I had been helping as a counselor for a few months when I met Drake. However, he had been volunteering with the humanitarian group with his parents since he was 15 years old. His parents were not satisfied with merely giving money to a charity; they wanted to put a lot of effort into helping others. At least, that’s what my friends in the new group had told me.

Background And Introduction To My Journey

I vowed to do counseling. I also clarified that I could not be the conventional type. Here, the focus will be on what entails counseling and how the counselor helps.

The thing was, Drake was alone that day. The reason was that there was a fire on the side of the mountain where they lived, and his mom and dad could not make it. Drake only survived because he was out playing basketball with his friends. In an instant, the sustainability helper needed family mental health help.

What A Mental Health Expert Does

As a counselor expert, I was not supposed to diagnose mental disorders in a patient because that’s a psychologist’s or psychiatrist’s job. However, I knew what grief and a sense of loss looked like, and that’s what I saw in Drake. I knew the next best thing for him was to have the right counselor who could provide family therapy for the recent unfortunate incident. So I approached him during one of our short breaks and offered to set up future counseling for him.

“Hey, Drake,” I started. “I don’t think that we have officially met, but I am technically the resident treatment expert in our little humanitarian group.

Professional Counselors Guide: Mental Health Group Sessions To People Who Need Them – How I Do It

I could offer mental health services to the people with whom we build houses and help them accept and get over the reason why they needed a licensed professional counselor in the first place so that they could start anew.

“Yes, I know you. My parents thought you were doing great, considering you never ask for money, even if it tends to cost a lot in the outside world,” Drake replied.

Counseling is a type of professional therapy that provides support, guidance, and expertise to individuals or groups on their various concerns. Counselors or any licensed clinical social workers offer advice and guidance on topics such as relationships, finances, work-related issues, self-esteem issues, divorce, or marriage problems.

I smiled. “Still, my services do not need to end there. In truth, I can offer the counselor’s service to you and the other volunteers here whenever you need counseling.”

I was mildly surprised when Drake bent his head down and began sobbing in our session. As a counselor, I immediately felt terrible about this young advocate prioritizing sustainability. I asked him to visit me in my office the next day so we could talk away from the concerned yet prying eyes of the other members.

Addiction counseling is a professional relationship between an individual and a mental health expert, such as a certified counselor. The American Counseling Association (ACA) empowers diverse individuals to accomplish their mental health tasks and foster personal growth. Through this, individuals can gain the necessary coping skills to overcome any life challenges they may face.

Substance abuse counseling is one of the most common specialties, as it helps people struggling with substance use and dependency disorders. Family members and spouses can also be included in the treatment plan to help ensure that long-term recovery solutions are achievable.

Military counseling practice focuses on helping those in the military with their mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. It also provides support to family members, as they may be dealing with the changes in lifestyle and environment caused by military service. Through counseling, veterans can manage symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

In addition, counseling is an important resource for individuals and families seeking to improve their overall wellness and overcome life challenges. Through counseling and education, clients can explore career goals, build self-esteem, and address depression, anxiety, and other challenges related to relationships. Professional counselors are trained in a variety of disciplines such as education, psychology, and social work, and are able to offer individualized advice.

That was the beginning of Drake’s counseling journey. It took him some time to get over his parents’ sudden death; he had even been diagnosed with depression not too long after he started counseling. But the kid eventually learned how to handle all the emotions hitting him at once through counseling.

On one occasion, Drake’s grandparents joined our humanitarian project, and they made a point of thanking me for my counseling work with their grandson. I merely replied that my counselor’s doors were always open if they needed counselor assistance. That’s especially true since the world needed more kids like Drake, who could care for others and the world in general.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) On Counseling

What does counseling mean?

Counseling refers to the professional guidance and support provided by trained counselors, often in various fields such as mental health, education, or online platforms. It involves the process of addressing individuals’ emotional, psychological, and educational needs to promote their overall well-being and personal growth, with a focus on maintaining or improving their mental health and general quality of life. Counselors are qualified professionals who offer expert assistance to individuals seeking help with their emotional and psychological health, as well as educational and personal development.

What is the difference between counseling and therapy?

Counseling and therapy are often used interchangeably, but there are subtle distinctions between them. Both are essential for addressing mental health concerns, and professionals in these fields typically engage in continuing education to stay updated on best practices. The American Counseling Association is a prominent organization that supports counselors, while therapy may encompass a broader range of mental health treatment methods. Ultimately, the choice between counseling and therapy depends on individual needs and preferences, but both play crucial roles in promoting mental well-being.

What is the importance of counseling?

The importance of counseling, as emphasized by the American Counseling Association and other health service organizations, cannot be overstated. Professional counselors serve as essential health professionals who provide a range of services, from individual therapy to group counseling. They play a crucial role in helping individuals navigate life’s challenges, manage mental health issues, and find a counselor who can offer personalized support and guidance. Counseling is a vital resource for improving emotional well-being and addressing various psychological concerns, ultimately contributing to better overall health and quality of life.

What are the 3 types of counseling?

