile,” or replace this sentence with whatever you think you need to do.\n\nIf you recognize yourself in one of the above phrases, keep reading because it’s time you **acknowledged** that you lack self-discipline.\n\nThe bad news is that you have lost some time trying to do whatever you need/want/must do. The good news is that there are ways to escape this **vicious cycle** of doing nothing and build the discipline to move from where you are to where you want to be.\n\nFirst things first, we need to define discipline and [self-discipline](https://www.workingal.com/articles/how-to-practice-self-discipline). In essence, the big difference between those terms is that discipline is focused on the promise you've given to someone else, so someone else is looking at you and watching your steps. Sometimes, you're trying to be okay with that because it's the stress you feel when somebody is paying **attention** to you and your actions. \n\nSo, what is self-discipline? It is about doing what is right for you and what you've promised yourself, and nobody is watching apart from you.\n\n### Self-discipline is a part of self-leadership\n\nIf you don't have control over your life and you cannot discipline yourself, then how can you lead others?\n\nAccording to numerous studies, self-disciplined people show significant levels of **happiness** and satisfaction compared to people who **struggle** to fulfill their obligations because they feel more productive and creative. They get out of their comfort zone since they are moving towards action, and they're not losing their time and **thoughts** on what could have happened in the past or what they could have done better; the only thing that they care about is [how to succeed](https://www.workingal.com/articles/habits-of-successful-women) and how to move ahead with their lives.\n\nJim Rohn once said that self-discipline is the **bridge** between goals defined and goals accomplished. So, the only way to succeed, move forward, and do what you actually want to do in your life is to be self-disciplined.\n\n![Woman around hands](https://assets.workingal.com/how_to_be_self_disciplined_76fc3242a7.webp)\n\nIf you think being self-disciplined is extremely hard and something you would never be able to achieve, believe me, it’s not; it’s more like following some simple **rules** but following them for an amount of time equivalent to not having to think about them anymore. Keep reading because I have the seven ways that have helped me build self-discipline and actually move forward with my life -personally and professionally.\n\n# Replace “I Have To” With “I Want To”\n\nOk, this is a great one -and it can be fun! If you tell yourself that **you have to** lose weight or you **have to save money this month**, then by default, you put yourself in a position where what you are going to do is either extremely dull or overly unpleasant, and it shows that you have to work hard for that and that someone has imposed and enforced that to you, but when you say _“I want to lose weight”_ or _“I want to go to save money this month,”_ you automatically get in the mood that you are motivated to go for it. So, next time you must do something, replace those two words and see the magic of your brain when you tell it the right words!\n\n# Manage Self-expectations\n\nIt's physically impossible to be exceptional in everything we are doing. Nobody is good at everything, so it is important to be self-aware and know where you are good and where you're not. Then, when you understand your sensitive spots, it will be easier for you to work for them and put them first on your **to-want list** because you don't want to be exposed; you want to do your job and move on with your goals. Don't start with the easy ones, aka the things you are good at; begin with the **challenging** ones because this is the only way to build self-discipline. For instance, if your sensitive spot is communications, then the first thing you should put on your “want list” is to communicate in any possible way with everyone; so, go on arrange meetings, **call** people instead of texting, have a chit-chat with the person waiting behind you on the line to grab a Starbucks… If you keep doing that, you will soon feel more comfortable talking to other people, and, at the same time, you will **build** discipline.\n\n# Avoid Distractions\n\nSuppose you are about to work on a critical project or have a crucial deadline. You know that, but having your phone beside you will make you **scroll**. So, you lose a couple of hours of your life doomscrolling and end up late at night with no energy or motivation to finish your report. Take your phone and put it somewhere else. Remove it from where you are, restrict access to your phone for the next couple of hours until you progress with your work, and try not to go and touch it. Some phone apps can help you do that, but your loved ones can also be a helpful **ally**; that means take your phone and give it to you only when the time is right. Overall, try to do whatever you can to avoid distractions, **temptations**, or whatever keeps you away from your goals.\n\n# State your why\n\nWhen you want to achieve a goal but don't feel disciplined enough, remember your **why**. For instance, if your goal is to lose weight, why do you want to do that? Reflect on what achieving this goal means for your life, how important it is, and what good it can bring; also think about the negative impact of not **fulfilling** it. If you know your why, then the motivation of being self-disciplined is going to be more accessible, and you are going to remember the reasons for taking away from yourself some quick pleasure, like sitting on the couch without doing anything instead of hitting the **gym**.\n\n# Schedule Your Time Accordingly\n\n![woman doing plank with barbels](https://assets.workingal.com/blog_900x550_2_1_6cda54913c.webp)\n\nList all the actions and activities you must do to **achieve** your goals and go where you want to be; then add them to your calendar. If you want to go to the gym early in the morning, block the calendar so that this is the dedicated time. If you want to finish the report, block this time on the calendar so that this time is dedicated to that. Having a **calendar** will definitely help you take action. My colorful calendar is watching me every single day! However, what you need to pay attention to is to make your calendar as **functional** as you can so that your tasks are achievable. Don’t overload yourself every day, and don’t try to fit everything in one day. Trust me, if you keep doing this for a month, the calendar habit will become irreplaceable!\n\n# Change The Way You See Yourself\n\nThe way you **look** at yourself and the way you talk to yourself is fundamental. If you keep telling yourself that you cannot be self-disciplined, you cannot sit down and do what you must, or that you do not have what it takes to move forward, this becomes a **self-fulfilling prophecy**, and you end up causing your beliefs to come true. Instead of this negative self-talk, try tomorrow to wake up and say, _“I'm very disciplined, and I can do everything,”_ or _“I can do whatever it takes to lose weight or to save money this month.”_ It may not work the first day, but after 10 days, if you keep motivating yourself like this and talking positively to yourself, believe me, this will get you the self-discipline you need.\n\n# Forgive Yourself\n\nSelf-discipline is not a sprint; it's a **marathon**. It's expected to be kept from being disciplined every day. This is a common motif for people who start a diet on Monday. Imagine going to the office while you're ready to begin your new nutritional plan, and then a colleague has their birthday, and they have brought candies. You eat one, and then you say, _“you know what, I don't think I'm going to do that. I'm not capable of doing that”_. And then you drop your diet. Let me tell you something: It's okay to **make a slip**. You need to forgive yourself and move forward to the rest of your diet day. If you want ice cream, it's okay; you can keep eating healthy after that. Do not slap yourself if you have a sleep, and do not feel that you failed in any way. Do not ruin what you have been building with your **nutrition** all this time for one time for 5 minutes that it took with this ice cream; it's okay; you deserve a moment of sleep, and you go back to your plan as you have scheduled it.\n\nSelf-discipline is something that you need to work on and keep trying to achieve. It's not something that comes with a magic wand, and boom, one day, you become self-disciplined. If you follow the above tricks, within a month, you'll be able to say that you have put the foundation for a more self-disciplined life and resulting success.","self-discipline-7-proven-ways",3,"self discipline leadership, self discipline how to, self control definition, ","You struggle to motivate yourself to achieve your goals? Then, this article will help you build self-discipline and reach the life you dream of.","2024-07-17","2024-07-17T20:04:50.707Z","2024-07-17T20:14:48.777Z","2024-07-17T20:14:48.774Z",{"id":166,"documentId":167,"name":168,"alternativeText":169,"caption":170,"focalPoint":79,"width":80,"height":81,"formats":171,"hash":200,"ext":84,"mime":88,"size":201,"url":202,"previewUrl":79,"provider":123,"provider_metadata":79,"createdAt":203,"updatedAt":203,"publishedAt":203},136,"sjrfqesbvh2vo11nzqzpal5l","how to be self-disciplined-2479eb8efb6b087abaa9b55a9c42f52fbf295db66691c00bbf1d0e21e71de7e6.webp","hand putting the letter e in the word discipline","how to be self-disciplined",{"large":172,"small":179,"medium":186,"thumbnail":193},{"ext":84,"url":173,"etag":174,"hash":175,"mime":88,"name":176,"path":79,"size":177,"width":91,"height":92,"sizeInBytes":178},"https://assets.workingal.com/large_how_to_be_self_disciplined_2479eb8efb6b087abaa9b55a9c42f52fbf295db66691c00bbf1d0e21e71de7e6.webp","3fa63f1a95b1bd74c6e2c8d5347c130b","large_how_to_be_self_disciplined_2479eb8efb6b087abaa9b55a9c42f52fbf295db66691c00bbf1d0e21e71de7e6","large_how to be self-disciplined-2479eb8efb6b087abaa9b55a9c42f52fbf295db66691c00bbf1d0e21e71de7e6.webp",30.41,30410,{"ext":84,"url":180,"etag":181,"hash":182,"mime":88,"name":183,"path":79,"size":184,"width":100,"height":101,"sizeInBytes":185},"https://assets.workingal.com/small_how_to_be_self_disciplined_2479eb8efb6b087abaa9b55a9c42f52fbf295db66691c00bbf1d0e21e71de7e6.webp","ec21a30568162789e6abb2e97761afa7","small_how_to_be_self_disciplined_2479eb8efb6b087abaa9b55a9c42f52fbf295db66691c00bbf1d0e21e71de7e6","small_how to be self-disciplined-2479eb8efb6b087abaa9b55a9c42f52fbf295db66691c00bbf1d0e21e71de7e6.webp",13.23,13226,{"ext":84,"url":187,"etag":188,"hash":189,"mime":88,"name":190,"path":79,"size":191,"width":109,"height":110,"sizeInBytes":192},"https://assets.workingal.com/medium_how_to_be_self_disciplined_2479eb8efb6b087abaa9b55a9c42f52fbf295db66691c00bbf1d0e21e71de7e6.webp","0c1fb5749514301e472eff65b8f6bbbe","medium_how_to_be_self_disciplined_2479eb8efb6b087abaa9b55a9c42f52fbf295db66691c00bbf1d0e21e71de7e6","medium_how to be self-disciplined-2479eb8efb6b087abaa9b55a9c42f52fbf295db66691c00bbf1d0e21e71de7e6.webp",21.61,21612,{"ext":84,"url":194,"etag":195,"hash":196,"mime":88,"name":197,"path":79,"size":198,"width":118,"height":74,"sizeInBytes":199},"https://assets.workingal.com/thumbnail_how_to_be_self_disciplined_2479eb8efb6b087abaa9b55a9c42f52fbf295db66691c00bbf1d0e21e71de7e6.webp","4196c29a715f88dd53bd66f3a0b249cd","thumbnail_how_to_be_self_disciplined_2479eb8efb6b087abaa9b55a9c42f52fbf295db66691c00bbf1d0e21e71de7e6","thumbnail_how to be self-disciplined-2479eb8efb6b087abaa9b55a9c42f52fbf295db66691c00bbf1d0e21e71de7e6.webp",5.41,5412,"how_to_be_self_disciplined_2479eb8efb6b087abaa9b55a9c42f52fbf295db66691c00bbf1d0e21e71de7e6",57.42,"https://assets.workingal.com/how_to_be_self_disciplined_2479eb8efb6b087abaa9b55a9c42f52fbf295db66691c00bbf1d0e21e71de7e6.webp","2026-09-06T10:33:17.113Z",{"id":36,"documentId":37,"name":38,"slug":39,"createdAt":48,"updatedAt":48,"publishedAt":49},{"id":26,"documentId":206,"name":207,"slug":208,"instagram":209,"facebook":210,"bio":211,"linkedIn":212,"createdAt":213,"updatedAt":213,"publishedAt":214,"avatar":215},"rrgw04x1ox461oib75ljto7k","Dimitra","dimitra","https://www.instagram.com/dimdimi/","https://www.facebook.com/dimitra.lioliou.9","She started in corporate, stepped out to build her own businesses, and along the way learned five foreign languages. With a background in Sociology, her focus remains squarely on human behavior, the true engine behind every business, cultural trend, and daily decision. Today, she splits her time between Europe and the US, writing about work, culture, and the subtle mechanics of modern life. If you ask her about languages, consider yourself warned: she will not stop talking.","https://www.linkedin.com/in/dimitra-lioliou/","2026-09-06T10:31:18.888Z","2026-09-06T10:31:18.911Z",{"id":42,"documentId":216,"name":217,"alternativeText":218,"caption":219,"focalPoint":79,"width":138,"height":138,"formats":220,"hash":230,"ext":222,"mime":226,"size":231,"url":232,"previewUrl":79,"provider":123,"provider_metadata":79,"createdAt":233,"updatedAt":233,"publishedAt":234},"vho74tz85ywt8uvcc2i46n8j","Dimitra