Q: “How do I turn an awful day into a good one?” – Pedro

A: Let me start by saying that you are in charge of your own happiness. Sometimes, it feels good to stay home and wallow with some comfort food and sad music (the only type of music I listen to, by the way). One thing you can’t do is let small inconveniences ruin your entire day. Focusing on those tiny mishaps will make you insecure, grumpy, and frustrated – and, honestly, who likes feeling those things? You know yourself best, and you know what things make you happy: Now list them. Pick an activity that cheers you up. If it’s hard to get away to do something you enjoy, like watching Monty Python movies or playing with puppies, escape to the bathroom for a few minutes. Put on a song that you absolutely cannot stop yourself from dancing to. Call a friend for a minute to vent and to hear a friendly voice. If you’ve just had a really crappy day, you can go home and eat your feelings or treat yourself to an activity that always makes you feel good. Try yoga, going for a bike ride, taking a bath with candles and fancy-smelling soaps. Honestly, it can be exhausting being socially-adept. Keeping up with the smiles, the small talk, the professional appearance – I’m yawning just thinking about it. You need a second to recalibrate and let your guard down. I’ve heard that if you force yourself to smile, it quite literally makes you feel better. Now, do this 50 times a day, and you’ll never be sad again (maybe?). Chill out for a second, just for you! Watch a short blooper video or make your favorite tea. If you can adjust your mindset to ignore your little inconvenience and mentally restart, there is plenty of happiness to be had. 

Q: “I feel constantly judged and conscious of how I appear to others. How do I start to live my life guilt-free?” – Rico

A: If there’s one thing we humans have an abundance of, it’s opinions. We see someone on the street wearing a shirt two sizes too small, we comment. We see a guy awkwardly chatting up a girl, we comment. We see someone from high school who lost a lot of weight, we comment. Why do we do this? Why is it our business to approve or disapprove of someone else’s choices? Obviously, if we see a crime being committed, it is absolutely our business to report it – but for everyday stuff like clothing, weight, hair color, etc., there is no reason for us to shame other people. What I’m trying to say is that people will judge you no matter what you do, but once you put yourself in someone else’s shoes, empathy will set you right. How would you feel if a stranger commented on your weight? If people are commenting on things that we are already insecure about, when will we ever be able to fully give ourselves the love we deserve? The moral of the story is this: These opinions are irrelevant. It is none of anyone’s business what you do or what you wear. This is your life; take your power, wear what you want, express yourself how you need to. You will feel the most confident as someone who is 100% yourself. Don’t let commentators bring you down, because … honestly? They’re jealous.

Q: “How do I teach my son the right way to treat women?” – Kip

A: Thank you for this question, truly. The bottom line is that women are equal to men. Women are just as capable, just as smart, just as powerful, and just as strong. Teach your sons to treat everyone with respect without distinction. Treat people with kindness and do not favor a gender over the other. In 2021, gender is fluid. Gender roles, in general, are well on their way to being eradicated. Women belong in the business world, in the manufacturing world, in politics, in sports, and everywhere else. We are not the complacent, Southern-belle housewives you see on sitcoms. We don’t need a man to replace our water filter for us – we got this. However, still, we find ourselves targeted and harassed and worse. Teach your kids to care for and protect those around them regardless of any demographics. Show them how to interact with care and thoughtfulness toward people of all kinds, colors, shapes, etc. In addition to teaching your sons how to be good human beings, tell them how important it is for them to say something if they see something off. Show them how to not only treat women with respect and equality but to look out for their safety. Women are in danger every day in every location. Make your children aware of these things to look out for so that they can grow up already knowing how to help protect other human beings – not only women but all people.