| How to Stop Being Shy when You Dance Posted: 09 Sep 2021 01:00 AM PDT Does the very thought of dancing make you break out in a nervous sweat? If so, you're not alone. It can be tough to face your fears on the dance floor, but don't worry. There are tons of ways to build your confidence, both physically and mentally. We've put together a few tips and suggestions to help get you on your way. [Edit]Dance in a dark space. - Build your dancing confidence at home in baby steps. You don't have to face your fears all at once.[1] Believe it or not, some people find it easier to dance in a dark space instead of a well-lit area.[2] Try dancing in a dimly-lit area of your own home and see if that helps.
- Always dance in an open area without any tripping hazards.
[Edit]Learn new dance steps. - Hit the dance floor with your own dance moves. You might whip out some classics, like the Dougie, Grapevine, or Electric Slide. Or, change things up with the Woah, 2 Step, or Biz Markie.[3] If a popular Tiktok song comes on, like "Say So" by Doja Cat, "Cannibal" by Kesha, "Attention" by Todrick Hall, or "Rule the World" by Liz, show off your best Tiktok dance moves.[4]
- Knowing a variety of dance moves can help you feel a little more confident, even if no one else is hitting the dance floor.
[Edit]Mimic other dancers. - Find some other people who are really jamming out to the music. Hang out nearby and try to mimic them on the dance floor. You do not have to imitate them exactly—just recreate their joy, whether they're jumping up and down or just swaying to the music. Who knows; after seeing your moves, they might invite you to join them![5]
- For instance, if a group of dancers are rocking out to a high-energy song, you might bounce up and down or rock your head to the music.
[Edit]Approach a partner. - You might not feel as shy if you're dancing with someone else. For a direct approach, introduce yourself and ask the other person if they'd like to join you on the dance floor. If you'd like to take a more subtle route, try making eye contact and gesturing for them to join you.[6]
- You can always break the ice with a compliment first, or ask a question like "Have you been dancing for a while?" or "What's your favorite dance move?"
[Edit]Enter a dance circle. - At parties and clubs, people sometimes form "circles" to show off their moves. If you notice a dance circle popping up, make your way to the center and show everyone what you're made of. Even if you mess up, no one will remember or care afterward.[7]
[Edit]Focus on having fun. - Remind yourself that there's no "wrong" way to dance. Dancing is all about expressing yourself in a fun, physical way. It's okay if your dance moves aren't music video caliber. That doesn't mean you can't have fun! Focus on dancing for yourself, and not to please anyone else in the room.[8]
[Edit]Pretend that you're a confident dancer. - Your fake confidence might transform into real confidence. Imagine that you're an actor in a movie and you're playing the role of a star dancer. Try embracing that confidence and bravado in your dance moves, even if you aren't feeling all that confident. Sometimes, you just have to fake it at first![9]
[Edit]Put your anxious thoughts in perspective. - Ask yourself if your dancing insecurities really matter in the long run. Negative, anxious thoughts can really throw you for a loop, especially if you're getting ready to dance. Analyze these thoughts individually, and try to view them in a positive, realistic light. As you challenge your dancing fears and insecurities, you may realize that there's nothing to worry about.[10]
- Challenge a thought like "What if I mess up and look like an idiot?" with "Anyone who judges me on my dancing isn't worth having as a friend."
- Fight a thought like "What if I trip while I dance?" with "I won't be the first to slip up during a dance, and I definitely won't be the last."