Lioliou-490b9ae7a31e67cbe83f6cbd018b514572b484c2a12096c4257fcc93fbbdacd5.png","dimitra lioliou profile pic","dimitra lioliou the working gal",{"thumbnail":221},{"ext":222,"url":223,"etag":224,"hash":225,"mime":226,"name":227,"path":79,"size":228,"width":146,"height":146,"sizeInBytes":229},".png","https://assets.workingal.com/thumbnail_Dimitra_Lioliou_490b9ae7a31e67cbe83f6cbd018b514572b484c2a12096c4257fcc93fbbdacd5.png","1af5fda28d3e7890e8a99c385239de61","thumbnail_Dimitra_Lioliou_490b9ae7a31e67cbe83f6cbd018b514572b484c2a12096c4257fcc93fbbdacd5","image/png","thumbnail_Dimitra Lioliou-490b9ae7a31e67cbe83f6cbd018b514572b484c2a12096c4257fcc93fbbdacd5.png",47.39,47387,"Dimitra_Lioliou_490b9ae7a31e67cbe83f6cbd018b514572b484c2a12096c4257fcc93fbbdacd5",28.15,"https://assets.workingal.com/Dimitra_Lioliou_490b9ae7a31e67cbe83f6cbd018b514572b484c2a12096c4257fcc93fbbdacd5.png","2026-09-06T10:31:18.786Z","2026-09-06T10:31:18.787Z",{"id":236,"documentId":237,"title":238,"content":239,"slug":240,"coffees":42,"seo_title":238,"keywords":241,"seo_desc":242,"bylineDate":243,"bylineTimezone":69,"createdAt":244,"updatedAt":245,"publishedAt":246,"featuredImage":247,"category":286,"author":287,"img":284},226,"d53voup4r7o34rnkn6ag3v1v","5 Childish Behaviors You Need to Wave Goodbye If You Are A Grown Woman","\nRemember when the most significant decision you had to make was what color glitter to wear? Yeah, adulthood is a bit more complex. Being a **grown woman** is pretty awesome, don’t you think? You're independent, capable, and hopefully rocking a killer sense of self. But sometimes, even the coolest grown-ups can find themselves sticking to a few habits that belong more on the playground than in the boardroom or at a fancy dinner party, and even the most capable woman can find herself slipping back into some, well, let's just say \"less mature\" habits.\n\nMany times, people do things we don't understand. We adopt behaviors that go \"against\" our age, and even though we know we are _\"wrong,\"_ we continue in the same mode. Unfortunately, these \"bad\" habits can also prevent us from growing up - emotionally and spiritually.\n\n![woman acting like a child](https://assets.workingal.com/5_Childish_Behaviors_5af958ab9f.webp)\n\nEven the \"smallest\" thing, from holding a grudge against a friend for something meaningless or seeking validation from others, can be considered \"childish\" behavior and a tell-tale sign that it's time to grow up.\n\nHowever, all this growing-up talk is not about losing your sense of fun or spontaneity! It's about recognizing behaviors that might be holding you back from feeling truly empowered and fulfilled.\n\nSo, let's ditch the emotional tantrums and embrace the beautiful things that come with being a grown woman. Here are five childish behaviors you can say goodbye to and step confidently into your most mature, fabulous self!\n\n# You are selfish in your friendships\n\nIf you have a friend willing to drop everything and be there when you need them, do the same for them. In friendships, efforts should always be equal for a **healthy** outcome. If your friend is always there when you need them, it's time for you to do the same. Grown-ups understand the importance of caring for their loved ones and sometimes make small sacrifices to be there for them.\n\n# You hold a grudge\n\nIt's time to stop obsessing about your ex or constantly talking about them. We know it may hurt, but life is short. Keep people in your life who are good for you, and get rid of anyone who doesn't make your world a better place. People do their best according to their **perceptions** and life experiences, and filling yourself with negative emotions is a sign that you must work towards your adult self. In general, avoid drama; if you aren’t a teen movie star, don’t act like one!\n\n# You seek validation from others\n\nWhen you want to find your [confidence and self-esteem](https://www.workingal.com/articles/habits-than-ruin-your-self-confidence), instead of turning to others for validation, it's best to turn inward. That is, to yourself. Once you reach a certain age, you just have to stop [overthinking](https://www.workingal.com/articles/why-are-you-overthinking) or being afraid. Do what makes you happy, and don’t count on anyone’s opinion. Different people, different personalities, hence, different perspectives.\n\n# You are never grateful\n\nDenying or not acknowledging the positive aspects of yourself and your efforts is more than just childish behavior. Feeling ungrateful could be a sign of a deeper inner **problem**, and it is undoubtedly a sign that you need to grow up. Being grateful for everything in your life that makes you happy is important and remember that not all people have had or will ever have the same chances as you in life. Appreciate all the good around you and say, “Thank you!”.\n\n# You think you know everything\n\nNo, you don't know everything. No one knows it all, and if anyone thinks they do, they're just naive. As you get older, you realize that everything is so fluid that life **changes** from one day to the next, and that's more than okay. Nothing is a given, not even knowledge. The “smart-ass” attitude is not appealing and generally turns people away. Don’t be one!","5-childish-behaviors-you-need-to-goodbye","childish behavior, adult woman, selfish behavior, psychology for women, bad women behaviors","If you show these 5 behaviors, then you probably need to grow up a tad! Read the article and find out whether you are mature enough.","2024-07-11","2024-07-11T17:55:00.827Z","2024-07-11T18:04:19.207Z","2024-07-11T18:04:19.204Z",{"id":248,"documentId":249,"name":250,"alternativeText":251,"caption":252,"focalPoint":79,"width":80,"height":81,"formats":253,"hash":282,"ext":84,"mime":88,"size":283,"url":284,"previewUrl":79,"provider":123,"provider_metadata":79,"createdAt":285,"updatedAt":285,"publishedAt":285},129,"jid3qe6jm5ytjleu2n3p8sn1","5 Childish Behaviors-c027f6b9e2d4cd460e1bb7cb56813e8f3e1e08c4ecaca33c4635d370c19455f6.webp","woman acting like a child","5 Childish Behaviors",{"large":254,"small":261,"medium":268,"thumbnail":275},{"ext":84,"url":255,"etag":256,"hash":257,"mime":88,"name":258,"path":79,"size":259,"width":91,"height":92,"sizeInBytes":260},"https://assets.workingal.com/large_5_Childish_Behaviors_c027f6b9e2d4cd460e1bb7cb56813e8f3e1e08c4ecaca33c4635d370c19455f6.webp","c7f130034485b2d45b826416ea9b40d2","large_5_Childish_Behaviors_c027f6b9e2d4cd460e1bb7cb56813e8f3e1e08c4ecaca33c4635d370c19455f6","large_5 Childish Behaviors-c027f6b9e2d4cd460e1bb7cb56813e8f3e1e08c4ecaca33c4635d370c19455f6.webp",67.2,67202,{"ext":84,"url":262,"etag":263,"hash":264,"mime":88,"name":265,"path":79,"size":266,"width":100,"height":101,"sizeInBytes":267},"https://assets.workingal.com/small_5_Childish_Behaviors_c027f6b9e2d4cd460e1bb7cb56813e8f3e1e08c4ecaca33c4635d370c19455f6.webp","2242ee08eaab7036374613ed1071b3d5","small_5_Childish_Behaviors_c027f6b9e2d4cd460e1bb7cb56813e8f3e1e08c4ecaca33c4635d370c19455f6","small_5 Childish Behaviors-c027f6b9e2d4cd460e1bb7cb56813e8f3e1e08c4ecaca33c4635d370c19455f6.webp",15.72,15716,{"ext":84,"url":269,"etag":270,"hash":271,"mime":88,"name":272,"path":79,"size":273,"width":109,"height":110,"sizeInBytes":274},"https://assets.workingal.com/medium_5_Childish_Behaviors_c027f6b9e2d4cd460e1bb7cb56813e8f3e1e08c4ecaca33c4635d370c19455f6.webp","0e1a7d28b8affb314a097489cc274590","medium_5_Childish_Behaviors_c027f6b9e2d4cd460e1bb7cb56813e8f3e1e08c4ecaca33c4635d370c19455f6","medium_5 Childish Behaviors-c027f6b9e2d4cd460e1bb7cb56813e8f3e1e08c4ecaca33c4635d370c19455f6.webp",37.91,37908,{"ext":84,"url":276,"etag":277,"hash":278,"mime":88,"name":279,"path":79,"size":280,"width":118,"height":74,"sizeInBytes":281},"https://assets.workingal.com/thumbnail_5_Childish_Behaviors_c027f6b9e2d4cd460e1bb7cb56813e8f3e1e08c4ecaca33c4635d370c19455f6.webp","1f2a247c17373069dd5740513fe54d10","thumbnail_5_Childish_Behaviors_c027f6b9e2d4cd460e1bb7cb56813e8f3e1e08c4ecaca33c4635d370c19455f6","thumbnail_5 Childish Behaviors-c027f6b9e2d4cd460e1bb7cb56813e8f3e1e08c4ecaca33c4635d370c19455f6.webp",3.89,3886,"5_Childish_Behaviors_c027f6b9e2d4cd460e1bb7cb56813e8f3e1e08c4ecaca33c4635d370c19455f6",189.74,"https://assets.workingal.com/5_Childish_Behaviors_c027f6b9e2d4cd460e1bb7cb56813e8f3e1e08c4ecaca33c4635d370c19455f6.webp","2026-09-06T10:33:10.449Z",{"id":36,"documentId":37,"name":38,"slug":39,"createdAt":48,"updatedAt":48,"publishedAt":49},{"id":26,"documentId":206,"name":207,"slug":208,"instagram":209,"facebook":210,"bio":211,"linkedIn":212,"createdAt":213,"updatedAt":213,"publishedAt":214,"avatar":288},{"id":42,"documentId":216,"name":217,"alternativeText":218,"caption":219,"focalPoint":79,"width":138,"height":138,"formats":289,"hash":230,"ext":222,"mime":226,"size":231,"url":232,"previewUrl":79,"provider":123,"provider_metadata":79,"createdAt":233,"updatedAt":233,"publishedAt":234},{"thumbnail":290},{"ext":222,"url":223,"etag":224,"hash":225,"mime":226,"name":227,"path":79,"size":228,"width":146,"height":146,"sizeInBytes":229},{"id":292,"documentId":293,"title":294,"content":295,"slug":296,"coffees":26,"seo_title":297,"keywords":298,"seo_desc":299,"bylineDate":300,"bylineTimezone":69,"createdAt":301,"updatedAt":302,"publishedAt":303,"featuredImage":304,"category":343,"author":344,"img":341},222,"sk19kd112wa922drf12cyp23","10 Habits That Ruin Your Self-Confidence","Let’s all agree that not everyone is full of **self-confidence**, no matter how much we want it. We may want to blame our parents, genes, society, or the role models around us.\n\nHowever, self-confidence is the key to living our lives to the fullest, being happy and balanced, and achieving our personal and professional goals. According to research, highly self-confident people tend to have a positive outlook on life and themselves.\n\nNow, you will think, _“Easy said than done.”_ Yes, words are easy, but actions bring results.\n\nIt’s not always easy to understand and identify lower self-confidence. People spend hours in therapy to realize that their actions are caused by their inability to believe in themselves. There are no magic solutions to attain self-confidence within 8 hours of sleep, but you can identify some **habits** that show you need to work on your self-confidence and start living your life the way you want!\n\n## 1. Keeping up with the Joneses\n\nAka, comparing yourself to others. One of the biggest confidence killers is benchmarking yourself and evaluating your life, actions, and accomplishments based on others. Unfortunately, [social media](https://www.workingal.com/articles/psychology-social-media-women) often makes it worse; all this glam around the world, with [digital nomads](https://www.workingal.com/articles/the-rise-of-digital-nomads-exploring-the-trend) and influencers going around the world and living their lives to the fullest, can be mentally painful. However, when you scroll down your Instagram feed, keep in the back of your head that people usually show a **curated version of their lives** that seems perfect. No single person in the world doesn’t deal with struggles; they don’t want to **expose** them on social media!\n\nWhen you keep comparing yourself to others, you nurture feelings of inadequacy and jealousy —usually for no apparent reason. It’s important to remember that everyone has their own timeline and distinctive experiences.\n\n## 2\\. Talk Negative To Me\n\nIf you find yourself in front of the mirror, preaching about how you don’t have this or you can’t do that, it is a sign of negative self-talk. The way you talk to yourself matters. Negative self-talk can be incredibly damaging, reinforcing feelings of inadequacy and low self-worth. Phrases like _“I’m not good enough”_ or _“I can’t do this”_ can become self-fulfilling prophecies. Also, downplaying your intelligence and skill set through all this negative talk can sink your self-confidence for good.\n\n## 3\\. Who Is Around You\n\nShow me your friend, they say… That means that our **social environment** and our close people can significantly impact our self-confidence. If you surround yourself with toxic or negative people, then it’s given that they will drag you down and **drain your energy**. Toxic and negative people usually make us doubt ourselves and feel inadequate and insufficient. Check if such people surround you and take a distance from them.\n\nIt’s ok to put some distance in order to reevaluate the situation and learn how to not get into this vicious cycle with them.\n\n## 4\\. Seal of approval\n\n![blog-900x550-_3_ (1).webp](https://assets.workingal.com/blog_900x550_3_1_45e66e9170.webp)\n\nThis is a classic habit of people who lack self-confidence. If you rely on other people’s approval in order to feel good about yourself and your actions, your thoughts, and your decisions, then you definitely need to stop that. The only person you need **validation** from is yourself and nobody else. Constantly seeking validation and approval will end up leaving you without self-confidence and will increase feelings of emptiness and insufficiency. Nobody is in your shoes, so you don’t need anyone’s approval.