Look at the bottom of the light bulb and identify the small metal solder point. Grab this point firmly using a pair of needle-nose pliers. You'll be breaking glass during this step and during many of the other steps in this process, so it might be best to work over a box or several sheets of newspaper. You should also wear goggles and gloves. Twist the solder point with your pliers until you feel the interior brass break one or more wires connected to the filament. Once the solder point is free, lift it out.  Keep a firm grasp on the light bulb with your other hand while lifting out the solder point. You may need to nudge the sides of the solder point back and forth if twisting it does not prove effective. The sides of the metal should be raised enough for you to get a good grip on the tip with your pliers before you lift that point out. Hold one side of the black glass insulator at the bottom of the bulb with your pliers. Twist it up to snap the glass apart.  The glass here is thick, so it will take a lot of force to actually break it. Make sure that you hold onto the bulb firmly with your other hand as you work. The insulator will break into many chips when you do this, so proceed with caution. You may need to break the insulator from several angles around its perimeter if the entire thing does not break off the first time. Use tweezers to clean away any black insulator glass from the socket of the bulb.  These pieces of glass will probably be very sharp, so you should not touch them with your bare hands. After clearing away the insulator glass, you should be able to see the inner components of the light bulb from the bottom of the bulb. Insert a flathead screwdriver into the bottom of the light bulb, next to one side of the interior tube. Press the screwdriver against the side of the tube to break it free. The bulb will be filled with argon, or a similarly inert and harmless gas. When you break the tube free, you'll hear a noise that will signify the release of the argon gas. Slide the screwdriver around the sides of the tube to break it completely free, then lift it out with tweezers or pliers.  If you successfully manage to break the tube free without breaking the tube itself, you can reuse it for another project. If you cannot break the tube free from the sides, though, you may need to twist the screwdriver around more forcefully, breaking the tube itself in the process. Remove the broken shards with tweezers when done. You'll need to use considerable force, so make sure that your other hand has a firm grasp on the light bulb as you work. Gently shake the rest of the filament assembly out of the bulb and onto your work surface.  If the wire is still whole and intact, you can reuse this, as well. Note that you may need to remove the wire with pliers or tweezers, though. If there are any small bits of glass remaining around the interior edge of the bulb, carefully break them off with the screwdriver.  Lift the broken bits of glass away with tweezers. At this point, the light bulb is open and empty. You may even be able to stop here, but continue reading to determine whether or not that is the case.
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One-sentence summary -- Grip the solder point with pliers. Twist and yank out the metal. Crack the glass insulator. Remove all broken bits of insulator. Snap away the interior fill tube. Remove the tube. Remove the tungsten wire. Break and remove any final bits of glass.


Often we set higher expectations for ourselves than we do for others. Try instead to treat yourself the same way you would treat a close friend. Don't say anything about yourself (out loud to others, or even just in your head) that you wouldn't say about someone you care about. Scientists have proven that by focusing on developing and appreciating our strengths, we are more likely to live fulfilling lives.   Make a list of three of your strengths. These can be specific (such as, “I am good at chess”) or broad (such as, “I am courageous”). Include at least one specific and one broad example on your list. Stop and appreciate these parts of yourself. Say out loud, “I like that I am courageous.” Brainstorm one way to further develop each of these strengths. If you listed “I am good at chess,” consider entering a chess tournament.  If you listed “I am courageous,” perhaps go white water rafting. If you are not okay with being you, there may some guilt living under the surface. Forgiving yourself is not easy, but it can be transformative. In order to try to forgive yourself, perform a ritual release.  Write a letter confessing your secret. Explain everything you feel guilty about in vivid detail. Destroy the letter. Send it into the ocean or burn it. Say to yourself, “I put my guilt in the past.” Repeat this ritual as many times as you need to. Many people have internalized the belief that taking care of yourself is selfish. When in reality, being kind to yourself is one of the most responsible things you can do. If you take better care of yourself, you will begin to feel worthy of such care. As a result, you will soon be okay with being you. Here are some ideas:  Set specific times when you don't work. Give yourself permission to relax during these moments. Work out. Get those endorphins pumping! When you do make it to the gym, thank yourself for showing up. Get enough sleep. Don't sacrifice this essential human need. Plenty of sleep will help you stay physically and emotionally strong. An affirmation is a simple, positive, present tense statement about yourself. Think of such a statement and use a dry erase marker to write it on your bathroom mirror. Say it out loud first thing in the morning, and again every time you enter that room. It is okay to feel silly at first! This feeling will pass, and in time, this will help you be okay with being you. Some examples include:  I am a good writer. I am a strong person. I love you, ____ (fill in your name).
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One-sentence summary --
Be your own friend. Celebrate your strengths. Forgive yourself. Be kind to yourself. Make an affirmation.