Q: Finding someone to confide in is essential when you’re dealing with the end of a relationship. You might have trouble finding other family members to talk to, since they might feel caught in the middle, so try talking to a close friend. It also may be a good idea to talk to a counselor, since toxic family relationships can have long-lasting effects on your self-esteem. Once you remove a toxic person from your life, you should seek to fill that space with positive activities that you love. Everyone’s self-care looks different, but it’s important for you to do the things that make you feel happy and self-confident. This might mean soaking in a hot tub, taking up a new hobby, or going back to school. Acknowledge your strengths, especially if your family member regularly put you down. If you need to, write down a list of the best things about yourself and put it somewhere you’ll see it every day. It can be hard sometimes to see other happy families, or to think back to what your family looked like before the negativity occurred. Just keep in mind that even a family that looks perfect from the outside can have its own problems, and focus on the good things you do have in your life. For instance, you might have a poor relationship with your children, but you might have an excellent support system in your church. You might not be able to choose your family, but you can choose who you spend time around, and you don’t have to put up with hurtful behavior. Use this experience to teach you what you will and will not accept from the people in your life, and be firm about those boundaries in the future.  For instance, if you finally decided you had enough of your brother calling you names your whole life, then you certainly don’t have to put up with a date doing it! Practice if/then statements in case you find yourself in a similar situation in the future. For examples, you might tell yourself, “If someone says something about me that isn’t true, then I will speak up immediately, because that’s not acceptable.” The decision of whether or not to mend your relationship with this person is up to you. If you do decide that eventually you would like to let this person back into your life, take your time. Let them prove to you that they can build a new, healthy relationship with you.  When you re-establish contact, have a conversation where you make your boundaries clear. Say something like, “I will not ever tolerate you making disrespectful comments about my weight. If you do that again, I will leave and not come back.” If you see the person falling back into old habits, back away again. If the person has been abusive to you, it may be best not to allow them back into your life.
A: Talk about what happened to someone you trust. Practice a routine of self-care. Don’t dwell on what you wish you had. Set healthy boundaries in future relationships. Let the person back into your life slowly if you choose to at all.

Q: Shower curtain rods meant to be permanently affixed to opposing walls will come with accompanying hardware. Every kit is different, but in general you should have 2 brackets and at least 8 screws to keep the brackets on the wall. After measuring and marking your installation height, follow the specific installation instructions that came with your rod to mount the brackets. In most cases, you’ll be using a drill to mount the brackets in the pre-measured spaces.  If you have dry wall you will need to use anchors with your brackets.  Learn more about using dry wall anchors here. Once in place, make sure that your hardware is firmly installed and holding the rod securely before attempting to hang the curtain and liner. If any screws are loose, use your drill to tighten them to the wall.
A: Check your hardware. Drill each bracket into the wall. Fit each end of the rod into the brackets.

Q: Most companies have websites which list their HR employees. It might take some searching to find exactly who you need to talk to, but don’t give up. Most HR departments have at least a general email address listed, and often list the email addresses of individual employees. If, despite your best efforts, you can't find the appropriate email addresses, call the company. Ask if they can give you contact information—preferably an email address—for the hiring manager or recruiter. Once you’ve found the email address of a recruiter or hiring manager, take some time to write a clear, polite email. You should use their title, explain who you are, and what type of position you’re looking for.  For example, you could write: “Dear Ms. Johnson, I have loved shopping at Forever 18 for many years, and I have recently become interested in taking my love for the store to the next level by working there. I have 5 years of retail experience, including 2 years as a manager. Are there any current openings in your company? Thank you for your time.” If it feels appropriate, you could also add a line asking when you should follow up. That way, you’ll have a reason to touch base with the recruiter again about the position. You could say, “If there’s a good time I should check back in about this position, kindly let me know.” Telling the hiring manager or recruiter you have certain qualifications is one thing. Attach your resume or CV to show your contact that you actually have those qualifications. If applicable, you can include a link to a website, article, or social media profile, like LinkedIn, that displays your work.  Providing a link makes a good first impression in addition to making it convenient for the person to view your work. They may wish to view your profile after your initial interaction. Proofread your resume for any errors or typos before submitting it. Nothing allows a recruiter to rule you out as a candidate more quickly than sloppy resume errors.
A:
Search for HR employees on the website. Craft a polite email. Attach your CV or resume.