What is the best counseling technique?

What is the best form of counseling?

What do you talk about in counseling sessions?

Is counseling a talking therapy?

What are the techniques of counseling?

What are the common problems in counseling?

Introduction To Sustainability

One thing you should know about me is that I come from a family of mental health professionals. Here’s my story.

Most of my family are in the mental health field, so when it was time for me to choose my career, I became the family’s first counselor. Besides the fact that the world needs more counselors as a preference, my family has already established a small mental health hospital. People from other cities flock to our facility for sustainable mental health treatments. Medical hospitals would also recommend patients to us continuously.

Since the primary facility was a little outdated, it incurred much damage when a terrible hurricane came. First came the flood, which went up to our thighs. We thought that that was it primarily, but then the roof caved in, and the windows shattered. After some discussion with my parents, we thought it was high time for a significant innovation for more viability. It would be easier to set up tents outside of it than to accommodate our primary patients in a broken-down facility.

“Green buildings can not only reduce or eliminate negative impacts on the environment, by using less water, energy or natural resources, but they can – in many cases – have a positive impact on the environment (at the building or city scales) by generating their own energy or increasing biodiversity.”

First Securing Viability Before Any Renovation Begins

Despite being successful in their fields, my parents remained as frugal as they could be. The first thing they told me before the renovation even happened was to focus on finding the cheapest contractor. “We just need a new roof and some new windows, and that’s it,” they said. However, I begged to disagree primarily.

In today’s world, businesses of all sizes are recognizing the importance of focusing on sustainable goals. The number one priority in this shift is a focus on reducing carbon emissions across the entire value chain and making sure that as many parts of the business organization as possible have carbon neutrality. This commitment to initiatives has been adopted by established companies, start-ups, et cetera, and is backed by an increasing number of consumers who are demanding change. Gen Z, in particular, has been instrumental in this shift, as their willingness to speak out against companies that do not give importance to viability and durability has made a difference.

Some older people may not see that buildings in the past were not built with sustainability efforts in mind. For example, we still used a lot of electricity because everything was closed in, and it was so hot in every room. The floors were not sealed and waterproofed either, so the tiled floors went beyond repair when the water rushed into the facility. It was a long discussion, but I finally got my parents to find a contractor who prioritized sustainability during the embedded renovation processes and considered the world economy, consumer goods industry, greenhouse gas emissions, carbon footprint emissions, global climate change, and other environmental and societal issues when they look for sustainable products or sustainable materials to meet the consumer demand.

Construction Based On Viability And Durability

Sustainable construction business organization strategies mean working with a supply chain of inexhaustible/renewable and recyclable assets and materials beneficial for the recyclers’ positive mental health. During sustainability building and creating projects progress, care should be taken to lessen waste and renewable energy efficiency utilization where conceivable secure the natural habitat around the site, and always do sustainable shopping from consumer goods companies. The outcome of a sustainable development project services should be harmless to the ecosystem.

There is an insight that sustainable construction is costly, which can cause it to appear to be the less appealing choice. However, the World Green Building Council’s 2018 report shows that even though cost remains a worry, green building proprietors report that cash is saved through decreased working costs on account of the sustainable brand materials utilized.

Let’s Look For A Resilient Building Contractor

I could tell you how challenging it was to find a contractor who advocates for sustainability. Of course, although more and more people want to have eco-friendly homes and buildings, many still want to save on construction expenses, so that’s who they cater to. But when I finally found one who is prioritizing sustainability, I was over the moon about everything they wanted to do with our facility.

For one, the contractor wanted to replace the ceramic tiles on the floor with solid wood. They knew a place that sold reclaimed solid wood panels, so it would be like recycling better materials, which I loved. We just needed to decide on the colors in times of war, and that was it.

Another thing that the contractor mentioned was using bigger windows. The old design of our facility barely had any windows because mental health was technically taboo for decades. However, since society accepts the subject more now than ever, it may be ideal to add more windows to allow light into every room. Of course, they would still be one-way windows to follow our confidentiality promise to our clients, but it might help more than bother them if they could see the outside world.

The contractor and I also discussed using solar panels for the entire building. I found this ideal sustainability, considering we did not need electricity in the facility 24/7. My parents tried to say no to this because those were technically expensive, but we would not need to pay another dime to an electric company in the long run. The latter thankfully won them over, so we got solar panels.

Trending In The Industry

Sustainability initiatives are a growing trend, and businesses are increasingly focusing on the importance of understanding and incorporating its principles into their operations. Research has shown that there are many aspects to sustainability and that the challenges involved in making it a priority can be significant. However, when companies prioritize this aspect, they can unlock numerous solutions while also gaining an interesting competitive advantage.

Businesses that focus on and are involved in sustainability are likely to find that investing in green practices can overcome challenges. Partnering with suppliers, vendors, and other businesses that place similar emphasis on viable resources in construction can help your company create a comprehensive approach to improving the environment around you.

