The bright constellation

1. 1
   Tell someone where you are going and how long you plan to stay. This doesn't mean that you're cramping your own style. You're being smart by letting a family member or friend know where – and when – to start looking for you and worrying, if it comes to that. You don't need to provide a GPS tracker, but it's smart to leave a MapQuest or Google map of your planned route for your friend or parent so they know where to look for you if you don't show up. Knowing you have taken these simple precautions can boost your confidence significantly.
   
   
   

    

    

    

    
   • Before you leave to meet your friends, call or text them to let them know you're on your way so they'll know something is up if you're not there.
      
   • When you get there, tell your friend or parent that you've made it safely.
      
    
2. 2
   Make sure your car is in good shape if you're driving. If you're driving somewhere by yourself, you need to make sure that you have a spare tire in case you get a flat tire and that nothing on your dashboard is lit up before you go. You should also have a AAA or other roadside emergency service card with you as well as a charged cell phone. Fill your car up with gas before you leave.
   
   
   

    

    

    

    
   • Just checking to make sure everything is cool before you get going is a great step to give you peace of mind before you head out.
      
    
3. 3
   Park your car in a safe location. Before you get out of your car, think about where you have parked. Is it well-lit, easy to see from the street? This is the best place to park if alone. Avoid parking in dark alleys or very far away from the door of your destination. Remember where you parked – this is very important. Mentally map your path to the door of the place you're going, take note of anyone on the street, and gather your things quickly.
   
   
   

    

    

    

    
   • Upon leaving your car, check carefully that it is locked and you have left nothing enticing (like a laptop bag or an iPad) in plain view. Walk purposefully – do not meander – directly to the door and enter immediately.
     
     
     

      

      

      

      
      
   • Lingering on the street is not a good idea, it allows potential attackers to see that you are alone. Keep anyone you noticed out on the street in your mind, and in the corner of your eye, if possible.
     
     
     

      

      

      

      
      
    
4. 4
   Walk down a well-lit path when you're on foot. Even if you're in a relatively safe neighborhood — and especially if you're not — you should find the most popular, well-lit street. If you're walking down a dark alley, or find yourself in the middle of a dim residential street, you're more likely to get robbed if there's no one around. A well-lit path will make it easier for you to see where you're going and it will keep criminals from coming your way. Here are some other things to do if you're on foot:
   • Don't listen to your head phones or keep checking your text messages. Stay alert.
     
     
     

      

      

      

      
      
   • Walk in the opposite direction of the flow of traffic so an abductor is less likely to put you in his car.
     
     
     

      

      

      

      
      
   • Know exactly where you're going to leave the house. If you check your phone's map app every few minutes, you'll be making yourself an easy target.
     
     
     

      

      

      

      
      
   • If you're out alone in the dark, it's not a good time to stop at an ATM.
     
     
     

      

      

      

      
      
    
5. 5
   Learn how to defend yourself. It's important to remember that you do not have to suddenly earn a black belt in karate or carry a knife around with you – but if you're generally confident when you go out alone, knowing that you can take care of yourself can reassure you greatly. Train your senses so you will feel like you can look after yourself – be more observant, so that you will know if something is about to happen.
   
   
   

    

    

    

    
   • If you travel or live in [risky or dangerous areas, learn how to block punches, or think of how to avoid harmful incidents.
      
   • Developing a more street smart attitude may seem silly, or pointless, but the simple knowledge that you can protect yourself will increase your confidence.
      
    

Hanging Out at Your Destination

1. 1
   Don't share too much personal information with a new acquaintance. Though making new friends is part of the fun of going out, you should avoid giving too much personal information to someone you just met, unless that person has been vouched for — like if she's the best friend of one of your best friends. But even then, be on the look out. Do not mention that you came alone. Say you are waiting for friends to arrive or someone is picking you up soon.
   
   
   

    

    

    

    
   • If you meet someone you like, make plans to meet in a coffee shop, at a restaurant, or at an amusement park, rather than giving out your home address or place of work.
      
   • Don't mention exactly where you live, even in passing.
      
   • Giving out your cell phone number is okay if you want to. The main idea is that you take time to really know this person and get a feel for the real guy or girl, not just that first impression.
      
    
2. 2
   Be careful — but not paranoid. Remember that good people are like sunny days – there are lots of them. Just because you're being careful doesn't mean you need to be afraid that everyone is out there thinking about how to get one over on you. Be prepared – notparanoid. Remembering that there are more sunny days than days when lightning strikes is useful. Lightning is dangerous, maybe deadly – but rare.
   
   
   

    

    

    

    
    
3. 3
   Let people see you having a good time. If you want to stay safe and not make yourself a target, have a blast, whether you're with girlfriends or by yourself. People will be less likely to take advantage of you if you look like the life of the party instead of hanging out by yourself in the corner. And remember to relax once you're in a safe environment — you won't have a good time if you don't. Once you've reached your destination, settle in and resolve to have a good time, no matter what.
   
   
   

    

    

    

    
    

Getting Home

1. 1
   Take a taxi home if you're drunk. Remember that there is no designated driver – you're it. Be aware of what you are drinking. Do not leave your drink unattended for any reason. If someone buys you a drink, make sure you watch the bartender pour it. If you suspect your drink has been compromised, do NOT drink it. Don't get drunk! If you do get drunk, don't plan on going home without calling a taxi or relative to collect you.
   
   
   

    

    

    

    
   • Just a reminder: if you're out completely alone, it's not not a good idea to get too drunk or someone will take advantage of you. But if you're walking out to meet friends, that's okay.
      
