INPUT ARTICLE: Article: You've probably noticed a time or two when you've just been so busy, you haven't had time to even think. Well, outlets and hobbies can do that, too. Your mind gets so wrapped in what you're doing that the negative emotions kind of fall by the wayside. And to top it off, you develop a skill. This skill can make you feel more proud of yourself, content, and masterful. Did we mention yet that doing a thing you enjoy releases endorphins, making you feel happier, too? All the more reason to pick up that hobby you've been meaning to – whether it's painting, cooking, blogging, soccer, martial arts, or photography, just to name a few. Even with all this positive self-talk and new hobbies you're picking up, negative emotions are bound to seep through the occasional crack or two. When that happens, some find that it's helpful to write them down. Here are a few ways to write them down and then make sure they never return:  Write them on a piece of paper and then burn it. Sounds cliché, but it can be effective. And, if you'd like, take the ashes and scatter them in the wind. Buy window crayons and use them in the shower. The color runs off in the water. As you're washing yourself, you write down what's getting at you and the words disappear in the stream. You might need to do a little scrubbing after, but it's worth it. Invest in a product like a Buddha board. This is an easel that stands on top of a trough of water. You dip your paintbrush in the water, paint on the easel, and slowly the strokes evaporate. It's not easy to change your thinking. You've been working on it for years. But you can change how you respond to these thoughts and feelings. In other words, you can relate to yourself better and show a little sympathy. It's not holding it all in that makes you strong; it's letting go. Feeling like you're weak, sad, and vulnerable is just another judgment you're passing on yourself. What's the point of that? Realize that you're human and give yourself some credit. You deserve it. All of us have negative emotions that not only are we not proud of, but that we wish would just go away. In fact, 21 million children and adults get diagnosed with depression each year. What's more, depression is the leading cause of disability in those between the ages of 15 and 44. If negative thoughts are something that you just can't seem to get a grip on and that are taking a toll on your everyday life, it's wise to seek out help. Therapy may just be what you need. And remember: it's not that you're sick or need help – it's that you're looking to get better.

SUMMARY: Find an outlet. Write your negative emotions down. Practice self-compassion. Know you're not alone.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Place your record on your turntable and turn it on. While the record spins, lightly hold the brush on the surface of your record to sweep away any impurities and static build-up. Keep your brush on your record for 1-3 spins, then angle your brush at the edge of your record and slowly remove it.  Most record brushes have 2 rows of bristles, 1 to sweep of the dust, and 1 to remove static. Be sure to clean your brush after each use. That way, you do not spread debris to and from your cleaning brush. While this will not erase scratches, it will help your turntable pick up as many grooves in your record as possible, helpful to avoid skipping parts of the song. Visit a music store or search online to find a kit. Most come with a liquid cleaning solution, directional brush, and smaller brush used to clean the directional brush. Then, follow the specific directions outlined in your kit’s instructions to clean away surface debris. Your directions will likely have you apply the cleaning solution, then use the brush to sweep away extra dirt. Combine ¼ cup of 90-99% isopropyl alcohol, ¾ cup of distilled water, and 1 or 2 drops of dishwasher fluid in a spray bottle. Place your record on a microfiber cloth, and spray the solution on your record. Wait 30 seconds to let the liquid fill the grooves, and wipe away the liquid with another microfiber cloth. Then, soak another microfiber cloth in distilled water, and wipe off both sides of your record.  This will remove fingerprints and grime that a record cleaning brush cannot pick up. Avoid spraying the label of your record. You can repeat the process for both sides of your record to thoroughly clean away dirt and dust. Locate the scratches of your record, and angle 1 wooden toothpick at the scratch. Apply a little pressure, and rub back and forth on the scratch. Do this for any and all scratches on your vinyl. Rubbing the scratch with a toothpick helps get into the small cracks and lift up stubborn debris.  Take your time when cleaning with a toothpick and be careful not to scratch other areas of your record. This may not fix the scratch, but it can help remove any surface debris from your vinyl.

SUMMARY: Use a dry vinyl brush to remove surface dirt and dust. Purchase a record cleaning kit to use professional cleaning products. Make your own cleaning solution to deep clean on a budget. Rub a toothpick back and forth over the scratches with soft pressure.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: It can be hard to really saturate thick, tangled, or curly hair with the mask. You could mist your hair with a spray bottle or simply run water from the faucet or shower over your hair for 15 to 30 seconds. You can gently brush through it afterward or let the mask itself do the detangling for you. If your hair is straight and easy to comb through, there’s no need to get your hair wet first. so you can evenly apply the mask. Gather the top 1/3 of your hair on top of your head with a hair clip. Gather the middle section of hair and secure it with another hair clip. Leave the bottom 1/3 of your hair down—this will be the first layer you apply the mask to. If you have really thick hair, you may even want to separate your hair into 4 or 5 layers. Dip your fingers into the mask and scoop out a small amount, about 1⁄2 tablespoon (7.4 mL) or so. Start applying the mask at your roots and work your way down through the middle shafts, all the way to the ends of your hair. Massage the oil into your scalp. Do the bottom section of hair first, then the middle section, and end with the top section of hair.  This can get a little messy, so put a towel around your shoulders or wear an old T-shirt. If needed, you could even use a comb to help distribute the mask and work out tangles. This will also help keep the mask on your hair and off of your shoulders or the furniture. If it helps, clip all your hair on top of your head first, and then wrap the towel around it or put on the shower cap. Set a timer and sit back and relax. You could clean up the ingredients from making the mask, or take the opportunity to do some other self-care tasks, like applying a face mask or painting your nails. You can leave the mask on for up to an hour, but any more than that and you risk the egg starting to dry out, which would make it a lot harder to rinse away.

SUMMARY: Dampen your hair first if you have thick or tangled hair. Section your hair Apply the mask to each section using your fingertips. Put a shower cap or towel on your hair to keep the mask from dripping. Let the mask saturate your hair for 15 to 20 minutes.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: The things some people throw away could be free construction material for you. Watch for carpeting or area rugs, large pieces of furniture to use as lumber for other projects and paint.

SUMMARY:
Check the dumpster area of large apartment buildings periodically, especially when it's close to pick-up day.