[Edit]Remind yourself that no one is watching. - Relax, let loose, and do your own thing on the dance floor. Assuming that other people are watching or judging you is a really common worry, especially when you're dancing. Don't worry. The people around you are most likely preoccupied and not paying any attention to what you're doing.[11]
[Edit]Don't compare yourself to other dancers. - Focus on your own skills and capabilities. Whether you're at a party or school dance, it's easy to compare yourself to other dancers nearby. Try not to focus on what other people are capable of; instead, acknowledge that you're your own person, and that you'll grow and improve at your own pace.[12]
- If you'd really like to improve your dance skills, consider signing up for a class. A supportive teacher can help show you the ropes.[13] Plus, a learning environment is a great way to get over shyness while dancing.[14]
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Clean Silver Posted: 08 Sep 2021 05:00 PM PDT Silver is a beautiful, versatile metal, and its soft luster adds a touch of elegance to dishes, flatware, and jewelry. Unfortunately, silver also scratches easily and can quickly develop tarnish (a thin layer of corrosion) on its surface. But you can prevent that from happening! This article lists several helpful ways to keep your silver clean, tarnish-free, and shiny for years of display and use. [Edit]Dish soap - Remove smudges and light buildup with gentle hand washing. Fill your sink or a plastic container with warm water and a few squirts of a mild, phosphate- and citrus-free dish soap. Rub the silver softly with a cellulose sponge or cotton ball/pad/swab—don't scrub it forcefully. Rinse the item with warm water, then pat it dry right away with a soft cotton towel. As an optional finishing step, lightly buff the silver with a clean and dry cotton ball, pad, or swab.[1]
- Wear nitrile gloves and take off any rings/bracelets so you don't accidentally scratch the silver with your fingernails or jewelry.
- Avoid detergents containing citrus to prevent spotting on silver.
- Hand wash silver by itself. Dishes and utensils can scratch silver.
- Don't put silver in the dishwasher! High temperatures and rough agitation can discolor and damage it.
[Edit]Hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol - Use this trick to remove light tarnish after washing and drying. Choose either a 70% rubbing alcohol (also called isopropyl alcohol) or an alcohol-based, fragrance-free, aloe-free, additive-free hand sanitizer. Apply a small amount to a cotton ball, pad, or swab. Rub the silver lightly, rinse off the alcohol or sanitizer with warm water, and dry the silver right away with a clean and soft cotton towel.[2]
- Washing silver with dish soap, then following up by cleaning it with hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol, is a surprisingly effective combination for removing light tarnish. You may find that you don't need to do any polishing!
- If the silver isn't used for food service, you can rinse off the alcohol or sanitizer by spraying on a plant-based window cleaner and then drying it. This might give your silver a little extra shine.
[Edit]Silver polish - Use a small amount of the least abrasive polish you can find. When dish soap and hand sanitizer won't cut it, specially-formulated commercial silver polishes are a safe, effective option. Moisten a soft, silver-polishing cloth (or a cellulose sponge or cotton ball/pad/swab) with the polish and rub the silver lightly. Switch to a different section of the cloth or sponge when it starts to get dirty. Rinse the silver under running water and dry if off thoroughly with a soft, clean cotton cloth.[3]
- Some silver cleaning pros say you must polish only with back-and-forth motions, while others say you must use only small circular motions. You'll have to decide for yourself which method to use. All the experts agree, though, that you must not scrub too hard—instead, rub lightly and let the polish do its job.
- Read the packaging carefully and buy a low-abrasion silver polish. You can also consult reputable rankings online or ask a silversmith or other expert.
[Edit]Silver dip - Try using it like polish instead of submerging your silver in it. Commercial silver "dips" use chemicals to dissolve tarnish quickly without having to rub the silver. That said, dips are very aggressive and can damage silver in some cases. Using the dip like a polish instead of actually "dipping" silver into it reduces this risk. To do this, lightly soak a cellulose sponge or cotton ball/pad/swab with the liquid. Apply it with gentle back-and-forth or circular motions, rinse off the silver thoroughly, and pat it dry.[4]
- If you decide to submerge the silver in the dip, pour the dip into a plastic container. Put the silver in the container, cover the container with a lid, and let the silver soak for the time specified in the instructions. Rinse the piece thoroughly with warm water since dip residue can eat away at the silver and cause pitting.
- Dips contain strong chemicals, so wear nitrile gloves and follow the safety instructions on the package.
- Never submerge objects that have sealed components, like candlesticks, trophies with hollow feet, or teapots with hollow handles, in silver dip. If the dip leaks into the cavity through small holes or imperfections, it's virtually impossible to wash the chemical out.
