Some of us like to blend in, fit in and feel like we belong to a bigger part of something, the rest of us, not so much. Some of us could not care any less if we belonged or fit in anywhere. In our world, we fit perfectly and that’s really all that matters. Being authentic takes time. Some of us are naturally authentic while for some, it is something that eventually happens after years of learning, growing, evolving and sometimes, not putting up with anyone’s bullshit anymore.

Authentic people are a rare and beautiful bunch. There are some things they do so differently and quite often mistaken for arrogant or conceited, maybe even full of themselves. Such is not the case at all. They just got their stuff together is all. So what are some of the things that truly authentic people do?

1. They’ll stand alone.

If there is a cause they firmly believe in, they will stand alone if they have to. They don’t care if no one will support them or stand with them. They don’t even care if people laugh at them or ridicule them. They don’t care one bit. If it’s something they support strongly, they’ll be there, alone if necessary.

2. Speak their mind.

Don’t expect any sugar coating opinions or debates from the authentic person. They will tell it like it is. They have a strong voice, they have an opinion and they aren’t afraid to show and use both. They aren’t trying to be bold or ignorant, they just have something pretty serious to say.

3. Hang out with like minded people.

They don’t even bother wasting time on small or narrowed minded people. There is no time to be wasted on fake people. Authentic people will either repel people or draw them in. Only another authentic person will totally understand them anyway.

4. Gut instinct.

That’s a serious thing and they listen to and pay attention to theirs always. It isn’t anything to be ignored and they never will. They know their intuition is always spot on and ignoring it comes with serious consequences. They listen to their gut and encourage others to do so as well.

5. Appreciate and love alone time.

This is their time to hang out wit h themselves, listen to the music they love, just be themselves, alone and enjoying their own company. They don’t always have to be around people and even in a relationship, they still expect so me alone time. They appreciate it and give it back. And they aren’t afraid of being alone.

6. People detox.

They know when it’s completely necessary to do this. Some people just don’t fit into our lives for whatever reason and they won’t waste time with people who are fake or not mentally stimulating enough. They will keep their circle small because quality friendships are far more important than the quantity.

7. No apology necessary.

Ever. They rarely apologize for who they are or why they are the way they are. They are completely and totally comfortable in their own skin and make no apologies if they feel someone is shocked, put off or uncomfortable. They are who they are and you will either love them or hate them but one thing is for certain, if you don’t accept them for who they are , they could not care less.

8. They don’t try to impress.

They will wear what they want, when they want without inhibitions. Whether it be flowers in their hair, striped leggings, headbands and dreadlocks, they stay true to their style and fashion sense (even though some of us think their fashion is way out there) and wear it with pride. They love who they are and aren’t afraid to let people know.

You could say the authentic person is a free spirit. A lover, giver, fighter, advocate, charmer or whatever else but one thing remains true, they are who they are, unapologetically.

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Holding the dreams of little high school girls everywhere, keeping a daily diary or journal has often been perceived as the pastime of lost-in-the-clouds adolescence thanks to Hollywood and its environs. Many see it as a waste of time or space, resulting in a bunch of ratty looking books laying around the house. But keeping a daily journal has a wealth of real world benefits. Let’s check out a few observations here.

1. Get Off Your Phone/Computer

I am all for technology these days and without it I’m sure we would all be hopelessly lost. What was life like before the internet anyways? As much as we love being connected, it’s nice to accept some reprieve for a bit. Instead of falling asleep to your Facebook feed, try writing a journal of your day instead. Scribe about the weather, who you talked to, your financial upkeep, and any funny observations. You’ll be amazed how great it feels to write long hand and appreciate your handwriting again, and be able to reflect on the pros and cons of your day, and how you can make every day matter.

2. Stop To Smell The Roses

A popular expression can be applied to our examination here. Keeping a journal allows us to keep track of interesting events…that we didn’t even know happened! Imagine keeping a journal for the next five years. In the future, you can look back and laugh at all the interesting things your past self noticed, and compare it to your observations in real time. You will appreciate your eye for the little things, and gives you something to consider for the rest of your life.

3. A Healthy Mind

Being able to document every day allows you to travel back in time. Instead of stressing about times and dates, you will easily be able to relive moments from years ago – to the day! Not only is this entertaining to do with friends, but you are also expanding your capacity for long term memory, and staving off any early onset of Alzheimer’s or similar brain deterioration. Your ability to remember particular moments will always be fresh, and you can be proud of the life you lived up til now.

