What Is My Learning Style?

There's no one right way to study. Some methods might work great for one person and not at all for others. That's because everybody learns differently. In order to find a study method that's best for you, it's important to know your learning style.

The four main learning styles are visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic (or hands-on). For most people, one of these methods will work best, but it's also possible for a combination of different styles to be effective.

People differ in the way they absorb, process, and store new information and master new skills. Natural and habitual, this way does not change with teaching methods or learning content. This is known as the Learning Style.

By discovering and better understanding learning styles, one can employ techniques to improve the rate and quality of learning. Even if one has never heard the term “learning style” before, they are likely to have some idea of what their learning style is.

For instance, one may learn better through DIY videos instead of reading manuals or pick up things faster by listening to audiobooks instead of sitting down to read. These preferences point to one’s learning style.

Students can have a single dominant learning style or a combination of styles, which could also vary based on circumstances. While no learning style (or a mix of them) is right or wrong, knowing one’s style can significantly enhance learning.

Research has shown that a mismatch between learning style and teaching can affect students’ learning and behavior quality in class. Studies have found that good learning depends on the teaching materials used, which must align with students’ learning styles.

In recent years, there has been a big push in education on how teachers can better meet students’ needs. Learning style has proven very effective in achieving this. It helps teachers understand how students absorb information and teach effectively.

One study found that over 90% of teachers believed in the learning style idea.

Often, teachers have a lot on their plates, and adjusting instruction to suit different learning styles can sound overwhelming. However, once they master how to appeal to all learners, life in the classroom becomes much easier.

This improves classroom management and makes for happier students. The chatty student who constantly interrupts will finally find a positive place in the classroom. The quiet girl who knows all the answers but never raises her hand will feel confident sharing her knowledge.

• Visual (spacial) learners learn best by seeing
• Auditory (aural) learners learn best by hearing
• Reading/writing learners learn best by reading and writing
• Kinesthetic (physical) learners learn best by moving and doing

Everyone has their own unique way of learning, and a method that works well for one person may not work at all for another. Although preferences can be specific to the individual, there are typically four distinct styles or categories of learning. 

Understanding your learning style is helpful, but again, you should also be careful not to put yourself in a box and define yourself by your learning style. The key is understanding how you learn and avoiding getting caught up in labels and classifications.

How to Calm Down: What's the Secret?

We all get stressed and agitated sometimes. It’s a product of our busy, over-scheduled lives and living with circumstances we can’t control.

When you’re stressed or anxious, it causes your body to release stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which can increase how stressed you feel. You may also feel other symptoms, like headaches, dizziness and depression. Long term stress can negatively affect your weight, heart and chronic health conditions. In addition to your physical health, untreated stress can have a negative effect on other areas of your life, including your mental health, professional life and social relationships.

When you’re feeling stressed, anxious, scared or nervous – or you have the urge to lash out – the last thing you want to hear someone say is, “Just calm down.” That never works.

There’s no denying that we live in a fast-paced world filled with daily challenges. That’s not likely to change any time soon. When we’re faced with these sorts of pressures, the ability to remain calm can significantly enhance our decision-making skills, strengthen our mental resilience, and ultimately lead to a more fulfilling life.

So how exactly do we cultivate a calmer mind?

Breathing exercises are incredibly powerful when it comes to calming the mind. Paying attention to our breath acts as an anchor, keeping us grounded in the present moment, and distracted from past regrets or future anxieties. Practice noticing the sensation of air entering and leaving your body. A common method is the 4-7-8 breathing exercise: inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7, and exhale for 8.

We often beat ourselves up in stressful situations, which often only serves to amplify our stress. Instead, try to meet yourself with the kindness you’d offer a friend. Acknowledge that however you’re feeling is okay — you’re a human not a machine. This self-compassion creates an emotional buffer, reducing the impact of stress on your mind.

Human beings are inherently social creatures. We thrive on connection with others. Building strong, supportive relationships in our lives can act as a safety net against stress. This doesn’t mean you have to be surrounded by people all the time. It’s about quality, not quantity. Even one meaningful relationship can offer a substantial sense of connection.

Expressing your thoughts and feelings can be therapeutic. Jot them down in a journal or share them with a trusted friend. Whatever challenges you’re facing, the process of writing about it can often help you process your emotions and gain perspective.

