Summarize the following:
To open up requires that you talk to people in the first place. One way to initiate conversations is to talk about things that are capturing both your and your to-be conversation partner's attention. For example, if you are waiting in line at a coffee shop and you are both looking at the menu, you might start with "How is anyone supposed to make a decision between all these great sounding options" or whatever else rings true to you in that moment. Remember to listen carefully to what the person says to you, as this will give you clues about how to follow-up the conversation. For example, if she says "I'm going for the Americano" you might mention another coffee shop that you know that makes a great Americano and ask her if she's ever been. Like it or not, your body language says a lot about you. To appear more open, keep your arms and legs uncrossed while looking directly at whoever you're talking to. By adopting an open posture you will come across as more positive and open and will not seem closed off or arrogant, which can help when looking for people to interact with.  Open, expansive posture can also make you feel more confident and powerful and may help you act in more open ways.   Part of open body language is smiling. Smiling is a very social emotion and you will seem more approachable with a grin on your face. To begin practicing opening up, you need to engage in honest, open conversation. Try asking someone a question such as, “How are things going at work?” instead of “How’s it going?” to get an open answer.   Then, in turn answer open-ended questions honestly, instead of with trite statements like “Fine” or “Ok.” Or, you might ask, "What's something wonderful that's happened to you lately?" or, "What activities would you recommend in town?" Asking people personal questions is not always appropriate; however, in most cases people will be flattered that you are showing interest and listening to them. Try connecting with someone over hobbies, interests, family life, vacations or books by asking about them. Once someone mentions something you can relate to, say, “Oh, I love that too.” Then, ask follow up questions that excite you and will spark open honest conversation. If you are unable to find mutual interests with this conversation technique, you could try talking about things this person might be interested in in the future. This open-ended question approach might lead the conversation down many interesting paths. A judgmental attitude can show through in someone even if they don't say a word, this is called showing contempt and it is an emotion expression many people recognize. You will be more likely to open up and have others be receptive to you if you stay open-minded when your conversation partner is sharing her opinions; you may find yourself able to speak more easily to the person.  Try to keep in mind that you should give people the kind of acceptance that you would want when you're opening up and feeling vulnerable. Observe her in a social situation and take note of how she behaves. You could even pull out your smartphone and take notes without anyone knowing exactly what you were doing. Once you have some notes about the kinds of behaviors she engages in to be open, practice these behaviors at your next social event. Don't copy the person right away in the same social situation or this could back-fire; you could make her uncomfortable, for example, if she thinks you are mimicking her or possibly mocking her.

summary: Initiate conversations. Adopt open body language. Ask open-ended questions. Look for mutual interests. Foster a welcoming attitude. Try emulating someone who is very open.


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This is a transitional period for everyone, so your daily routine may be changing. Since your strength and resilience are not what they used to be, a more moderate exercise regimen may be necessary. Find ways to get regular aerobic exercise several times a week. Work in strength training a couple times a week to maintain your strength. Don’t forget to stretch! If you are starting a new muscle-building routine after menopause, start with light weights or relatively low-intensity exercises that tire you after about 12 repetitions. You will be able to increase the weight as you get stronger, but stay within a comfortable range. Menopause causes bone loss and muscle loss, so use caution while you discover your limits. The good news is that regular exercise helps with both of these issues. If you started lifting before menopause, you can continue your usual exercise plan as long as you are comfortable and enjoying the results. Focusing on weight training during and after menopause is a great plan, since it helps maintain bone density. That said, this is also a good time to review the other types of exercise you get, and consider some adjustments:  High-impact exercise such as running can be hard on your bones and joints, potentially risking fractures or other injuries. If you have joint pain, consider moving to low-impact aerobic exercise such as biking or swimming. Balance and coordination become more important with age, as weakened bones can make a fall more dangerous. Improve these skills with step classes, dance, or a sport like tennis that requires rapid movement.

summary: Create a workout plan for your lifestyle. Start small if you didn't strength train before. Form a balanced exercise plan.


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In most cities, the local government’s trash-management department coordinates curbside pickups for oversized pieces of trash (including furniture) that do not fit in dumpsters. Contact the relevant city office, and ask when they can pick up your furniture. Then, set the furniture on the curb in front of your house or apartment.  To find the best furniture-disposal method in your city, use the website: https://www.wayfair.com/furniture-disposal-guide. Input your location, and contact the organization that the website suggests. While curbside pickups are typically free, they’re also infrequent. Cities may only facilitate curbside pickup as little as once per year. Most counties have a trash dump or landfill that accepts oversized pieces of trash, like furniture. Additionally, many charitable foundations and thrift stores also accept dropped-off furniture. Be aware, though, that you’ll need to arrange transportation for the furniture yourself, as these drop-off locations do not pick up furniture. If you live in a rural area, this may be a better approach for disposing of furniture than a curbside pickup.  To find a drop-off location, search online for “bulk trash drop-off in [your] county.” Residents of the city or county in which the drop-off location is located can typically drop furniture off for free. These companies work like conventional trash-pickup organizations, except that they specialize in picking up large objects, including furniture. Be aware that these companies schedule pickups, so you’ll need to work out a date and time when the workers can come by to pick up the furniture.  Companies that dispose of bulk waste include Bagster and 1-800-Got-Junk. To find additional bulk waste disposal companies near you, search online for “bulk waste disposal near me.” Based on the location of your residence, the pickup service can cost between $120 and $640 USD. If you’re gutting a house or apartment building and know you’ll have many pieces of furniture, you can rent your own dumpster. These are typically rented for a period of 1 week. Look around online to find a dumpster rental company.  Depending on the size of the dumpster that you rent, and where you live, the rental can cost between $120 and $1,400 USD. You can fill the dumpster with as much furniture as you like, as long as it doesn’t overflow the top. The dumpster rental company will pick up the dumpster once it’s full, and dispose of the contents.
summary: Schedule a curbside pickup with your city for an easy option. Take furniture to a drop-off location if your city doesn’t offer pickups. Contact a company that disposes of bulk waste if your city can’t help. Rent a dumpster if you’re going to dispose of many pieces of furniture.