Replace self-criticism with self-compassion and say “sorry” to yourself for being judgmental or demeaning. This might sound like, “I'm sorry for beating myself up when I make mistakes. I am only human and all humans are imperfect in some way.” Do this every time you find yourself in a cycle of criticism or disapproval. Aim to accept and love yourself as you would a close friend. Instead of being hard on yourself when you make a mistake, caress your arm or shoulders as if to say “There, there, don't be sad.” You might even hug yourself if this feels comfortable, or notice when you need a hug and ask someone else to give you one. Regularly engage in activities that affirm your self-worth. Feeding yourself  healthy foods,  exercising, and going to bed early are all ways to remind yourself that you are good and worthy of nurturing.  Self-care can be anything constructive that makes you feel good, such as soaking in a tub of bath salts, listening to your favorite album, coloring, going for a run, performing self-massage, or cuddling with your dog. You can even use your self-care routine to counter any negative talk you've had about yourself. For example, if you typically criticize your facial skin, spend extra time applying a face mask and caring for this part of you. Showing compassion for yourself means building relationships with positive, uplifting people who make you feel good about who you are. Identify those people in your life and set an intention to be with them more often. If you don't have many loved ones who are accepting of you, consider joining a support group or a club relating to a hobby or interest.
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One-sentence summary -- Forgive yourself for being human. Generate loving-kindness towards yourself. Adopt a self-care routine. Find others who lift you up.


If your floor is very dirty or has not been washed in a long time, it can be helpful to use a granite-safe cleaning solution, such as Method Granite Cleaner Spray or Weiman Granite Cleaner. Never use “all-purpose” household cleaning products on granite.  Ventilate the area. If you choose to clean your granite with a store-bought granite solution, it likely will give off fumes from the chemicals. Open a window to maintain better airflow while you work.  Spray the cleaner on one tile at a time, wiping with a soft cloth. If you spray on many tiles at once and the solution is left standing, it may stain your granite.  Dry thoroughly with a soft cloth to minimize water stains. For deep or set-in stains, apply a poultice to draw the stain out of the stone. Mix baking soda and water until the mixture has the consistency of sour cream. Spread the paste on the stain and cover with plastic wrap. Leave it covered for 24 hours. After 24 hours, wash the paste off as you would normally clean your granite tiles, with soap and warm water. Grout is a magnet for dirt and dust. If dirty grout is making your tiles appear less clean, seek out a granite-safe grout cleaner, such as Granite Gold Grout Cleaner or Tile Lab Grout Cleaner. Many normal grout formulas are abrasive and will damage your granite tile. Use a toothbrush or other small brush to clean the grout between your granite tiles. This will ensure the grout cleaner is applied in a more targeted manner. Always avoid using harsh scrubbers of any kind on your granite tile.
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One-sentence summary -- Employ a granite-safe cleaning solution for more difficult jobs. Try a baking soda poultice on deep stains. Clean grout with a granite-safe choice.


Taking large tasks and breaking them down into smaller, more manageable action steps can help you beat your anxiety related procrastination. Breaking the task down can make the task seem less overwhelming, which can help you feel less anxious about getting it done.  For instance, you can break a report for work down into researching it, writing it, and editing it. Or, you might break a school paper into the introduction, main points, and conclusion. Then work on completing one section rather than the whole thing. It can be especially helpful to set goals when you have anxiety because your anxiety can make it difficult for you to focus on and complete activities. Some research suggests that doing things like setting goals and deadlines for your tasks can help you beat procrastination. Setting goals gives you something concrete, self-defined, and manageable that you can do.  Create specific goals with deadlines for the things you need to get done. For instance, you might say, “I will finish cleaning my room by 10 PM.” Make your goals realistic. For example instead of setting a goal to finish a 10-page report in one day, set a goal to finish the first two pages in one day. Setting goals that are too difficult can actually increase your anxiety rather than reduce it. It may seem like a good idea to keep ‘plugging at it’ once you start working so that you don’t lose your steam and start procrastinating. But, taking a break to de-stress, relieve tension, and recharge your brain and body is a better way to address your anxiety and your anxiety related procrastination.  Take a five minute break when you complete one of the action steps for your task. Sit in a quiet place, close your eyes, and just take a few minutes to be still and quiet. When you complete a task or reach one of the goals that you have set for yourself, you should congratulate and encourage yourself with a small reward. Incentives can help motivate you as well as give you incentive to meet other goals.  For instance, when you complete one of your action tasks, you might treat yourself to a piece of candy or a 5-minute break to play one of your favorite online games. Or, for example, you might treat yourself to the new shoes you’ve been eyeing when you finish a major report on time. It can be easy to beat yourself up when you procrastinate on doing something. Some evidence suggests, though, that doing this may make it more likely that you will procrastinate again. Instead, give yourself a break and forgive yourself if you procrastinate because of your anxiety.  Remind yourself that procrastinating doesn’t make you a lazy or bad person. You might say, “I procrastinated on this, but it doesn’t mean I’m not a hard worker.” Reduce some of the pressure on yourself by saying things like, “I didn’t start on time for this assignment, but I’m not going to beat myself up. I can and will do better next time.”
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One-sentence summary --
Break your tasks down. Set goals. Take a break. Reward yourself. Forgive yourself.