Regular physical activity had been shown to improve mood and can help clear your mind and reduce tension, too. Try taking a quick walk during your lunch break or practicing yoga after work.

Reading is a great way to distract your mind from thoughts that cause stress. Pick up a good book or read an uplifting article. Try to avoid social media though as that can exacerbate anxiety. If you’re too wound up to read, tune into a Sleep Story.

Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is a technique that involves tensing and releasing different muscle groups. This practice can help reduce tension and the physical signs of stress. It’s particularly useful in the evening to help you wind down and get to sleep after you’ve had a stressful day.

Calm music can lower blood pressure and reduce the stress hormone, cortisol. Create a playlist of your favorite tracks for easy access when you’re feeling stressed, or check out Calm’s music collection — designed to ease your mind.

Nature can have a restorative effect on our minds. Even a brief walk outdoors during your lunch break or a few minutes in your garden can help you feel more relaxed.

Staying calm, composed, patient, at peace with yourself – everyone finds these qualities and states worth striving for. No one wants to fly off the handle and be a bag of nerves. On the one hand, it usually feels more pleasant when we are balanced and emotionally stable. On the other hand, it often benefits those around us as well. Our social relationships can be more harmonious if we are calm inside and don’t take everything personally or often “freak out”.

Life can also feel a little easier when we don’t necessarily need someone else to make us feel safe, for example through their presence, words or gestures. Have you heard people say that someone is their “rock”? Well, you can also be that for yourself.

Survive Stress and Maintain Productivity

Despite living seemingly healthier lives: having access to better quality food, exercising more frequently and the sheer abundance of information available on a healthy lifestyle, people are still suffering from poor general health and wellbeing, and many are still experiencing chronic conditions. To understand why this might be, we have to first understand what stress is and the impact it can have on the human body.

Simply put stress can be defined as a state of mental or emotional strain due to demanding life circumstances. It is a natural reaction that is triggered when we encounter a perceived threat. Our body’s autonomic nervous system is made up of two mechanisms - the sympathetic and the parasympathetic. When we are faced with a threat, it is the sympathetic nervous system that signals to the adrenal glands to release hormones called adrenaline and cortisol, and this creates the fight-or-flight response. This response primes our body to combat the obstacle with optimal efficiency and so our senses are heightened, our heart rate increases and glucose is moved into our bloodstream. The body suppresses non-essential bodily systems such as the digestive and immune systems during that time, as resources are redirected.

Activate your parasympathetic system. We need to try and go back to living in an immediate reward environment rather than a delayed one, our physiology is much more suited to this. The key to doing this is to recognise what is worrying you and take control of it by changing it into a problem that you can act on now!

• Instead of worrying about whether you will get that promotion, focus on getting a specific task done today that will heighten your profile.
• Instead of worrying about whether you will fall sick at some point, focus on doing something good for your body today such as getting a walk in.
• Instead of worrying about losing weight for a holiday, focus on eating a healthy meal today.

A digital detox is a period of time where one refrains from using tech devices such as phones, tablets and laptops. The blue light alone from screens triggers the body, but adding in the constant need to check emails, messages, and social media accounts for a large share of the stress we incur and takes away from time that the parasympathetic system can kick in. Taking control of the need for constant connectivity can have a really positive impact on your state of mind.

How does a detox work? Be realistic, start small and try any one of the following suggestions:

• Switch off notifications
• Set a sleep/wake cycle to avoid disturbance when you are asleep
• Set limits on your apps
• Switch off your phone 90 minutes before bedtime
• Have a device-free hour during the day

Rather than cramming all your exercise into a one-hour session, try to get short bursts of moderate to intermediate movement throughout the day. If you want to do a more intense workout on top of this, get it done earlier in the day when our bodies are primed to be more physical. Generally speaking, low to moderate exercise will lower cortisol, while intense exercise will cause it to rise, so doing a HIIT workout in the evening might make it difficult to unwind from the day and get a good night's sleep. Low levels of stress followed by movement should help the fight-or-flight reaction to naturally dissipate.