[Edit]Vinegar and similar acids - Experts disagree on DIY cleaners like vinegar, lemon juice, soda, and ketchup. Acidic cleaners such as these do remove tarnish, but some experts warn that repeated use of them may cause etching and dulling of the silver.[5] If you want to try this method, soak your silver item in vinegar, lemon juice or lemon-lime soda for 2-3 hours, then carefully rinse it, pat it dry, and lightly buff it with a cotton ball, pad, or swab. To use ketchup, pour the condiment into a bowl, submerge the silver item in it for 15 minutes, then rinse, dry, and buff the silver.[6]
- Acidic cleaners might be an option for items like jewelry that you wear frequently, but maybe not for high-value jewelry that you save for special occasions.
[Edit]Toothpaste - Use this polish option only on solid, less valuable silver. Silver cleaning experts usually recommend against polishing with toothpaste because it is too abrasive, especially on valuable pieces or silver-plated (not solid silver) items.[7] If you do choose to use toothpaste, make sure it's a plain white toothpaste. Apply it to an old, soft toothbrush or a soft cloth, then lightly polish the silver using either back-and-forth or circular motions. Rinse the item and pat it dry immediately after.[8]
- Keep a close eye on the silver as you work. If you notice scratching at any point, stop and rinse the toothpaste off.
[Edit]Cornstarch - Cornstarch paste is abrasive like toothpaste, so use it carefully. Heed the same warning here as with toothpaste—this isn't a good option for high-value silver or silver-plated items. To give it a try, mix cornstarch with just a few drops of water to create a toothpaste-like consistency. Apply the paste with a soft cloth or brush to reduce the abrasion somewhat, or with cheesecloth or a rougher towel to increase the abrasion further. Finish, as always, by immediately rinsing and patting the item dry.[9]
- You can substitute cream of tartar and get the same results.
[Edit]Baking soda - Try this only for heavy tarnish on low-value silver items. Baking soda is very abrasive and will remove stubborn tarnish, but do not use it unless you can accept the risk it carries of damaging the silver.[10] To give it a try on a piece of low-value silver, simply make a toothpaste-consistency mixture of baking soda and warm water. Apply the mixture to an old, soft toothbrush or soft cloth, polish the item gently, and rinse and pat it dry afterward.[11]
- Baking soda takes off a layer of silver along with the tarnish, so it's absolutely not recommended for high-value silver items, most especially if they are silver plated (a layer of silver over another metal).
[Edit]Aluminum foil bath - This method works fast but can really damage valuable silver. This one's a bit like a high school science experiment! To clean low-value silver this way, start by lining a non-metal mixing bowl or baking dish with aluminum foil. Lay the silver item on top of the foil. Boil a pot of water and stir in several scoops of baking soda—enough that it takes at least 1 minute to dissolve completely with constant stirring. Slowly pour the hot mixture into the bowl or dish. Allow the silver to soak for several minutes, until the tarnish dissolves, then rinse it well and dry it completely.[12]
- Another variation of this technique uses 1 tbsp (15 g) of powdered laundry detergent instead of baking soda, but the results should be similar.[13]
- The mixture of chemicals and the contact between aluminum and silver create a galvanic reaction that dissolves tarnish. However, the reaction is hard to control and can quickly cause major damage to silver items (particularly any fine details).
[Edit]Storage and scratch protection - Treat your silver with care at all times to protect its appearance. Careful handling and storage reduce the risk of scratches and help limit tarnish buildup. When it's time to store your silver, make sure the item is completely clean and dry first. Wrap it individually in acid-free tissue paper, anti-tarnish paper, or special flannel wraps made for this purpose. Seal one or a few wrapped silver pieces in an airtight plastic bag, and add a silica gel packet or a piece of plain white chalk to soak up tarnish-causing moisture.[14]
- Don't put plastic wrap or a plastic bag directly in contact with silver.
- Never store silver where it can contact rubber, stainless steel, or paint.
- Don't store sharp objects in a silver container or next to silver items.
- Don't stack silver items directly on top of one another.
- Never toss or drop silver—into the sink, into a drawer, or anywhere else!
- Don't cut anything on a silver platter, even with a dull knife.[15]
- For sterling flatware, the best way to keep it beautiful is use it on a regular basis and gently wash and dry it immediately after each use. If it's not in storage for a long time, it won't have a chance to tarnish deeply.
