INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If, after putting your relationship to the test, you think that you've got a keeper on your hands, it might be time to commit to something serious. When you're ready, let your partner know that you're committed to the relationship and that you're willing to work on it and to try your best to keep it healthy. Every relationship will be different, so talk with your partner.  Commitment may be as simple as being open about an "exclusive" arrangement, or as serious as getting engaged, depending on what you've discussed with your partner. But committing and choosing to work on your relationship, to make compromises to serve that relationship, is an important step. Generally, it's expected that a long-term relationship means that you're not seeing other people, though this is by no means true of all relationships. Don't take anything for granted. Check with your partner. One of the most important parts of a long-term relationship has to do with honesty. If you're going to commit, you owe your partner honesty, at the least, in terms of your desires for the relationship and your happiness. If you're frustrated about something, share, and listen in return. Be willing to be vulnerable with your partner and share things you don't tell many people about.  The other side of the honesty coin is being a good listener. You need to be there for your partner and be willing to listen to them open up. Make yourself available. Again, what "honesty" means will be different for every couple. Is it absolutely necessary for you to divulge the gritty details of your past to every partner, if you think it might jeopardize your relationship? Only you can answer that question. If it's keeping you from happiness, tell. If not, consider keeping it quiet. One of the difference between short flings and long term relationships is how you negotiate fights with your partner. A fight doesn't necessarily mean that a relationship is over. It just means that you've come up against something that you're either going to work through, or come to terms with as a potential roadblock to your happiness with this person. Either way, fights are important to deal with and get past.  Address problems as soon as they arise. The worst thing that can happen is ignoring warning signs when they arise to try to keep your relationship at an even keel. It's important to confront things sooner rather than later. It's important to recognize the difference between common little arguments that you can work through and serious problems that you can't. If you have a tendency to fight about the dishes, that's one thing, but if your partner constantly criticizes you, or makes you feel inferior after a conversation about dishes, that's something else. It's a common joke: your friend gets a long term partner, and then you never see them again. The longer a relationship gets, the harder it can be to make time for socializing in addition to the work necessary to maintain your relationship. To make it easier on yourself, try to do both at the same time. Make friends together and socialize as a couple.  It's important to avoid situations in which you only spend time with your partner's friendship group. If your partner has lots of friends, that's great, but make new friends together. If you break up, it's tough to feel like you lost all your friends as well. Try finding couples that you enjoy hanging out with, as well as single friends whom you enjoy the company of. If you've discovered that your life goals line up with your partner, start setting mutual goals for yourselves and for your relationship. What is your ultimate ambition for your relationship and for yourself? Where do you hope to be next year? Where do you hope to be in the next five years? Figure out what you need to be doing to grow your relationship and your life together.  In the early stages, this might mean things like saving money together, finishing school, securing a career, and other steps to get yourself ready for settling down more comfortably. In later stages, this might mean things like marriage and kids, starting to invest your money, and other family-oriented goals.

SUMMARY: Commit to your partner. Be honest with your partner. Work through the rough patches. Make mutual friends. Set mutual goals.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Taking a deep breath can help your body relax. Breathe in through your nose for four seconds, hold for four seconds, and then breathe out through your mouth for four seconds. Focus the way your stomach feels as you breathe, and close your eyes for a more relaxing experience. You can also put your hands on your stomach and focus on the feeling of them rising and falling as you breathe. Flex your calves and ball up your fists to get rid of the adrenaline going through your body. If you start to shake while presenting, place your hands at your sides or, if possible, center yourself with the podium. If you stand with your feet too close together, you might find yourself swaying or off-balance, which won’t help with your confidence! Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and center yourself while you speak. You can also try a power pose before going onstage to boost your confidence. For an easy power pose, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your hands on your hips, like superman. Hold the position for several seconds before relaxing into a more natural stance. Everyone loses their train of thought at one point or another, so it’s ok if you do too! The most important thing to remember is not to panic. Instead, take a moment to collect your thoughts, focus on what you just said, and try to pick up where you left off. Even if it doesn’t seem that way when you’re onstage, a collected pause seems more put-together than trying to rush to say something to fill the silence. If you want your speech to be perfect, you’ll be setting the stakes unnecessarily high and, more likely than not, you’ll fail to meet your expectations. That’s not because you can’t give an incredible speech, but because there are many aspects of your speech that will be outside of your control! Instead, focus on doing your best, preparing well, and executing your speech as well as you can.

SUMMARY: Take deep breaths before going onstage. Release nervous energy before presenting. Stand confidently with your feet shoulder-width apart. Don’t panic if you lose your train of thought. Don’t aim for perfection.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: The “deer in the headlights” look can make you look a little frightening. The quickest way to make any portrait look better is to ever so slightly squint your eyes. Be careful not to squint so much that it looks like you’re straining to see something, however. There’s a reason almost everyone hates driver’s license, passport, and other ID photos. Looking straight-on, stiff, and wide-eyed at the camera just isn’t flattering. Before snapping your picture, show off your best side and tilt your head slightly. A smile improves any picture. Studies show that a smiling face appears more likeable than one with a neutral expression. Relax your mouth, show a few teeth, and smile naturally. Try to avoid the clenched, cheesy smile. Pouting out your lips in an unnatural way, or any other unusual expression will lower the quality of your profile picture. Over-the-top expressions can make you look silly and obscure what you really look like. You want people to be able to match your profile picture with how you normally look. A profile picture should focus on showing your features as they naturally are.  If you do your makeup, wear bright lipstick and make sure your eyebrows are perfect so they will enhance your expression. Take off sunglasses or anything else that might obscure your features.

SUMMARY:
Squint a little. Tilt your head to the side. Show your pearly whites. Avoid the duck face. Keep things natural.