How to Dance

The best moves to bust out on the dance floor

Are you tired of standing in the corner of the room while everyone else is out on the dance floor? If so, you’re not alone—and we’ve got you covered! Dancing is a fun, mood-boosting activity that anyone can learn. Once you pick up a few basic moves, you can groove to any song and let the music guide your body. So, what are you waiting for? In this article, we’ll teach you some simple steps that you can whip out at any event, no matter your age or experience.

[Edit]How to Do Simple Dance Moves

To start dancing, bob your head to the beat of the music and shift your weight from one foot to another. Sway your hips as you move your feet and swing your arms along to the rhythm. If you want to learn proper dance moves, sign up for a local dance class.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Dancing Freestyle

1. Bob your head to the rhythm. To find the beat of the music, listen to the drums or bass, which typically carry the rhythm of the song. Let the music guide your body and start bobbing your head however you like. If it helps, you can try counting along, snapping your fingers, or clapping your hands to the beat.^[1]
   
   • Once you get your head moving, you can also work the rest of your upper body—roll your shoulders back, pop your chest out, or sing the lyrics if you know the song.
   • To get comfortable finding the rhythm of a song, listen to songs with a clear and pronounced beat. For example, you can try grooving to “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson (feat. Bruno Mars) or “Don’t Start Now” by Dua Lipa.
2. Shift your weight from one foot to another. When you have a good sense of the beat, you can incorporate some simple footwork. Shift all of your weight to one foot, then lift the other foot slightly off the ground. At every other count, shift back and forth in time to the music.^[2]
   
   • You can also shift your weight at every count once you feel comfortable dancing at a faster pace.
   • To look like a natural, keep your legs loose and your knees slightly bent. Add a bit of “bounce” every time you shift weight and a subtle bounce (in place) on the counts when you aren’t shifting weight.
3. Step-touch along with the beat. Once you're comfortable shifting your weight to the rhythm, you can take a bigger step. Right before you shift your weight to a foot, move it slightly, even just from where it was before, and keep it fairly close to the ground when you move your foot.^[3]
   
   • Be sure to stay on the balls of your feet so you can move and bounce easily.
   • If you're dancing with someone else, be sure to move around in a way that accommodates your partner.
4. Add some hip action. When you put your weight on a foot, move your hips (and your body) slightly in the direction of that foot. If you shift your weight onto your right foot, for example, move your hips to the right. You can also twist your upper body slightly to add more movement and dimension.^[4]
   
   • For example, when you move to the right, put your right shoulder forward a little and your left shoulder back. Then, do the opposite when you move to the left.
5. Incorporate some arm movements. To make your arms appear smooth and fluid, keep your hands open or in very loose fists. You can put your arms in the air or bend them at the elbows (like you’re running). But whatever you do, have fun and keep switching it up!^[5] If you don’t know where to start, try following one of these moves:
   
   • Roll the dice. Make a loose fist and shake your arm and hand as though you’re shaking a pair of dice for a roll. After a few shakes, throw your hand out to "roll" the dice.
   • Mow the lawn. Bend forward and grasp the starter of an imaginary lawn mower with one hand, then pull your hand back as though you're pulling on the starter. Once you get it going, take a few steps while you mow the lawn.
   • Swing an air lasso. Grab an imaginary lasso and swing it above your head as though you're about to rope a cow. Shift your weight to the foot opposite your "lasso hand" and thrust your hips in that direction.
   • Pump your fist. Get low and use your hand to hit the ground to the beat. As the song builds up, make a fist and pump it in the air in a celebratory fashion.^[6]
6. Find your own style. Follow your natural impulses when you’re dancing freestyle. It's easy to feel like you're only good at one move, but the more you feel the rhythm, the more natural your movements will become. Listening to subtleties in music will also help to train your body to move. Most importantly, be creative! Creating your own dance moves is easy with confidence and an understanding of your body.^[7]
   
   • Experiment with different moves, positions, and speeds while you dance.
   • Don’t be afraid to make up your own moves. Freestyle is all about improvisation and individual expression.
   • If you want to learn a particular dance style, focus on mastering one move first. For example, if you want to work on your dubstep dancing, practice body isolations or popping before imitating an entire routine.