Focusing On What’s Priority

The unique idea that my contractor presented was a garden roof. Instead of the regular galvanized iron, they would fill the entire roof with grass and plants. Everyone could go up and relax there while waiting for their turn. More importantly, it could provide enough fresh air and shade, so we might not need air conditioners too much.

Final Thoughts And Takeaway

With all the renovations happening at once, I was surprised when the contractor pointed out that four months had already passed since the hurricane devastated our business model facility. I honestly forgot that that was why my parents agreed to renovate our small mental health hospital anyway. The process fascinated me so much that it felt like we were doing it as an improvement, not a necessity.

In the global market, focusing on sustainable and renewable energy is at an all-time high in terms of importance. Countries are increasingly pushing for transparency and safety standards to be met by retailers and manufacturers. It is no longer enough to just have a corporate social responsibility policy; companies must now continue to lead the way when it comes to sustainability concerns and answers.

Well, I would have to backtrack on the latter statement. Given how much our climate changed over the years, it’s necessary to prioritize making sustainable homes and facilities. For instance, we would not be burning as much fossil fuel with solar panels installed as before. We could even plant fruits and vegetables on the garden roof to avoid buying plastic-covered fresh produce in the markets. Also, we would no longer need to rely on air conditioning units too much because the facility would be well-ventilated.

It was a win, for sure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are The 3 Ps Of Sustainability?

The 3 Ps of sustainability are often referred to as the triple bottom line framework, which involves prioritizing three key aspects: social sustainability, environmental sustainability, and economic sustainability. This approach emphasizes the new way of thinking about business and its impact on society and the planet.

What Are The 5 Principles Of Viability?

The five principles of viability in a sustainable business model prioritize sustainability initiatives and eco-friendly products within the supply chain. A robust sustainability strategy should encompass long-term considerations, focusing on both environmental and social aspects, as well as economic viability. This holistic approach ensures that the business sustainability initiatives align with the company’s bottom line while promoting the adoption of eco-friendly products and practices throughout the supply chain.

What Are The Four Factors Of Viability?

The four factors of viability, especially when considering sustainability, often revolve around being eco-friendly and having a long-term perspective. These factors emphasize the importance of environmental consciousness and a commitment to sustainable practices that endure over time.

What Is The Viability Strategy?

What Is A Good Example Of Giving Importance To Viability?

Why Is Prioritizing Sustainability Important To The Environment? What Are Its Benefits?

How do you promote viability?

What is viability, and why is it so important?

What is the purpose of viability?

Why should we care about viability?

Why is viability important to the environment?

How do you achieve this?

What is the most important thing about sustainability?

Why is sustainability a key to success?

What is it really, and why is it important for the Earth?

What is narration therapy and how can this therapy help deal with our mental health?

Much like anything else, sustainability also plays a role in today’s mental health realm; as disorders and mental health conditions change with time, so should the treatments.

Mental health is slowly becoming a big factor in today’s health façade.

With the quarantines in place and the pandemic’s therapy stresses becoming uncontrollable, many individuals with mental health needs could be feeling lost, isolated, and having problematic stories about coping with the current situation.

Besides that, traditional treatments may not work anymore for some patients since mental health problems could also be fast-evolving.

Good thing that there’s a new, medically reviewed breed of treatment approach that one can focus on: narrative therapy.

A New Form Of Treatment

This narrative therapy is a new form of therapy that allows clients to configure the stories they make about themselves with the help of a narrative therapist. Since people can create stories of their own, it allows them more freedom. This helps narrative therapists address their clients’ stress disorder, even traumatic stress.

It encourages clients to utilize their own skills and attitudes to make mental health changes and minimize conflicts in their lives.  By telling their own story, a person, can understand themselves better, which also enables the narrative therapist to provide better medical advice.

Let’s dive deeper into this type of narrative therapy.

Narrative Therapy

The origin traces back to Michael White and David Epston’s discovery in the 1980s.

They developed this method with an easy-to-read introduction clinging to the idea that narrative therapy is more effective since it enables oneself.

Moreover, it also creates individuality in clients’ unhelpful stories and prevents blame for themselves in their current situations.

Narrative therapy also tries to affirm that individuals have their skillsets, beliefs, smarts, knowledge, and physical capabilities.

These then can help detail a brand-new change into their own problems instead.

Mental health professionals could use a unique outcomes technique to go around your condition or problems:

1. The narrative therapist should allow you to objectify the problem into the person’s greater understanding.

2. A narrative therapist should also let you frame yourself while solving problems in a larger context, such as social construction or political rather than personal.

3. Through cooperation, the narrative therapist can let you make your narrative approaches to the problem.

Unlike other forms of treatment, this treatment does not particularly aim to transform an individual.

Reconfigures And Reassess Problems

Rather, narrative therapy seeks treatment to reconfigure and reassess their problems.

It intends to create distance between a person’s life story and the current issues, making it possible to perceive these conflicts as social benefits than social harm.

For example, a surge of anxiety can be a big constraint. But narrative therapy can help reconfigure the anxiety by bringing to the surface a dominant story.

Instead, it could be more of a social, political, or environmental signal than a physical factor.

