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Family

A fireman’s children wrote him a hilariously honest obituary he would have loved

After reading it, you'll wish you had met the guy.

via ASD / Twitter

William Ziegler of New Orleans, Louisiana.

After you're gone, people will probably forget the exact things you said to them while you were alive, but they'll never forget how you made them feel.

Unfortunately, when people write obituaries that sum up a person's life, they're often just a chronological list of factual details such as where they lived, where they worked, and how many children they had.

While those facts are important, they don't really explain the type of person the deceased was or how they made people feel. An obituary for fireman William Ziegler of New Orleans, Louisiana has attracted a lot of attention for how it hilariously summed up the life of a man who was a real raconteur.

Zeigler's daughter, Sharah Currier, said that he used to read funny obituaries to his children, so they decided to write one that would make him laugh. "He would have loved this,"Tshe told The Times-Picayune. "He probably would have forwarded this obituary to us.”

Zeigler began his career as a volunteer in the U.S. Navy.

William volunteered for service in the United States Navy at the ripe old age of 17 and immediately realized he didn't much enjoy being bossed around. He only stuck it out for one war. Before his discharge, however, the government exchanged numerous ribbons and medals for various honorable acts. Upon his return to the City of New Orleans in 1971, thinking it best to keep an eye on him, government officials hired William as a fireman.

He then continued his life of service by joining the fire department.

After twenty-five years, he suddenly realized that running away from burning buildings made more sense than running toward them. He promptly retired. Looking back, William stated that there was no better group of morons and mental patients than those he had the privilege of serving with (except Bob, he never liked you, Bob).

Ziegler's children believe that he's in heaven with his alcoholic dog.

Following his wishes, there will not be a service, but well-wishers are encouraged to write a note of farewell on a Schaefer Light beer can and drink it in his honor. He was never one for sentiment or religiosity, but he wanted you to know that if he owes you a beer, and if you can find him in Heaven, he will gladly allow you to buy him another. He can likely be found forwarding tasteless internet jokes (check your spam folder, but don't open these at work). Expect to find an alcoholic dog named Judge passed out at his feet.

His children end the obituary stressing the fact that he's actually dead.

Unlike previous times, this is not a ploy to avoid creditors or old girlfriends. He assures us that he is gone. He will be greatly missed.

You can read the whole obituary atThe Times-Picayune.

This article originally appeared nine years ago.

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All In

Craveable snacks. Quality organic ingredients. Positive community impact.

Joy

5 ways people are going "All In" this week

From the silly to the sentimental, there are so many ways people like to go “all in” on something. Here are our five favorite examples this week.

5 ways people are going "All In" this week

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When you hear the words “all in,” what do you think? You might think of getting groovy at a nursing home, a french bulldog having a total breakdown in the drive-thru, or maybe even a snack bar company promoting self care. Whatever you picture, the idea is the same: Going “all in” means doing something with total commitment—literally giving it your “all” and going completely over the top. No second guessing, no holding back—just full-throttle enthusiasm with some creativity and flair thrown in. That’s how we get those viral internet moments we can’t stop watching.

This DWTS dance trend

If you’ve been watching TV or on the internet this week, you might have seen the viral dance move Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach performed while on Dancing With The Stars (DWTS) last week. The one particular move, where Dylan holds Daniella as she does a mid-air horizontal walk, is going viral with over 8k videos using the sound. Some of my personal favorites include a mom and her baby, two girls or a girl and her cat, proving this dance trend is truly for anyone to try.

All In on Fiber

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Speaking of trends, there’s one that really is about going “all in”, it’s called #fibermaxxing. After years of protein being the biggest nutrition trend, it looks like fiber might be taking over. For good reason too, while protein can cause issues with digestion, fiber can lead to better digestion, blood sugar management, weight control and reduced disease risk. Our friends at All In made a video explaining the #fibermaxxing trend. Each All In bar has 6 to 7 grams of fiber , plus they are delicious. Don't take our word for it, though: Click here to try it yourself (for free).

This child's long hair

This creator went all in… on pranking the audience. I don’t want to give away the contents of this video, but let’s just say it’s creative- and it made me quite literally laugh out loud. There are a lot of "momfluencers" out there who make content that uses their children, and as relatable and heartfelt as it is, sometimes a little satire break is worth appreciating.