[Edit]Slow Dancing with a Partner

1. Get into position with your partner. Stand face-to-face with your partner and get into a basic partner position. If you’re leading, put your right hand on your partner’s shoulder blade and interlock your left hand with their right hand, with your hands positioned in the shape of a pair of Cs. Instruct your partner to put their left hand on your right shoulder.^[8]
   
   • You can keep your clasped hands held as high as eye level or as low as waist level, depending on your preference. Just keep them relaxed, with a comfortable bend at the elbow, and don’t raise your partner’s shoulder.
   • Leave about of space between yourself and your partner.
   • Make sure you and your partner agree on who is leading before you begin!
2. Step to the left with your left foot. Once you’re ready to start dancing, move your left foot out to the side in a smooth, gliding motion. Let your partner mirror you with their right foot, as the first part of the basic “step-touch” slow dance move.^[9]
   
   • If your partner is leading, let them initiate the first step, but try to move with them as smoothly as possible.
   • Try to time your steps with the beat of the music. You may find it helpful to count along with the music in your head.
3. Bring your right foot over to meet your left. After taking the first step with your left foot, slide your right foot over so that it touches your left, and let your partner mirror this movement.^[10]
   
   • Try not to bounce or dip as you bring your feet together, and aim for a smooth, gliding movement.
4. Repeat your foot movements in the opposite direction. Once you’ve brought your feet together, step to the right with your right foot. Then, bring your left foot over to meet your right. Continue this pattern throughout the rest of the dance.^[11]
   
   • Alternatively, you can do 2 steps to the left and then 2 steps to the right.
5. Use your hands to steer your partner if you want to move around. To move around the dance floor, use your hands to gently push or pull your partner in the direction you want to go. After touching your feet together, push with one hand and pull with the other at the same time you step out on the next beat.^[12]
   
   • For example, if you’re stepping left but want to pivot to the right, start by bringing your right foot to meet your left. Then, push your partner’s right hand with your left hand while gently pulling on their shoulder with your right hand, and step to the left at the same time.

[Edit]Dancing at a Wedding

1. Learn the Chicken Dance for lighthearted numbers. The Chicken Dance is a staple of many wedding receptions—it's easy to do because there are just 3 basic moves, and you change them in time with the music. To perform this low-pressure routine:^[13]
   
   • Raise your arms to shoulder level and line your thumbs up with your index fingers to create a shape that resembles a chicken's beak. Move your thumbs up and down to simulate a chicken clucking.
   • Then, ball up your hands and tuck your fists under your arms as though you have wings. Flap your wings up and down in time to the music.
   • With your wings still in place, continue flapping but now stick out your backside, bend your knees and wiggle your bottom down toward the floor.
   • Repeat these moves over and over until the song ends.
2. Master the hora for Jewish weddings. The hora is danced at many traditional Jewish wedding receptions to the song "Hava Nagila" or other traditional Jewish songs. To follow the "grapevine" pattern: step the left foot across to the right (and let the right foot follow), then step the left foot behind the right and follow again with the right.^[14]
   
   • People usually position themselves in a circle, either holding hands or throwing their arms over one another's shoulders.
   • The tempo of this dance is typically fast. Sometimes the music starts slowly, and the band speeds up the tempo as the song goes along.
3. Use basic slow dance moves for the Dollar Dance. At some weddings, the guests line up and pay a dollar (or more) to dance with the wedding couple. You can perform a basic slow dance, but it's really not about the moves; it's about having a few moments with the merrier to express your happiness for the couple and compliment the wedding ceremony and reception.^[15]
   
   • Holding on and simply swaying in place is perfectly acceptable if it makes it easier to have a personal conversation.

[Edit]Learning New Moves

1. Take a dance class to pick up some basic moves. There are dance classes for every style of dancing from hip-hop to ballet, break dancing to salsa. Search online for the classes in your area, and don’t be afraid to ask your instructor for tips—they can help you overcome whatever it is you're finding to be difficult.
   
