First impression

It may be the right or wrong one, but you never get a second chance to it.

There is an entire list of "firsts" in our lives which we will never forget for sure: first day of school, first exam, first date, first kiss, first job interview...so on and so forth. And I am pretty sure most of us try (at least a bit or even without acknowledging it) to make a first good impression. Either by appearance or attitude, or even both.

A first impression is a matter of seconds and it can either seal or break the deal. In business it is often considered to be a firm hand shake, eye contact, smart clothes, appropriate body language and attitude. In social life it may be a nice smile, good perfume, friendly gestures, pretty eyes and the list can go on. Many of these criteria are highly artificial but probably they have a "deeper" meaning (I for one would like to know why the first thing I pay attention to is shoes ??!!). Despite this, instinct rarely fails, so the first feeling might just be the right one.

But besides appearance, what comes out of your mouth is also highly influential. Especially when you are in a "try to impress" situation. So how should we handle all this ? I think the secret is very obvious: just be yourself - or the better version of yourself and everything will go naturally. After all, it will never end up "meant to be" if you are perceived to be someone you are not.

Here's a funny video about dating deal breakers. Miau miau :))

F*** Me....I'm Famous

Or what is the meaning of being "successful" these days:

There is no need for further comments. We create these trends in music, movies and literature. It is always easier to go with the majority and with what's "in", than stand for what you believe in with the risk of being perceived as weird.

Respect

One of the most common things people do is blame others for their unhappiness. But it takes a minimum amount of self-respect to stay away from anyone who is not willing to treat you in the same way you are treating them.

Whether it’s business, family, friends or romantic partners – all long-lasting relationships are based on it. First you need to try hard to earn it, and then to maintain it. But it needs to be reciprocal. Otherwise you get used to whoever treating you like whatever.

Mad Men vs. Desperate Housewives

Fairy Tales have Sleeping Beauties and Charming Princes.

Reality has Mad Men and Desperate Housewives.

Most men claim they like strong, intelligent, independent women, who know what they want and are confident in their own skin. The problem is they don't know how to handle them or live up to their expectations. 

So there is always the "easier" option - settling for someone who would make them seem the strong, intelligent and independent ones. And we all know how long that will last until it turns into complete madness. 
So why not just admit in the first place that having an equal partner who challenges you is not a sign of weakness ?

The same goes for women: we spend too much time and energy looking for the perfect guy, the so-called "Prince Charming" who will sweep us off our feet right into a magical happy ending. But as a friend of mine was saying, we need to face reality and realise that we will have to kiss many frogs until we find the perfect one for us. 
We are no "Sleeping Beauties" so there is no point in dreaming about Fairy Tales. Otherwise we will end up desperate and alone. And after all, everyone deserves a chance...and we might end up surprised.

What is Love ?

Oslo, Norway

No...not looking for the physical, psychotherapeutical, philosophical, romantic or puristic answer. Nor for this one !

But rather for the simple and honest one:

Loved the one when it feels like a happy day...when Cupid comes out :)

Dreams vs. Reality

Dreams don't always work out. But that does not mean we should stop having them, we should just adjust them to reality.

It is never too late to start from the beginning, learn something new or add more to the knowledge you already have. Especially when you CAN. The WANT is always the tricky part.

The above message should not be taken literally. But I won't judge anyway  :-) 

Decisions, decisions

No matter if good or bad, a decision should always be something you take for yourself. Not for your family, not for your partner, not for your colleagues…not for anybody else but you. 

It may seem like a selfish way of thinking, but it saves everyone the trouble of ending up disappointed.