Living Daily Tips

Clever Ways to Store Your Books

Admittedly, once you start reading and buying books, you can never stop! You may not even be able to give your books away! Well, we can’t blame you. Most books are filled with experience that we can’t just give them away. The sentimental value of those books are too great to be passed on. But uh oh, there’s a huge problem. You’ve got too many books! The more books you buy, the less space you seem to have! We don’t want you to reach the point of leaving your books to rot just about anywhere around your house! Hmmm, if there was only a way to put more shelves around.

Here are a few clever ideas for you to be able to store your books:

1. Shelves around the perimeters of your walls
Installing shelves around the upper perimeters of your walls is a great way to put more shelves around your house! Although you may need a ladder to reach them, this is still a great way to store those great books you don’t frequently read but wouldn’t want to give up.

2. Old Suitcases
Keeping a good portion of your books in old vintage suitcases is a great way to not only preserve them but also keep them close to heart as they turn up to be as private as they can be. Imagine being able to hide away your treasures somewhere safe and sound without people having to pick them up without your permission.

3. Old dresser Drawers
Old dresser drawers actually make really good shelves! The good thing about them is that you can go absolutely crazy when it comes to putting them on your walls. The different shapes and sizes tickle your imagination to make a piece of art for your pieces of art! This may be one of the funnest shelves you’ve ever had.

4. Invisible bookshelf
The idea behind an invisible bookshelf is pretty simple, it just has to look like your books are floating! How do you do this? Well, that’s pretty easy. Using two metal plates attached to the wall at exactly the same height, you could stack up some books for the added mystery! Of course, don’t stack too much, these are meant to entertain you and your guests and not to hold everything you own.

These are but a few ways for you to cleverly store most of your books. Of course, nothing beats the classic bookshelf. But with these in the way, you’d be able to store more books while adding to the aesthetic of your home at the same time.

What is Bullying and What Can You Do About It

 

Bullying can come in many forms. It could be emotional, physical, verbal or sexual. It could happen at school, work or even online. What are the signs that you are being bullied at school or work? What should you do about it?

What is bullying?

 

Bullying is different from disagreements among two people. The bully will hurt the other person repeatedly through insults, humiliation or physical pain. The victim usually can’t defend himself from the attacker. If the person is hurting you intentionally more than once, then it is called bullying.

 

Why am I a victim?

 

The bully usually asserts more power over the victim. The power can come from the person’s status in school or at work. It can happen to anyone, even among adults in a workplace. Usually the targets are the quiet and shy people. Sometimes people with different skin color, body shape, sexual orientation, and those with disabilities are the targets.

 

What should I do?

 

Remember that it isn’t your fault that you are the target of bullying. Ignore bullies as best as you could and avoid confrontations. They will eventually lose interest. Hang around with your friends and positive people. Remember that there are people who care about you like your friends and your family. If you feel like you need to respond to the bullies, don’t resort to violence.

Where should I go for help?

 

It might be difficult for you to tell someone that you’re a victim, but it’s also the best way to cope with it. Ask for help if the bullying doesn’t stop. Don’t think that you are weak because you’re telling other people about it. Remember that the bullies are the ones acting irrationally and abnormally, not you. Talking is the right thing to do. Talk to someone you can trust. If you can’t tell your family member or friends, seek help from your teacher or counselor or your immediate boss at work.

 

How can I help a victim?

 

If you think your friend or family member is being bullied, here are the things you need to do.

 

If you’re a parent, gather information about the bullies and the threats to your child. Research about the school’s anti-bullying rules to know your child’s rights. Talk to the right school personnel about it, preferably the principal or counselor. Don’t forget to follow up to make sure the bullying stops. If it doesn’t, you will need to contact the proper authorities about it.

 

Tell your teacher or counselor if your friend is a victim. Talk to your immediate boss if someone is harassing a co-worker.

 

What are the anti-bullying campaigns?

 

In Singapore, you might want to check out Children’s Society’s Bully-Free Programme. They have help and consultation hotlines. You might also want to check Coalition Against Bullying for Children and Youth (CABCY). They provide consultations and workshops about anti-bullying.