\n\nRelying on others’ approval to feel good about yourself is a slippery slope. It’s important to recognize that you can’t please everyone, and constantly seeking validation can leave you empty. Also, taking all [criticism](https://www.workingal.com/articles/criticism-at-the-workplace-can-you-handle-it) to heart, especially when it’s groundless or harsh, can erode your self-confidence. Let’s accept that not all feedback is constructive, and it’s important to distinguish when someone is helpful or just harmful.\n\n## 5\\. Rock Bottom? No, Thanks\n\nDo you feel like you are not trying new things because of your fear of **failing**? This may be your sign to work on your self-confidence. Fear of failure can prevent us from trying new things and reaching our full potential, personally and professionally. Perfectionism can also cause this fear, paralyzing and stopping us from taking risks. Staying in your comfort zone might feel safe and **comforting**, but it can prevent you from growing. Avoiding challenges means missing out on opportunities to prove to yourself what you’re capable of and enjoying all the perks life offers.\n\n## 6\\. Self-Neglect\n\nOne of the main characteristics of people with self-confidence is that they prioritize their self-care. What is very common among women, especially, is that they **put others before** themselves and tend to neglect their self-care in order to take care of the people around them. However, this trait shows that you put yourself second, and it can severely impact your self-esteem and, therefore, your self-confidence. Being confident on the inside and on the outside means that you **spend time** with yourself and take care of your needs and your mental and physical health. Not only will you feel better, but your self-confidence will grow immediately!\n\n## 7\\. Cry Over Spilled Milk\n\nDwelling in the past and on past mistakes can destroy your confidence. The past is the past and cannot be changed. However, it’s always ok to reflect on the past and learn from it. The key here is not to **focus** on adverse experiences like failures, regrets, or missed opportunities but to acknowledge that things are not going great every time and accept the lessons learned. The ongoing replay of negativity breeds self-doubt and erodes our belief in ourselves, so it’s important to learn from the **past** but not let it define you. Everyone makes mistakes, and it’s how you move forward that counts.\n\n## 8\\. Disregarding Your Accomplishments\n\n![blog-900x550-_2_ (1).webp](https://assets.workingal.com/blog_900x550_2_1_ee9b020209.webp)\n\nWomen tend to downplay their achievements, attributing **success** to luck rather than their own efforts and talents. Are you sure that this is how you want to play it? Luck sometimes matters, but do not look down on you so much. This can diminish your sense of **accomplishment** and confidence. Everyone has things to be proud of, and celebrating our victories in life, both personal and professional, is more than okay as long as it doesn’t get arrogant.\n\n## 9\\. Over-Apologizing\n\nUnfortunately, women tend to apologize excessively; this nasty habit signals that you’re unsure of yourself and leads to **diminishing** your sense of authority. Not apologizing is wrong: when we make a mistake that affects others, it’s important to apologize. But that’s it. Over-apologizing may seem like you are not as confident as you should be and, frankly, can tire people. Say “I’m sorry” genuinely and sincerely and move forward.\n\n## 10\\. Avoiding Conflict\n\nWe sometimes believe [avoiding conflict](https://www.workingal.com/articles/how-to-avoid-conflicts-at-work-1) is a way to keep the peace, but constantly avoiding it can prevent you from standing up for yourself and your needs. Conflicts are normal situations among people, and sometimes, we shouldn’t prevent them. If you keep avoiding conflicts, it can lead to resentment and a diminished sense of self-worth. Nobody told you to start **screaming** around to prove your point. Conflicts can be addressed calmly and assertively, especially when they have to do with your boundaries.\n\nRecognizing these habits is the first and most important step in building self-confidence. It doesn’t happen overnight; however, trying to break unhealthy habits and set clearer and stricter boundaries will eventually help you achieve greater things and grow more confident and stronger.\n\nChallenge yourself to break one habit at a time. Keep a journal of your accomplishments, and watch your self-confidence build up!","habits-than-ruin-your-self-confidence","10 Habits Than Ruin Your Self-Confidence","self confidence, self-confidence, psychology, habits that destroy your confidence, ","Did you know that there are habits that destroy your self-confidence? Read the article and identify them!","2024-07-06","2024-07-06T20:52:33.616Z","2026-08-19T01:10:00.133Z","2024-07-06T21:00:45.400Z",{"id":305,"documentId":306,"name":307,"alternativeText":308,"caption":309,"focalPoint":79,"width":80,"height":81,"formats":310,"hash":339,"ext":84,"mime":88,"size":340,"url":341,"previewUrl":79,"provider":123,"provider_metadata":79,"createdAt":342,"updatedAt":342,"publishedAt":342},127,"cdi3ejjdatv30yegbcplpv3x","Habits that ruin your self-confidence-526c3177ce3b1fe0a8e58584c6663df0a01381e0af2e7f3888b2af98d50428b9.webp","woman drawing heart in the mirror","Habits that ruin your self-confidence",{"large":311,"small":318,"medium":325,"thumbnail":332},{"ext":84,"url":312,"etag":313,"hash":314,"mime":88,"name":315,"path":79,"size":316,"width":91,"height":92,"sizeInBytes":317},"https://assets.workingal.com/large_Habits_that_ruin_your_self_confidence_526c3177ce3b1fe0a8e58584c6663df0a01381e0af2e7f3888b2af98d50428b9.webp","0b6af00dab406e662dd655a16b5c8a73","large_Habits_that_ruin_your_self_confidence_526c3177ce3b1fe0a8e58584c6663df0a01381e0af2e7f3888b2af98d50428b9","large_Habits that ruin your self-confidence-526c3177ce3b1fe0a8e58584c6663df0a01381e0af2e7f3888b2af98d50428b9.webp",14.39,14386,{"ext":84,"url":319,"etag":320,"hash":321,"mime":88,"name":322,"path":79,"size":323,"width":100,"height":101,"sizeInBytes":324},"https://assets.workingal.com/small_Habits_that_ruin_your_self_confidence_526c3177ce3b1fe0a8e58584c6663df0a01381e0af2e7f3888b2af98d50428b9.webp","e5c8da0ced13e461b37759e7f46b179c","small_Habits_that_ruin_your_self_confidence_526c3177ce3b1fe0a8e58584c6663df0a01381e0af2e7f3888b2af98d50428b9","small_Habits that ruin your self-confidence-526c3177ce3b1fe0a8e58584c6663df0a01381e0af2e7f3888b2af98d50428b9.webp",6.26,6262,{"ext":84,"url":326,"etag":327,"hash":328,"mime":88,"name":329,"path":79,"size":330,"width":109,"height":110,"sizeInBytes":331},"https://assets.workingal.com/medium_Habits_that_ruin_your_self_confidence_526c3177ce3b1fe0a8e58584c6663df0a01381e0af2e7f3888b2af98d50428b9.webp","1f7185cb6d4940d7579ee92d068e5866","medium_Habits_that_ruin_your_self_confidence_526c3177ce3b1fe0a8e58584c6663df0a01381e0af2e7f3888b2af98d50428b9","medium_Habits that ruin your self-confidence-526c3177ce3b1fe0a8e58584c6663df0a01381e0af2e7f3888b2af98d50428b9.webp",10.11,10110,{"ext":84,"url":333,"etag":334,"hash":335,"mime":88,"name":336,"path":79,"size":337,"width":118,"height":74,"sizeInBytes":338},"https://assets.workingal.com/thumbnail_Habits_that_ruin_your_self_confidence_526c3177ce3b1fe0a8e58584c6663df0a01381e0af2e7f3888b2af98d50428b9.webp","44a85a2d82985d59018418961ac8f4ab","thumbnail_Habits_that_ruin_your_self_confidence_526c3177ce3b1fe0a8e58584c6663df0a01381e0af2e7f3888b2af98d50428b9","thumbnail_Habits that ruin your self-confidence-526c3177ce3b1fe0a8e58584c6663df0a01381e0af2e7f3888b2af98d50428b9.webp",2.78,2780,"Habits_that_ruin_your_self_confidence_526c3177ce3b1fe0a8e58584c6663df0a01381e0af2e7f3888b2af98d50428b9",26.4,"https://assets.workingal.com/Habits_that_ruin_your_self_confidence_526c3177ce3b1fe0a8e58584c6663df0a01381e0af2e7f3888b2af98d50428b9.webp","2026-09-06T10:33:08.384Z",{"id":36,"documentId":37,"name":38,"slug":39,"createdAt":48,"updatedAt":48,"publishedAt":49},{"id":127,"documentId":128,"name":129,"slug":130,"instagram":79,"facebook":79,"bio":131,"linkedIn":79,"createdAt":132,"updatedAt":132,"publishedAt":133,"avatar":345},{"id":135,"documentId":136,"name":137,"alternativeText":77,"caption":77,"focalPoint":79,"width":138,"height":138,"formats":346,"hash":148,"ext":84,"mime":88,"size":149,"url":150,"previewUrl":79,"provider":123,"provider_metadata":79,"createdAt":151,"updatedAt":151,"publishedAt":151},{"thumbnail":347},{"ext":84,"url":141,"etag":142,"hash":143,"mime":88,"name":144,"path":79,"size":145,"width":146,"height":146,"sizeInBytes":147},{"id":349,"documentId":350,"title":351,"content":352,"slug":353,"coffees":158,"seo_title":351,"keywords":354,"seo_desc":355,"bylineDate":356,"bylineTimezone":69,"createdAt":357,"updatedAt":358,"publishedAt":359,"featuredImage":360,"category":399,"author":400,"img":397},216,"ntawhje5ro5fzx3v5p8naiow","10 Red Flags That Your Friendship Is Over","From the moment we leave our protected home environment as kids, we make friends with other kids, and this happens throughout our lives. Making friends is one of the key elements of socialization.\n\n### Friendships are the cornerstones of our lives; our friends are our source of laughter, support, and fun\n\nThey are the people we turn to when we have problems or when we want to share exciting news about anything. Some think our friends are **“the family we chose.”**\n\nBut like all things in life, sometimes friendships change or fade away. Maybe you've noticed a shift in your once-close bond with your friend. Maybe lately, your usual weekend adventures are now met with scheduling conflicts and **busy** weekdays. Priorities seem to have changed, and finding common ground feels like an uphill battle. **Sharing** personal achievements no longer elicits the same enthusiasm, and you find yourself confiding in others instead. Conversations that flowed effortlessly now feel strained. Not to mention texts that used to ping back and forth instantly now take days to get a response.\n\nThe hard truth is that relationships sometimes are hard to maintain, no matter how many years they count. People change, **priorities change**, and, therefore, people who were in your life forever now seem to not fit in your social circle anymore. However, this change doesn’t happen overnight; the signs are there, and the red flags appear day by day to remind you that something is not the same anymore.\n\n![2.webp](https://assets.workingal.com/2_20c5513239.webp)\n\nIt’s never easy to accept that you may have nothing in common with a friend or don’t enjoy their company as much as you did in the past, but recognizing that can help you **move forward** with healthier connections, whether this change is a recent drift or a long-term simmer.\n\nHere are the 10 red flags that show your friendship is not the same anymore:\n\n# A Lack of Empathy\n\nEmpathy is the cornerstone of a friendship. A friend should be able to understand and share your feelings. If your friend consistently overlooks or invalidates your **emotions**, it may be a sign that they don't care about you as much as they used to. If you notice that your friend doesn’t take your **concerns** seriously or just doesn’t listen to you, they probably don’t care about being in your life anymore.\n\n# Constant Criticism\n\nOur friends are usually the people we turn to for advice and discussion about our lives. They listen to us and help us **objectively** see another point of view.\n\nHowever, healthy friendships involve a balance. That means a good friend will celebrate your successes and offer support during challenges without judgment or criticism. If your friend focuses solely on flaws, overlooking your strengths and **accomplishments**, that means that they are more judgmental than they need to be. Regardless of your effort, it can feel like you can never do anything right.\n\n### Constant [criticism](https://www.workingal.com/articles/criticism-at-the-workplace-can-you-handle-it) might take the form of comments on your weight, outfit choices, or even how you handle everyday situations\n\nFriends should be able to give each other constructive criticism, but if your friend constantly puts you down or makes you feel bad about yourself, it's a sign of a toxic friendship.\n\n# They're Jealous of Your Success\n\nIn a healthy friendship, your wins are their wins. They're genuinely excited about your achievements, whether they are big or small. But a jealous friend might downplay your success or even try to minimize your accomplishments. Their response might be a lukewarm _\"Oh, that's nice\"_ or even a dismissive joke, leaving you feeling confused about why you can't share your happiness.