Ideas on how to do this:

• Make physical activity part of your daily commute
• Run errands by walking
• Use a standing desk at work
• Take the stairs
• Do mini-workouts

Healthy stress should trigger an acute fight-or-flight response that then dissipates once the threat has been removed, with the help of the parasympathetic nervous system. Unfortunately, modern-day stressors don’t usually appear in the same way they did for our ancestors. The evolution of our lifestyles has outpaced how quickly our human “hardware and software” has been able to transition. This mismatch is one of the reasons why we experience so much chronic stress and anxiety. Over-working, financial pressures, concerns for loved ones, inadequate sleep, and excessive screen time can all trigger chronically high levels of cortisol within our body, leaving many of us in a perpetual fight-or-flight response. Continuous exposure to stress will take its toll on the mind and the body and may result in many different symptoms which can include headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, weight gain, low levels of energy, and susceptibility to colds and flu due to the impact on the immune system.

Sleep is when our bodies and brains are restored the most. But our bodies can restore themselves while we’re awake, too. Yoga is a great restorative practice, and if you prolong savasana, it’s even more restful. Take conscious breaths: You can immediately release tension and create a sense of ease in your mind and body with just five minutes of breathwork a day.

Gratitude is an incredibly powerful stress-reducing practice. Expressing gratitude with a daily affirmation or in conversation with a friend, partner, or family member can be extremely impactful to your well-being and the well-being of others around you.

Most of us experience some type of stress on a regular basis. And our minds tend to amplify and exaggerate it, making things worse. But we can learn to manage stress.

We all have unique ways of de-stressing, depending on our personality. Part of the challenge of decreasing stress is finding what works for us. Asking a few reflective questions can help determine the best strategy.

Love Yourself More

Confidence is an important part of self-love and loving yourself. When your confidence is low, it can be hard to move forward and feel good about who you are. However, there are steps you can take to increase your self-esteem and love yourself more.

Self-love means that you have an appreciation, affinity, and positive regard for yourself. It’s closely related to self-esteem and self-compassion. When you have a strong sense of self-love, you understand your own value and treat yourself in a loving way.

Self-love is critical to our overall well-being. And despite what the perfectionists think, loving yourself doesn’t mean that you don’t hold yourself to a high standard. Without feeling positively towards ourselves, we may find it hard to be motivated. Many studies suggest that we need self-love in order to take action, take chances, and take on new opportunities.

Self-love helps us take care of ourselves, lower stress, and strive for success. But it also protects us from negative thoughts, self-sabotage, and pushing ourselves too far. It’s important to recognize that knowing what to say “no” to is just as important as learning when to say “yes.”

Unlike narcissism, which is excessive self-absorption and self-interest, self-love is a positive trait. Loving yourself means having a good understanding of both your strengths and weaknesses. Narcissism is generally associated with poor mental health. But high self-love has a positive effect on your well-being, mental fitness, and your relationships.

Comparison is one of the biggest enemies of self-love. When we compare ourselves to others, it's easy to become discouraged and start believing that our best isn't good enough. Instead, focus on your own journey and celebrate your successes without worrying about how they stack up against someone else's achievements.

Remember that everyone has their own unique story and life experiences, so try not to place too much emphasis on what other people are doing.

Boundaries help us stay in control of our emotions and behavior while showing respect for ourselves and others. This is especially important when dealing with people who don't have our best interests at heart.

If a particular situation or person makes you feel uncomfortable, be assertive about letting them know what behavior is acceptable and what isn't. Setting healthy boundaries will also help protect your energy, allowing you to save it for things that make you truly happy.

Remember that mistakes are part of life. Everyone makes them and we all need to forgive ourselves in order to move on and grow. Instead of berating yourself for past failures, focus on what you can learn from the experience and how it can help you be better in the future. Let go of any guilt or shame you may feel and make room for self-compassion, understanding, and love.

Self-love isn't something that happens overnight. It takes time to build, and it's important to be patient with yourself as you go through the process. Give yourself grace when things don't go according to plan and remember that you are worthy of love even if it doesn't come easily at first.

Above all else, believe in yourself and your ability to create meaningful change in your life. Practice positive affirmations that remind you of your worth and potential.

It’s not uncommon to feel drained when you’re constantly working to meet the needs of others — especially when you’re a caregiver. And when those others (kids, for example) live in your house, it can be difficult to find time for self-love.

That’s why taking breaks from those who rely on you most can be so beneficial when you’re learning self-love.