Encourages Individuals To Contextualize Problems

Narrative therapy encourages individuals to contextualize problems to a great extent, making way for the client to achieve different perspectives and develop his self-compassion form.

By finding the context behind a problem, people can figure out the best next step. Couples and families might want to engage in family therapy, for example. The therapy narrative as a whole becomes one of evolution and progress.

If you want to discover more about narrative therapy, its functions, scope, and how it can help with your condition, check out these FAQs below.

FAQs

Narrative therapy belongs to a unique form of several systemic therapies.

It focuses on your understanding of your experiences in life.

With this, you are the storyteller.

Narrative therapy gives significant weight to how you treat and understand your own life.

Narrative therapy allows you to understand this based on how you process it. This approach assists in organizing your thought patterns and feelings. Narrative therapy also aids in managing expectations and preferred realities in moving forward.

Is It Evidence-Based?

Not yet. However, there is a rapid growth of research and information to classify narrative therapy as evidence-based.

Narrative therapy was developed in the 1980s. At present, narrative therapy is becoming a widely accepted and highly effective form of treatment.

How Does Change Occur?

Narrative therapy separates people’s thoughts and ideas and shapes their identity. Narrative therapy unlocks your capacity by sharing significant events in your life to reach the future or new possibilities.

This process helps determine which experiences are more influential than others.

Joining these narratives together creates an over-arching theme for your life. Narrative therapy also tells how you can make it better moving forward.

What Are The Limitations Of The Treatment?

Limitations include the lack of structure.

Narrative therapy depends on the patient for narration and their willingness to narrate with full emotional accuracy.

The started narrative therapy expert is responsible for weaving a coherent body of information.

Narrative therapy hinges upon an objective recall of the circumstances that occurred. Failure of either may lead to ineffective results.

As a new treatment, it may also be difficult to find a therapist who’s licensed to conduct narrative therapy.

Who Uses This Treatment?

Several therapists or mental health professionals use narrative therapy to help patients recognize patterns and issues in their lives.

Narrative therapy focuses on how you could better yourself by not blaming your inaction.

Narrative therapy creates a narrative based on how you emotionally and psychologically process past or explore events.

What Is A Narrative Approach?

Narrative therapy is a flexible structure or framework used by therapists.

This specific treatment helps patients identify circumstances and emotional pain.

Narrative therapy aids in understanding how they’re connected in a particular sequence.

Sessions In The Narration Therapy Center Would Entail Storytelling Sessions By The Patient.

Such involves collaboration with the therapist to discover the underlying narrative or theme of every life event.

How Do You Create A Trauma Narrative?

A horrible event a patient has experienced creates a trauma narrative. Narrative therapy usually involves externalizing conversations about death or severe injury.

Narrative therapy is considered a mental health tool.

A trauma narrative helps the patient understand the associated thoughts, feelings, and memories of a traumatic experience.

What Does Narrative Mean?

Narrative refers to the expression of life experiences in a meaningful manner.

It tackles the roles of events and individuals.

This is done to deepen the understanding of thought processes and social identity.

The theory behind it is that every past event or experience becomes part of one’s identity.

What Theory Is It Based On?

Narrative therapy exercises are based on the therapeutic theory. It was developed by David Epston and Michael White in the 1980s.

This theory is based on the proposition that individuals have several interacting dominant stories in depth, contributing to a sense of sexual identity and expression.

What Is Deconstruction In Narrative Therapy?

Deconstruction is the process of people’s narrative practice of externalization.

Narrative therapy offers a new perspective or interpretation of narratives provided by the patient.

The specialist aims to provide a more positive outlook toward a specific event.

Narrative therapy seeks to draw out a better understanding of the patient’s identity.

Conclusion

Like any clinical therapy, narrative therapy forms also require the counseling expert and the client’s equal and active participation.

Meanwhile, it can be counterproductive if clients are not willing to share their personal experiences in their own lives during the narrative therapy.

Technique Relies On Patient To Identify Alternative Stories

This narrative therapy technique relies heavily on the patient to identify alternative stories.

Without it, this treatment might fail.

Meanwhile, those with prevalent mental conditions could subscribe to the services of trained narrative therapists.

Additionally, individuals or couples with conflicts in family members and relationships can also benefit from this program, same as family therapy.

A brand new perspective in a relationship can help strengthen the bonds, prevent conflicts from forming, and help resolve those existing ones.

Insight And Takeaway

Despite the unique impacts of this method in objectifying problems of people’s own lives and minimizing their negative value, narrative therapy might not be best for everyone.

Its dependency on the patient’s narrative therapy can end up too taxing.

Unfortunately, therapists can also sometimes be unreliable and come off as dominant problematic stories story.

It’s why the type of narrative therapy and the choice of medical practitioner matters.

Through this article, we hope that we can shed light on the benefits of narrative therapy, techniques, strategies, and themes.

When I was a child, I remember living next to a junkyard. My parents were low-wage earners at the time; my mother was a hairdresser, while my father was still in college, trying to finish his civil engineering degree. I always played with the shop owner’s kids in the yard, doing hide-and-seek around the broken furniture and looking for “treasures” (old toys, screws, etc.) under the recycler’s junk.

