Having your tortoise outdoors during normal temperatures is ideal for your creature. However, you can't just let your tortoise do whatever it wants in your yard. Instead, you'll need to have an escape-proof barrier so that the tortoise remains in the perimeter. You can use concrete bricks that are mortared together or painted or sealed wood walls.  Your tortoise might try to burrow under or dig in to the corners of their enclosure, so it should be nice and secure. If your tortoise burrows, you can add a wire mesh below the surface of the barrier to keep your tortoise safe. Tortoises really don't do well in the cold, so unless they're kept indoors the whole time, you'll have to prepare to temporarily bring your tortoise indoors if where you live can get below 60°F/15°C during its coldest months. If you live in a very hot climate and want to keep the tortoise outside, this will be easier, but always have shade available especially over moistened areas or water source(s). You'll need some kind of shelter for your tortoise to make it feel safe, and to provide some shelter from the heat, the rain, or other elements that may be in the way. You want to keep your tortoise nice and warm and to keep it from overheating as well. Ideally, you should make a hut for your creature, which will be where the tortoise sleeps and weathers the climates. You can make it out of wood and cover it with a few inches of soil, as well as a heating element for the cold weather, if needed.  First, just dig a large hole. You can place a plywood barrier inside the floor. Add a top to the hide box to shelter your tortoise. Cover the shelter with dirt and soil. You should keep an adequate amount of plants around for your outdoor tortoise so that he or she can eat and feel secure throughout the day. Look into the diet of your tortoise to see which plants are and are not toxic. In general, many tortoises will eat broadleaf weeds such as dandelions, any grasses, or clover. Live plants can also help control Ammonia and Nitrates in the soil, which reduces the frequency of substrate changes in indoor enclosures. Your tortoise should have an exciting environment to keep it active and busy. You can add some clump grasses to help your tortoise burrow, as well as to allow for some shade. You can add a few boulders to give your creature some privacy, as long as they aren't too steep. You can also add some small trees for shade and shelter and just for the environment to look nice.
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One-sentence summary -- Create a protective barrier for your tortoise. Provide shelter for your tortoise. Provide plants for your tortoise. Provide stimulation for your tortoise.


As an introvert, you’re probably good at nurturing a few close friendships. Trying to be best friends with everybody will just tire you out. Choose your friends carefully, and don’t use up your social “juice” on people who don’t add value to your life. Having a few good friends and a wide circle of casual acquaintances is a better strategy than trying to befriend everyone in your life. Sometimes a little bit of regular contact is all you need to keep a friendship going. Make it a priority to check in with your friends on a regular basis, even if that just means sending them a text or a funny video on Facebook. It’s much easier to maintain a friendship than it is to re-establish it after you haven’t talked for a while. Hosting a get-together or party lets you decide when and where the event happens. It also takes some of the social pressure off your shoulders – instead of sitting and talking, you can stay busy making sure everyone is comfortable and having a good time. Plus, your friends will appreciate your hospitality. One of the defining qualities of a close friendship is being able to share your personal thoughts and experiences with each other. Having quality conversations with your friends can keep your friendship going strong, even if you don’t spend time together frequently. Don’t rush into personal conversations with a friend you’ve just met – this might scare them off. Instead, let it happen naturally as you get to know each other better.
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One-sentence summary -- Avoid trying to be close friends with everybody. Check in regularly. Take on the role of host. Make time for meaningful conversations.


Controlling, difficult people often do not change easily, if at all. Even after asserting your boundaries, you may find yourself in frequent power struggles. Try to keep your expectations in check. You will probably always have issues with a controlling person, so don't expect a huge change. You can't change another person. Even if you've tried your best to address how their behavior is harmful, a controlling person will not change unless they want to. When interacting with a controlling person, remind yourself you will probably have to restate boundaries and tune out criticism. Controlling people usually have something going on under the surface. Underlying interpersonal issues, such as a tendency towards insecurity, often manifest in a need for control. When being confronted by a controlling person, remind yourself it's not about you. You are probably not doing anything wrong in the situation. The other person just has an intense need for control.  If you know why the person is controlling, try to remind yourself of this in the moment. This can help you remember it isn't about you. For example, "I know my dad is very demanding about my career choices, but his dad was the same way. He doesn't know how to trust me to make my own decisions. It's not about me." Try to look at the types of requests and demands they are making. Are they always about a particular issue, such as cleanliness or punctuality? If so, the person may just have certain preferences and needs. If the problem is more widespread, they may have control issues. This is especially important if you have to interact with a controlling person on a regular basis. For example, if you live with a controlling person or a controlling romantic partner, remind yourself self-care is necessary. When you're catering to the needs of someone who has to constantly be in control, you may neglect your own personal care.  You have a right to care for yourself. You're allowed to give yourself time to exercise, eat right, engage in fun hobbies, and do things that make you happy. Work on making time for your own personal needs, even if you have to tune out criticism to do so. For example, you work early in the morning and need to get a full night's sleep. Your controlling boyfriend expects you to go to bed at the same time he does, but he stays up very late. Go to bed when you want and, if he gives you a hard time, tune it out and then remind him you need to be up in the morning. Sometimes, the easiest way to deal with a controlling person is to get away from them. Work on avoiding the person if your interactions with them have become upsetting for you. This will make your life a lot easier.  If you live with a controlling person, try to limit your time with them to meal times and other short spurts together. If you work with a controlling person, try to limit your time with that person in the office. For example, you might keep your conversations to small talk and try to choose projects that do not require teaming up with this person. If you have a controlling family member, limit interactions with them at family events. Keep things like phone calls as brief as possible. If a relationship is becoming detrimental to your wellbeing, it's okay to walk away. Some people are simply too toxic to ever be willing to change. If someone continually violates your boundaries, end the relationship. Life is too short to spend around people who are hurtful and controlling.
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One-sentence summary --
Keep your expectations realistic. Remind yourself it's not personal. Take care of yourself. Limit interactions. Walk away if necessary.