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5 Reasons To Cut Ties With Toxic Family Members
Throughout life, you will inevitably lose friends, or wind up ending friendships. Usually, you move on and feel good about your decision afterward. When it comes to family, it's a different situation entirely. Unlike your friends, your family has always been a part of your life, making it difficult to cut ties with them. A family member does deserve more leniency than a friend, but that doesn't mean they can't be toxic. If a family member is negatively impacting your life, you may need to cut toxic family ties. Here are five types of toxic behavior to look for.
1. They're Judgemental
In a healthy family environment, there should be unconditional love without judgment. A relative who constantly judges you, or has an issue with everything you do, is not someone you need in your life. There is a difference between constructive criticism and just trying to bring someone down. Relentless and unnecessary judgment by a family member can cut deeper than from a friend. When someone belittles you non-stop, they are just trying to make themselves feel better. According to Psychology Today author Susan Krauss Whitbourne, Ph.D., this is a sign of someone who has narcissistic tendencies. This is a person you want to stay away from, family member or not.
2. The Relationship Is One-Sided
Everyone knows this person, Mr. Calls-you-only-when-he-needs-you. All relationships require some form of give and take, but a familial relationship is built on that balance. If this person only reaches out to you when they need a favor; but offers nothing in return, then the relationship has no value. This exchange imbalance isn’t only a red flag when it comes to money, but also material goods. Emotional one-sidedness can be just as taxing on a relationship and lead to resentment. If you feel drained every time you encounter this person, chances are they are a toxic family member.
3. They Spread Rumors About You
Rumors are meant for high school, not towards other family members. A family member that is willing to tell lies about you, whether through text or a cell phone search, cares more about gossip and drama than you. Ditch them. This type of person does not want to see you succeed in life and do well. People spread rumors to stagnate other peoples growth and tear them down. Also, the majority of the time, these rumors are untruthful. Tarnishing the reputation of the person involved in the rumor, and making the person who's spreading it look immature and petty.
4. They’re Jealous Of You
People that truly care about you are happy when things go well for you, they're not jealous. That type of support is usually a given when it comes to family. If one family member is succeeding, everyone is succeeding. Somebody whose motto is “if I’m not happy nobody can be,” is never going to be supportive of you. Dismissing your hard work as luck, and cutting down your accomplishments are all signs of an unhappy person. Toxic people feel the need to take away others happiness. If a family member is that jealous of you, you need to cut those toxic family ties.
5. The Relationship Is A Lost Cause
Most of us want to make things right with our loved ones. Being estranged from a parent, sibling, or cousin is difficult. Sometimes it seems easier to just let things carry on status quo to keep the peace. Take an honest look at that relationship though, is it making you happy? You’re reading this article because you suspect you have toxic family ties. Ask yourself, is this relationship salvageable? Does it hurt to be near them? We don't always like to admit when a bond is broken beyond repair.
Cutting Ties With Family Members
Your family should be your backbone, and the friends you keep for life. A person's family should be there for them during the best times, as well as the worst times of their life. That being said, if they judge your every move or start rumors about you, is it worth having them around? They will always be related to you, but that doesn't mean they have to be a part of your life. Sometimes it is better for everyone involved to just cut ties with toxic family members.
For more family-related content check out TheGrapevineGossip
3 Things You May Not Know About Ellen DeGeneres
If you live in America, you know who Ellen DeGeneres is. She has been the host of her self-named talk show for 15 years. And she's showcased every big star you can think of, from Justin Timberlake, Justin Bieber to Michelle Obama. She is pretty universally loved and is known for two things, being a pioneer in the LGBTQ community and being the hilarious host of her TV show. Here are some amazing qualities you may not know about her:
1. The FIRST Openly Gay Lead Character On TV
In her sitcom, Ellen, she decided to come out publicly after three seasons. Ellen came out in the most groundbreaking way possible, on her scripted TV show. With one line, she came out to the world and make her mark in LGBTQ history in 1997. Unfortunately, the show was canceled, but that didn't stop her successful career to come.
