You're feeling defensive about your career choices and no wonder. It seems like everybody wants to weigh in on what you do for a living. Unfortunately, it's none of their business. By refusing to engage in such discussions, you'll save yourself a lot of time and frustration. Are you unemployed? It may be because you have to polish your interviewing skills. Practice listening more attentively. Resist the urge to blurt out responses to questions. The more thoughtful you appear the better.

It's difficult not to take criticism personally. There's even a chance that an instructor is being malicious. Whatever the situation, it is imperative to keep your cool. By refusing to display emotion in the face of insensitive treatment, you'll gain the upper hand. You may not realise it, but many people sympathise with your situation. If you file a formal complaint, they will be happy to corroborate your story. A direct confrontation will be less effective, since you're dealing with an utter clod.

Arguing over a possession will be a waste of your valuable time. If someone has stolen your personal property, file a report. Include any photos you have of this item. It could be recovered by law enforcement later on. Make sure you don't forget your bank card after shopping excursions. The last thing you need is to become the victim of identity theft. When in doubt, stow valuable possessions out of sight, where they won't tempt thieves out to make some quick cash.

Keep control of your temper, especially when dealing with authority figures. You hate being pushed around, but it's better to be polite with a bully to avoid their wrath. Later, you can file a complaint and see justice done. Right now, tension is high and people have a tendency to go above and beyond the call of duty. You don't want to fall victim to someone who is trying to score a silly point. Be prepared to take someone's name and license number.

If you have difficulty sleeping try creating a relaxing bedtime ritual. Stay off the computer and phone an hour before retiring. Dive into comfortable pyjamas and enjoy some soothing reading material or soft music. Make yourself a warm drink. Do whatever it takes to put some distance between you and the day's activities. It may take a few tries before this routine kicks in, but once it does, you will sleep like a baby. Nothing is more rejuvenating than a nice long rest.

Your schedule is overloaded with activities you planned for others. It's time to stop accepting every offer that comes your way. While your willingness to help is admirable, it can rob you of valuable energy. Start putting your own needs first, even if it means withdrawing from a committee or stepping down from an exalted position. At first, people will complain about your absence; you're not easily replaced. In time, they will come to accept your decision and you will be much happier.

Instead of pouring all of your energy into your career try spending more time with family. You may be avoiding your kin because they keep trying to control you. These attempts will stop once you stand up to the bullies in question. You don't have to be abusive, but you should be forceful. Too often, manipulators take advantage of your gentle personality. It's time to establish you have thoughts, opinions and plans of your own. You won't change them just for the sake of acceptance.

Getting embroiled in a legal battle will be a losing proposition. You're better off cutting your losses and moving in a different direction. This really bothers your sense of justice, but you don't have the facts to support your case. Beware of making threats. Such language could get you in a lot of trouble. This is one of those times when you're better off staying away from people and keeping your own counsel. Even a chance remark could be taken the wrong way and trigger a fight.

A crisis comes to a head, forcing you to put an end to a troubled arrangement. You're tired of giving someone second and third chances. If you feel guilty about abandoning this relationship, think how your behaviour may be enabling their bad habits. Until someone is forced to deal with the consequences of their actions, they will continue to break the rules and wreak havoc. Stop making it your responsibility to keep this pest afloat. You have to cope with your own problems.

You can no longer tolerate a partner's embarrassing behaviour. Their actions are starting to affect your reputation. Instead of hanging around for more abuse, go your own way. It will feel like a tremendous relief to escape from a union that is fraught with tension. There is a chance the other party will threaten to spread damaging information about you. Go ahead and call their bluff. People respect you too much to have their opinions swayed by a bitter troublemaker.

Anger and frustration could take a toll on your well being. It's important to find an outlet for these emotions. Yoga, meditation or country walks can be therapeutic. If you're dealing with some lazy colleagues, ask yourself whether it's really worth the effort to outperform the competition. If there's no hope for a raise or promotion, you might want to scale back your contributions. That way, you will have energy for more rewarding activities and relationships. Accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative.

Do not burn the candle at both ends. Staying up all day and night could cause you to make a dangerous mistake. Similarly, you shouldn't play fast and loose with your money. Instead of gambling, keep your cash in the bank. You'll need it for an upcoming outing with friends. A child who is struggling needs kindness more than a heavy push. Perhaps you should scale down their schedule. If you don't, you could be setting them up for a setback.