4. A Living Timepiece

These days we have to wait for movies to come out, next episodes to air, and new music to be released. But in keeping a diary, we don’t have to wait for anything. Every day, you are at the helm of a literary masterpiece, controlled by you. And you don’t have to limit yourself to writing about your day – soon after you develop comfort with a pen you will be writing about your thoughts, feelings, emotions and observations. Becoming comfortable with yourself and your life. Making better decisions. Watching your life happen every day in real time. You can change and adjust it as you go, weighing your positive and negative qualities to round out your soul. And who couldn’t use a little soul food?

5. Creating A New Healthy Routine

If your daily routine today consists of waking up, turning off your alarm clock (on your phone) and opening up the news on Facebook, you may end up seeing it from the other side. Instead, keeping a daily journal let’s you open up a new hobby, one using pen, paper, and the power of your mind. You may start writing poetry as you go, or recounting funny things, opening up your sense of humour and letting you explore yourself. You don’t have to be creative to write a journal – but who knows what’s going to come out?

6. The Satisfaction of Creating Something

Art is essential in our society, but at the base level every new piece of art is simply something that wasn’t there before. When you start a new journal, you have the satisfaction of creating something that wasn’t there before. A document. A news report. An autobiography – of you! After one year of consistent journaling, you have written an entire book – about your life! Can you call your life a work of art? Absolutely! You certainly can now. So go outside, buy a new notebook and a pen you like, and start scribing. Who knows who will read about your amazing life in the future.

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Sometimes it feels like there’s nothing worse than stagnation. You’ve been at the same job for too long; you’ve been texting the same people for too long; you’ve been drinking the same coffee for too long. At some point you’ve become complacent and lost the creative spirit to find new hobbies, or the will to break out of your routine. It’s starting to get to you, and you have flashes of a younger, more virile self. Don’t worry! It happens to everyone. But not everyone knows how to combat complacency. That’s ok too. Here are some suggestions for how to add a bit of spice to your life without much money or effort.

1. Go To The Movies More Often

Adults now are becoming more comfortable with the idea of youth activities entering their life. Adult colouring books and simple mobile phone games like Candy Crush have re entered the lexicon of socially acceptable all-ages fun. Cinema’s, what used to be the places for first dates and late nights after school at the arcade are now multi media complexes. Enjoy them! Even if you’re not interested in movies, try it out. Two hours allows you to escape your world and enter a new one, even for a fraction of a day. Try this – have some free time? Just show up at the movies, see what’s playing, and go see it. Worst case? You lost $10. Best case? You had a really fun time that you didn’t know you could have, and learned something new about yourself. Have fun!

2. Turn Off Your Phone

I know. I’m sorry I said it. I am all too aware that this is something some of us cannot do for professional reasons or otherwise. But for those who can, watch the development ensue. Turning off your phone allows your mind to search for other forms of entertainment. For me, I start cleaning my house! You’ll listen to old records, clean places you didn’t know were dirty, and enjoy the social detachment and time for yourself. And when you get back to your phone tomorrow, you’ll have lots of messages to catch up on – which will make you feel extra- important!

3. Join A Monthly Club

I’m not forcing you to join Cindy’s Spin Class on Tuesday’s at 10 pm. But you would be surprised how many monthly clubs there are that are affordable and interesting. Here’s a recommendation – join a monthly coffee club. You can find a host of them online from all over the world. Every month you can choose a new flavour of coffee to try, learn more about coffee roasting, and, usually, have the satisfaction of supporting a new start-up, which are often fronted by young, progressive entrepreneurs. So you get to help out small business, and attract a new hobby, and have personalized coffee delivered to your door. Why not?!

4. Cook Something Totally Different

It might be a strange investment, but hear me out. Go out, and buy a random $30 cookbook. It could be Thai, Indian, or the Encyclopedia of Tiramisu. But what it’s going to do is send you on a new path. Once you’ve picked a recipe to focus on, you will be meandering down new aisles, learning about new products and compositions, and using your kitchen in a new way. It will distract your mind and allow you to focus on an interesting and delicious new project. Your cooking skills will improve, and there’s certainly nothing wrong with that! Reap the benefits afterwards by chowing down with your friends, and posting pictures on Facebook to make everyone else jealous. Who knew you could cook?

