Dealing with the holiday blues: What to do when you’re not in the mood to celebrate

woman leaning against the wall in bed

The holidays are a time for celebration, friends, family, and good times.

But what if you’re not in the mood to celebrate? What if the holidays have you feeling down?

If you’re feeling depressed during the holidays, it’s okay. Below, we will outline a few tips on how to deal with the holiday blues. We hope these tips will help you find some relief.

Prioritize self-care

Prioritizing self-care can mean taking a moment to meditate and set an intention for the day.

It can also mean taking time to do activities you find enjoyable and rewarding. Maybe that means going for a walk, writing a journal entry, or watching your favorite movie.

Whatever it is, make sure to schedule time for activities that make you feel good. That way, you can still enjoy the season without feeling overwhelmed. And if all else fails, be gentle with yourself and know that it’s perfectly okay to take a break from the buzz.

Know what you can and cannot control

You cannot control what other people say or do, how your family interacts, or how your friends celebrate. What you can control is how you respond to these situations.

If you find yourself getting stressed, take a step back and assess the situation. Respond with kindness instead of anger or frustration. If you can’t change the situation, change your response to it. This will help you maintain your peace of mind and stay positive.

Set boundaries for yourself and others
woman taking a phone call

Image Credits: unsplash.com

It can be hard to say no during the holiday season.

You don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, and you certainly don’t want to be perceived as a Grinch. But this is your time too, and you have a right to protect your mental health.

One way to do this is to set boundaries for yourself. Be clear when communicating with others, whether it’s friends, family, or coworkers. Let them know what your limits are, and ask them to respect them.

Feel free to decline an invitation or politely explain that you’re not feeling up to it. Be kind but firm in setting these boundaries. You don’t want to over-commit yourself and end up feeling crushed and stressed.

Take time to feel your emotions

It’s okay not to be okay. It’s okay to feel down and out during the holidays.

Acknowledge your feelings and give yourself time to process them. Don’t try to suppress your emotions, as this will only make them worse in the long run.

Take some time for yourself each day. During this time, you can do something that makes you happy or relaxes you. This can be anything from taking a warm bath, listening to music, or going for coffee.

If you are feeling down, there are still things you can do to make the holiday season enjoyable. You can spend time alone, do things you want, or find ways to make the season meaningful for you. Don’t let the blues keep you from enjoying the holidays on your terms.

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6 Best Places for Delicious, Under S$30 Steak in Singapore

Steaks do not usually come cheap. I am sure you have walked into a restaurant and glanced at the prices. Mentally, you are calculating the cost with the service charge and GST. Eating steak is something you eat on a bougie day. That should not always be the case!

A juicy, savory, and smoky steak can cure a sad day. Here are 6 Best Places for Delicious, Under S$30 Steak in Singapore:

#1: THE FEATHER BLADE

The Feather Blade has its loyal following with its bestseller The Feather Blade Steak (S$23). This steak is a no-frills, no-fuss steak. It can be ordered in your preferred doneness. Personally, I like medium doneness. How about you?

Apart from the steak, you can pair it with sides such as deep-fried Potatoes (S$9) or fragrant nutmeg and parmesan Spinach (S$8).

Image Credits: facebook.com/thefeatherblade

Location: 61 Tg Pagar Rd, Singapore 088482

#2: UNO BEEF HOUSE

Finding affordable steak to indulge in is quite the task because you have to get your money’s worth. In the slew of hawker centres and coffee shops, you will see the Western food stall called UNO Beef House. It is known for its sizzling hot plates of affordable steaks available in different cuts.

You need to try their Black Pepper Ribeye Steak, which comes with their signature fried potato ball, tomato, and baked beans. This is available in 3 cuts — sirloin (S$14), ribeye (S$16) and tenderloin (S$19).

Location: 51 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh, Singapore 310051

#3: HAMBURG STEAK KEISUKE

What is better than an inexpensive steak? A cheap steak with a sprawling buffet spread. This buffet comes with salad bar and unlimited eggs too. We are talking about all kinds of eggs — from creamy scrambled eggs to fluffy tamagoyaki.

Visit Keisuke and try the Prime Beef Hamburg Steak Set (S$20.90) which is served tender and nicely charred on the outside. Alternatively, cheese lovers can order the Triple Cheese Prime Hamburg Steak Set (S$22.90). Cut it open and watch the cheese flow!