I could recall coming home every evening with grime on my face and clothes. And every time, my father would say, “Oh, my poor daughter. When I become a civil engineer and start building condominiums and skyscrapers, I will not need to touch grimy, broken items in a junkyard. Instead, you can play in jungle gyms and beautiful playgrounds for as long as you want.”

A Recycler’s Approach To Reality

Perhaps because the junk shop was the only playground I grew up knowing, I told my father that I liked that place. After all, I learned so much from it, especially when it came to recycling. He only smiled at my innocence, and we did not talk about it again. True to my father’s words, though, he graduated and got absorbed by a massive construction company soon after. I bid farewell to my neighborhood friends a few months later and moved to New York City, where Dad’s company got a new house for us.

I have never managed to return to my old neighborhood since then. Life was exciting in NYC; there was so much to do and see. Still, I did not forget to buy things and resources that I knew I could recycle. I always felt good whenever I did that because:

I Am Doing Something Great For The Environmental Impact

Environmental waste disposal is a cause of concern in many places, including the metropolitan I live in. Too many produce trash every day for the local garbage collectors to do something about them. Hence, it is up to the residents like me to initiate the recycling process and keep the garbage from getting stuck in landfills.

Whenever I buy egg cartons, for instance, the shell and the carton don’t go straight to my trash bin. Instead, I get some dirt, fill every hole in the carton, and plant herbs in it. I also clean the shells, crush them, and use them to decorate canvas or makeshift mini pots.

It is a small gesture I chose to engage, yes, but it makes me happy to know that I am doing something that will make the Mother Nature environment proud of me.

I Tend To Spend Less Than Others

Since I did not come from old money, and my parents worked hard for everything we owned, I became frugal. That’s especially true during my adult years when I moved out of the house and lived independently. In reality, I only had a mattress, a study table, and a chair in the apartment in the first year – all my clothes and other belongings remained in boxes because I did not want to buy new furniture.

Then, one day, I saw a neighbor leaving an old couch and a wardrobe closet on the sidewalk. They nodded when I asked if I could take them, so all I had to do was reupholster the couch and repaint the cabinet. Not only did my neighbor and other people have two fewer pieces of furniture to throw away, but I almost spent nothing to have a brand-new-looking couch and closet.

I Need Not Worry About Increasing My Carbon Footprint

I had been worried about the carbon footprint ever since my fifth-grade teacher talked about it in class. She said that every appliance or plastic we use increases our carbon footprint, so I went through an example phase wherein I refused to turn on the light at night. I only did it when I tripped in the middle of the night, and my parents scolded me for it.

Because I already learned my lesson from that, I thought of recycling to reduce my carbon footprint. When my microwave oven broke down, for instance, I turned it into food storage. When I couldn’t use my kettle anymore, I turned it into a flower vase. My apartment looked eclectic due to that, but the odd additions merely added character to my place, so it was all point good.

Bottom Line

I believe that my recycling habit has contributed to my positive physical health and mental health. After all, I am aware and made sure that everything I owned would have a purpose even after their original usage has expired. I have a guilt-free conscience because I am not among those who know his responsibility and continue to bully Mother Nature and complain about the higher risk  of climate change. I am doing everything I can to ensure my carbon footprint does not go up for as long as possible. I would want to spend time in nature more often. With that, I need to reduce waste or plastic waste and limit plastic bags usage. I swear to commit to a sustainable lifestyle in connection with nature so I can guarantee a healthy environment.

One study shows that some people weirdly look at me whenever I claim to be a motivated recycler and make a conscious choice to secure a more sustainable lifestyle and embrace minimalism, perhaps assuming that I am a hippie. Despite that, I think I have less to worry about between them and me since I make the most out of every dollar I spend due to my effort in sustainability for the benefit of my mental health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are recyclers beneficial?

Can recycling help improve the sense of health?

What are the good impact positive effects of recycling at home?

Why is recycling very important and beneficial to you and your community?

How important is recycling to you personally?

Why is recycling important, and why should we recycle?

Why recycling is important to the environment essay?

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Why is recycling an important practice in homes?

How can we practice recycling in our daily life?

What is the best effect of recycling in life?

How can we motivate people to recycle?

How can we improve recycling in our community?

How can recycling be a great way to take care of the environment?

What are the mental health benefits of saving the environment?

 

I came from a working-class family. We were technically not poor because both my parents had stable jobs, but we still lived from paycheck to paycheck. We also moved after a year or so in different apartments, especially when the rent was about to go up in one area.

Despite that lifestyle, I had no complaints about it because it was normal in my family. Even my aunts and uncles also rented their residential units. My best friend was our neighbor, too, which meant that they did not have a house of their own.

When I met Sally, everything changed. Her childhood was the exact opposite of mine. She came from a well-off family in Tennessee; her parents managed to buy a farm and build a home on one part of it before she was born. She only tried moving somewhere else when she went college, but still did not have the same experience as regular students because her parents bought a condo. That way, she needed not to share a dorm room with a few other girls.