Two entrepreneurs getting down to business

Lots of people dabble in entrepreneurship. These two went "all in" on helping others learn it. After four years of interviews with CEOs , research, edits, and a Penguin Random House book deal (yes, seriously), their book, Down to Business, has made its way into classrooms and libraries around the world. Now they are teaching other kids that age is not a barrier to entry in entrepreneurship; the earlier you start, the further you can go—and an entrepreneurial mindset will serve you no matter what you do in life.

Bridesmaids who went all in

Last on our list; two bridesmaids who committed to the bit. These ladies went “all in” in their remake of the legendary scene from the movie “Bridesmaids”. If you haven’t seen the original movie, starring Kristen Wig and Maya Rudolph, this might be your sign.

In the viral TikTok this bride, Caroline, had no idea what was coming when she put on her favorite movie while getting ready for her big day. The fact that she wanted to watch her favorite show before her bridesmaids surprised her, makes this going “all in” surprise all the better.

Snag your free (!!) snack bar here while this deal lasts. Just pick up a bar at Sprouts and text a pic ofv your receipt to get it for free. Enoy!

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Sustainability

Beavers were brought to the desert to save a dying river. Six years later, here are the results.

Their engineering feats are pretty dam incredible.

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Canva Photos

Can outsider beavers save this dried up river?

It's not easy being a river in the desert under the best of circumstances. The ecosystem exists in a very delicate balance, allowing water sources to thrive in the harsh conditions. These water sources in otherwise extremely dry areas are vital to the survival of unique wildlife, agriculture, and even tourism as they provide fresh drinking water for the people who live nearby.

But man-made problems like climate change, over-farming, and pollution have made a tough job even tougher in some areas. Rivers in Utah and Colorado part of the Colorado River Basin have been barely surviving the extremely harsh drought season. When the riverbeds get too dry, fish and other aquatic creatures die off and the wildfire risk increases dramatically.

About six years ago, one team of researchers had a fascinating idea to restore the health of some of Utah's most vulnerable rivers: Bring in the beavers.

beavers, beaver dam, animals, wildlife, ecosystem, nature, earth, sustainability, deserts, waterways, rivers, pollution, climate change Beaver on riverbank. Canva Photos

In 2019, master's student Emma Doden and a team of researchers from Utah State University began a "translocation" project to bring displaced beavers to areas like Utah's Price River, in the hopes of bringing it back to life.

Why beavers? Well, it just makes dam sense! (Sorry.)

In all seriousness, beaver dams restrict the flow of water in some areas of a river, creating ponds and wetlands. In drought-stricken areas, fish and other wildlife can take refuge in the ponds while the rest of the river runs dry, thus riding out the danger until it rains again.

When beavers are present in a watershed, the benefits are unbelievable: Better water quality, healthier fish populations, better nutrient availability, and fewer or less severe wildfires.

It's why beavers have earned the title of "keystone species," or any animal that has a disproportionate impact on the ecosystem around them.

beaver, dam, dam building, nature, ecosystem Pbs Nature Swimming GIF by Nature on PBS Giphy

Doden and her team took beavers who were captured or removed from their original homes due to their being a "nuisance," interfering with infrastructure, or being endangered, and—after a short period of quarantine—were brought to the Price River.

Despite the research team's best efforts, not all the translocated beavers have survived or stayed put over the years. Some have trouble adapting to their new home and die off or are killed by predators, while others leave of their own accord.

But sine 2019, enough have stayed and built dams that the team is starting to see the results of the effort. In fact, beaver projects just like this one have been going on all over the state in recent years.

- YouTube youtu.be

The water levels in the river are now the healthiest they've been in years. The fish are thriving and Utah residents are overjoyed with the experiment's results.

According to an early 2025 column in The Salt Lake Tribune (i.e. six years after the beaver translocation began) the revitalization of the Price River has "helped save [our] Utah town."