   • When you are being taught a routine, look at what the teacher is doing. Try to copy it exactly. If it doesn't work, watch the teacher again and look for the little things they do that make it easier.
   • Since many dance styles have their roots in ballroom dancing, consider learning the cha cha, waltz, or foxtrot.
   • Even a few hours of class time can help you learn the basics and build your confidence.
2. Learn a viral dance to add some moves to your arsenal. Whether it’s the renegade or the plug walk, participate in a TikTok dance challenge to master some moves in the privacy of your own home. Learn a dance quickly by searching for a tutorial on the app, or add the slow motion or inverted effect to someone else’s video. You can always incorporate the moves from a viral video the next time you hit the dance floor:
   
   • Hit the griddy. Bend your knees slightly and tap the back of your heels, alternating between the left and right. You can do this in place or move forward, but be sure to add a little bounce to your step. Swing your arms back and forth, then throw up your Bs—make circles with your pointer finger and thumb and place them over your eyes like binoculars.^[16]
   • Get sturdy. Keep a little bounce to your step and alternate tapping your heels. After you feel comfortable, hop on your left leg and kick your right leg back and forth at the same time. Occasionally clap your hands under your right leg when you kick forward, then clap behind your back when you kick back.^[17]
3. Join a flash mob to boost your confidence. A flash mob is a spontaneous public performance—usually a dance—that appears seemingly out of nowhere and then disappears just as quickly. While these dance performances may seem spontaneous, the truth is that they're usually fairly well rehearsed in advance. You can find flash mobs online, join them for a several-week rehearsal period as the group learns a dance, and then perform with the mob in public.^[18]
   
   • Some flash mobs put videos online with instructions for learning and rehearsing the planned dance.
   • Flash mobs welcome people of all skill levels; their focus is on having fun and creating a joyful scene, so the more people who participate, the better.
   • You can also learn some great dance moves and connect with other people who enjoy dancing.
4. Watch dancing on TV to find inspiration. Dancing is a wildly popular activity, and you can get plenty of exposure to it just by watching TV.^[19] Since focusing on the steps might be a bit challenging, pay attention to how loose the dancers are, how much confidence they display, and how much fun it looks like they're having on the dance floor.
   
   • Try tuning in to reality television dance competition shows like Dancing with the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance, or World of Dance.
5. Rent a classic dance movie to get new ideas. Watching dance movies can help you add some moves to your repertoire. See as many as you can or pick and choose those that speak to your particular interests. For example:
   
   • Check out Dirty Dancing or Shall We Dance to watch 2 dance novices develop confidence and grace and learn to perform with pizzazz.
   • Watch Footloose or Flashdance to see the power of dance as a form of defiance against uptight authority figures and personal circumstances.
   • Rent anything starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers to be inspired by the grace and elegance of these famous dance partners.
   • Watch Stormy Weather to see the Nicholas Brothers push the limits of tap dancing.
6. Participate in a dance competition to hone your skills. Ballroom dancing competitions, officially known as DanceSport events, are held all over the world. Check online for a competition near you, and join a competition to help you set specific goals for yourself and encourage you to build your skills.^[20]
   
   • If you don’t know where to start, check out websites such as the International Grand Ball, United States Dance Championships, and the Access Dance Network.

[Edit]What to Wear

1. Put on comfortable dance shoes. Different styles of dance call for different types of shoes, so do some research about what’s needed for your preferred style. Choose a well-fitting shoe with a flexible, thin sole for the dance floor, and make sure you feel secure.^[21]
   
   • For example, sneakers are great for hip-hop or freestyle dancing, while heels are ideal for Latin dance styles.
   • Do not wear sneakers or other shoes with rubbery or sticky soles for ballroom-style dancing, since these can make it hard to move your feet smoothly across the floor.
   • Stay away from platform shoes, since that thick sole and heel make it difficult to feel the floor.
2. Select sweat-resistant fabrics. If you tend to perspire, wear garments made of natural fibers like cotton, bamboo, or linen. These breathable fabrics draw moisture away from your skin, helping you cool down during your routine.^[22]
   