- In addition to taking off jewelry, consider wearing cotton gloves when handling silver items. Handle silver with bare hands only when using it for food service, and wear nitrile gloves when cleaning it.
- Many stores and catalogs that sell silver also sell anti-tarnish silver chests lined with treated felt, or just the anti-tarnish felt cloth itself. The treated cloth substantially slows the tarnishing process, but it won't completely eliminate the need to polish your silver from time to time.
[Edit]Warnings - Avoid wearing silver jewelry in swimming pools. The chlorine can damage the silver in a short time.
- Do not use fine silver to serve food containing eggs or mayonnaise, which can tarnish silver quickly.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Nitrile gloves
- Cellulose sponges
- Cotton balls, pads, and swabs
- Soft, 100% cotton towels
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Find a Hobby Posted: 08 Sep 2021 09:00 AM PDT If you choose to spend some of your free time being actively engaged in something that interests you, congrats—you have a hobby! And if you don't have a hobby picked out quite yet, don't worry. This article lists lots of very popular hobbies, including collecting, crafting, gardening, baking, gaming, and traveling, to name just a few. So, if you're looking for a new hobby, read on to see if any of the options listed here spark your curiosity. [Edit]DIY projects - Get creative, spruce up your home, and save money with this hobby. No matter your skill or experience level, there's a do-it-yourself (DIY) project that suits you. Try fixing a squeaky door, painting a room, re-tiling your bathroom, reconfiguring your garage, or building the kitchen of your dreams. You can learn a lot from DIY shows and websites, but also seek out hands-on experience in a classroom setting or alongside a more experienced DIYer.[1]
- You can save a good deal of money by doing simple DIY projects yourself instead of calling a repair person each time. For instance, a quick fix of a leaky sink or running toilet can save you from paying a large bill for a few minutes of a plumber's time.
- Don't be afraid to try something new, but also accept your limitations. For instance, don't mess around with electrical wiring or structural framing if you're not sure what you're doing. A good DIYer knows that some things are best left to the pros!
[Edit]Gardening - Gardening offers outdoors time, light exercise, and beauty to enjoy. Whether you're growing a few potted flowers and vegetables on your balcony or beautifying a large backyard, gardening is a great hobby. It's suited to any budget, climate, or amount of available space—an indoor garden is a good option if you have limited room outdoors. And it's hard to beat the satisfaction of putting your own fresh-cut flowers in a vase or your own homegrown lettuce and tomatoes in your salad.[2]
- Tasks like planting, watering, weeding, trimming, and harvesting do take some amount of time and commitment, but most gardeners find them to be manageable and even enjoyable.
- If you have physical limitations that make on-the-ground gardening difficult, look into getting raised garden beds or easily-accessible planters.
- Gardening doesn't need to be limited to your own home! Join a garden club or other local organization that works to beautify your community.
[Edit]Cooking or baking - You have to eat anyway, so why not make food prep into a hobby? Like many other hobbies, cooking and baking are really easy to get into, but you can spend a lifetime trying to master them. And here's a nice perk as you work your way toward mastering this hobby: you get to eat your "mistakes"—which are usually still pretty tasty![3]
- So what separates food prep as a necessity from food prep as a hobby? Ask yourself this question: Would you still enjoy your cooking or baking task if you didn't have to do it to feed yourself or your family?
- If you're new to cooking or (especially) baking, follow recipes closely to get the best results. As you gain experience, don't be afraid to get more creative.
[Edit]Board or card games - These hobbies are great for connecting with friends and family. Board games and card games may seem like outdated relics compared to all the tech options available to you. However, they're more hands-on and interactive, and are perfectly suited to spending quality time in person with others. You can schedule game nights to play Monopoly, Candyland, or Trivial Pursuit with your kids, or hold poker nights with your buddies.[4]
- Role playing board games like Dungeons & Dragons really let you immerse yourself in the world of the game while connecting with friends. To get even more immersed, try cosplaying games that truly get you into character!
[Edit]Brain games - Options like crossword puzzles and Sudoku challenge your mind. Similar to board games and card games, classic low-tech brain games like jigsaw puzzles are affordable activities you can do in the comfort of your home. It's also really easy to get brain games like Sudoku on your smartphone so you can pursue your hobby while you're out and about.[5]
- As an added bonus, keeping your mind active with challenges like brain games may help to slow down certain types of mental decline as you age.
