If you’re only inviting a few people at school or work, don’t pass out invitations or spread the word there. Sending your invitations via mail or e-mail is a great method. You can send invitations discreetly, and you can also include pertinent information, such as your address, driving directions, dress code, or anything else they may need to know.  Send your invitations a couple weeks before a more formal event, and within a week for an informal party. Websites like Paperless Post make it easy to create cute, custom invitations. They offer an entire section of invitations you can create completely for free. This can be as formal as requesting written RSVPs, or just asking invitees if they plan on attending so you can get a general headcount. Regardless of how you go about doing this, you should figure out who is planning to attend so that you can make sure you are prepared to host everyone. Make sure that when you request RSVPs, you also ask if they intend on bringing a date or friend along with them. If many of your invitees are unable to come, you can always send out additional invitations to anyone you may not have considered originally. After you’ve created your list of non-negotiable guests and their potential dates, create a list of reserve guests. These reserves will get invited if many of your original invitees can’t make it.

Summary: Use tact and manners when inviting your guests. Request and follow up for RSVPs. Invite reserves if applicable.


If your door is locked, you won’t be caught in the act while playing your game. You’ll have a second to switch screens before you have to get up and unlock the door. Be careful though, this will raise suspicions if you aren’t supposed to lock your door during work or homework time. If someone walks into the room and can see your screen over your shoulder, you won’t have any time to minimize your game or switch windows. Position your desk in a way where you’re facing the door so that you buy enough time to change screens if someone wants to see what you’re doing. Set the brightness to low on your computer game if your desk is facing the door so that bright lights and colors don’t reflect all over the walls or windows behind you. Even if they don’t lock, close the doors in your house so that you can hear when someone turns the knob to open them. This will let you know when an unwanted visitor may be heading your way and give you plenty of time to switch to a different screen. A screen guard is a thin sheet of plastic that creates a glare for anyone that looks at your screen at an angle. This will prevent people from seeing what’s on your screen unless they’re looking directly at it from your chair. Buy a screen guard that fits your specific screen size, and slide it over the top of your monitor to set it in place.

Summary: Lock your door to avoid unwanted interruptions. Arrange your room so that your screen isn’t facing the door. Close doors in other parts of the house if you’re playing at home. Buy a screen guard to hide what’s on your screen.


Having fun, lightening your mood, and kicking back are also key elements in managing stress. Different people have different approaches to this, so pick an activity that works well for you. Many people find it helpful to talk to a friend when they are stressed out.  For some people, it is helpful to vent their frustrations. Getting whatever is stressing you out off your chest can help you relax. Call a friend who won't mind a 10 minute venting session.  Other people prefer to be distracted. Call a friend who is fun, or who makes you laugh. This can help take your mind off your troubles and de-stress. Even if you can't reach a friend to talk to, laughter can be a powerful way to relieve stress. Fortunately, there is plenty of content online that can help you laugh your troubles away.  Look up jokes on the internet, and take 10 minutes to have a good chuckle. Look up funny videos that will make you laugh. This could be cat videos, clips of your favorite comedy show, sports bloopers, or something else. Whatever you find funny can help you get your mind off your troubles. Many people find physical activity relaxing. This doesn't have to be something as formal as mindful walking. You can move around in your home in ways that help you relax.  Some people find cleaning the house to be a good way to relieve stress. Find a small cleaning project you can do for 10 minutes. Vacuum your floor, wipe down some counters, or clean the tub. For some people, a little dance party goes a long ways. Either by yourself or with a friend, take a few minutes to dance to your favorite music. Just cut loose for a few minutes. If you don't like dancing, you may still find music is a great way to decrease stress levels. Play some tunes that help you feel calmer.  For some people, this means relaxing or mellow music, like classical or smooth jazz. For others, some upbeat happy tunes are what take the edge off. Experiment with different types of music and see what works best for you. Many people find showering to be a good way to de-stress. For some people, hot showers work best. But for others, a cool shower might be most relaxing. Again, find what works best for you. There are body washes and other shampoos that are designed to help relieve stress through aromatherapy. Try one of these to see if it helps you. Some people find eating certain foods to be very calming. It might be sugary sweet, a salty snack, or a favorite fruit. You know your own tastes, so pick something that works well for you. It is important not to overindulge as a means to managing stress. This can lead to a variety of health problems including weight gain, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Make your indulgences small. Have a single piece of candy or a handful of chips. Don't consume the whole bag in an attempt to eat your stress away. There are lots of other activities that can reduce stress, from kissing to praying to drinking tea. Try out some of your own ideas, and see what works best for you.

Summary: Call a friend. Have a laugh. Get active. Listen to music. Take a shower. Indulge your appetite. Experiment.


Use coarse sandpaper moistened slightly with water. Rub this over the geode to sand out any rough patches. Keep sanding the geode until it's as smooth as you want. Be gentle at first and increase pressure as you sand. Some geodes are softer than others, and you want to avoid damage as much as possible. Small bits of stone may fly off your geode while you polish it. Before you start polishing, put on a pair of protective goggles to keep yourself safe. Use a heavier fabric like denim to add a commercial finishing polish to your geode. Rub down the geode gently until it's as shiny as you want. You can buy commercial finishing polish for gems online or at some hardware stores.
Summary: Sand your geodes. Put on protective goggles. Polish your rocks.