Finding Your People
How to Maintain Good Relationships in a Society That Values Quantity over Quality of Human Interaction
As an extrovert with many conflicting interests, I find myself involved in several different friend groups and activities. I've made many new connections and started several new hobbies over the past year.
Eventually, I began to slow down and notice that I didn't love every group I was in. While I was a part of many things, I often felt lonely. I started to reassess my friendships and create higher quality relationships. I have started to come to terms with the fact that not all friendships have to last a lifetime, and others are worth preserving, but require work.
Balance your interests.
Spending too much time with one group of people can be detrimental. The last thing you want is to lose interest in a good thing. It is also rare that you will find someone who likes everything you do. Instead of repressing hobbies and your enthusiasm for them, find other people who cherish your ideas and the different facets of your personality.
This can be difficult to do since our society values such an intense amount of socialization. But learning your limits is important. Don't feel guilty about staying home on a Friday night, or turning down a party for a day trip with one friend. Quality over quantity.
Make more time.
Quality relationships stem from quality time. The problem is, time is something that we always seem to lack. The best way to see your friends on your tight schedule is to know theirs. If you're both behind on emails, take your work to a local cafe. Go clothes shopping together or invite them on your morning run. Even menial tasks can be made more pleasant when there's someone to enjoy them with.
It's okay to drift apart.
People and circumstances change. Sometimes a friendship that once seemed like a match made in heaven can turn out to be...a bit of a chore. If you find yourself wanting to cancel plans more and more, and feeling the need to convince yourself of the benefits of seeing this person, it could be time for a change.
It's not as though you need a huge middle-school-drama-style falling out in order to end a friendship, just a little space. If the other party doesn't continue to extend invites, chances are they weren't feeling it either.
Remember your long-time friends.
It is easy to get caught up in everyday life and forget to check in on older friendships when you are constantly meeting new people. Reconnecting with them can also seem like a burden. However, these people have stayed in your life for a reason. Chances are you will be able to talk to them as if no time has passed. Shoot them an email or meet up at an old hang-out spot. You won't regret it.
Conclusion
Above all, find people that make you happy. Be with people who make you feel good about yourself and are putting in the time to be with you. You'll have stronger, healthier friendships that'll last longer.
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What I Learned From My College Auditions
When I first started the audition process for theatre and musical theatre college programs, I noticed that the online resources were incredibly vague. Every article seemed to be an over-generalized list including broad statements like "Do Your Research" and "Stay Positive". While that advice makes sense, it's not all that helpful and I think it's about time someone actually made a more detailed guide about real experience. So here it is! A huge summary of what I learned about the college audition process.
By Josie Morgan7 years ago in Education
Asia Shares Rise on AI Optimism as Receding Fed Rate-Cut Bets Lift the Dollar
Asian stock markets moved higher as optimism around artificial intelligence (AI) continued to energize investors, helping offset concerns about global monetary tightening. At the same time, the U.S. dollar strengthened after expectations for aggressive interest-rate cuts by the Federal Reserve began to fade, reshaping global currency and equity dynamics. The contrasting forces — enthusiasm for technological growth versus tighter financial conditions — highlight how markets are navigating a complex and rapidly evolving economic landscape. AI Optimism Drives Asian Equity Gains Across major Asian markets, investor sentiment received a boost from renewed confidence in artificial intelligence and related technologies. Shares of technology firms, chipmakers, and data infrastructure companies led gains, reflecting expectations that AI-driven growth could remain resilient even as borrowing costs stay higher for longer. In Japan, technology-heavy stocks benefited from global demand for advanced semiconductors and AI-related hardware. South Korea’s market also saw gains, particularly among companies linked to memory chips and electronics manufacturing, sectors viewed as critical to the expansion of AI systems worldwide. China’s markets showed more cautious optimism. While economic recovery remains uneven, AI-focused companies and firms tied to digital innovation helped support broader indices, signaling that investors are selectively betting on future growth areas rather than the overall economy. Why Artificial Intelligence Is Lifting Markets AI has emerged as one of the strongest narratives driving global markets over the past