\n\n### True friends celebrate each other's wins without feeling the need to compete\n\nAlso, a jealous friend might constantly try to \"one-up\" you. For instance, if you get a promotion, they might dwell on a past achievement of theirs, or if you land a dream vacation, they might suddenly mention their own upcoming (albeit less impressive) trip. The **focus shifts** from genuine support to a need to prove themselves better. Constant jealousy can create a toxic dynamic in the friendship which could lead to making you hesitate to share good news, fearing their **negative** comments or response.\n\n# They're Not There for You During Tough Times\n\n![1 (1).webp](https://assets.workingal.com/1_1_bd621555e2.webp)\n\nA true friend is someone who is there for you through **thick and thin**. If your friend is always too busy or flaky when you need them, it's a sign that they may not be as invested in the friendship as you are. A true friend is a shoulder to cry on, a cheerleader during life challenges, and a reliable source of support. If your friend consistently flakes out or avoids you when you're going through a tough time, it speaks volumes about their **commitment** to the friendship. Life gets busy, but a true friend makes an effort to be there, even if it's just to listen offer empathy, and try to understand what you're going through.\n\n# You Can't Be Yourself Around Them\n\nFriends should be able to relax and be themselves around each other. If you feel like you constantly have to walk on eggshells around your friend, it's a sign that the friendship isn't **healthy**. Friendships are a safe space to be your authentic self, quirks and all. If for instance, you find yourself holding back your jokes or opinion for fear of judgment around this friend, then this is a sign that the friendship is not working as it should. This constant **self-editing** can be exhausting and prevents genuine connection. A healthy friendship allows for open communication and playful banter. You shouldn't pretend to be someone else around someone who truly cares about you, should you?\n\n# They Violate Your Boundaries\n\n[Boundaries](https://www.workingal.com/articles/how-to-set-and-preserve-boundaries) are the cornerstone of every relationship. Setting boundaries lets us create a healthy space with the people around us. They define what we're **comfortable** with and what's not. That said, a friend who respects you will understand and acknowledge your boundaries, whether needing personal space or having clear communication about what kind of support you need. Everyone has boundaries, and friends should **respect** them. If your friend constantly crosses your boundaries, it's a sign that they don't respect you or your friendship. If your friend knows that you have a busy and challenging week at work and they pressure you to go out or get annoyed if you skip plans, then something doesn’t work. Or, if they share personal information you confided in them with others then check **the** **red flag is flapping about your friendship**.\n\n# They're Gossipy or Two-Faced\n\nGiven that friendships are built on trust, you should feel **comfortable** sharing your thoughts, feelings, and secrets with your friends, knowing they'll be kept confidential. If your friend constantly gossips about others, this is something that creates a sense of insecurity since you never know if you'll become the next topic of conversation -**behind your back**.\n\n# The Effort is One-Sided\n\nFriendships are a **two-way street**, so if you're the only one who is ever putting in the effort to make plans or stay in touch, it's a sign that the friendship may be over. It's not just about the number of interactions but the connection quality. Sure, some friendships require less frequent contact due to busy lives. But even in those cases, there's a sense of **mutual** care and interest. In a one-sided friendship, the quality suffers - conversations feel forced, and there's a lack of genuine interest in your life. When you're the only one putting in the effort then you might start to **question** why you're the only one invested in keeping the friendship alive.\n\n# You Don't Have Anything in Common Anymore\n\nPeople change and grow over time, and it's natural for friends to **drift apart** sometimes. If you and your friend no longer have anything in common, it may be a sign that the friendship has run its course. Conversations become strained and **one-sided**, and your interests are not the same as those of your friend. Shared experiences and interests are the glue that keeps friendships strong. This doesn't mean there's any blame or fault. As you evolve, you might find yourself drawn to new people who share your current interests. There's space to cherish the friendship's **memories** while acknowledging that it may no longer serve your current needs for connection.\n\n# You No Longer Don't Enjoy Spending Time Together Anymore\n\nThis is perhaps the most important sign about the future of your friendship. Friendships should be a source of **joy** and laughter. They should energize and uplift you and make you feel good everytime you communicate with your friends. That said, if you have a feeling of obligation rathen than excitement when you spend time with your friend, then maybe you **don’t enjoy** this friendship anymore. Forced conversations, awkward silences, or a general lack of enthusiasm for get-togethers are common signs of loss of interest. This shift from looking forward to catching up to actively **avoiding** connection signifies a troubled friendship.\n\n#### Life is too short to surround yourself with people who don’t offer you what you are looking for. \n\nTrue friends enrich your life and make you feel good.\n\nIf a friendship consistently leaves you feeling drained or unhappy, it might be time to prioritize connections that bring you joy and support.\n\nDon’t forget that letting go of a friendship doesn't have to be **dramatic**. It can be a gradual shift, focusing your energy on nurturing more fulfilling connections. You can acknowledge the friendship's role in your life and move forward with a sense of peace.","10-red-flags-that-your-friendship-is-over","signs a friendship has run its course, friendship red flags, toxic friendship red flags, red flags in a friendship, red flag friendship","Are you having a tough time with a friend? Maybe something has changed but you can't tell what? Check the 10 red flags that your friendship is over and move forward accordingly!","2024-06-23","2024-06-23T17:02:12.351Z","2025-12-11T23:10:51.506Z","2024-06-23T17:10:37.998Z",{"id":361,"documentId":362,"name":363,"alternativeText":364,"caption":365,"focalPoint":79,"width":80,"height":81,"formats":366,"hash":395,"ext":84,"mime":88,"size":396,"url":397,"previewUrl":79,"provider":123,"provider_metadata":79,"createdAt":398,"updatedAt":398,"publishedAt":398},124,"knlbcaq2d5vb175uxy01r0qh","Red flags of friendship-68da0a08784a87c64eb36ae389c3fdfdb4f09390d3f7ea82f006e2dc395a7634.webp","4 girls laughing in a car","Red flags of friendship",{"large":367,"small":374,"medium":381,"thumbnail":388},{"ext":84,"url":368,"etag":369,"hash":370,"mime":88,"name":371,"path":79,"size":372,"width":91,"height":92,"sizeInBytes":373},"https://assets.workingal.com/large_Red_flags_of_friendship_68da0a08784a87c64eb36ae389c3fdfdb4f09390d3f7ea82f006e2dc395a7634.webp","b78e9dbf20877bc01128a7280d543c01","large_Red_flags_of_friendship_68da0a08784a87c64eb36ae389c3fdfdb4f09390d3f7ea82f006e2dc395a7634","large_Red flags of friendship-68da0a08784a87c64eb36ae389c3fdfdb4f09390d3f7ea82f006e2dc395a7634.webp",49.76,49756,{"ext":84,"url":375,"etag":376,"hash":377,"mime":88,"name":378,"path":79,"size":379,"width":100,"height":101,"sizeInBytes":380},"https://assets.workingal.com/small_Red_flags_of_friendship_68da0a08784a87c64eb36ae389c3fdfdb4f09390d3f7ea82f006e2dc395a7634.webp","28059536b08fdf1e3204787f18c81da4","small_Red_flags_of_friendship_68da0a08784a87c64eb36ae389c3fdfdb4f09390d3f7ea82f006e2dc395a7634","small_Red flags of friendship-68da0a08784a87c64eb36ae389c3fdfdb4f09390d3f7ea82f006e2dc395a7634.webp",20.31,20310,{"ext":84,"url":382,"etag":383,"hash":384,"mime":88,"name":385,"path":79,"size":386,"width":109,"height":110,"sizeInBytes":387},"https://assets.workingal.com/medium_Red_flags_of_friendship_68da0a08784a87c64eb36ae389c3fdfdb4f09390d3f7ea82f006e2dc395a7634.webp","7e0ae39b845a8c48f04822f933fe9cca","medium_Red_flags_of_friendship_68da0a08784a87c64eb36ae389c3fdfdb4f09390d3f7ea82f006e2dc395a7634","medium_Red flags of friendship-68da0a08784a87c64eb36ae389c3fdfdb4f09390d3f7ea82f006e2dc395a7634.webp",34.35,34348,{"ext":84,"url":389,"etag":390,"hash":391,"mime":88,"name":392,"path":79,"size":393,"width":118,"height":74,"sizeInBytes":394},"https://assets.workingal.com/thumbnail_Red_flags_of_friendship_68da0a08784a87c64eb36ae389c3fdfdb4f09390d3f7ea82f006e2dc395a7634.webp","e205ea3b0fdb4f1c3930dc548ff40073","thumbnail_Red_flags_of_friendship_68da0a08784a87c64eb36ae389c3fdfdb4f09390d3f7ea82f006e2dc395a7634","thumbnail_Red flags of friendship-68da0a08784a87c64eb36ae389c3fdfdb4f09390d3f7ea82f006e2dc395a7634.webp",8.15,8146,"Red_flags_of_friendship_68da0a08784a87c64eb36ae389c3fdfdb4f09390d3f7ea82f006e2dc395a7634",101.09,"https://assets.workingal.com/Red_flags_of_friendship_68da0a08784a87c64eb36ae389c3fdfdb4f09390d3f7ea82f006e2dc395a7634.webp","2026-09-06T10:33:05.765Z",{"id":36,"documentId":37,"name":38,"slug":39,"createdAt":48,"updatedAt":48,"publishedAt":49},{"id":36,"documentId":401,"name":402,"slug":403,"instagram":404,"facebook":405,"bio":406,"linkedIn":407,"createdAt":408,"updatedAt":408,"publishedAt":409,"avatar":410},"icgwz3s97g2n48u37fiimghg","Tonia","tonia","https://www.instagram.com/liolioutonia/","https://www.facebook.com/tonia.lioliou","If you could find one person combining physical strength and mental ability it would have her name. Tonia is also a teacher, but she has serious experience in all kinds of jobs. She can do whatever you ask her. She is also a big fan of remote work -and she is not afraid to admit it. This is why she loves writing about it.","https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonia-lioliou-078949202/","2026-09-06T10:31:19.662Z","2026-09-06T10:31:19.677Z",{"id":26,"documentId":411,"name":412,"alternativeText":413,"caption":413,"focalPoint":79,"width":138,"height":138,"formats":414,"hash":422,"ext":222,"mime":226,"size":423,"url":424,"previewUrl":79,"provider":123,"provider_metadata":79,"createdAt":425,"updatedAt":425,"publishedAt":425},"gfgmy2adzscaae1xtj3lgthk","the working gal author-0342f993d3a4dd174b82424b63d1aea3b73f052b98e1df69dbfeb1f8a5fac8dd.png","the working gal author",{"thumbnail":415},{"ext":222,"url":416,"etag":417,"hash":418,"mime":226,"name":419,"path":79,"size":420,"width":146,"height":146,"sizeInBytes":421},"https://assets.workingal.com/thumbnail_the_working_gal_author_0342f993d3a4dd174b82424b63d1aea3b73f052b98e1df69dbfeb1f8a5fac8dd.png","b9461d2a3487761391a49d227832c79e","thumbnail_the_working_gal_author_0342f993d3a4dd174b82424b63d1aea3b73f052b98e1df69dbfeb1f8a5fac8dd","thumbnail_the working gal author-0342f993d3a4dd174b82424b63d1aea3b73f052b98e1df69dbfeb1f8a5fac8dd.png",39.76,39762,"the_working_gal_author_0342f993d3a4dd174b82424b63d1aea3b73f052b98e1df69dbfeb1f8a5fac8dd",22.17,"https://assets.workingal.com/the_working_gal_author_0342f993d3a4dd174b82424b63d1aea3b73f052b98e1df69dbfeb1f8a5fac8dd.png","2026-09-06T10:31:19.590Z",{"id":427,"documentId":428,"title":429,"content":430,"slug":431,"coffees":158,"seo_title":429,"keywords":432,"seo_desc":433,"bylineDate":434,"bylineTimezone":69,"createdAt":435,"updatedAt":436,"publishedAt":437,"featuredImage":438,"category":477,"author":478,"img":475},214,"sjao0trkvvc3a762cip6neu5","Decision Fatigue: What Is It And How To Cope With It","\nDo you ever feel like your brain is overloaded? Like every decision, from what to eat for breakfast to which email to answer next, is a battle, and you end up **overthinking** without ending up in a concrete decision.\n\nThis could be decision fatigue. This phenomenon describes the mental drain caused by excessive decision-making—that can lead to brain fog.\n\nThe number of decisions we have to make day in and day out—whether they are as easy as picking a route home from work or what to make for dinner—can be exhausting and cause many of us to feel overwhelmed, anxious, or stressed.\n\n# What is Decision Fatigue\n\nDecision fatigue is the mental drain caused by **excessive decision-making**. If you compare your willpower to a muscle, the more decisions you make, the weaker this muscle gets, leading to poorer choices later. Decision fatigue affects big and small decisions, from what to wear to what career path to choose.\n\nOur ability to analyze options and make well-reasoned choices weakens in this exhausting state leading to poor decisions. This means that we become more susceptible to **impulsive decisions**, like grabbing unhealthy snacks from the grocery store or defaulting to familiar choices to avoid deciding properly. These can have consequences for our health, finances, and overall well-being.