    
2. 2
   Quickly walk back to your car if you can drive home safely. Take a close read of the street and then go straight to your car, then home. Alone. If the guard or bouncer, or a group of other women you have met, offer to walk you to your car, take them up on it. At the very least, let someone know that you're going home now, and ask them to watch you till you get in your car.
   
   
   

    

    

    

    
   • Take a look around – know who is on the street with you, and if you see an alley between you and your car, walk in the middle of the street if necessary to give yourself plenty of room to move if you need to.
      
   • Walk purposefully and confidently to your car, and when you get there, have your keys ready and unlock the car as you are taking your last steps toward it. As you approach the car do a quick visual check that nobody is inside of it. Get in, lock the doors immediately, buckle up, start your car and drive away. Don't sit in your car fixing your make-up or fiddling with your iPad or texting someone – get going

1.  
2. 1
   LOOK in the mirror and tell yourself 10 things you love about yourself. This should only take about 10 minutes.
   
   
   

    

    

    

    
    
3. 2
   Put some effort in to how you look. The way you look plays a big role in the way you feel.
   
   
   

    

    

    

    
    
4. 3
   Don't worry about what others think of you. As long as you don't agree with what they're saying! (Example: Negative comments.)
   
   
   

    

    

    

    
    
5. 4
   Sometimes we NEED to have reasons to pamper ourselves. Yours could be: "I DESERVE IT!"
   
   
   

    

    

    

    
    
6. 5
   Do things that you enjoy doing and go out with your friends and have a laugh!
   
   
   

    

    

    

    
    
    

1. 1
   Ask your parents, guardians or teachers for advice. Ask a person you know that you can trust and with whom you feel comfortable. Tell them the things that are bothering you and let them know why you are feeling so low. It is important that they understand very quickly that you are having feelings of depression.
   
   
   

    

    

    

    
    
2. 2
   See a doctor or local health professional. Whether or not you feel you can talk to a parent/guardian or teacher, you should feel able to talk to an independent third party such as your doctor, a nurse, or a counselor. They will be able to provide advice to you on what to do next and doctors can prescribe medication or other medical interventions if they judge that this is needed.
   
   
   

    

    

    

    
    
3. 3
   Deal with the cause of your depression. If you are suffering from problems at school or elsewhere, it is unlikely that these problems will go away unless you face them and find strategies to cope better. For example, if you are being bullied, taunted, hit, or hurt in any way, you must speak to people in authority to ask them to have the behavior stopped. If you are worried about the repercussions, talk through the possible solutions with people who can do something to help you, such as walking you home with people who will take care of you, having teachers keep an eye over bullying tactics, and even changing schools or after-school activities so that you are no longer around the people who cause problems.
   
   
   

    

    

    

    
    
4. 4
   Do not neglect yourself or put yourself down. Depression is a very real illness and is often a reaction to events that you feel you have no control over and cannot change. Depression makes things worse for you because you start to believe that things will never improve and you might even blame yourself for the things that are happening. None of these feelings are healthy, nor are they right. You deserve better, you deserve to have people take care of you and bring you back to full emotional health. In some cases too, you might have a chemical imbalance which the doctor will need to monitor and help with. Another important outcome of getting help is that you can learn coping mechanisms that will help you to avoid falling into a depression in the future.
   
   
   

1. 1
   If your parent is too proud to accept their mistakes, try to speak to someone who can tell them what they are doing is wrong, and make them realize their mistakes.
   
   
   

    

    

    

    
    
2. 2
   If step 1 doesn't work, and you're still not in speaking terms, just show them that you still care for them and be thoughtful in small ways that can make them realize they are wrong.
   
   
   

    

    

    

    
    
3. 3
   If step 2 still doesn't work, still not on speaking terms, maybe a lot of prayers for them can make a miracle, and just continue to show that you are not what they are telling you badly, just because you let them down.
   
   
   

    

    

    

    
    
4. 4
   If you are ready to speak with them, try to forget what they have said and just forgive them for they are your parents…and ask for forgiveness, and that will make them realized their mistakes because you initiated the right action, which they should have done before.
   
   
   

1.  
2. 1
   As best you can, allow yourself to become aware of your surroundings. Take in the awe of what man and nature has created. Taking time to smell the roses actually is pretty good advice. Who knew your mother would have the final say? Take it from me, I'm an old pro at drudging up the past because for most of my life I've worked alone. I've been my own man. Sounds great except for the fact the 'present' disappears and you find yourself reliving the past for whatever it was worth, or shaping the future on false premises.
   
   
   

    

    

    

    
    
3. 2
   Talk to yourself, but not in the same way you did when thinking about the past or trying to create the future. "Not today, Mr. Past. You're not going to ruin my day once again." Go ahead. Say it. Privately or aloud. Just say it until the words become as much a part of your morning wakeup as putting on a clean pair of socks.
   
   
   

    

    

    

    
    
4. 3
   Did you know that when talking to your subconscious you'll never lose the argument? Sounds fine if it wasn't for the fact that you're arguing about the most ridiculous things possible, things that can't be changed or haven't yet occurred.
   
   
   

    

    

    

    
    
5. 4
   Stop beating yourself up. Smile. Congratulate yourself for becoming aware of what's going on in your life and having made the decision to change or eliminate it. Walk on the sunny side of the street and quit judging others as if they're books on a shelf and the only way you'll read the book is if it has a nice cover.
   
   
   

    

    

    

    
    
6. 5
   If possible get off the meds and let friends and strangers nurse you back to good health. Let's face it. The past and future are only a heartbeat away – too close to measure. In fact so close it's easy to see how you can get squeezed from the present without knowing it. The only thing you can control is your present state of mind. Be there, in the moment, and soon you'll appreciate just how lucky others are to know you, in the same way you'll feel about them.