Problem: Article: , if need be. Relationships strain when one or both partners feel hurt – whether because of a fight, careless words, or long-term resentments. All relationships go through this to some extent. The important thing is to reach out and apologize when you’ve done wrong. Apologizing shows your commitment to your partner and the relationship.   To apologize well, you have to be sincere, specific, and recognize the hurt you caused. Accept your role in having damaged trust or respect in the relationship. This doesn’t mean accepting all responsibility, but owning up to your part.  Be sincere and specific. Only apologize to make amends and heal damage and not for some other ulterior reason. At the same time, be specific about what you are apologizing for and how it hurt the other person. For example, “I’m very sorry that I stormed off during our argument. I can see that it hurt you and made you feel humiliated. Please forgive me.” Avoid weasel-worded apologies. These don’t really accept any responsibility and come off as insincere, i.e. “I’m sorry if what I did offended you” or “I’m sorry if you took it the wrong way.” Don’t request an apology in return. Mutual forgiveness is important, but your partner may need time to process their feelings. Asking for an apology will only seem like a demand. An apology is only the first part of reaching out. It won’t fix things but can break the ice and start the healing process. Don’t be surprised if your partner reacts emotionally or even interrupts you. Resist the urge to interrupt and defend yourself, though, and instead be patient and respectful and listen.  Try not to react defensively or insist on “finishing” your side of the story. Your first urge may be to correct or refute your partner, but instead let them speak. By showing patience, you also let your partner speak openly without fear or reprisal and demonstrate that you’re serious about healing the rift. Keep in mind that the point of an apology is to heal the relationship. It is not about proving who was right and who was wrong. Make it clear to your partner that you want to save the relationship. At the same time, accept that these things take time. Resist the urge to pursue your partner, especially one who has become distant, or you may end up driving them further away. Allow for some time and space while leaving the door open to reconciliation.   Be clear that you are ready to talk if and when your partner is ready. Make sure they know you are open to communication. At the same time, people often want physical and emotional space after an argument or hurt. Try to recognize and respect this need for distance – do not hound your partner.
Summary: Apologize Listen to your partner. Leave the door open, but don’t over-pursue.

Problem: Article: Going for a walk outdoors can improve your mood quickly.  It breaks you out of your current environment, which can “shock” your senses into a new mood.  It gives you a little exercise, which can improve your mood.   Additionally, being outdoors in nature has been shown to improve people’s moods. Once you are outdoors, try to focus on the nature things: notice any animals, insects, or flowers you don’t normally notice.  Observe other people interacting with nature.  Watch the surface of a pond ripple.  Before you know it, you may have forgotten all about your bad mood. Recent studies have shown that moods expressed on social media can be contagious.  Reading your friends’ negative statuses could be affecting your mood more than you realize. Additionally, comparing your own life to your perception of acquaintances’ lives based on social media posts can affect your self-esteem negatively. If you are sitting in fluorescent lights, try turning them off and working by a dimmer lamp for a while.  If it’s dark where you are, try exposing yourself to brighter light.  The change of lighting can help make your environment feel different, which might improve your mood. If you are able to, try getting natural light.  Open the blinds or, better yet, a window and get some fresh air as well. Your music choice depends on your personal preferences.  Some find it soothing to listen to music that matches their emotions (ie: sad music if they feel sad, angry music if they feel angry, etc) and then adjust to happier music as their mood improves.  Others find that listening to uplifting music when they feel sad can elevate their mood.  You may wish to try both methods to determine what works best for you.
Summary: Take a walk outside. Unplug from social media. Change the lighting. Listen to music.

Problem: Article: Don't run before you can walk—practice making conversation, and even flirting, with others before approaching your crush. This doesn't mean leading someone on, but flirting a little with someone less intimidating than your crush can boost your self-esteem and make flirting less nerve-wracking. Try approaching people you think are cute and asking them for the time. Build up to striking up little conversations with strangers. Stop putting yourself down and start replacing negative thoughts with affirmations. It might be hard to believe, but if you start telling yourself you are a smart, interesting, and kind person who deserves respect, you will start to believe it. Cutting out negative thinking and building yourself up can increase your self-confidence.  Remember that everyone struggles with self-esteem issues. Everyone has flaws they are worrying about, everyone feels low or like they're not good enough at some time in their lives. In fact, most people are probably so busy worrying about their own flaws that they don't have time to notice yours. Do things that make you feel good about yourself. Exercise and eat right, wear clothes that make you feel comfortable and confident. Filling your day with things you find interesting will help you take your mind off your crush and remind you that you are an amazing person with a lot to offer. It can also help expose you to new people with shared interests, and you can get to know them and further develop your social skills. Doing interesting things will make you more interesting. Don't just talk about how you want to join the track team or learn to be an amazing cook—make it happen!
Summary: Practice your social skills with other people. Be kind to yourself. Get busy pursuing your interests and getting involved in activities.

Problem: Article: While there are many styles of cowboy boots to choose from, the classic western style of boot is often what people think of when they imagine cowboy boots.  These boots will usually stand about 12 inches tall on your leg and the design is simple and straightforward.  There are Classic Western Style boots and Classic Western Style work boots that look similar but are manufactured differently. Western Style Workboots have a different heel than their traditional counterparts to make them more comfortable to be worn while standing for 12-14 hours per day. Shortie Boots are also Classic Western in style but only stand about 6-10 inches up the leg.  These boots can also be purchased in work boot trim. Roper Boots are the common choice among people that work at the rodeo.  They are similar in many ways to Classic Western style boots but are designed to be more practical for the type of work many people find themselves doing around cattle.  Roper Boots are lighter weight and have a wider sole than most Classic Western Style boots. Some Roper Boots have a rubber sole like sneakers to help grip while working. Buckaroo boots are designed for show.  These boots often have decorative stitching and other aesthetic flare to draw attention to the styling and workmanship of the boot.  Buckaroo boots are not designed to be particularly durable, but rather to be a fashion statement. These boots tend to stand 14 inches tall on your leg. Riding Boots are not always thought of in the same vein as cowboy boots, as they are commonly worn in English riding circles.  These boots have a similar cut to the varying styles of western cowboy boot, but lack some of the ornamentation.  Riding boots come from the same lineage as western cowboy boots.  Early cowboy boots were based on the classic Riding Boot design. These boots look plain compared to most cowboy boots, making them easy to identify. The Stockman Boot is designed to work hard and look good doing it.  These boots combine many of the elements one might find in no-nonsense Roper Boots with some of the flair often found on Buckaroo Boots.  Stockman Boots have rubber soles, shorter heels and a wider toe box than many Classic Western Style boots. These boots often have detailed and colored decorative stitching.
Summary:
Choose a Classic Western Style. Choose Roper Boots. Choose Buckaroo Boots. Choose Riding Boots. Choose Stockman Boots.