\n\nDecision fatigue is _“the idea that after making many decisions, your ability to make more and more decisions over the course of a day becomes worse,”_ said Dr. MacLean, a psychiatrist. _“The more decisions you have to make, the more fatigue you develop and the more difficult it can become.”_\n\nWhile decision fatigue is not a new **phenomenon**, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused life to become _“more complicated, and we have to make more and more decisions in an ever-increasing complex healthcare environment,”_ said Dr. MacLean.\n\n# What are the Causes\n\nThe constant barrage of choices in our daily lives depletes our **mental resources**. From what to eat for breakfast to responding to emails and choosing a restaurant, every decision uses up a bit of energy. Besides, **overwhelming** situations with too many options can overload our brains, making it harder to focus and choose effectively.\n\n# Decision Fatigue and Burnout\n\nDecision fatigue can be a major contributor to **burnout**, since it impacts our mental energy causing severe mental exchaustion. When faced with constant decision-making, especially in high-stress environments, individuals can become emotionally exhausted and negative. This can lead to decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, and difficulty managing challenges.\n\n\n![blog-900x550-_8_.webp](https://assets.workingal.com/blog_900x550_8_34a8e33431.webp)\n\n# Decision Fatigue and Paralysis\n\nDecision fatigue, the mental strain from excessive choices, can lead to a more debilitating cousin: decision paralysis. While decision fatigue drains your **willpower** to make good choices, decision paralysis freezes you altogether. You're hesitant to decide, fearing you'll pick the wrong one and deplete your remaining willpower.\n\nConsequently, you [end up overthinking](https://www.workingal.com/articles/why-are-you-overthinking) even simple choices. The analysis paralysis kicks in, trapping you in a cycle of weighing every option without ever taking action.\n\n# How to Cope With Decision Fatigue\n\nIf you are experiencing decision fatigue _(take the test below to find out)_, you are on the right track to dealing with it, keeping your mental energy in higher levels.\n\n## Simplify Your Choices\n\nReduce the number of decisions you face daily. Create [routines for meals](https://www.workingal.com/articles/5-tips-for-meal-prep), outfits, and even errands. This frees up mental space for important choices.\n\n## Batch Similar Decisions\n\nTackle similar decisions together. Schedule email response times or dedicate a block on your calendar to making phone calls. This minimizes the back-and-forth mental strain.\n\n## Delegate and Automate\n\nCan someone else make that decision? We bet they can. Delegate tasks or automate repetitive choices, like bill payments or grocery orders, and then you will free your mind of such decisions.\n\n## Prioritize away\n\nNot all choices are created equal and sometimes we tend to spend time and energy to not-so-important things. Identify the most important decisions and focus your energy on them. Let smaller choices slide—they probably won’t matter at the end of the day.\n\n## Schedule Decision-Making\n\nDon't let decisions linger. Allocate specific times for complex decisions and stick to them. Research shows that _“the best time to make decisions is in the morning,”_ said Dr. MacLean, emphasizing that “the morning is when we make the most accurate and thoughtful decisions, and we tend to be more cautious and meticulous.\n\n_“We hit a plateau in the afternoon, and by evening, our decisions may be more impulsive,”_ she added. _“So, definitely don’t make big decisions when you’re tired or hungry.”_\n\n## Embrace \"Good Enough\"\n\nDon't get caught in the **\"perfect choice\"** trap. Sometimes, a \"good enough\" decision is all you need. Perfectionism is the enemy of decision-making and rarely does it help.\n\n# Do you Suffer from Decision Fatigue?\n\nBy identifying the symptoms of decision fatigue, you can take steps to manage your decision-making and combat fatigue.\n\nThis is a quick quiz to estimate your potential for decision fatigue. Answer yes or no to each question. The more \"yes\" you answer to the questions, the higher your chance of experiencing decision fatigue.\n\n- Do you find yourself dreading small choices, like what to wear or eat for breakfast?\n- Are you more likely to procrastinate on decisions, even minor ones?\n- Do you feel easily overwhelmed by options, especially in stores or on menus?\n- Has your ability to focus and concentrate decreased lately?\n- Have you noticed yourself making more impulsive decisions lately?\n- Do you find yourself feeling irritable or frustrated more easily than usual?\n- Are you relying more on routines or defaults to avoid making decisions?\n- Do you have trouble saying no to requests, even when you're feeling overloaded?\n- Is it harder to complete tasks that require sustained decision-making?\n- Do you feel mentally exhausted by the end of the day, even if you haven't done anything physically strenuous?\n\nHowever, this test is just a **starting point**. Consider consulting a mental health professional if you're concerned about decision fatigue impacting your daily life and your\n\n### To write this article, we consulted:\n\n##### What doctors wish patients knew about decision fatigue | American Medical Association. \u003Chttps://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/what-doctors-wish-patients-knew-about-decision-fatigue?ref=dsebastien.net>\n\n##### What are the consequences of poor ergonomics in the workplace?. \u003Chttps://www.bliink.ai/knowledge/item/view/question/what-are-the-consequences-of-poor-ergonomics-in-the-workplace/>","decision-fatigue","have decision fatigue, reducing decision fatigue, decision fatigue how to overcome, decision fatigue help ","Do you suffer from decision fatigue? Maybe this article is for you. Check out the symptoms of decision fatigue, as well as a test to find out your decision fatigue state.","2024-06-21","2024-06-21T14:42:13.958Z","2025-02-22T20:06:49.381Z","2024-06-21T14:43:57.253Z",{"id":439,"documentId":440,"name":441,"alternativeText":442,"caption":443,"focalPoint":79,"width":80,"height":81,"formats":444,"hash":473,"ext":84,"mime":88,"size":474,"url":475,"previewUrl":79,"provider":123,"provider_metadata":79,"createdAt":476,"updatedAt":476,"publishedAt":476},123,"oqzy11ty81jydr9skvlawkyd","Decision fatigue-da9bb251ee6aa4b0941521f3b95d5f186ca22908bf6919757e6b1024394aeef5.webp","Hand with low level battery","Decision fatigue ",{"large":445,"small":452,"medium":459,"thumbnail":466},{"ext":84,"url":446,"etag":447,"hash":448,"mime":88,"name":449,"path":79,"size":450,"width":91,"height":92,"sizeInBytes":451},"https://assets.workingal.com/large_Decision_fatigue_da9bb251ee6aa4b0941521f3b95d5f186ca22908bf6919757e6b1024394aeef5.webp","1d7f1918953796c5ffddf3373bd2961d","large_Decision_fatigue_da9bb251ee6aa4b0941521f3b95d5f186ca22908bf6919757e6b1024394aeef5","large_Decision fatigue-da9bb251ee6aa4b0941521f3b95d5f186ca22908bf6919757e6b1024394aeef5.webp",27.62,27620,{"ext":84,"url":453,"etag":454,"hash":455,"mime":88,"name":456,"path":79,"size":457,"width":100,"height":101,"sizeInBytes":458},"https://assets.workingal.com/small_Decision_fatigue_da9bb251ee6aa4b0941521f3b95d5f186ca22908bf6919757e6b1024394aeef5.webp","0c53a2070b72a1d0e716072ec19ac767","small_Decision_fatigue_da9bb251ee6aa4b0941521f3b95d5f186ca22908bf6919757e6b1024394aeef5","small_Decision fatigue-da9bb251ee6aa4b0941521f3b95d5f186ca22908bf6919757e6b1024394aeef5.webp",12.05,12054,{"ext":84,"url":460,"etag":461,"hash":462,"mime":88,"name":463,"path":79,"size":464,"width":109,"height":110,"sizeInBytes":465},"https://assets.workingal.com/medium_Decision_fatigue_da9bb251ee6aa4b0941521f3b95d5f186ca22908bf6919757e6b1024394aeef5.webp","21b0a55601769032e40025850e0918e8","medium_Decision_fatigue_da9bb251ee6aa4b0941521f3b95d5f186ca22908bf6919757e6b1024394aeef5","medium_Decision fatigue-da9bb251ee6aa4b0941521f3b95d5f186ca22908bf6919757e6b1024394aeef5.webp",19.22,19216,{"ext":84,"url":467,"etag":468,"hash":469,"mime":88,"name":470,"path":79,"size":471,"width":118,"height":74,"sizeInBytes":472},"https://assets.workingal.com/thumbnail_Decision_fatigue_da9bb251ee6aa4b0941521f3b95d5f186ca22908bf6919757e6b1024394aeef5.webp","3857ca3ad4ad0952373b260e62279579","thumbnail_Decision_fatigue_da9bb251ee6aa4b0941521f3b95d5f186ca22908bf6919757e6b1024394aeef5","thumbnail_Decision fatigue-da9bb251ee6aa4b0941521f3b95d5f186ca22908bf6919757e6b1024394aeef5.webp",4.89,4892,"Decision_fatigue_da9bb251ee6aa4b0941521f3b95d5f186ca22908bf6919757e6b1024394aeef5",55.33,"https://assets.workingal.com/Decision_fatigue_da9bb251ee6aa4b0941521f3b95d5f186ca22908bf6919757e6b1024394aeef5.webp","2026-09-06T10:33:04.825Z",{"id":36,"documentId":37,"name":38,"slug":39,"createdAt":48,"updatedAt":48,"publishedAt":49},{"id":127,"documentId":128,"name":129,"slug":130,"instagram":79,"facebook":79,"bio":131,"linkedIn":79,"createdAt":132,"updatedAt":132,"publishedAt":133,"avatar":479},{"id":135,"documentId":136,"name":137,"alternativeText":77,"caption":77,"focalPoint":79,"width":138,"height":138,"formats":480,"hash":148,"ext":84,"mime":88,"size":149,"url":150,"previewUrl":79,"provider":123,"provider_metadata":79,"createdAt":151,"updatedAt":151,"publishedAt":151},{"thumbnail":481},{"ext":84,"url":141,"etag":142,"hash":143,"mime":88,"name":144,"path":79,"size":145,"width":146,"height":146,"sizeInBytes":147},{"id":483,"documentId":484,"title":485,"content":486,"slug":487,"coffees":26,"seo_title":485,"keywords":488,"seo_desc":489,"bylineDate":490,"bylineTimezone":69,"createdAt":491,"updatedAt":492,"publishedAt":493,"featuredImage":494,"category":533,"author":534,"img":531},208,"u1hghrcr7f0j89hzgqciioqt","Do You Suffer From Imposter Syndrome? Take Our Test and Find Out","Have you ever achieved something amazing, only to downplay your accomplishment or worry it was just a fluke? Do you compare yourself to others and feel like you come up short, even when you're successful? If these experiences sound familiar, you might be experiencing Imposter Syndrome.\n\n[Imposter Syndrome](https://www.workingal.com/articles/are-you-suffering-from-impostor-syndrome) is a psychological pattern in which individuals doubt their skills, talents, or accomplishments and have a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a \"fraud.\" However, it is not an official psychiatric diagnosis. People with imposter syndrome may struggle with other mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression, but an individual couldn’t be diagnosed as having imposter syndrome.\n\nAn interesting observation also is that Imposter syndrome was first reported in [high-achieving women in the 1970](https://www.paulineroseclance.com/pdf/ip_high_achieving_women.pdf)s. While imposter syndrome is still more prevalent among women, specifically women of color, men are also susceptible to developing this mindset.\n\nIt’s not always easy to spot the signs. Research shows that **about 25 to 30 percent of high achievers** could suffer from imposter syndrome, while 70 percent of adults may experience impostorism at least once in their lifetime. Thus, it’s more common than we think.\n\nIf you feel you may be a good candidate for impostor syndrome, take the following test and learn.\n\nThis self-assessment is designed to help you explore the feelings of impostorism. Keep in mind that there are no right or wrong answers, so be honest with yourself as you reflect on your recent experiences.\n\nThis test will give guidance on better understanding your feelings and then decide the strategies that can work for you to overcome self-doubt and be proud of your achievements!\n\n# The Test\n\nBelow you will find 20 statements, and for each one, you need to select the answer that best describes you. Then, you sum up the points and check the results.\n\n### Rarely (1 point)\n\n### Sometimes (2 points)\n\n### Often (3 points)\n\n### Almost always (4 points)\n\n1. I worry that I will be exposed as a fraud or that people will discover I'm not as competent as they think.\n2. I feel stressed before presentations or important meetings.\n3. I downplay my accomplishments or dismiss the compliments I receive.\n4. I have to work much harder than others to achieve the same results.\n5. I compare myself to others and often feel like I fall short.\n6. I find it difficult to accept praise or recognition for my work.\n7. I doubt my intelligence or abilities, even when I have evidence of success.\n8. I hesitate to take on new challenges for fear of failing.\n9. I struggle to accept positive feedback and often expect negative criticism instead.\n10. After completing a successful task, I experience relief rather than satisfaction.\n11. I downplay my contributions to team projects.\n\n![Woman seating in desk in front of a typewriter](https://assets.workingal.com/imposter_syndrome_test_244c36bb6d.webp) \n\n12. I attribute my successes to luck rather than my abilities.