Maybe that means a night at a local hotel (just you) to watch a movie, sleep in, and eat uninterrupted. Or it could be lunch by yourself with a good book and no one requesting anything of you.

Shelters are full of pets in need of loving homes, and the unconditional love we get from our furry family members can be a true mood booster.

If you can’t adopt right now, volunteering could also be a good option. Even spending time at a pet store, an adoption agency, or with a friend’s fur baby can be comforting.

Giving yourself these peaceful and joyful moments is an effective way to love yourself.

Especially for parents who often have little ones stealing from their plates, taking time to eat alone — whether it’s a coveted dessert or a full-course menu — means you don’t have to share with anyone.

Mindful eating is one way to make mealtime feel that much more rejuvenating. Here are some quick steps to practice mindfulness while you eat:

1. Minimize and set aside distractions, like the TV or your phone.
2. Take some time to breathe in the scent of your meal. What herbs or spices do you smell?
3. Enjoy your food one bite at a time, and enjoy the flavors you might often be too busy to notice.

It’s one thing to read a list of self-love tips, and it’s another to actually do any of the things on that list. When learning to love yourself again, it’s a good idea to pick out one of two things that seem doable and commit to them.

When it comes to self-care and self-love, there’s no right or wrong way to do it. It’s always OK to change things up if you decide one self-care approach isn’t serving you.

Let us Undo Negativity

Tell us if this sounds familiar to you. You have finally gotten a piece of much-awaited good news and you immediately share it across all your WhatsApp groups and social media handles. Whether it is getting a coveted new job or a loved one finally recovering from an illness--it doesn't matter what the news is, it just makes you immensely happy. However, suddenly the good news doesn’t seem to make sense anymore or things might have taken a turn for the worse. It makes you remember the ‘Kala Teeka’ your mother used to put on your forehead or behind your ears to avoid negative energies.

You don’t exactly need to be a monk to sense the subtle changes in vibrations in and around us. When you pay close attention, you can easily recognise and learn the symptoms that you are surrounded by negative energy and need to get rid of the same. Some of them are:

1. You feel fidgety and restless
2. You are not able to sleep properly
3. You feel down and out and anxious
4. Your thoughts and feelings spiral out of control
5. You tend to absorb others' negative thoughts quickly
6. You make impulsive decisions
7. You feel irritable after meeting certain people and your energy depletes

Your thoughts, the words you say, the people you interact with and even your home and office areas where you spend a lot of your time, are powerful concentrations of your energy.

Do you feel drained of energy as soon as you meet a particular person or a go to a specific place? Since negativity is toxic to your entire system, it is also important to identify the cause and source of this negativity. However, we understand that it is not always easy to detach yourself from such people. So, take the first step and cut down on the time you spend with people who drain your energy. It is important to establish and maintain boundaries so that you don’t get pushed into situations you don’t wish to be a part of.

Prioritize happiness over winning arguments. Engaging in arguments that serve no purpose only leads to frustration and negativity. Choosing happiness and letting go of the need to prove oneself right can contribute to a more peaceful and fulfilling life.

Forgiveness is not for the benefit of the person who wronged you, but rather for your own mental health. Holding onto anger and resentment only eats away at you. Let go of grudges and find peace within yourself.

Social media can be an inspiring place, but it can also make us feel like everyone else is doing so great (people don’t post when they’re unhappy do they!). Try limiting the time you spend on social by moving your apps to the second screen on your mobile phone, so the notification isn’t constantly staring you out.

If you don’t love your job – why are you there? We spend on average over 84,000 hours of our life at work, so it’s vital we’re happy doing what we do! Choose a job that you feel passionate about, that challenges you, that enables you to be the best version of you.

 
The last way to remove negativity in your life? Start doing more stuff that makes you feel positive.

Another thing that sounds so simple, but is something we don’t do enough for ourselves.

One of my goals is what I call “Free Your Mind Fridays.” Since I work from home, we find ourselves sitting at our computers all day long. I’ve decided that Fridays are going to be spent (as much as possible) offline and working on projects around the house, building physical things (art/furniture/etc), or getting out and exploring different things and places. By doing this, I’ve turned Fridays from a day that could have negativity, into a day we purposefully only have positivity.