2. Received Medal Of Freedom From President Obama
In 2016, Ellen received the Medal of Freedom from former President Obama. Even with twenty other pop culture candidates, she was still chosen for the medal. Her tireless efforts have made the world a better place, and her emotional response proves it. Ellen's reaction when being awarded the medal went viral since it was so raw and beautiful to watch.
3. Has Gorilla Sanctuary In Rwanda In Her Name
In January 2018, Ellen’s wife Portia gifted her The Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. This camp helps scientists prevent gorilla extinction. Ellen has always had a passion for helping Gorillas and has continually donated to the Fossey Fund. How could you not love her after that?
Ellen's Bravery
For 20 years, young people who thought they might be gay, or knew they were gay and were too afraid to say anything, were fully embraced by Ellen on her show. If you watch Ellen's first interview after coming out with Oprah, you would be shocked by the response. Today, there is only a small group of people who can’t wrap their heads around homosexuality. The majority of society not only understands but voted in favor of gay marriage rights.
There are many factors and many influencers, but, the world would not be as accepting without Ellen. Celebrities tend to be characterized by one or two qualities and are put in a box. In today’s culture, there are too many “famous” people to keep track of. And many have fake personas that you wouldn't know unless you did a background check. However, there still are good people being their genuine selves, and Ellen is one of those people.
You May Also Like: Influential Women of 2018
5 Ways To Not Get Catfished
It feels like just yesterday the world watched the documentary Catfish and was in awe of the story. People started questioning their own online relationships and others discovered that their online relationships were fake. Now it has been 7 seasons and the show is still going strong. Unfortunately, people are still being catfished and not everyone gets to be on the show. So, if you’re curious if your relationship is the real deal, here are some tips to help you figure it out.
1. Ask To FaceTime Or Skype
With today’s technology, there’s no reason a person can’t find a way to see you face to face. If the two of you are having great chemistry and talking non-stop, then do a video call. A Facetime or Skype session should be fun and if that goes well, will help make meeting in person less intimidating. If the other person is unwilling to do that, this should be a huge red flag. This goes to show you that they have something to hide, like their name or appearance.
2. Dig Into Their Facebook
Dig into their Facebook and see what their life is like. See who their friends are and what type of pictures they post. If they are tagging friends in photos and interacting with them in the comments, that’s a good sign. Some people don’t post that much on Facebook but there should be at least a couple of pictures of them with friends. Or photos that they have been tagged in. Also, look to see if their profile picture is a stock image or if they have duplicate accounts on Facebook.
3. Check Search Engines
If Facebook or other social profiles don’t tell you a lot, then it’s time to do a reverse phone search and check search engines. Google will tell you some information but the paid websites will tell you everything. Typically, they are very affordable and I’d personally rather spend a dollar or two than waste my time. These sites will tell you names, numbers, addresses, emails, social sites and even criminal records of the person you're searching. In one easy search, you can have all of your answers.
4. Use Spy Apps
Some people may think this option is extreme but it is very simple to get a spy app on someone’s phone. And in some cases, you don’t even need the phone in-hand. You can search who that person is texting and make sure people are addressing them by the same name on their profile. If they text their mom or dad and have real pictures of themselves, they are probably legitimate. Apps like PhoneSpector are ideal for this situation and are very affordable. It's definitely worth a try before going on your date.
5. Meet In Person
After doing all of these steps, if your online partner does not want to meet you, then it's not a relationship. And you're probably being catfished. Someone interested in pursuing a real relationship outside of the online world, you will meet in person. So if they won't meet, cut ties immediately! You will have so many relationships in your life, and this is just one of them. Move on to someone that will meet you halfway, in person that is.
Meeting people online is not only easier than meeting in person but is more comfortable. This is why online dating is so popular, especially with the new Tinder U app. Initially dating someone online is a not bad thing but make sure you meet them ASAP. The more time you waste on someone, the more at risk you are of being catfished. I know it is hard to talk to people you are attracted to and make a good first impression, but to have a real relationship, you must meet.
5 Ways To Make Money Without Ever Leaving Your Home!
Are you a parent or college student looking to earn a little extra cash? Well, there are plenty of legit ways online you can make money from the comfort of your own home. I’ve listed five of those ways below.