\n13. I downplay my knowledge or expertise, even in areas where I am qualified.\n14. I celebrate the achievements of others more readily than my own.\n15. I worry about being laid off or fired, even when there seems to be no reason for concern.\n16. I avoid taking on leadership roles or public speaking opportunities.\n17. I'm afraid to ask questions for fear of appearing incompetent.\n18. I'm constantly on the verge of being \"found out\" as a fake.\n19. I have a hard time believing in myself, even when others do.\n20. I feel like a fraud in my own career or field.\n\n# Results\n\n## 20-30 points: \nYou may experience occasional feelings associated with Imposter Syndrome, but they may not significantly impact your life.\n\n## 31-50 points:\nYou frequently experience feelings commonly associated with Imposter Syndrome. It might be beneficial to explore these feelings further and consider seeking strategies to manage them.\n\n## 51-80 points:\nImposter Syndrome could affect your self-esteem and potentially hinder your success.\n\nIn case you are struggling with **impostorism**, focus on your mental health condition and talk to a therapist that will help you understand the reasons of behind imposter syndrome and how to overcome it.\n\nNow that you know your score, read our [Strategic Guide on Reframing Impostor Syndrome](https://www.workingal.com/articles/how-to-deal-with-impostor-syndrome)\n\n","impostor-syndrome-test","impostor syndrome, imposter syndrome, impostor syndrome test, imposter test, phychology, test","Have you ever achieved something amazing, only to downplay your accomplishment or worry it was just a fluke? Do you compare yourself to others and feel like you come up short, even when you're successful? If these experiences sound familiar, you might be experiencing Imposter Syndrome.","2024-06-09","2024-06-08T22:19:10.691Z","2026-04-11T06:19:18.937Z","2024-06-08T22:26:48.157Z",{"id":495,"documentId":496,"name":497,"alternativeText":498,"caption":499,"focalPoint":79,"width":80,"height":81,"formats":500,"hash":529,"ext":84,"mime":88,"size":530,"url":531,"previewUrl":79,"provider":123,"provider_metadata":79,"createdAt":532,"updatedAt":532,"publishedAt":532},120,"zs5mzck03xcy6agsqq6u8mxa","impostor synderome test-9c0340eaaab91f75566367dc55cfe5b58290c55a5032c142f47db6df3d783ae2.webp","Woman in yellow tshirt wearing a mask","Impostor syndrome and a test to find it our",{"large":501,"small":508,"medium":515,"thumbnail":522},{"ext":84,"url":502,"etag":503,"hash":504,"mime":88,"name":505,"path":79,"size":506,"width":91,"height":92,"sizeInBytes":507},"https://assets.workingal.com/large_impostor_synderome_test_9c0340eaaab91f75566367dc55cfe5b58290c55a5032c142f47db6df3d783ae2.webp","1f2d3b353bdf06def3a12cffa067c662","large_impostor_synderome_test_9c0340eaaab91f75566367dc55cfe5b58290c55a5032c142f47db6df3d783ae2","large_impostor synderome test-9c0340eaaab91f75566367dc55cfe5b58290c55a5032c142f47db6df3d783ae2.webp",13.78,13782,{"ext":84,"url":509,"etag":510,"hash":511,"mime":88,"name":512,"path":79,"size":513,"width":100,"height":101,"sizeInBytes":514},"https://assets.workingal.com/small_impostor_synderome_test_9c0340eaaab91f75566367dc55cfe5b58290c55a5032c142f47db6df3d783ae2.webp","62a8fc085293fe60a5db5cba2d179715","small_impostor_synderome_test_9c0340eaaab91f75566367dc55cfe5b58290c55a5032c142f47db6df3d783ae2","small_impostor synderome test-9c0340eaaab91f75566367dc55cfe5b58290c55a5032c142f47db6df3d783ae2.webp",5.58,5578,{"ext":84,"url":516,"etag":517,"hash":518,"mime":88,"name":519,"path":79,"size":520,"width":109,"height":110,"sizeInBytes":521},"https://assets.workingal.com/medium_impostor_synderome_test_9c0340eaaab91f75566367dc55cfe5b58290c55a5032c142f47db6df3d783ae2.webp","d7672f1b105ddcd6550833381ae58ad1","medium_impostor_synderome_test_9c0340eaaab91f75566367dc55cfe5b58290c55a5032c142f47db6df3d783ae2","medium_impostor synderome test-9c0340eaaab91f75566367dc55cfe5b58290c55a5032c142f47db6df3d783ae2.webp",9.17,9168,{"ext":84,"url":523,"etag":524,"hash":525,"mime":88,"name":526,"path":79,"size":527,"width":118,"height":74,"sizeInBytes":528},"https://assets.workingal.com/thumbnail_impostor_synderome_test_9c0340eaaab91f75566367dc55cfe5b58290c55a5032c142f47db6df3d783ae2.webp","03f66657f59a85bf3eb8c428d435560b","thumbnail_impostor_synderome_test_9c0340eaaab91f75566367dc55cfe5b58290c55a5032c142f47db6df3d783ae2","thumbnail_impostor synderome test-9c0340eaaab91f75566367dc55cfe5b58290c55a5032c142f47db6df3d783ae2.webp",2.26,2264,"impostor_synderome_test_9c0340eaaab91f75566367dc55cfe5b58290c55a5032c142f47db6df3d783ae2",26.99,"https://assets.workingal.com/impostor_synderome_test_9c0340eaaab91f75566367dc55cfe5b58290c55a5032c142f47db6df3d783ae2.webp","2026-09-06T10:33:01.538Z",{"id":36,"documentId":37,"name":38,"slug":39,"createdAt":48,"updatedAt":48,"publishedAt":49},{"id":127,"documentId":128,"name":129,"slug":130,"instagram":79,"facebook":79,"bio":131,"linkedIn":79,"createdAt":132,"updatedAt":132,"publishedAt":133,"avatar":535},{"id":135,"documentId":136,"name":137,"alternativeText":77,"caption":77,"focalPoint":79,"width":138,"height":138,"formats":536,"hash":148,"ext":84,"mime":88,"size":149,"url":150,"previewUrl":79,"provider":123,"provider_metadata":79,"createdAt":151,"updatedAt":151,"publishedAt":151},{"thumbnail":537},{"ext":84,"url":141,"etag":142,"hash":143,"mime":88,"name":144,"path":79,"size":145,"width":146,"height":146,"sizeInBytes":147},{"id":539,"documentId":540,"title":541,"content":542,"slug":543,"coffees":26,"seo_title":541,"keywords":544,"seo_desc":545,"bylineDate":546,"bylineTimezone":69,"createdAt":547,"updatedAt":548,"publishedAt":549,"featuredImage":550,"category":587,"author":588,"img":585},200,"zxxnb2i9a2d80f6vt2xccwmn","The Habits of Successful Women (That No One Talks About)","Everyone loves a good success story. The entrepreneur who built a company from her kitchen table. The executive who shattered the glass ceiling. The creative who turned her side project into a six-figure business.\n\nWe read about these women, marvel at their achievements, and wonder what they know that we don't. What are they doing differently? What secret habits do they have that the rest of us are missing?\n\nHere's the interesting thing: successful women don't actually have secret habits. They just have different priorities, [different boundaries](https://www.workingal.com/articles/how-to-set-and-preserve-boundaries), and different relationships with things like fear, [failure](https://www.workingal.com/articles/the-art-of-failure-how-to-turn-mistakes-into-actual-success), and what \"success\" even means in the first place.\n\nAfter observing patterns across entrepreneurs, executives, creatives, and professionals who've built the careers and lives they want, here's what actually sets them apart. Not the [Instagram-worthy morning routines](https://www.workingal.com/articles/influencer-morning-routine) or the productivity hacks that sound impressive but nobody actually maintains. The real stuff. The habits that matter.\n\n## They Treat Goals Like Projects, Not Wishes\n\nThere's a difference between wanting something and building a roadmap to get it.\n\nMost people set goals the way they make [New Year's resolutions](https://www.workingal.com/articles/new-years-resolutions-have-you-made-yours): vague, aspirational, emotionally charged in the moment but disconnected from reality. \"I want to get promoted.\" \"I want to start a business.\" \"I want to be healthier.\"\n\nSuccessful women approach goals like project managers approach deliverables. They reverse-engineer the outcome.\n\nIf the goal is to get promoted to senior manager by the end of the year, they ask: What does someone in that role actually do? What skills do they demonstrate? What relationships have they built? What projects have they led? Then they work backward from that endpoint, identifying the specific milestones that need to happen between now and then.\n\nThis looks less like \"I want a promotion\" and more like:\n\nQ1: Take on [leadership](https://www.workingal.com/articles/miranda-priestly-management-style) of the cross-functional project Sarah mentioned. Volunteer to present at the all-hands meeting. Schedule coffee with the VP to understand her priorities.\n\nQ2: Deliver that project ahead of schedule. Document the results. Request feedback from three people whose opinions my manager values.\n\nQ3: Apply the feedback. Identify and solve a problem before being asked. Start mentoring junior team members.\n\nQ4: Make the case for promotion with concrete evidence of senior-level work.\n\nThe goal becomes a series of actions, not a hope floating somewhere in the future.\n\nHere's the other thing: successful women share their goals strategically. Not with everyone—oversharing dilutes focus and invites unhelpful opinions. But with specific people who can support, advise, or hold them accountable.\n\nThey tell their manager what they're working toward so there's no confusion about ambition. They tell their mentor so there's someone asking \"How's that project going?\" in three months. They tell their partner or close friend, so someone notices when they're avoiding the uncomfortable work that goals require.\n\nThe goal stops being theoretical and becomes real because other people know about it.\n\n## They're Obsessed with Learning, Not Credentials\n\nWalk into a successful woman's home, and you'll likely find books. Lots of them. Some read, some half-read with dog-eared pages marking ideas worth returning to. You'll find podcast apps with dozens of saved episodes. [Notes apps and tools](https://www.workingal.com/articles/best-ai-productivity-tools) full of observations from conferences, conversations, and random Tuesday afternoon realizations.\n\n![blog 900x550 (4).webp](https://assets.workingal.com/blog_900x550_4_142360d257.webp)\n\nBut here's what you won't necessarily find: a wall of framed degrees and certificates.\n\nSuccessful women understand the difference between collecting credentials and [actually learning](https://www.workingal.com/articles/what-is-the-best-investment-you-can-make). Credentials signal competence to others. Learning builds actual competence. Both matter, but they're not the same thing.\n\nThe woman who gets promoted repeatedly isn't necessarily the one with the most impressive educational pedigree. She's the one who learns something new from every project, every mistake, every [difficult colleague](https://www.workingal.com/articles/5-toxic-phrases-used-by-colleagues-with-a-huge-ego). She's the one who asks questions that everyone else is too proud or too scared to ask. She's the one who reads the post-mortem analysis of projects that failed and thinks \"That's useful\" instead of \"Thank god that wasn't me.\"\n\nThis shows up in small ways:\n\nWhen a project doesn't go as planned, she doesn't just move on—she sits with the discomfort long enough to extract the lesson. What would she do differently? What did she miss? What does she know now that she didn't know then?\n\nWhen someone [gives her feedback that stings](https://www.workingal.com/articles/criticism-at-the-workplace-can-you-handle-it), she doesn't immediately defend herself. She gets curious. Even if the delivery was terrible, even if the person giving it has their own issues, is there a kernel of truth worth examining?\n\nWhen she doesn't know how to do something, she doesn't pretend or deflect. She says, \"I haven't done that before, but here's how I'd approach learning it,\" and then actually does the work to learn it.\n\nLearning becomes a reflex, not an event. It's not something she does when she [signs up for a course](https://www.workingal.com/articles/5-free-coursera-courses-to-boost-your-career). It's something she does constantly, in the gaps between everything else.\n\n## They Make Peace with Fear (But Do the Thing Anyway)\n\nHere's what doesn't happen: successful women wake up one day and suddenly stop being afraid of failure, rejection, [judgment](https://www.workingal.com/articles/stop-being-judgy), or looking stupid.\n\nHere's what does happen: they stop waiting for the fear to go away before they act.\n\nThe woman who pitched her idea to senior leadership was terrified. The woman who asked for the promotion was anxious for three days before the conversation. The woman who quit her corporate job to start her business had moments of sheer panic at 2 AM wondering if she'd made a catastrophic mistake.\n\nThe difference isn't that [successful women don't feel fear](https://www.workingal.com/articles/why-change-can-feel-so-daunting). It's that they've stopped treating fear as a sign that they shouldn't do the thing. They've reframed it as confirmation that the thing matters.\n\nIf a conversation doesn't scare you at all, it's probably not important enough to move your career forward. If a decision doesn't make you at least a little nervous, it's probably not ambitious enough. Fear is data, not a verdict.\n\nSo they develop a different relationship with discomfort. They notice it, acknowledge it, and then ask: \"What's the worst that actually happens if this goes badly?