year. Investors see artificial intelligence not just as a technological breakthrough, but as a structural shift capable of boosting productivity, corporate profits, and long-term economic growth. From cloud computing and data centers to robotics and automation, AI’s reach spans multiple industries. For Asia — home to major semiconductor producers, electronics manufacturers, and software developers — the potential upside is particularly significant. Market participants believe that AI investment could help cushion the impact of slower growth elsewhere, providing a rare source of optimism at a time when many economies face inflationary pressures and tighter financial conditions. The Dollar Strengthens as Fed Rate-Cut Bets Fade While equities climbed, currency markets told a different story. The U.S. dollar strengthened against most major currencies after investors reassessed expectations for Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts. Recent economic data from the United States suggested that inflation remains sticky and the labor market resilient, reducing the urgency for the Fed to ease policy aggressively. As expectations for early and deep rate cuts receded, U.S. Treasury yields edged higher, making dollar-denominated assets more attractive to global investors. This shift lifted the dollar and put pressure on Asian currencies, including the yen and the yuan. For global markets, a stronger dollar often creates mixed effects — supporting capital inflows into the U.S. while tightening financial conditions elsewhere. How Dollar Strength Impacts Asian Markets A rising dollar presents both challenges and opportunities for Asia. On the negative side, a stronger dollar can: Increase the cost of dollar-denominated debt Put pressure on local currencies Make imports more expensive For emerging markets, this can tighten liquidity and reduce risk appetite. However, export-oriented economies may benefit. A weaker local currency can make Asian exports more competitive in global markets, supporting corporate earnings in manufacturing and technology sectors. This dynamic helps explain why Asian shares were able to rise even as the dollar strengthened — particularly in economies with strong export bases. Investors Balance Growth and Policy Risks The current market environment reflects a delicate balancing act. On one hand, AI optimism is encouraging investors to take on risk, especially in sectors linked to innovation and future growth. On the other, higher-for-longer interest rates in the U.S. are forcing markets to remain cautious. Investors are increasingly selective, favoring companies with strong balance sheets, clear growth strategies, and exposure to structural trends like AI. Speculative assets, meanwhile, face greater scrutiny in a world where cheap money is no longer guaranteed. This selective optimism suggests that markets are not ignoring risks — they are simply prioritizing opportunity where they see long-term value. China’s Role in the Market Equation China remains a key variable for Asian markets. While AI-related optimism has lifted certain sectors, concerns persist over China’s property market, consumer confidence, and regulatory environment. Investors are watching closely to see whether policymakers introduce additional stimulus to support growth. For now, China’s technology sector offers pockets of opportunity, particularly in areas aligned with government priorities such as advanced manufacturing and digital infrastructure. However, broader market gains remain constrained by economic uncertainty. What This Means for Global Investors The combination of rising Asian shares and a strengthening dollar sends an important signal: markets are adjusting, not retreating. Rather than pricing in a sharp economic slowdown, investors appear to be preparing for a world where: Interest rates remain elevated Growth is uneven but not collapsing Innovation continues to drive select sectors AI has become a central theme that cuts across regions, helping to unify market sentiment even as monetary policy diverges. Risks Still Lurking Beneath the Surface Despite recent gains, risks remain. Geopolitical tensions, fragile supply chains, and uncertainty around central bank policy could quickly disrupt market momentum. A stronger dollar could also weigh more heavily on emerging markets if financial conditions tighten further. Additionally, some analysts warn that AI enthusiasm could become overheated if expectations outpace actual earnings growth — a reminder of past technology-driven market cycles. For now, however, optimism appears measured rather than euphoric. Final Thoughts Asian shares rising on AI optimism, even as receding Fed rate-cut bets lift the dollar, captures the complexity of today’s global markets. Investors are navigating competing forces — innovation-driven growth on one side and restrictive monetary policy on the other. The result is a market environment defined not by blanket risk-taking or fear, but by selective confidence. As long as AI continues to deliver tangible economic value and global growth avoids a sharp downturn, markets may find room to advance — even in a world where interest rates stay higher for longer.
By Muhammad Hassanabout 9 hours ago in Humans
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