[Edit]Photography - Photography is easy to get started with and consistently rewarding. If you carry around a cell phone, you already have a camera that's plenty good enough to get you started in the world of photography. Over time, if you choose, you can invest in more advanced cameras and equipment. In any case, this hobby encourages you to explore and experience the world around you in new ways, as well as build connections with other photo enthusiasts.[6]
- Start out by just snapping pictures of whatever interests you. To advance your skills, use photography books and online tutorials, or sign up for a photography class at a community college.
[Edit]Collecting - You can collect stamps, coins, or pretty much anything you wish. That's the great thing about collecting as a hobby—you can personalize what you collect so it suits you perfectly. Some people choose to collect things like baseball cards, dolls, or magazines in the hopes that they'll increase in value over time. But it's also fine to collect something just because you really like to![7]
- When you collect things as a hobby, you usually want to show them off—and that can create space issues in your home. You may only have so much room to display cat figurines, for instance. In this case, define a space for your hobby display and sell, donate, or at least box up some of your collection when you run low on room.
- You can collect music or instruments, or make music as a hobby. Your music hobby might involve building up a great collection of vinyl records, for example. But also consider picking up an instrument and making music as your hobby. Play your favorite songs or try your hand at creating your own tunes. Play solo at home, get together with friends for jam sessions, or even share your love of music with the public.[8]
- Learning to play the guitar, piano, saxophone, or any other musical instrument is a great hobby idea. It offers mental stimulation, hand-eye coordination training, and lots of opportunities for creativity.
[Edit]Reading - Reading is a great way to both relax and broaden your horizons. Reading as a hobby? You better believe it! Try curling up with a good biography, inspirational work, whodunit, or romance novel. Reading encourages you to experience, explore, and think about the world from the comfort of your own home. And, especially if you have a library card, it's one of the most affordable hobbies out there.[9]
- If you prefer a hobby with a more social component, try joining a book club.
[Edit]Writing - This creative hobby ranges from journaling to writing books. Whether you're a poet, a blogger, a novelist, or a diarist, writing is one of the most creatively rewarding and intellectually stimulating hobbies out there. Sometimes the words flow effortlessly, and sometimes it's a slog to get a single sentence done, but writing is always a great mental workout.[10]
- It's okay to just start writing, or you can check out writing classes at a nearby community center or community college.
- You can write for the whole world to see on the web or in published works, write strictly for yourself, or go somewhere in between. It's all about what brings you happiness.
- Calligraphy is another variation on writing as a hobby.
[Edit]Exercise - Any exercise that you enjoy doing can definitely be a hobby. For some people, exercise might be a chore that they only do for the health benefits—kind of like going to the dentist. But if you find an exercise activity like running, biking, or yoga that you truly enjoy, there's no reason it can't become your hobby. Think of it this way—if you look forward to your next spin class as soon as the last one ends, it's a hobby![11]
- Solo exercise can definitely be a hobby, but many types of exercise are great social activities to share with friends. Instead of biking alone, for example, you might join a biking club that goes on regular trail rides.
[Edit]Crafting - Try making something yourself that's beautiful and/or functional. It's hard to top the satisfaction you get from standing back and admiring your handiwork after weaving a basket or making a necklace. But how do you go about figuring out which crafts are right for you? Try out lots of options that you think might interest you until you find that just-right crafting hobby.[12]
- You might enjoy making and decorating birdhouses, adding some "bling" to boring picture frames, creating photo collages, or assembling cute but simple wind chimes, to name just a few options.
- Check local craft stores, community centers, libraries, social clubs, or religious organizations for crafting classes or groups in your area.
- Browse the internet for crafting ideas and inspiration. The options are endless!
[Edit]Knitting or sewing - Needlework hobbies can be fun, challenging, and practical. Needlework activities like sewing and knitting may have an old-fashioned reputation to some people, but they're still great hobbies for modern times. They're affordable and easy to get into, and yet are difficult to ever truly master. You get to create beautiful designs that can also be very practical as blankets, scarves, skirts, and so on.[13]
- Crocheting and quilting are other varieties of needlework that make great hobbies.