"A tributary of the Colorado River, the Price River runs through downtown Helper," wrote column authors Lenise Peterman and Jordan Nielson. "On a warm day, you’re likely to find the river filled with tourists and locals kayaking, tubing and fishing along its shore. A decade ago, it was hard to imagine this scene—and the thriving recreation economy that comes with it—was possible."

Of course, it wasn't JUST the beavers. Other federal water cleanup investments helped remove debris, break down old and malfunctioning dams, and place tighter regulations on agriculture grazing in the area that depleted vital plant life.

But the experts know that the beavers, and their incredible engineering work, are the real MVPs.

beavers, beaver dam, animals, wildlife, ecosystem, nature, earth, sustainability, deserts, waterways, rivers, pollution, climate change An actual beaver dam on the now-thriving Price River Public Domain

In other drying, struggling rivers in the area, researchers are bringing in beavers and even creating manmade beaver dams. They're hoping that the critters will take over the job as the rivers get healthier.

Utah's San Rafael River, which is in bleak condition, is a prime candidate. In one area of the river, a natural flood inspired a host of beavers to return to the area and "riparian habitat along that stretch had increased by 230%, and it had the most diverse flow patterns of anywhere on the river," according to KUER.

It's hard to believe that beavers nearly went extinct during the heyday of the fur trapping industry, and continued to struggle as they were considered nuisances and pests. Now, they're getting the respect they deserve as engineer marvels, and their populations have rebounded due to better PR and conservation programs.

It's about dam time!

This article originally appeared in June.

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Joy

People share their 'unconventional' New Year's Eve traditions, from snacks to resolution styles

"I wake up early on Jan 1 to watch the first sunrise of the year"

new year's eve, holidays, new year's traditions, unconventional holiday traditions, new year's party

Photo credit: Canva, Sheena Diolle from Studio Spain (left) / Foxy Dolphin (right)

People online are sharing their "unconventional" traditions for New Year's Eve.

There’s no shame in keeping it traditional for New Year’s Eve—you may just invite some friends over, stuff yourself with snacks, sip a couple glasses of wine, watch the ball drop on TV, fall asleep on the couch, and wake up to a filthy house. There are worse ways to spend an evening. But in case you’re itching to switch things up next time, the internet has plenty of intriguing (and/or amusing) suggestions

A 33-year-old couple kick-started this conversation on Reddit by asking, "What's your unconventional NYE tradition?" They continued, "There is enough time away to do something that requires planning and might be different from just watching the clock. Is there something fun, funny, or unconventional you do with the loved ones that you might recommend as a new tradition?"

- YouTube www.youtube.com

Unusual NYE traditions that people love

The Reddit thread’s top response wasn’t even party-related—instead, it focused on a more meditative plan for New Year’s Day. "I’m a morning person, so I stopped staying up to midnight, and instead I wake up early on Jan 1 to watch the first sunrise of the year," someone wrote. "I like this much better." (Multiple people noted that they aren’t morning people but, given their tendency to stay up super late on NYE, they could easily see the sunrise anyway.)

Many of the other top replies, naturally, involved food:

"We once went to a terrible New Year's Eve party where the host hadn't prepared anything and hastily put out some boxes of Pop Tarts. So now we always have Pop Tarts on New Year's Eve."

"My family stays in and does a movie marathon and eat junk food we never have otherwise eat. We do 3 movies, either a series, all staring the same actor, or all by the same director."

"We have tater tots. One year I made an easy dinner before we went out to party and packed up the leftover tater tots. We got home pretty drunk (shoutout to the taxi driver), and we both remembered the tots at the same time, and ran to put them in the toaster oven to reheat. So we start and end each year with tater tots. Plus we picked January 1 as our dog's birthday (we don’t know it but adopted him in March when he was maybe 12 weeks old), so he gets birthday tots! Now we are older and don’t go out to party any more, so we have tots with dinner and sneak a few tots before breakfast the next day. But the tots are tradition!!"

"Maybe unconventional everywhere but Spain, but we eat 12 grapes in the countdown to the New Year and you MUST finish before the last bell tolls, which is no small feat and inspires a lot of giggles. You also do this while wearing red underwear, which must be given to you by somebody else. All for good luck in the new year, of course!"

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Sunsets and symbolism

Some of the traditions are super thoughtful.