5. Take A New Route To Work

This one may be obvious but the surprising results can be positively interpreted. Take your new route for example. Maybe it’s a longer way to work (in fact, I encourage it). Along the way, stop at a new place for coffee. Develop a relationship with the new baristas. Look around for cool new shops you didn’t know existed. Wake up at a different time and focus on re- adjusting your standard routine. It’s so simple, you didn’t even realize it! You might even make new friends you didn’t know existed – all because you took a different road to work!

6. Make a Puzzle With Your Friends

Although colouring books may be all the rage, they are still a bit too introverted of an activity to command real change. Chances are, you have other friends who are feeling a bit stagnant. Instead of going to the same old coffee shop or laundromat to catch up, invite your friend over to make a puzzle! Although it seems childish, you won’t believe how fast four hours goes by when you are trying to align pieces of pandas and whales, and it’s a great chance to catch up on old gossip and fun conversation.

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More than 60% of our population is expected to move into urban centers by 2020. There are over 1 billion people on Facebook and more than 2 billion mobile phones in use. Online dating has become a huge market while people have been meeting in real life situations less and less. With statistics like this, why do people feel lonelier and more isolated than ever before? We find our ability to engage small talk and develop trustworthy relationships diminishing as our energies pour into Instagram and Newsfeeds.

Regardless, we still have to date and get there eventually. Despite our social inadequacies and anxieties, people are dating more and more following the growing population trends. Worried about how to impress on your first date? Fear not! Browse this list for some interesting tips about how to close your first date.

1. Remember Your Inside Jokes

While in your free time you’ve been chatting away, your work-life time has been ripe with obstacle. Every day you are bound by work, distracted by prices and carried away by the sexy guy or girl in the elevator. So, when you get to that dinner table for your first date, do your homework and re-read your messages! What was the last thing you said that made him/her laugh? Did he/she have a funny picture you’ve always wanted to poke fun at? What about that silly fact from each other’s hometown? These will be great conversation starters, and open the door for a slew of relaxing topics.

2. Be Comfortable

I’m not saying bring your pyjamas to the party, but we’re almost there. Believe it or not, you can be comfortable and sexy without having to sacrifice all your human comforts! Your favourite necklace is a bit too heavy? Wear the smaller one. It won’t matter to him. Your lucky boxer-briefs are a bit tight? Just wear the loose ones – it doesn’t matter to her. Skip the bulky watch. Wear flats. Undo your top button. Just relax! Chemical attraction starts after the first few seconds by two consenting parties, and after a few jokes you’ll forget all about what you’re wearing; so you might as well be comfortable while you’re at it.

3. Talk About Anything

When I was a young man I overheard a few guys talking at a bar about how they couldn’t approach women. They were big, strong, handsome guys. What do they have to worry about? From that day on I knew I had nothing to worry about. Girls and guys are all the same. You’ve already set up the date, so the chemical attraction is expected already. After that, realize the humanity behind it all. You’re both two slightly anxious, slightly risk-taking people who live in the same place and are ready for fun. No topics are off! Whatever you’re thinking of, he/she is probably thinking the same. So just let it out and watch the wavelengths sync.

4. Don’t Overthink Anything

How many of you stand in front of your phone or mirror hours before your date practicing lines, rehearsing one-liners in your car, or preparing speeches for unexpected awkward silences? Forget about it. Forget all about it. Take a deep breath and go with the flow. You’re both nervous, and both strangers. Be a leader by leading the conversation with random interjection. Be comfortable with silly jokes, and hold each other’s hands through awkward silences. Oftentimes you both need a break from chatting anyways, and it gives you both a great chance to consider your feelings and enjoy the moment.

5. That Includes Location

“Where should we go?”

“What should we do?”

I can hear the gulp already when this text hits home. Where should you go? What should you do? Just as in life, there’s no rulebook or guidebook for dating. I’ll tell you now that you’re probably not going skydiving or snorkelling with whale sharks, and as you browse through the Yellow Pages you’ll find that Italian restaurant on the corner looking more and more appealing.

And there’s nothing wrong with that. Remember that at the end of the day, what really makes a great date is the company you share, not the place it happened. So go to that awful Italian restaurant – and when your food arrives late and in the wrong order, laugh about it together and enjoy the cavalier fun.

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