Though Sally knew that I was only starting to build my career, it did not deter her from being with me. After our wedding, she sold the condo and decided to move into the apartment that I was renting at the time. It was technically a spacious loft for two people, but it was still not like the house that she was used to. Hence, I decided to surprise her on our second anniversary with a new home that we could call ours.

Making A Sustainable Home

I contacted an architect a year ago after buying a piece of land on the outskirts of the city. The price was pretty steep, but it was the cheapest option in that part of the town. It was close to both the metro and the countryside, which I knew that my wife would love.  

Since I had never had a house built before, I asked the architect for advice on what design would be suitable for a new family house. He showed me a lot of examples, but one thing that impressed me the most was the idea of making a sustainable home.

What Should Be Seen In A Sustainable Home?

Bigger Windows

In prioritizing sustainability, the first thing that a sustainable house should have is a plethora of massive windows. If you imagine the ones you have seen at the hardware store, think bigger. Those are still a little too small compared to what you want to achieve here.

The bigger your windows are, the more air can circulate the place. For our project, I asked the architect and engineer if the middle portion of the house could be made of windows. They said that it was a unique request but a doable one. Thus, once we move in, we would not need to use the air conditioner much.

More Plants

Although I lived in the city my entire life, I developed an allergy to fumes after college. I needed to wear a mask if I had to go out of the building all the time; otherwise, my throat would itch, and I would start dry coughing. I did not want a repeat of what happened to me a couple of years ago when it transformed into laryngitis and put me on bed rest for two weeks, so I always turned the purifier on whenever the windows were open in the apartment.

In our new home, an air purifier would have been out of place because we wanted to focus on sustainability. The solution that we found was to add as many plants as possible inside. We just had to be careful not to add big ones because the house might look like a jungle.

Better Insulation

Another thing that I wanted to remedy was our excessive use of a heater and air conditioner. Both were pretty necessary because it was not easy to get enough ventilation in the middle of the apartment complex. If we did not use them, it would become too chilly or too stuffy.

Luckily, the engineer assured me that they would be insulating the house from the bottom to the top. It meant that it would be cozy at home, especially during the winter season.

Final Thoughts

When I finally revealed the house to my wife, she was too stunned to react at first. Once she found her voice, she screamed in delight and hugged me before running into the property. Then, she started talking about the furniture that would fit in our new home and was thankful that I waited for her before furnishing the house with appliances.

It was a challenge to hide the construction of our love nest to my wife, but based on how happy she was, I must say that it was so worth it.

 

 

Source: commons.wikimedia.org

As COVID-19 is gaining more ground in the world’s most deprived regions, it will affect the most defenseless, with the unexpected health and economic crisis adding up to the current challenges. This will continue to add to the pressure felt by fragile populations. This demands a thorough and cooperative response. Connected to all this is clean energy, which is essential in helping countries prepare, react, and recover from this global pandemic.

Clean energy can bring cost-effective solutions that are associated with climate targets and can assist in minimizing the impact of COVID-19 on people’s jobs, families, and their lives. At the forefront of the fight against the virus, energy and for homes and health facilities is crucial. However, almost 900 million people still don’t have electricity. In states where the power grid is not reliable or does not exist, clean energy tools provide answers that can solve concerns quickly. With reliable energy, health facilities can do their jobs 24/7 rather than just depending on candles and flashlights.

Using Solar Power For Health

There are current programs that utilize solar power to help improve health services while saving the environment with less money, and ultimately saving lives.

In addition, clean energy can also deal with several health risks that may increase the risk of people acquiring respiratory illnesses like COVID-19. Almost 50% of the world population depends on contaminated fuels and ineffective cooking stoves, all at high environmental and health costs. Annually, almost four million people die unexpectedly from diseases associated with smoke from stoves or open fire. Encouraging people to utilize clean fuels and energy-efficient ovens and ranges can help protect millions of these people from taking in lethal doses of fumes in their homes every day.

Source: pexels.com

Access to energy also encourages social distancing policies to be followed by powering the technologies and gadgets that help people to keep in touch, receiving information, learn online, and work from the comfort of your homes. Energy also offers credible access to clean water; a vital factor needed during COVID times. Finally, it guarantees food security by allowing food chains and providing power to water pumps.

Investing In Clean Energy

Aside from the benefits mentioned above of clean energy, it can also boost economic recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Renewable energies are fuel for creating jobs. A whopping 11 million people across the globe had jobs in the renewable sector in 2018. The International Renewable Energy Agency stated that this number could increase up to more than 40 million worldwide 30 years from now. Even small businesses can take advantage of decentralized energy systems that provide possible sources of extra income.

Ultimately, clean energy is accessible, reliable, and cost-effective. In many progressive countries, though, the possibility of large-scale renewable energy projects remains unclear. Investments in this sector are proving to be much lower than what is required to be able to yield its full benefits, including its potential on the climate.