"I like learning languages for fun, so I do my countdown in a different language each year. This year, it's Slovak."

"I have a tradition of watching the last or first sunset of the year, either at the beach or somewhere with a nice view. It’s a great way to pause and reflect on the new year ahead. My wife and I have kept this tradition going since we met. Happy New Year!"

"I insist on starting the new year off with a deep-cleaned house, bath, and new pajamas. It's a weird symbolism of starting the new year 'new and clean.' Also my family insists on eating cabbage on New Year's Day. It's supposed to bring good luck and money. I burn some candles as an 'offering' to people close to me who've passed as a way to remember them through the new year. I also burn a letter to them every single year as a way to remember them. I normally write the letters New Year's Eve and burn them in the early hours after midnight."

Sticking to your resolutions

One person wrote that they "make Peking Duck, drink champagne, and list our resolutions"—but they put a unique twist on the latter. "Instead of focusing on personal change, we list uplifting things for each other like lists of 12 great books to read in the coming year, 12 recipes to try, etc," they wrote. "It’s great fun, generally inexpensive, creative, and really nice to receive these thoughtful lists from your family & friends."

But if you choose to make resolutions, how can you really, truly stick to them? Back in 2022, Upworthy gained some insight from Dr. Mark Jellicoe, a senior lecturer in psychology at The University of Law in the U.K. "Often goals can be too vague, or, in reality, the resolution might be a wish that we are just not that committed to,” he said, giving us five evidence-based tips for achieving our New Year’s goals.

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Pets

10-year-old girl walks into police station and brings officers to tears with 2 simple words

She's been handing out handwritten cards to officers all over the country ever since.

police, cops, police officers, law enforcement, heroes, 10-year-old, thank you letters, kindness

Photo credit: Canva

A 10-year-old has been handing out Thank You cards to police officers across the country for years.

10-year-old Savannah Solis knew she had to do something. Per KHOUN, the girl from Tyler, Texas had heard the tragic news that two local police officers in New York had been murdered. The news, all the way back in 2015, brought her to tears.

Solis knew that, as a kid, there wasn't much she could do, to stop the bad guys, to make the world safer. But she dreamed of one day being a police officer herself and being able to help. As a 5-year-old, Solis says her mother had a heart attack and the first person to arrive and offer help was a police officer. She never forgot that officer's kindness and bravery.

Savannah’s mom, Debbie, recalled the immense love and support the girl had for police officers all over the world. Inspired and mesmerized by their line of duty, she hoped and wished only the best for each of them. “We would drive by and see them stopping somebody and in the backseat she would pray, asking God to take care of them,” the mom recounted.

In the meantime, she wanted the heroes in her own community to know that she cared. So she decided to write personal letters. Hundreds of them.

police, cops, police officers, law enforcement, heroes, 10-year-old, thank you letters, kindness a piece of paper with a heart drawn on it Photo by Immo Wegmann on Unsplash

Her letters had two words recurring each time, “Thank you.”

Furthermore, the girl explained as best as she could what their service meant to her and how grateful she was to them for saving lives.

During her Christmas break, the girl went all out making these letters and posting them—she even delivered a few personally to police departments all over Texas.

“You are my heroes. I want to say don’t stop, please don’t give up. Many do not care or appreciate the sacrifices you make every day. But I do,” the girl remarked. Savannah added a note of inspiration which read, “Many are standing with me today to let you know that you matter. Officers across Texas, you matter to me. Officers in New York City, you matter to me. Officers all across America, you matter to me. Please keep taking care of us.”

One of Solis' deliveries was caught on video, per KXAN, where officers were moved to tears by her gesture.

- YouTube www.youtube.com

She went about taking autographs of as many officers as she could. Debbie noted that her daughter didn’t want celebrity or artist autographs but those of the cops. All the officers are seen shaking hands and getting teary-eyed as they read the cards colored and highlighted with the title, “My hero.”

Austin Police Department Assistant Chief Jessica Robledo felt proud of the girl’s gesture and of the fact that their role was so valued in someone’s eyes.