- Needlework is fun as a solo activity or a social activity. Look around for knitting clubs in your area, for example, or start one up with your friends.
- For help getting started, look for needlework classes in your community.
[Edit]Artwork - Take up drawing, painting, sculpting, or another art activity. Making art is a great creative outlet that's also good for your hand-eye coordination. Just make sure you don't put pressure on yourself to create the next great artistic masterpiece. Instead, focus on having fun and letting your creativity flow.[14]
- Art hobbies suit a wide range of hobby budgets. If you're looking for an ultra-affordable option, for instance, you can take up painting with little more than a watercolor set, a brush, and some paper.
- Your local community college may offer a wide range of art classes in areas like painting, sculpture, pottery, and so on.
[Edit]Foreign Languages - This is a practical hobby that can also be enjoyable and eye-opening. Learning a new language is always a good skill to add to your repertoire. Even if you don't really "need" to learn another language, however, doing so helps open your eyes to other cultures in ways you might not expect. It'll also probably inspire you to travel, which is another great hobby.[15]
- You can certainly go the traditional route and take in-person language courses at, for instance, your local community college. But there are also a huge number of language-learning apps and online resources as well. Try out some free or low-cost options before deciding if it's worth the investment to spend on a higher-price program.
- Whether you venture near or far, travel is a very rewarding hobby. Travel introduces you to new places, new people, and new cultures, all of which are great for personal growth. Even if travelling internationally doesn't fit your current budget or preferences, venturing beyond your home region in your own country can be both surprising and fulfilling.[16]
- There's no one "right" way to travel. If going on cruises and making quick stops at various ports makes you happy, go for it. Or, if really immersing yourself in the cultures of the countries you visit suits you best, that's great as well.
- Share a hobby with your dog or other animal pal. If you love spending time with your pet, and are also looking for a hobby to love, go ahead and combine them! You and your dog, for example, could get involved in "performance dog sports"—competitions that test your canine companion's speed, agility, intelligence, and more.[17]
- Or, as another option, you might get involved in taking your dog, cat, bird, or other animal companion to pet shows. The goal here is to find a hobby that both you and your pet really enjoy.
[Edit]Good causes - Get active supporting a cause that benefits society. If it gives you joy to get involved as a volunteer supporting a cause like cancer research or childhood literacy, then embrace it as your hobby. Find something that's meaningful to you and that you know can help make a difference in your community, then pour your passion into advancing that cause.[18]
- If, for example, you have a family member who received a new kidney or who is waiting for a new liver, you might choose to get involved as a volunteer promoting organ donation.
- Try bird watching, rock climbing, or another outdoor interest. Getting out into nature is good for your body and soul. Whether it's an easy nature walk or an arduous hike, a fishing trip or a canoeing expedition, or camping in the woods or gazing at the stars from your backyard, experiencing nature is a great hobby![19]
- Nature hobbies are excellent for quiet contemplation on your own, and also for hanging out with friends and family.
- Activities like coding and robotics are fun and challenging. Building your own robot doesn't have to be just a sci-fi dream anymore! Robotics kits are easy to find for hobbyists of all ages, skill levels, and budgets. Similarly, computer activities like coding are widely accessible and rewarding. If you're not sure where to start, look for introductory classes at your local library, community center, or community college.[20]
- Keep in mind that aimlessly browsing the internet or checking your social media don't make for such great tech hobbies. Look for tech-related activities that offer greater mental stimulation—for instance, maybe you'd like to learn how to build your own website.
- Turn what you already love into a hobby! Think about the enjoyable things you gravitate toward doing when you have some spare time. Do you enjoy reading books? Maybe you want to try your hand at writing them. Do you like a cold beer at the end of the day? Maybe your hobby could be trying to brew beer at home.[21]
- Did you like to race bikes with your friends as a kid? Were you really into painting, drawing, or collecting comic books? If you loved doing something as a kid, there's probably a variation of it that would make an enjoyable hobby for you now.[22]
- Pick a free or inexpensive hobby if you don't have much wiggle room in your budget. For instance, you could read or write, take up running, or try gardening or camping.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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