Louise Jackson

Like a lot of people I’m guessing, I wish I had more staying power.
What could I have achieved by now, where might I be, if only I had the gumption to never give up?
This fighting spirit could seem like a natural gift some people are simply born with.
Sure, part of it may be down to their personality. But we shouldn’t underestimate those all-important actions that reinforce the habit of willpower.

You’ve got big dreams, but you’re not a morning person.
I feel you, me either.
We’re bombarded with stories about CEOs who are part of the 4 am club, heralding it as the key to their success.
But is it really such a game-changer?
If getting up at the crack of dawn isn’t for you, then you’ll be happy to hear there’s no concrete...

Honest to a fault, I can’t make it through the first line without holding my hands up to admit: ***spoiler alert*** you’re not going to completely erase your carbon footprint in just five steps. Unless of course your untimely death eerily coincides with you reaching the end of this article.

In my younger years, it never occurred to me that I was an introvert.
That’s because I mistook a lot of the signs. I was capable of being vocal and opinionated and I thought that had to mean I was an extrovert.
This sort of misunderstanding is really common. But what defines an introvert is more nuanced than that.

The butterflies are there. Check.
You can’t get enough of one another. Check.
You’ve started daydreaming that they may be “the one”. Double check.
Starting a relationship on a strong note is exciting, but it doesn’t always guarantee a lasting connection.
Once the honeymoon stage fades, your relationship needs to be built on firm foundations if it’s going to go the distance.
According to psychology, there are signs that even after a strong start things probably won’t work out.

I’ve always envied those people who seem so deeply in love.
The way they talk about their other half as “the love of their life” or how they knew from the first moment they set eyes on them.
It all sounds so incredibly romantic, and all so, well…certain.
That’s never been me in relationships.
For years I wondered if maybe I hadn’t met “the one” yet. But I came to realize that

While the rest of metropolitan Europe seems to sweep through a prescribed pattern of development, Porto has managed to follow a slower, more crooked path. Here, trendy bars and restaurants have creatively repurposed everything from Art Deco theatres to 1950s diners. Drive farther inland and you’ll come across the stark straight lines of the highly acclaimed contemporary Casa da Música. Porto is essentially an eclectic time capsule that has preserved and built on the remnants of decades past.

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All my life, everyone told me that I was a classic extrovert.
That’s because I’m a natural communicator. I love to exchange and share ideas, thoughts and opinions.
When something or someone interests me, I get really engaged and I can be a total chatterbox.
I also strive to be friendly and try to be warm to others.
It wasn’t until I reached my 30s that it finally dawned on me, I’m a mass...

Every time a relationship has ended, the same fearful thought has filled my mind:
What if I don’t find anyone else?
Perhaps you can relate.
I think it’s a natural response to the thought of loss, and that’s ultimately what a breakup is.
No matter if it’s for the best, there’s still a grieving process that goes along with it.
We are being asked to leave our familiar and secure comfort zone and start again — ...

Are you tired of feeling at the mercy of life?
Maybe things just keep happening to you that seem to knock you down over and over again.
Perhaps it feels like people always take advantage or treat you badly.
You can’t catch a break and you are sick of it.
We all feel a bit sorry for ourselves from time to time.
The good news is...

The world is made up of all sorts.
I don’t personally believe in inherently bad people, but I recognize that there is plenty of bad behavior out there.
Sadly, that means we should tread very cautiously when letting certain folks into our hearts and lives.
There are some types of people who you should never trust.
Let’s take a look at them…

Kindness is usually the best gift you can give someone, and it costs absolutely nothing.
I know it sounds cliche, but it’s true.
Studies have shown how even small and random acts of kindness boost our well-being.
Not only that, but when you are kind to someone, it’s contagious and people pass it on to others.
Let’s face it, kindness is always a good way to go no matter what the situation.

Romantic relationships can be great. No doubt they can enrich our lives in plenty of ways.
I’m certainly no “man hater”, so I’m not going to knock them. But for large stretches of my adult life, I’ve been very happily single too.
In fact, I spent 7 years of my 30’s flying solo and it was one of the happiest times of my entire life.
The point is, I know firsthand that you certainly don’t need a man to be happy. The t...

Life can throw a lot at you. To better navigate the stresses and strains, it pays to have mental toughness.
It’s this quality that allows us to bounce back, show perseverance, and still perform at our best, despite the trials we face.
Luckily it’s just as much of a skill as it is a trait. That means we can do practical things ...

Does drama have a habit of following you around?
Maybe it’s just bad luck, or maybe not.
None of us are perfect little angels that can do no wrong.
But high conflict individuals can be ignorant as to why they constantly find themselves in hot water.
It’s not that trouble goes looking for them, it’s that they are creating it.
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