“The words she spoke from her heart touched every single officer. I noticed everyone was trying to blink back tears. That’s what it’s all about. She is an old soul. She knows the right thing to say and I don’t think she even realizes the impact of her words on these officers and this department,” she remarked.

That was 10 years ago. As Solis grew up, she continued her personal outreach to police officers all over the country, letting them know that their bravery was appreciated.

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She visited a precinct in Manchester, New Hampshire as recently in 2021 where she brought cards to the officers, met the K9 dogs, and was introduced to the police horses as well. Commenters were blown away that Solis was continuing the gesture after so many years.

"Savanna. Officers need that inspiration with everything going on today. You're remarkable for doing this."

"Amazing young lady right, thank you Savannah I appreciate all your efforts to show your appreciation for our men, woman, dogs and horses in blue"

"What an amazing young woman thank you for sharing this post and thank you for your service to our city. And all the law enforcement officers all over the Country."

Bravo, Savannah!

This article originally appeared in July. It has been updated.

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Joy

17 life hacks people cannot believe that 'other people don't do'

"When I’m stressed, I ask myself: ‘Will this matter in 5 years?’ 90% of the time, the answer is no."

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via Canva/Photos

A phone charger, a glass of spilled milk, and an ear of corn.

Life is complicated. It’s so easy to get overwhelmed with work, family, and that phone in your pocket that keeps buzzing and beeping at you constantly. To try to cut through the noise and free ourselves from being bogged down by a never-ending list of to-dos, we all have the little things we do to make life a bit easier; we call ‘em life hacks.

The great thing about social media is that when people aren’t busy arguing with one another, we can come together and share the little tricks we know that help make life a bit easier. The term "life hacks" was coined by tech journalist Danny O’Brien at the O'Reilly Emerging Technology Conference in San Diego, California, in 2004, to describe the "embarrassing" scripts and shortcuts productive IT professionals use to get their work done.

Recently, a Redditor posed a question to the AskReddit subforum, asking people to share the “I can’t believe other people don’t do this” hacks they use to make life a bit easier. The responses ranged from tips for finding the perfect Christmas gifts to clever ways to be more efficient at the computer. For anyone who’s dealing with anxiety or depression, the 5-minute rule seems like a great way to make an improvement to your mental health.

Here are 17 life hacks that people “can’t believe” other people don’t do

1. Clipboard history

"Windows + V for clipboard history. I showed a coworker this last week and he looked at me like I invented fire."

2. Emergency gifts

"If I'm invited to a Christmas party where I have gifts for some friends, I wrap 2 boxes of chocolates and attach a blank name tag so that if I receive a gift from someone unexpectedly, I can quickly scribble their name and it looks like I had a gift for them the whole time. If I don't have to deploy the tactical choc, then I have a nice treat for January."

"My Nana kept a box of blank birthday /anniversary /Christmas cards in her closet for this reason. People used to pop 'round more back then and she'd always be prepared, just in case."

3. Map your vacation

"When planning a trip, create a list in Google Maps and add everything you might want to do (after researching on Reddit, TripAdvisor, Atlas Obscura, etc.) It’ll allow you to see a bird’s eye visual of what’s near each other so you can group things and have an easier time planning your days."

"I have several folders in Google maps for food, activities and cool places, even in cities I can’t visit rn. This way, if I ever get to go to, say, London, I already have a list of places I have seen or heard of and I don’t have to do so much planning. Super useful for weekends when you don’t have plans, I bring out the map and see what’s nearby."

4. Gift idea list

"Keep a running note of gift ideas for your loved ones, year round. When holidays, birthdays, etc. roll around, it's a lifesaver. Keep another note of TV shows, movies, books, music, games, whatever else you want to get to when you have time, and where to find them (if applicable). The next time you have spare time and can't think of what to watch/read/do, go to your list. Put days that matter to your loved ones in your calendar. Not just birthdays and stuff like that-- anniversaries of loved one's passings. Sober birthdays. Milestones. Make a point of reaching out on those days."

"Also, buy the Christmas/birthday gifts WHEN you see them, year-round. Less of a single big-hitter bill at Christmas, plus you don't have to remember where you saw that thing or if it will still be available when you return. Super helpful for those forgotten holidays, too. Did you forget to buy a Mother's Day gift and you need to leave in 15 minutes? Grab one of the stashed gifts!"