I’m fully aware that you may not have the ability to step away on Fridays, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enforce something like this on your weeknights, or weekends. Just be more diligent in planning to do stuff you really want to be doing that brings you joy.

Building and Maintaining Healthy Relationships

Healthy relationships are good for you. Supportive and loving relationships are more likely to make you feel happy and satisfied. A healthy relationship with your partner and family members can improve your life, wellbeing and make everyone feel good about themselves.

Healthy relationships don't happen on their own. They take time to build and need work to keep them healthy. The more positive effort you put into a relationship, the healthier it should be.

People who have healthy relationships are more likely to feel happy and satisfied with their lives. They are less likely to have physical and mental health problems.

Healthy relationships can:

• increase your sense of worth, belonging and help you feel less alone
• give you confidence
• help you overcome difficult times in your life

Be clear about what you want. It helps you make your point clearly and honestly while respecting the other person's point of view. Try using 'I' statements instead of critical 'you' statements. For example, say 'I really hate it when you don't clean up the dishes” rather than 'You never help me in the kitchen”.

Say sorry when you're wrong. This is really important, as it helps heal relationships and make them stronger.

Be affectionate and show appreciation. Relationships can become routine after a while. Make special time together and continue to show your affection. Even just snuggling on the couch after work helps show intimacy.

Find shared interests. Finding hobbies you both enjoy allows you to spend time together. This could be as simple as doing a night class together or taking up a new sport.

Find solutions that work for both of you. Conflict occasionally occurs in any relationship. It is essential that you both respect and accept your differences and similarities. Finding solutions that work for both of you will probably require compromise at different times.

Make time for family time. Finding time together as a family can be difficult. However, even one family meal a week gives everyone a chance to catch up, connect and communicate with each other.

You each make the other feel loved and emotionally fulfilled. There’s a difference between being loved and feeling loved. When you feel loved, it makes you feel accepted and valued by your partner, like someone truly gets you. Some relationships get stuck in peaceful coexistence, but without the partners truly relating to each other emotionally. While the union may seem stable on the surface, a lack of ongoing involvement and emotional connection serves only to add distance between two people.

Despite the claims of romantic fiction or movies, no one person can meet all of your needs. In fact, expecting too much from your partner can put unhealthy pressure on a relationship. To stimulate and enrich your romantic relationship, it’s important to sustain your own identity outside of the relationship, preserve connections with family and friends, and maintain your hobbies and interests.

Relationships with our family, friends, intimate partners, community members and colleagues, form an important part of our lives, affecting our sense of self, satisfaction levels, physical and mental health and overall wellbeing. While relationships can be one of the most rewarding parts of our lives, building healthy relationships with others requires hard work and ongoing effort.

Approaches to Know Yourself Better

Have you ever felt lost, uncertain about what you truly want in life, or struggled to make decisions that align with your values and goals? You're not alone. Many of us go through life without truly understanding who we are and what we want out of it. However, becoming self-aware is the first step to living a fulfilling and authentic life. 

Self-awareness is the ability to recognize and understand your emotions, thoughts, and behavior. It involves being able to reflect on your experiences and how they have shaped you, as well as recognizing your strengths, weaknesses, and values. Self-awareness is not a fixed trait, but rather a skill that can be developed over time.

Self-awareness is important because it allows you to understand yourself better, which leads to better decision-making, improved relationships, and increased personal fulfillment. When you are self-aware, you can recognize your emotions and respond to them in a healthy way, rather than being controlled by them. You can also identify your strengths and weaknesses, which allows you to focus on your strengths and work on improving your weaknesses. Finally, self-awareness allows you to live an authentic life by aligning your actions with your values and goals.

Our sense of identity is comprised of our sense of self - our unique characteristics, afflictions, and social roles. Your personality, likes, dislikes, abilities, beliefs, values, and motivations all help build up and contribute to your self of who you are as a person.

We develop a sense of identity when we are young, and this can continue to develop over time as we grow, change, and encounter new situations, people, and learn more about the world.

Having a strong sense of identity can help us to feel like we belong. It can also help strengthen our confidence and overall sense of wellbeing, leading us to make long-lasting friendships with others who share similar interests and values. It can help us to view the world in a more optimistic light, be more open to learning about new things and different people, and generally be happier in ourselves.