Image Credits: keisuke.sg

Location: 72 Peck Seah St, Singapore 079329

#4: BIZEN OKAYAMA • WAGYU STEAKHOUSE

One of 2022’s buzzwords is Wagyu. Not all Wagyu is created equal, especially that of the budget-friendly variety. Run by the people behind Aston’s, Bizen replicates its quality with its Japanese Wagyu. This eatery serves juicy, affordable Wagyu steaks in Singapore.

You can find almost any cut of steak you want on their menu, including the Round steak for S$20.50. It comes with two sides.

Image Credits: facebook.com/BizenSteakhouse

Location: Multiple branches including one in Plaza Singapura

#5: iSTEAKS DINER

iSTEAKS Diner has a myriad of steaks including the New Zealand Ribeye (S$25.50 for 200g) and Australian Ribeye (S$29 for 200g).

If you do not want to spend too much, I would recommend getting their 200g cut of New Zealand Striploin ($22.50). Trust me, you will get your money’s worth with its tender inside and deliciously charred exterior.

Image Credits: facebook.com/iSTEAKS

Location: 1 Maju Ave, #02-03/04/05/06 myVillage, Singapore 556679

#6: PICANHAS’

With the motto: “Steaks For The People”, the halal steakhouse Picanhas’ specializes in pincanha. Try the Queen of Steak (S$25). Each slab of steak is dried brined, slow-cooked, and then finished on the stove with binchotan butter. You will be surprised with its immensely rich flavor.

This steak is best paired with Sides (S$7 each) such as Cream Spinach or double-cooked Potatoes with sriracha mayo. Finish your sweet meal with the Crepe Butter Pudding (S$15.00).

Location: 90 Club St, Singapore 069458

Image Credits: facebook.com/Picanhassg

[Disclaimer: 2023 may signify changes in the menus of the abovementioned eateries. Prices are subject to change.]

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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Practicing fairness in the workplace: Challenging manager favoritism

colleagues interacting in the office

Imagine you work for a company and you’re good at your job.

You do your work diligently, meet deadlines, and go the extra mile to help your team.

But then you realized something strange: your manager is paying more attention to a colleague who isn’t as qualified as you are and seems to be doing less work.

The more you pay attention, the more you realize that this colleague is getting preferential treatment. They’re always the first ones to get new projects, they’re being consulted on decisions that should be made by people with more experience, and they seem to have a personal relationship with your manager.

What do you do?

Signs of a manager practicing favoritism

For one, you feel like you’re being treated unfairly.

Additionally, if you see your manager socializing with specific employees outside of work, or if they’re constantly helping that same few with their work duties, that’s another sign of favoritism. If you suspect that your manager is playing favorites, speak up.

Challenging their behavior can be tough, but do what’s right for you and your career.

Discussing the issue with your boss
colleagues talking in a meeting room

Image Credits: businessinsider.com

If you’re feeling like you’re being unfairly treated at work, discuss the issue with your boss. But before you do, gather your evidence and plan out what you want to say.

When you bring the issue up, be sure to diplomatically state your case. It can be easy to come across as resentful but stay professional. And remember, you’re not accusing anyone of anything—you’re bringing up facts.

If your boss is receptive, he or she will be happy to discuss the issue with you and try to find a solution. However, if your boss is defensive or unwilling to listen, that’s a sign that you may need to plan your leave.

Taking action against biased decisions

If you’re the victim of your manager’s favoritism, it can be understandably difficult to take action. 

After all, this is the person who has the power to approve or deny your requests, and you don’t want to make things worse.

That said, you have a right to be treated fairly at work, and if you feel like you’re being discriminated against, there are steps you can take.

First, try to identify any unconscious biases that might be at play. These could be things like your manager favoring employees who share the same educational background or who share the same hobbies.

Once you’ve identified any possible biases, speak with your manager about your concerns. It’s possible that they’re not even aware of their bias, and a discussion could help to resolve the issue.

If speaking with your manager doesn’t lead to any changes, it might be time to escalate the issue to HR. Remember, you have a right to a fair and supportive workplace, and HR can help to ensure that you’re being treated fairly.

There’s no question that managers can wield a lot of power in the workplace. But what happens when they start playing favorites? If you feel like you’re being overlooked for promotions or assignments, and you know that it’s because your manager is playing favorites, take action. It’s not fair when someone abuses their power, and you don’t have to put up with a toxic work environment.