5. Create a photo warranty file

"When you buy a thing that has a warranty, take a picture of the receipt with your phone. Then store the picture in a dedicated warranty folder. Lastly, rename the receipt YYYY-MM-DD ITEMNAME, where the date is the warranty's expiration date. Now you have all your warranties easily accessible, and you can sort them by date."

"And/or, tape it to the back of the thing. Large appliances, TVs, stuff like that, you’ll never see the back, and it won’t get lost."

6. Buy multiple phone chargers

"Invest in multiple phone chargers. I have one by my bed, in the living room, my home office, and my car. None of them is ever to be moved. The lone exception is the fifth charger, which I keep in my travel bag along with a power bank. Haven't seen my battery go below 20% in years."

7. The stress question

"When I’m stressed, I ask myself: ‘Will this matter in 5 years?’ 90% of the time, the answer is no."

"And for many things, that timespan can be months, weeks, or days. Stress has a bad way of making every difficult situation seem permanent."

8. Microwave corn

"Microwave full ears of corn, husk on. 3:30-4 mins. It steams itself in the husk. Then cut the base/stem off (with about the first little bit of corn closest to the base), pick it up by the top/silk, and the whole cob falls right out. All the silk stays with the husk. Corn is more snappy than boiled. Not mushy at all. And you don't have to mess with de-husking or waiting forever for a huge pot of water to boil. The first time you cut it right and the ear drops out of the husk is pretty satisfying."

9. Start small

"If you're depressed and struggling with getting a grip on life in general. Start small, like clean out a drawer or clear a small area, and then the next day do something else, and eventually you'll notice that you're able to manage the bigger tasks because the small ones are already done."

"I started with making my bed and eventually just making sure my room is always tidy. When I came home and felt shitty, it would always be to a peaceful, pleasant space, and it was one less thing I had to get done when I wasn't in the mood to do shit."
"I'll add to this, and say downsizing too. I had so much "stuff". I felt like I gained headspace after donating/removing a lot of things I could live without. I've done almost 5 trash bags worth this year."

10. Start the night before

"Prepare for your morning the night before. Whether it is for your usual morning routine or a one-off event, lay out everything you will need before retiring to bed so you barely need to think in the morning. Not only is it more relaxing, but your mind will also have the time to think of other small details you may have forgotten."

"I can't understand how anyone who gets up and has to go to work in the morning can go to sleep without having EVERYTHING ready to go before they go to bed. Clothes. Lunch. Work-related items. There's no way I sleep thinking, 'what am I going to wear? Do I have enough bread to make a sandwich? Where exactly did I place the reports I have to have for work?' All I's must be dotted, and all T's must be crossed before I hit the sack."

11. No big deals

"Do not make a big deal of anything that accidentally spills or breaks in your house. Example: Spilling water at the dinner table. The calm reaction eliminates the usual stress episode. It's a great approach with kids."

12. 5-minute rule

"If something can be done in less than five minutes, do it right away, or if it takes longer, set a timer for 5-10 minutes and just start. I apply this mostly to cleaning because I don't like doing dishes or sweeping the kitchen floor lol."

13. Make post-meal clean-up easy

"As soon as the food is plated- literally, the second the chili is scooped or the lasagna is served- I fill every single used pot or pan with scalding hot water and a squirt of dish soap. Why torture your future self?"

"I do something similar. We have a dish brush in the sink, and the second I serve up, I run the water and use the brush to give it a quick wipe… no more dried on food!"

14. Send text later

"Send text later function on iPhone has helped me a lot. I’m an early riser and often think, 'Oh, so and so’s birthday, text them later,' or 'text coworker about xyz,' but I don’t want to text them at 430am. I sent the “text later” function for 9 am or whatever a reasonable hour is. Has saved my forgetful but thoughtful head a lot."

"My daughter is a little flighty, and she has violin lessons once a week, so that morning I always schedule a message to be sent the last ten minutes of her school day, reminding her to bring her violin home from school!"

15. Stock up on socks

"For my everyday wear, I bought a couple of multi-packs each of identical gray & black socks so I don't have to spend time matching them up. When one gets a hole, I can toss it & still have a mate."