Removing The Barriers

Many organizations are working hand in hand with the government to remove the barriers that inhibit investments from coming. By focusing on policies and financial risks connected with such investments in progressive economies, these organizations help governments create an empowering environment for renewable energy. Soon solar programs that are being structured and set up in more than 11 countries are going to expand across the globe.

Source: piqsels.com

As nations get ready for the aftermath of COVID-19, there is a greater opportunity for world recovery. Impressive green stimulus projects will assist countries in repairing their economies at the same time, reshaping their energy transition. As oil prices go down to historical lows, we must all ensure that the world does not lose track of its climate targets. This is a good moment to transform fossil fuel subsidies and reevaluate the choices that countries have to fast-track their clean energy transition to withstand a recovery that is best for the whole world.

 

 

I participated in the 2019 convention for online teachers. I was relatively new in this field at that time, so it felt like attending the event was the wisest thing to do. I could learn about the profession in-depth and meet different online teachers.

The thing is, I was the only enthusiastic person in our team to go to the convention. The other newly hired folks concluded early that it would be a waste of effort and money. Most of them taught language virtually as a part-time job, after all—a way to make ends meet. However, you should take online teaching seriously because:

It Is Among The Most Practical Jobs

Being a virtual teacher professional is practical, given that your income source won’t be affected by whatever’s happening in the world. For instance, many people had to stop working in the first quarter of 2020 due to the coronavirus outbreak. But since you meet students over the internet, there’s no need to halt your classes.

It Can Give You Financial Freedom

Embracing online teaching 100% does not entail that your family has to go from three to two meals a day to save money. In reality, the job may allow you to earn up to $23 per hour, which is no different from what regular employees make. If you work from home, that’s even better because you don’t have to pay for gas. You may gain financial freedom faster than your peers.

You Can Travel The World Without Work Tying You Down To One Place

As mentioned, some online teachers can conduct their classes at home, as long as there is a steady internet connection. If you can ensure the latter elsewhere, you are free to travel without taking a leave of absence. That’s something you cannot do in other jobs.

Whether you need a new occupation or work setting, you should try online teaching to experience the perks it comes with soon. Good luck!

 

Source: en.wikipedia.org

As major countries in the world struggle to recover and diligently follow physical distancing guidelines to reduce or eliminate the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, more studies are being disseminated suggesting that we can all rebuild and create a stronger, abundant, healthy, resilient, and decarbonized world when this global crisis subsides.

Job opportunities are among the most important considerations when thinking about low-carbon economic progress. The worldwide adaptation of renewable technologies makes way for these opportunities around the supply chain. In 2018, this department provided jobs for 11 million people worldwide, as reported by the International Renewable Energy Agency. The agency further stated that pushing for renewable energy transformation is a good chance to achieve climate goals as well as enhancing economic growth, improving people’s lives, and providing thousands of jobs.

Renewable Energy Transformation

An expert from the United Nations Environment Program said that they have prepared post-COVID-19 stimulus packages that are created to initiate green recovery and green jobs. Also, a study entitled “Renewable Energy and Jobs – Annual Review 2019” revealed that changing the energy system could improve worldwide Gross Domestic Product gains by about $98 trillion within this year until 2050.

Asian countries are now exporters of solar panels while bigger markets like Europe, the United States, and China are hosts to large concentrations of renewable energy jobs. Currently, employment is mostly seen in a few countries, including China, the United States, India, Brazil, and the European Union members.

Source: piqsels.com

Solar Photovoltaic – The Biggest Job Provider

In 2018, Solar PV was the top employment provider in renewable energy technologies. This accounts for one-third of the department’s workflow. This increasing output encouraged the opening of biofuel jobs by 6%. Southeast Asia, Brazil, and Colombia are into labor-intensive supply chains while the European Union and the United States are into mechanized operations.

Wind power has provided 1.2 million jobs, with onshore projects predominating. The offshore sector, on the other hand, is slowly gaining some pull and could be strengthened on infrastructure in the gas and offshore oil sector. Hydropower has the biggest installed capacity of all types of renewables and is expanding steadily. It has provided over 2 million jobs, 75% of whom are in maintenance and operations.

Factors That Determine Employment Increase In Renewables

There are a few factors that influence where and how jobs are created within the renewable energy supply sector. Government policies are among these factors. Others include industry revamping, trade patterns, and current trends.

Expanding The Talent Pool

The worldwide shift to renewables and focus on prioritizing sustainability has resulted in the demand for more skills in the areas of business, legal, economic, and technical, among others. This is why expanding the talent pool is important to encourage women to participate in renewable energy. Reports reveal that due to the sector’s multidisciplinary scope, renewable energy interests women, unlike their disinterest in fossil fuel. Women currently make up 32% of the renewable energy manpower, which is significantly higher than the 22% reported in the gas and oil industry.

Quality A Crucial Factor

Though quantity in job opportunities is important, it is also vital to note that quality is as crucial. A well-paid job requires a person to possess experience and skills to perform his job efficiently and safely. Offering high-paying jobs to employees who are qualified helps improve the economy compared to a low-paying job with few benefits and performed by employees with little to no experience.