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Achieving the dream: How to be the boss everyone wants to work for

boss and employee at work

So you want to make a good impression on your team?

Following these tips will help you create a positive and productive work environment—and (hopefully) be the boss that everyone wants to work for.

Establish trust and respect

Start by establishing trust and respect.

People have to feel like they can trust you before they follow your lead. And respect is earned by being fair, consistent, and communicative.

Be sure to treat everyone with respect. Believe in yourself and your team, and always stand up for what’s right. And when there’s a mistake, own up to it.

Communicate openly and often

You want your team to feel like they can come to you with any question or concern, no matter how big or small.

The more open and communicative you are, the more they can trust and respect you. Make sure to schedule regular one-on-one meetings with your team members, and be sure to check in with them to see how they’re doing and what challenges they’re facing.

And if there’s something you need to share, do it promptly—no one likes feeling like they’re being kept in the dark.

Set expectations and provide feedback
giving feedback to a colleague

Image Credits: TLNT.com

Setting expectations for your team and providing feedback will help them understand what you’re looking for and how they can improve.

Make sure that your expectations are clear, reasonable, and achievable. Nobody wants to feel overwhelmed or undervalued, so be sure to set the bar at a level that everyone can reach.

When it comes time to provide feedback, be specific and actionable. Your employees can only improve if they know what they need to work on. And remember to give credit where it’s due—recognize your team’s successes, no matter how small.

Empower employees to act autonomously

This means giving them the freedom to make decisions without having to check with you first.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should just give your employees free rein. You should still provide guidance. But it’s wise to trust your employees to make decisions on their own.

This approach can lead to better decision-making because employees will take more ownership of their work. And it can also boost morale because employees will feel valued and authorized.

Show appreciation for individual efforts

Recognizing individual efforts can be done in several ways, such as through rewards, public recognition, or simply saying “thank you.”

When you take the time to show appreciation for what your employees do, it helps create a positive work environment where people feel appreciated. This, in turn, can lead to increased motivation and productivity.

Encourage a healthy work-life balance

This doesn’t mean that you have to offer unlimited vacation days or let people work from home every day, but it does mean being understanding when someone needs to leave early for a doctor’s appointment or take a mental health day off.

Remember that your employees are people, with lives outside of work. And when they’re happy, they’re more likely to be engaged at work. So do what you can to support your team in their efforts to maintain a healthy balance.

As we close, how can you make sure that you’re the boss everyone wants to work for? Here’s a quick recap before you go: establish trust, communicate openly, set clear expectations, give employees autonomy, show your appreciation, and walk the talk on a healthy work-life balance. Did we miss out on anything?

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5 Marriage-Killing Money Habits

Marriage beats having a partner on a long-term basis. I am no expert on love, but my goal is to make sure that you understand the financial obligations that you each bring to the table. Otherwise, arguments can occur. Arguments about money hamper many marriages. Do not let it happen to you!

#1: FIGHTING OVER WHAT’S MINE AND YOURS

Sometimes, couples split the bills or allocate a fair amount of cash and settle everything in an equitable manner. Each spouse can spend what they have left as they see fit when the bills have been covered. This process of splitting what’s mine from what’s yours can often build resentment. It also divides the spending power, which eliminates the financial value of marriage.

#2: COLLECTING DEBTS

From student loans to credit card bills, many people come to the altar with financial baggage. If one partner has a habit of incurring debt, the other can feel the burden. People in such situations may take some solace in knowing that debts brought into a marriage stay with the person who incurred them.

#3: PLAYING WITH POWER

Power plays occur in many ways such as controlling the allowance of the unemployed spouse and comparing oneself from a spouse who came from money. It is important that both partners cooperate as a team. Joint account offers greater access and transparency, which can aid the unbalanced power dynamic in your marriage.

#4: SPENDING HABITS

Personality can play a crucial role in discussions and habits about money. The age-old conflict between spenders and savers can play out in many ways. Many of us may display more than one of these characteristics at a given time but will typically revert to one main category. Know your spouse’s money personality and discuss your differences openly. Recognize bad spending habits and address them.

#5: LOANING YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS

Do you have a habit of loaning money to your friends and family members? Respecting each other’s goals, needs, and expectations can be especially tricky. For instance, your partner’s mom may need money because of a serious illness, or your sister just gave birth. You need to allocate your travel fund to the medical expenses instead.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

The joys (and sorrows) of having a bigger family often extend to your wallet.

Sources: 1 & 2

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