\"\n\nUsually, the honest answer is not catastrophic. It's embarrassing, maybe. Disappointing. Uncomfortable. But not actually life-ruining.\n\nThe presentation might bomb. She'll survive.\n\nThe project might fail. She'll learn from it.\n\nThe promotion request might get denied. She'll ask what skills she needs to develop and try again in six months.\n\nOnce fear stops being the monster under the bed and becomes just one factor in the decision-making process, everything changes. The fear doesn't disappear, but it stops being the decision-maker.\n\n## They're Ruthless About Who Gets Access to Their Energy\n\nSuccessful women have something that everyone wants: their time, their attention, their endorsement, their help.\n\nEarly in their careers, many try to say yes to everything. Mentoring anyone who asks. Attending every [networking event](https://www.workingal.com/articles/7-minute-rule-networking). Responding to every email. Helping every colleague with every project. Saying yes feels generous, collaborative, like being a good team player.\n\nThen they burn out and realize: not all requests deserve yes. Some relationships drain more than they give. Some people take advantage of kindness. Some opportunities are disguised distractions.\n\nSo they get selective. Strategically, unapologetically selective.\n\nThey invest deeply in relationships that are reciprocal—where energy flows both ways, where both people show up, where the connection actually enriches both lives. They let surface-level networking contacts fade rather than maintaining them out of obligation.\n\nThey say no to requests that don't align with their goals, even when the person asking seems disappointed. They stop attending events just because they \"should.\" They unsubscribe from group chats that feel like work. They stop responding to people who only reach out when they need something.\n\nThis isn't coldness. It's boundaries. And boundaries are the only way to protect the energy required for the work that actually matters.\n\nThe same ruthlessness applies to their inner circle. Successful women don't just collect supporters—they curate them. They surround themselves with people who:\n\n![blog 900x550 (5).webp](https://assets.workingal.com/blog_900x550_5_b1d92e6e02.webp)\n\n* [Challenge them](https://www.workingal.com/articles/real-stories-my-biggest-challenge-at-work) when they're settling for less than they're capable of  \n* Celebrate wins without making it weird or competitive  \n* Tell the truth even when it's uncomfortable  \n* Show up during the unglamorous middle parts of big projects, not just the launch party\n\nThey don't [keep friendships alive](https://www.workingal.com/articles/10-red-flags-that-your-friendship-is-over) out of history if those friendships no longer serve anyone. They don't stay in professional relationships that feel transactional. They don't give their limited energy to people who don't reciprocate respect.\n\nIt sounds harsh when written out like this. In practice, it just looks like someone who knows what matters and doesn't apologize for protecting it.\n\n## They Practice Gratitude Without Making It a Performance\n\n[Gratitude gets a lot of airtime in success circles](https://www.workingal.com/articles/gratitude-trend), often in ways that feel forced or performative. Daily gratitude journals. Gratitude meditation apps. Posts about being \"\\#blessed.\"\n\nSuccessful women practice gratitude, but not like that.\n\nIt's less about listing three things they're thankful for before bed and more about a fundamental shift in how they see their lives. They've trained themselves to notice what's working instead of only seeing what's broken.\n\nThis doesn't mean [toxic positivity](https://www.workingal.com/articles/toxic-positivity-when-positive-thinking-becomes-too-much) or pretending problems don't exist. A terrible meeting is still terrible. A disappointing outcome is still disappointing. But they've developed the muscle of also noticing: the colleague who covered for them when they were sick. The client who sent an unsolicited compliment. The partner who brought coffee without being asked.\n\nThey notice these things in the moment, not just during a designated gratitude practice. And noticing changes the experience of the day itself.\n\nThe practical effect of this: they don't catastrophize as easily. When something goes wrong, they don't spiral into \"everything is terrible, and nothing works.\" They hold the disappointment alongside the awareness that other things are simultaneously going well. Both can be true.\n\nThis also shows up in how they talk about their careers. Ask someone without this habit how work is going, and you'll often get a list of frustrations. Ask a successful woman the same question, and she'll probably mention a challenge, but she'll also mention something that's working. A project she's excited about. A team member who exceeded expectations. Progress on something difficult.\n\nIt's not spin. It's perspective. And perspective is the difference between seeing your career as a series of problems to survive and seeing it as a body of work you're building.\n\n## They Redefine \"Balance\" to Mean Integration, Not Separation\n\nThe work-life balance advice most women receive is essentially: do everything, just better. Work full-time. Be present for your family. Exercise. [Cook healthy meals](https://www.workingal.com/articles/10-one-pot-dinners-you-need-for-your-busy-weekdays). Maintain friendships. Pursue hobbies. [Keep your home organized](https://www.workingal.com/articles/messy-home-psychology). Oh, and don't forget self-care\\!\n\nSuccessful women reject this framework entirely. They don't try to achieve perfect balance across all domains every single day. They know that's a recipe for constant failure.\n\nInstead, they think in seasons and cycles. Some months, work demands more, and other areas of life get maintenance-level attention. Some periods require intense focus on family. Some seasons are for personal projects. None of this is failure—it's just being strategic about where energy goes and when.\n\nThey also blur the lines between \"work\" and \"life\" in intentional ways. Not by letting work invade every moment, but by structuring their lives so the boundaries serve them.\n\nMaybe they take their laptop to their kid's soccer practice and answer emails during halftime because that means they can leave work at 4 PM to be there. Maybe they schedule walking meetings because the movement helps them think, and they'd exercise anyway. Maybe they involve their partner in career decisions because that relationship is integral to both domains.\n\nThe key: they design their own version of integration based on what actually works for their life, not what looks balanced from the outside.\n\nThey're also unapologetic about what they don't do. They don't try to excel at everything. They identify what matters most right now and let other things be mediocre or outsourced or eliminated entirely.\n\nHome-cooked meals every night? Maybe not. Meal delivery exists.\n\nResponding to every email within an hour? Nope. That's what out-of-office replies and work hours are for.\n\nAttending every social event they're invited to? Hard no. Protecting their energy is more important than appearing sociable.\n\nPerfect house? Not unless having a perfect house genuinely brings joy, in which case it's worth the time.\n\nThey make deliberate choices about what gets their best effort and what gets their \"good enough,\" and they don't feel guilty about the distinction.\n\n## The Habit Behind the Habits: They Define Success for Themselves\n\nHere's the uncomfortable truth about all of this: none of these habits matter if you're pursuing someone else's definition of success.\n\nSuccessful women—genuinely successful ones, not just professionally credentialed or financially comfortable but deeply unfulfilled ones—have done the hard work of figuring out what success actually means to them.\n\nNot what it means to their parents. Not what it looks like on Instagram. Not what their industry says it should be. What it means to them specifically, based on their values, their personality, their non-negotiables, their version of a life well-lived.\n\nFor some women, success is [senior leadership](https://www.workingal.com/articles/the-most-effective-leadership-books-you-will-ever-read) and the influence that comes with it. For others, it's building a business that funds the life they want. For others, it's mastering a craft. For others, it's flexibility and autonomy, even if it means less money or prestige.\n\nNone of these is more legitimate than the others. The only illegitimate version of success is the one you're pursuing because you think you're supposed to, not because it actually aligns with how you want to spend your one finite life.\n\nSuccessful women have interrogated this deeply. They've asked themselves the uncomfortable questions: What do I actually want, separate from what would impress other people? What would I do if no one would ever know about it? What does my ideal average Tuesday look like five years from now?\n\nAnd then—this is the crucial part—they've structured their habits, their careers, and their lives around that vision, even when it disappoints people who expected something different.\n\nThat's the real habit. Everything else flows from that.\n\n## What This Actually Looks Like in Practice\n\nThese habits don't announce themselves. A successful woman doesn't walk around proclaiming \"I'm now practicing gratitude\" or \"I'm embracing fear.\"\n\nIn practice, it just looks like:\n\nSomeone who knows what she's working toward and takes consistent action toward it, even when progress is slow and unglamorous.\n\nSomeone who spends her commute listening to industry [podcasts](https://www.youtube.com/@theworkingal) instead of scrolling social media because learning compounds over time.\n\nSomeone who has the difficult conversation, even though her hands shake while doing it.\n\nSomeone who says \"I can't take that on right now\" without offering three paragraphs of justification.\n\nSomeone who texts her friend \"I'm proud of you\" when the friend achieves something, not because it's a gratitude practice but because she genuinely is.\n\nSomeone whose calendar blocks include time for focused work, family dinners, and absolutely nothing, because rest is work too.\n\nSomeone who reviews her goals quarterly and adjusts them based on what she's learned, not what she originally thought would happen.\n\nIt looks unremarkable from the outside. That's the point. Sustainable habits aren't dramatic. They're just repeated choices that compound over years into a career and life that actually work.\n\n## Where to Start If You're Not There Yet\n\nIf you're reading this and feeling like you're not doing any of these things, here's the good news: you don't have to do all of them at once. Successful women didn't wake up one day with all these habits fully formed. They built them incrementally.\n\nStart with one. Just one.\n\nMaybe it's treating your next goal like a project with actual milestones instead of a wish. Maybe it's identifying one person whose access to your energy needs to be restricted. Maybe it's asking yourself what you'd be doing if you weren't trying to impress anyone.\n\nPick the one that resonates most or makes you most uncomfortable (those are often the same thing). Work on that until it starts feeling natural. Then add another.\n\nThe timeline doesn't matter. Whether it takes six months or three years to develop these habits is irrelevant if you're building toward a version of success that's actually yours.\n\nThe women who've built careers and lives they're genuinely proud of didn't rush this process. They just stayed consistent with it longer than most people do.\n\nThat's the real habit no one talks about: staying in the arena long enough for compound effort to work its magic, even when progress feels invisible, even when other people move faster, even when it would be easier to settle for someone else's version of good enough.\n\nYou don't need to be exceptional at these habits. You just need to be consistent with them. The rest takes care of itself.