Source: wpr.org

Finally, surpassing the problem of the gender gap in the field of electricity may help achieve sustainable development goals. Access and availability of affordable and clean renewable energy also reduce roadblocks to women’s opportunities for employment.

Renewable energy does help provide a chance to create green jobs and promote the shift to carbon-neutral economies. It also helps protect countries and citizens from global threats, including pandemics like this one.

 

 

I accompanied my best friends to the Visionary Conference 2019, thinking that I was giving them a massive favor. In all honesty, I had never followed the lives of visionaries like Albert Einstein, Steve Jobs, and Elon Musk. It was incredible to learn about the three laws of motion, and I couldn’t live without my iPhone and Tesla car, but that’s it.

My interest in visionaries changed, though, when the main guest speaker did not decide to name-drop every famous visionary who came to mind. Instead, he started discussing what characteristics made them one.

I never thought of that before. While I knew a bit about most visionaries’ struggles, I did not bother to figure out what they were like as a person. So, imagine my surprise when the speaker said that they all had common traits, including:

Relentlessness
Have you seen sales marketers at the mall who pick someone they make eye contact with and start pitching their products? Sometimes, they barricade your path with their body to make you stop and hear them out. Other times, if the first trick doesn’t work, they may even try to follow you around the store.

In either case, though, it seems natural to feel irritated by such relentlessness. But if you think about it, the real visionaries are more relentless than that. Their ads appear on TV, billboards, and even social media channels. They keep on doing it until you give in and see what they have to offer.

Go-Getter
Visionaries are some of the most ambitious folks you will ever meet. If you give them even a little opening, they will take advantage of it to go forward. Is there not even a crack at the gates to success? That’s not an issue—they will find a way around, on top, or through it all.

A visionary supports this go-getter personality with a well-thought-out plan about their vision. Typically, everything is ready from their end, such as the formula, algorithms, marketing strategy, etc. What they need now is a platform or funding to make their dreams come true.

Problem-Solver
There is a difference between a visionary and a book-smart individual. The latter does not enjoy solving problems. They prefer theories over applications. On the other hand, the former loves getting challenged, no matter how terrible or ridiculous it may be.

Such a trait that visionaries share is not a bad thing at all. Visionaries live to take risks. For sure, they feel scared at times, but they love proving people wrong and justifying their stance. No one seems to complain about it because we—the consumers—benefit a lot from their adventurous side.

Final Thoughts
The characteristics of a real visionary sound basic enough, right? Anyone can be a go-getter or relentless or love solving problems. However, not all of us have a specific vision that’s beneficial for everyone. And for that, I salute all the visionaries for their legendary works all over the globe!

Having a stressful life can drain out your energy to the point that you will no longer become interested in going about your day. When there is too much stress in your life, you tend to become less productive. At the same time, it can also affect your relationship with other people. As a result, your life will be full of worries that will slowly bring you down. If you want to experience a change in this area of your life, be sure that you will try to establish a worry-free life.

“People who suffer from ambient anxiety have not developed an internal psychological and emotional barrier. Things they see and hear penetrate them to their core,” –Fran Walfish, PsyD

Before anything else, we wan to remind all our readers that having a worry-free life is possible. Never think that it is already too late to change the course of your life. Instead, believe that you can still improve your day-to-day experience when you eliminate the worries that you think of daily. As much as possible, believe that you are capable of achieving a state where happiness dominates in your life. Here are the tips to keep in mind:

Love Yourself

The first step to consider is to appreciate everything about you. “Self-love is not simply a state of feeling good. It is a state of appreciation for oneself that grows from actions that support our physical, psychological and spiritual growth.” Deborah Khoshaba Psy.D. said. Take note that you are such a great and exciting individual. You are filled with qualities that make people happy. Remind yourself of what makes you pleasant so that you will become more interested in loving yourself. Take note that the more you do this, the more relaxed you become when it comes to dealing with your circumstances. In the long run, it can lead to a worry-free life.

Have Peace of Mind

Another thing that must do is to make an effort to achieve peace of mind at all times. Take note that the more you learn how to quiet your mind, the more organized your thoughts will become. In the long run, this can benefit you because you will no longer have any space for worries or negativity. One of the ways that you can consider is to engage in meditation activities. Remember that all it takes is less than ten minutes to complete this form of action. “Meditation is not just relaxing, but to be keenly aware of the present moment while not interfering with mental activities that revolve around our little self.” Andrea F. Polard, PsyD said.

Ask For Help

There are times in your life when you have to learn how to seek help or assistance from other people. Take note that you are not alone in this journey. There are tons of individuals who are willing to help you. Whenever you think that things have become complicated and challenging on your part, be honest in admitting this to yourself. After this, do not forget to ask for help from others. In so doing, you are helping yourself to eliminate worries.

Conclusion

Always remember that you are great and that you can do whatever you set your mind into. Never let your worries bring you down. Instead, be bigger than the problems or issues that you think about. When you can take these worries away, your life will become so much better. As a result, you can achieve a happier you. At the same time, people will love you even more.