"Every couple of years, replace all socks with a dozen or so identical fresh pairs of really nice ones. Socks generally aren't so expensive that this will be a huge cost over time. You get socks which are almost always in excellent shape, always match, and if you want to recycle any of the ones you're throwing out, there are usually donation/charity options."

16. Put your friends on the calendar

"Use your calendar/reminder list to manage your friendships. It is so easy to let friendships fall by the wayside as adult life gets busier. This is especially the case when people move away. I have a recurring reminder to text people just to say, 'Hey, what’s up?' This is especially helpful when you’re in a period of life when you are in the thick of things for a while, like after you become a new parent. That hard phase of life lasts for a long time, and friends can start feeling forgotten."

17. New bill routine

"Pay your bills when they arrive, not when they're due. When you get that notification that your (fill in the blank) bill will be due in a couple of weeks, pay it right then and there. Don't put it off. Once you get into the habit, it becomes easy, and while it doesn't save you any money up front, shifting your bill paying a few weeks ahead can pay off. If you're ahead on your bills and some emergency pops up - like a car repair - you don't have to choose whether to pay for that repair or your electric bill. You'll have a couple of weeks' cushion to avoid paying a late fee. Creditors love late fees. Don't give them the satisfaction."

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Culture

Introverted career coach shares 4 tips for introverts that make small talk less painful

Introverts can master the art of small talk.

small talk, small talk tips, introverts, introverts small talk, small talk advice

Photo credit: Canva

Tips for introverts on how to master small talk.

Small talk can be especially hard for introverts. While conversation may flow and come easily for extroverts, it can create a lot more anxiety and awkwardness for their counterparts.

Mastering small talk, however, is totally possible for introverts. Self-proclaimed introvert and career coach Cherrie Kwok, M.Ed., CCDP, shared her insights on four mindsets introverts can focus on when it comes to small talk.

She shared, "What I've learned is that you don't need to be an extrovert, the most social, or the most interesting person in the room, nor do you always have to have the right words to say."

Instead, these are four mindsets that will help small people master small talk.

chat, chatting, talk, small talk, small talking A group of people chat with one another.Photo credit: Canva

1. Focus on who you're talking with, not what you're talking about

According to Kwok, introverts can get caught up in where their conversation is going and whether or not it's coming off as boring. She shares a story about interacting with a next door neighbor. "He never needed anything from us or wanted to talk about something in particular, he simply wanted to chat," she explained.

Essentially, she highlights that introverts should keep in mind that "not every conversation needs to have a purpose".

Instead, Kwok adds, "What's important is that with each interaction, you're creating an opportunity to appreciate and get to know the person in front of you."

2. Small talks builds the foundation for deeper conversations and relationships down the road

For introverts, small talk may be approached as simply surface-level conversation, but Kwok says that introverts who think this way may be missing out on developing a quality relationship.

"Small talk is like the glue that builds trust, which is at the core of any meaningful relationship. It cultivates trust by creating a safe space where you can put another person at ease and signal to them that you're a friend, not foe," she explains. "When you're talking to someone for the first time, start by finding common ground. Focus on the situation you're both in, keep the questions light and avoid overly personal topics."

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3. Shift the focus away from yourself

Introverts can feel less anxious during small talk by getting out of their own heads and focusing on the person they are talking to.

"Overthinking just makes things worse. The more you focus on yourself, the more awkward you'll feel," says Kwok. "Instead, flip the script. Shift your focus away from yourself and onto the person you're talking to. Let them take center stage and direct the attention away from you. When you listen intently and focus on the other person, you are no longer caught up in your own thoughts."

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4. Don't take it personally if a conversation doesn't flow

Kwok shares a story about a small talk conversation that happened between her and a woman at her gym that received a short response.

"My initial thought was, 'Maybe I don't look friendly enough or I asked a lame question," Kwok shares.

Rather than criticize herself, though, Kwok chose to put herself in the woman's shoes. "You can't always know what someone's going through by just looking at them. So, if the small talk doesn't flow or your conversation partner seems uninterested, don't beat yourself up over it," she said.

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