Improve small talk and ability to bond with people you trust by doing this.

If misery loves company, what does joy love?

Today I turn 44 10 Things I Learned over the last year 1. If your environment is toxic, move. 2. You can’t complain and be grateful at the same time. Choose one. 3. Practicing gratitude doesn’t just change your perspective. It changes your life. 4. Be shamelessly you. The right people will find you. 5. Never betray your purpose or your values. Everything else is negotiable. 6. The path to being shameless starts with radical self-forgiveness. 7. Real friends support your purpose, your values, and your boundaries. All three. 8. Make time for the people who matter most — and make sure it’s mutual. 9. Don’t just share experiences. Co-create them. 10. Remember your inner child. Bring him everywhere. BONUS: Increase your tolerance for pleasure and joy and you’ll experience more of it.

If you're the person who rarely says no, this is worth a read. Most were taught that always saying "yes" made them more valued and appreciated. What it actually made them was unpredictable. They are agreeable on Monday, and overwhelmed and under-delivering by Friday. Boundaries don't make you less likable. They're what makes you reliable. Your co-workers, friends, and partners know what you will and won't take on, they can actually count on your yes meaning something. The most trusted people aren't the ones who say yes to everything. They're the ones whose word means something every time. Be shamelessly you — because a Curious Rebel lives life without shame.