#1: Enter Online Giveaways
Who doesn’t love online giveaways and sweepstakes? There are many online money giveaways that you can enter every day. However, make sure they are legit and not a scam. One AWESOME giveaway we came across recently was the Swingtop Promotions win a $1000 Visa Gift Card Giveaway. They are choosing a winner this year on September 15th and December 15th.
#2: Sell Your Items Online
Kill two birds with one stone. Get rid of useless junk in your home while filling your wallet with $$$. You could sell your gadgets, bags, jewelry, furniture, and whatever else you find in your home. Then, you can spend that extra cash on stuff you actually care about (I love shopping on Rocket Deals)! The best places to sell your items are eBay, Letgo, Decluttr, and Facebook Marketplace.
#3: Rent A Room
Do you have an apartment or house with an extra room? Instead of wasting the space, rent it out. There are plenty of sites you can use including Airbnb, SpareRoom, and EasyRoomate. However, make sure you're prepared for the work that comes with renting out a room and having a new housemate. This includes running a sex offender search to make sure the potential tenant isn't a threat.
#4: Shop Online
Let’s go online shopping! Yes, you can actually make money online shopping. How? By using Ebates. It’s a free membership loyalty program that connects consumers with major brands like Walmart, Macy’s, Marriott, and Weight Watchers. All you have to do is shop at your favorite stores through Ebates, get cash back on your orders, and get paid via check or Paypal.
#5: Play Games, Take Surveys, and Watch Videos & TV
With InboxDollars, you can earn money by playing games, taking surveys, watching videos and tv, and using offers. Companies pay InboxDollars to find consumers who can provide input. Then, the consumers participate in activities through the site and when completed, earn cash.
Whether you’re looking to earn a living at home or get some extra cash for a vacation, these 5 ways will help you make money. Looking for more ways to save money? Here are 3 ways to save money on the internet.
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Dress For Less: Meghan Markle
Ever since the Royal Wedding, all eyes have been on Meghan Markle. We can't steal her husband, Prince Harry, but we can steal her amazing style. Something Meghan has been notorious for in recent months. While most of us can't afford to dress like the Duchess of Sussex, we can find affordable alternatives. Becoming a British royal has its perks and the incredible new closet is definitely one of them. Despite the many restrictions Meghan now has, such as deleting her Instagram, she is the modern-day Disney princess.
1. Stylish Outerwear
Meghan has been spotted wearing numerous styles of coats in past months. Reminding us that when you don't know what to wear, throw on a stylish jacket. Instead of spending minutes or even hours mulling over your closet, choose a longer length coat to define your outfit. If styled properly, like with a trench coat, your jacket can make the look.
Forever 21 Jacket: https://bit.ly/2MOOuox
Abercrombie Jacket: https://bit.ly/2Bb7mwk
2. Denim On Denim
Who says you can't wear denim on denim? Certainly not Meghan Markle. Megan's style consists of timeless wardrobe staples like jeans and a chambray top. Pieces like this will never go out of fashion. Not only do they look classy, but they are also really comfortable. Every woman feels confident in dark denim jeans.
Gap Chambray Top: https://bit.ly/2P9KRed
Amazon Jeans: https://amzn.to/2nFTbWA
3. Sleek Pencil Skirt
H&M Sweater: https://bit.ly/2nDCLy1
Banana Republic Skirt: https://brstyl.es/2MrQGFf
Megan is often photographed wearing shades of green, which is definitely her color. This flattering and sleek pencil skirt looks amazing on her and is great for women in the office. Below the knees, this is a comfortable length and the color makes it different from the normal black pencil skirt.
With so many style icons out there, Meghan Markle is one to watch. Her elegant and classy style is the perfect inspiration for working women. Even though her outfits have a higher price tag, fortunately, it is easy to find clothing alternatives. And the rise of social media outlets like Pinterest makes it a fun challenge to find a look for less. See if your friends like your Meghan Markle inspired outfits by spying on text messages of theirs.
For more fashion related posts check out Grapevine Gossip!