\n\n","habits-of-successful-women","habits of successful women, career success habits, successful women routines, professional women habits, how to be successful, productivity habits, success mindset","Discover the real habits that separate successful women from the rest. Not generic advice—actual practices used by women who've built careers, businesses, and lives they love.","2024-04-21","2024-04-21T19:39:10.221Z","2025-12-21T00:44:23.663Z","2024-04-21T19:56:21.812Z",{"id":551,"documentId":552,"name":553,"alternativeText":77,"caption":77,"focalPoint":79,"width":80,"height":81,"formats":554,"hash":583,"ext":84,"mime":88,"size":584,"url":585,"previewUrl":79,"provider":123,"provider_metadata":79,"createdAt":586,"updatedAt":586,"publishedAt":586},116,"l06qe4r9hamcfyth1a3kyqz8","Blog 1600x900 -5--f44bbc19b59090ceaefc995d33524c33cbb1618da06cdff82047e55ecc649912.webp",{"large":555,"small":562,"medium":569,"thumbnail":576},{"ext":84,"url":556,"etag":557,"hash":558,"mime":88,"name":559,"path":79,"size":560,"width":91,"height":92,"sizeInBytes":561},"https://assets.workingal.com/large_Blog_1600x900_5_f44bbc19b59090ceaefc995d33524c33cbb1618da06cdff82047e55ecc649912.webp","a3fdaab6156466a4466d0929f8243ba7","large_Blog_1600x900_5_f44bbc19b59090ceaefc995d33524c33cbb1618da06cdff82047e55ecc649912","large_Blog 1600x900 -5--f44bbc19b59090ceaefc995d33524c33cbb1618da06cdff82047e55ecc649912.webp",28.97,28974,{"ext":84,"url":563,"etag":564,"hash":565,"mime":88,"name":566,"path":79,"size":567,"width":100,"height":101,"sizeInBytes":568},"https://assets.workingal.com/small_Blog_1600x900_5_f44bbc19b59090ceaefc995d33524c33cbb1618da06cdff82047e55ecc649912.webp","4589b60d9be9b040e6707aafc0118343","small_Blog_1600x900_5_f44bbc19b59090ceaefc995d33524c33cbb1618da06cdff82047e55ecc649912","small_Blog 1600x900 -5--f44bbc19b59090ceaefc995d33524c33cbb1618da06cdff82047e55ecc649912.webp",11.73,11734,{"ext":84,"url":570,"etag":571,"hash":572,"mime":88,"name":573,"path":79,"size":574,"width":109,"height":110,"sizeInBytes":575},"https://assets.workingal.com/medium_Blog_1600x900_5_f44bbc19b59090ceaefc995d33524c33cbb1618da06cdff82047e55ecc649912.webp","3d2a45e3f8293e9947e19f7be708218d","medium_Blog_1600x900_5_f44bbc19b59090ceaefc995d33524c33cbb1618da06cdff82047e55ecc649912","medium_Blog 1600x900 -5--f44bbc19b59090ceaefc995d33524c33cbb1618da06cdff82047e55ecc649912.webp",19.88,19878,{"ext":84,"url":577,"etag":578,"hash":579,"mime":88,"name":580,"path":79,"size":581,"width":118,"height":74,"sizeInBytes":582},"https://assets.workingal.com/thumbnail_Blog_1600x900_5_f44bbc19b59090ceaefc995d33524c33cbb1618da06cdff82047e55ecc649912.webp","1177cad8cdd35428d57d867371c622b8","thumbnail_Blog_1600x900_5_f44bbc19b59090ceaefc995d33524c33cbb1618da06cdff82047e55ecc649912","thumbnail_Blog 1600x900 -5--f44bbc19b59090ceaefc995d33524c33cbb1618da06cdff82047e55ecc649912.webp",4.58,4582,"Blog_1600x900_5_f44bbc19b59090ceaefc995d33524c33cbb1618da06cdff82047e55ecc649912",55.44,"https://assets.workingal.com/Blog_1600x900_5_f44bbc19b59090ceaefc995d33524c33cbb1618da06cdff82047e55ecc649912.webp","2026-09-06T10:32:58.107Z",{"id":36,"documentId":37,"name":38,"slug":39,"createdAt":48,"updatedAt":48,"publishedAt":49},{"id":589,"documentId":590,"name":591,"slug":592,"instagram":79,"facebook":79,"bio":593,"linkedIn":79,"createdAt":594,"updatedAt":594,"publishedAt":595,"avatar":596},26,"o04be84r6qe80zkm7zy6xpgu","Chiara ","chiara","Food, drinks and pop art are her gigs. If it’s trending, visually arresting, or tastes like summer in Italy, she’s already covering it. From late-night gallery openings to the secret menus you need to know about, Chiara captures the lifestyle that most people only double-tap on.","2026-09-06T10:31:25.477Z","2026-09-06T10:31:25.499Z",{"id":597,"documentId":598,"name":599,"alternativeText":600,"caption":600,"focalPoint":79,"width":138,"height":138,"formats":601,"hash":610,"ext":603,"mime":607,"size":611,"url":612,"previewUrl":79,"provider":123,"provider_metadata":79,"createdAt":613,"updatedAt":613,"publishedAt":613},13,"mzrligapcbqqgo57pbzn5z69","Chiara-857942c0a6cd986597cd67b034ab73d7912c7f254d0b21d885381f1d21a2acae.jpg","chiara the working gal",{"thumbnail":602},{"ext":603,"url":604,"etag":605,"hash":606,"mime":607,"name":608,"path":79,"size":149,"width":146,"height":146,"sizeInBytes":609},".jpg","https://assets.workingal.com/thumbnail_Chiara_857942c0a6cd986597cd67b034ab73d7912c7f254d0b21d885381f1d21a2acae.jpg","4b42ca6e75fd00cea3f5a78268bacf12","thumbnail_Chiara_857942c0a6cd986597cd67b034ab73d7912c7f254d0b21d885381f1d21a2acae","image/jpeg","thumbnail_Chiara-857942c0a6cd986597cd67b034ab73d7912c7f254d0b21d885381f1d21a2acae.jpg",8355,"Chiara_857942c0a6cd986597cd67b034ab73d7912c7f254d0b21d885381f1d21a2acae",17.9,"https://assets.workingal.com/Chiara_857942c0a6cd986597cd67b034ab73d7912c7f254d0b21d885381f1d21a2acae.jpg","2026-09-06T10:31:25.316Z",{"id":615,"documentId":616,"title":617,"content":618,"slug":619,"coffees":26,"seo_title":617,"keywords":620,"seo_desc":621,"bylineDate":622,"bylineTimezone":69,"createdAt":623,"updatedAt":624,"publishedAt":625,"featuredImage":626,"category":663,"author":664,"img":661},196,"q32wnotya1fw36z5mg025lss","How To Simplify Your Life And Feel Better And More Focused","Even though the fast pace of our busy everyday life is overwhelming and can be challenging from time to time (or every time), less is more is one of our strongest mottos here at The Working Gal.\n\nTherefore, between juggling work, personal commitments, and the constant barrage of information, a simpler life is the solution to this overwhelming state. \n\nThe movement for embracing a more simple life is not something new. Minimal is the new black and has been evolving since it was invented. \n\nHowever, this \"simplification\" is not just not [buying a lot](https://www.workingal.com/articles/is-no-buy-challenge-the-solution-to-saving-money); it’s more than our purchasing power, and it usually involves all aspects of our lives.\n\n## Benefits of Simplifying Your Life\nMaking your life simpler can lead to a more carefree and less stressful life.\nTherefore, simplifying your life can increase your productivity levels and boost your focus on important things. A simple life:\n\n### A Simple Life Reduces Stress and Anxiety\nSimplifying your life can create a sense of calm and control, reducing stress and anxiety. Studies have shown a correlation between clutter and higher cortisol levels, the stress hormone. According to Psychology Today, clutter, of any form, is responsible for lessening our ability to focus, limiting our brain’s capacity to process information. That means that the more complicated your life is, the less you focus and the more you get stressed. \n\n### A Simple Life Gives You More Time and Freedom\nYou can free up valuable time and energy by eliminating unnecessary commitments and streamlining your routines. This newfound freedom allows you to pursue your passions, spend time with loved ones, or simply relax and recharge. A study from the [American Psychological Association](https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/psp-pspp0000391.pdf) found that people who **prioritize** fewer goals report having more free time for leisure activities and, therefore more quality time that is beneficial to their overall well-being.\n\n### A Simple Life Improves Your Financial Health\nLiving a simple life, can lead to improved [finances](https://www.workingal.com/articles/tight-budget-savings) since you spend less money and mainly on the important things and, at the same time, you can save money for future plans, goals, or an [amazing trip](https://www.workingal.com/articles/5-must-visit-places-for-women-solo-travelers) that you would like to organize. Research showed that individuals who practice mindful spending tend to have higher levels of financial well-being.\n\n![6.webp](https://assets.workingal.com/6_ed29404d75.webp)\n\n### A Simple Life Improves Our Relationships With Others\nWhen you simplify your life, you free up your time, therefore, you can invest more energy into meaningful relationships with your loved ones and build deeper connections and a stronger sense of belonging. Sociologists around the world would tell you how important are our social connections for our overall well-being and happiness. Think about how full and accomplished you feel after sometime with your friends and family.\n\n## Simplifying Your Life: The Method\nThe path to simplifying our lives, given the attention span of our society, need some time an focus. It can’t be done within a day but if you are consistent and start with small steps, then your will be amazed how awesome the results can be.\n\n## Follow the tips below and see your life changing for the better!\n\n### Declutter Your Space \nClutter, both physical and mental, can be a major source of **stress** and anxiety. In order to be able to start simplifying things, start by decluttering your physical space. This can mean tossing things you no longer need, organizing your belongings, and simplifying your **living space**. Are you sure you need 5 lamps in your living room, or 2 would work equally well? Don’t forget to declutter your home and work office. Those colorful sticky notes are good, but to be honest, how much time do you spend away from your laptop?\n\n### Limit Your Commitments\nOne of the biggest pitfalls we can fall into is to keep a balanced life and be pleasant to everyone. This attitude may sound tempting and makes us feel like supergirls but in reality, it’s a pile full of stress and unnecessary [decision fatigue](https://www.workingal.com/articles/decision-fatigue). For this reason, say no to activities and commitments that are not essential or that do not bring you joy. It’s ok if you skip the colleagues dinner once and decide not to attend this gallery opening when you feel completely wiped out when you get back from work. Focus on the activities that are most important to you and prioritize them according to your [mood](https://www.workingal.com/articles/laughter-good-mood), your energy levels and your schedule.\n\n### Streamline Your Schedule\nTalking about the schedule, lately, there is a myth that if you have a busy calendar then you are productive. This myth can be an extreme **burden** in your life and it doesn’t always match the desired productivity levels. Stop overbooking your schedule and save time for rest and relaxation at least 3 times a week. Try to streamline your schedule by grouping similar activities together or [delegating tasks](https://www.workingal.com/articles/strategic-productivity-how-to-work-smart-not-hard) to others, either at work or at home.\n \n### Reduce Screen Time\nWe are sure that your Instagram feed is amazing and that TikTok is an indefinite source of new trends and fun videos, but all these distractions can severely make your life more complicated. When it’s not necessary (aka at work or when you are with your loved ones) minimize the time you spend on your phone or iPad. A cool technique that actually works is setting a daily limit for the use of social media to a specific duration per day. Or, if you feel it, try a [digital detox](https://www.workingal.com/articles/digital-detox) for a while. \n\n![7.webp](https://assets.workingal.com/7_bc48062591.webp)\n\n### Simplify Your Wardrobe \nOur closet can be our paradise or our hell if we are not careful with it. As human beings, it is statistically proven that the more options we have, the more difficult it is for us to make a decision. That said, having 3 **pairs of jeans** in the exact same color can only bring stress to you. In order to declutter your closet, donate clothes you no longer wear, that do not fit properly or you have since high school (!). Stick to a basic wardrobe that is versatile and easy to mix and match.\n\n### Simplify Your Finances\nAs we mentioned above, your finances should be as simple as they can be in order to not be a source of stress for you. By [creating a budget](https://www.workingal.com/articles/how-to-manage-your-finances-as-a-freelancer), automating bill payments, and reducing unnecessary **expenses** you will take your finances to the next level and you will feel better and more organized. Also, if you are struggling with a **loan**, think about seeking advice from a professional on how to consolidate debt.\n\n### Simplify Your Relationships\nWhether you are a party animal or a couch potato, your relationships with your people are important. However, it is important to keep in mind that the people who should be around you should make your life simple. Reflect on the people you spend time with and evaluate whether they create unnecessary **drama** or whether they support you and value you. Do the same with your colleagues. Then, remove them from your life or keep them at a distance. Toxic relationships are a source of stress and are for sure not a sign of a simple and **balanced** life. \n\nA simpler life isn't about **depriving** yourself or chasing a minimalist dream. A simple life is mainly identifying what truly matters in your life, what are your goals and priorities and then making a life that aligns with your values and aspirations. \n\nBy making your life simpler you can open a path towards greater balance, focus, and fulfillment. However, it’s worth mentioning that simplification is an **ongoing** process, not a final goal to be achieved. As your priorities evolve, so too can your approach to living a simpler life and focus on what truly matters.","how-to-simplify-your-life-and-feel-better","simple life, declutter, declutter your life, simplify your life, clutter, budget, simplicity","A simple life is a balanced and fulfilled life. By decluttering our mental and physical space, we engage in a quality life with less stress and more focus. 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