There are many different ways you can start building a stronger sense of who you are and start to live more authentically. As we mentioned earlier, defining your values and core beliefs is the first step towards understanding what matters most to you. This in turn can help you start to make choices based on what you want to achieve, what you enjoy, and what will be best for your health and wellbeing.

Even when you have others who are relying on you (young children, elderly relatives, a partner or friends with health or support issues) you need to ensure your needs are being met. When we don’t meet our own needs, we can’t support others to the best of our ability.

Spending time by yourself can be a great way to reflect and understand yourself. This could mean trying meditation, practising mindfulness, keeping a journal, or trying something new like a hobby or volunteering. There’s no right or wrong way to go about it - just give yourself the time (and space) to get to know you and what makes you feel fulfilled, rested, energised, and happy.

Getting support and guidance can be an important part of better understanding yourself. Looking to others to act as a sounding board or to provide a safe space to explore your thoughts, ideas, worries, and questions can be an important and valid way of rediscovering who you are.

If you’re worried you may be experiencing ill mental health (anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem) speaking with a therapist could be the right option for you. Reaching out to your GP is the first step towards getting a diagnosis and highlighting local resources to support your mental health.

While a counsellor can help you look into your past and address issues you may be facing now, working with a coach can help you focus on the future, where you want to go, and how to set goals to get there.

Becoming self-aware is an important journey that can lead to a more fulfilling and authentic life. By practicing mindfulness, seeking feedback, reflecting on your experiences, identifying your values and goals, embracing vulnerability, practicing self-compassion, and seeking professional help if needed, you can develop your self-awareness and lead a more authentic and fulfilling life.

How To Stop Overthinking—And Start Living

While everyone overthinks situations once in a while, some people are plagued with a constant barrage of thoughts all the time. Chronic overthinkers rehash conversations they had yesterday, second-guess every decision they make, and imagine disastrous outcomes all day, every day.

Thinking too much about something often involves more than words—overthinkers conjure up disastrous images, too. Their minds resemble a movie where they imagine their car going off the road or replay distressing events over and over again.

Thinking too much prevents you from getting anything done. And, it wreaks havoc on your mood.

Overthinking often involves two destructive thought patterns—ruminating and incessant worrying.

Ruminating involves dwelling on the past. Thoughts may include things like:

• I shouldn’t have said those things at the meeting yesterday. Everyone must think I’m an idiot.
• I should have stayed at my last job. I would be happier than I am now.
• My parents didn’t teach me how to be confident. My insecurities have always held me back.

Persistent worrying involves negative—often catastrophic—predictions about the future. Thoughts may include things like:

• I’m going to embarrass myself tomorrow when I give that presentation. I know I’m going to forget everything I’m supposed to say.
• Everyone else will get promoted before me.
• I know we won’t ever have enough money to retire. We’ll be too sick to work and we’ll run out of money.

Like all habits, changing your destructive thought patterns can be a challenge. But, with consistent practice, you can train your brain to think differently. 

Constantly ruminating and going over scenarios and possibilities often disguises itself as problem solving. It feels like you're doing something good and useful. But you're not, you're just spinning in a circle. Recognize when you're overthinking something, don't act like it's problem solving, and press fast-forward.

This is a formula, a ratio, for how you should calculate how you value yourself, based on 90 percent self-worth, 10 percent assigned worth. Ninety percent should come from your self-acceptance and self-appreciation, and just 10 percent from that occasional sliver of external validation we all need.

Overthinkers distort the formula, even reversing it by acting like 90 percent of their worth comes from what others think or say. So they worry, which takes the form of--you guessed it--overthinking.

Overthinkers read too much into things. Why? They're assuming something bad lies underneath, something like a bad perception, someone wishing them ill, or an unfavorable outcome. When you catch yourself doing this, switch your assumption to what you're reading into was well-intended, or at least neutral. The vast majority of the time, it really is, so why not act like it?

We often feel the need to overthink because we simply fear being wrong. It might make sense to overthink things if you're planning to jump your motorbike over the Grand Canyon or to go swimming with a great white shark. As for overthinking the decision you made in that meeting yesterday? Not so much.

Ask yourself in such moments what the realistic cost of being wrong is. When you can lower the stakes, you raise your ability to get mentally unstuck.

So don't overthink it. Take the inspiration here and run with it. Without looking back.