   • For extra sweat protection, drop a pack of moist towelettes and a travel-size powder in your pocket so you can freshen up when needed.
   • If you’re dancing with a partner, avoid wearing slippery materials, like silk. Your partner may have a hard time holding onto you if their hands get sweaty.^[23]
3. Wear clothes that allow you to move. While tight satin might look and feel great when you’re not moving much, it can inhibit your moves on the dance floor. Be sure to choose clothes that are either loose enough to let you move or stretchy enough to move with your body, and try on your outfit at home to be sure you can dance with ease. ^[24]
   
   • Select a top with sleeves that don’t restrict your arm movement—you should be able to lift your arms above your head.
   • To avoid wardrobe malfunctions, make sure your clothing fits securely and won’t slip out of place if you really get moving!

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Reader Videos

[Edit]Tips

• Watch other dancers. If you’re not sure how to dance to a song, take your cues from other dancers. You don’t want to copy them exactly (unless it’s a standardized dance), but you can get some ideas.
• If you feel shy or you fail to do some steps, don't give up and keep on practicing. You can always ask other dancers for help or learn a specific move online.
• Smile and try to look like you're having fun, even if you’re nervous and not sure what you’re doing. Acting confident can help you feel more confident!
• It helps to learn to dance to your favorite music, especially if you memorize and sing along to the lyrics. Since you know when to anticipate changes in the song, you can change your dance moves accordingly and work on developing an effortless routine.

[Edit]Warnings

• Don't over-exert yourself or try any dance moves that you aren't comfortable with and haven't practiced extensively already. Good dancers make hard moves look easy—don't be fooled. You really can pull a muscle or trip and fall (especially if you're wearing heels).

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Dance to House Music

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://youtu.be/FsZF8PXtFaE?t=50
2. ↑ https://youtu.be/m9ui75RptWg?t=29
3. ↑ https://youtu.be/m9ui75RptWg?t=255
4. ↑ https://youtu.be/W99uwIVCmc8?t=183
5. ↑ https://youtu.be/G6xA8wbSCNM?t=30
6. ↑ https://youtu.be/EDo00wi3r3Y?t=144
7. ↑ https://youtu.be/KQdVOEF3XIo?t=14
8. ↑ https://youtu.be/N6t0yjNBc84?t=19
9. ↑ https://youtu.be/N6t0yjNBc84?t=48
10. ↑ https://youtu.be/N6t0yjNBc84?t=60
11. ↑ https://youtu.be/Jc1esMeDb5k?t=127
12. ↑ https://youtu.be/Jc1esMeDb5k?t=141
13. ↑ http://cguenter.yourweb.csuchico.edu/FourArts/DA/DAchick.html
14. ↑ https://www.smashingtheglass.com/the-hora-everything-you-need-to-know/
15. ↑ https://www.theknot.com/content/the-dollar-dance-wedding-etiquette
16. ↑ https://youtu.be/8lUv33mocaQ?t=18
17. ↑ https://youtu.be/jnG2QwdO3IM?t=11
18. ↑ https://wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-is-a-flash-mob
19. ↑ http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/08/18/dance.shows.popular/index.html
20. ↑ https://www.worlddancesport.org/WDSF
21. ↑ https://personal.utdallas.edu/~aria/dance/etiquette.html#Comfort
22. ↑ https://www.latangoacademy.com/blog/dance-floor-hygiene-dress-to-stay-fresh
23. ↑ https://personal.utdallas.edu/~aria/dance/etiquette.html#Comfort
24. ↑ https://personal.utdallas.edu/~aria/dance/etiquette.html#Comfort

How to Draw a Face

Illustrate the human face using the proper proportions and techniques

There’s an old adage in art that the human face is the most interesting landscape of them all. If you want to explore your creative side and improve your drawing skills, drawing a face is great way to go! In this article, we’ll break down the mechanics when it comes to drawing faces. We’ve even provided reference images so that you can practice along as you learn.

[Edit]Things You Should Know

• Draw an oval. Then, add vertical and horizontal guidelines through the center to create guidelines for the features.
• Make eyes realistic by making them almond-shaped. Place one eye’s width between each eye to keep them symmetrical.
• Focus on the shape of the base of the nose and shade under each eye to give definition to the nose’s bridge (instead of drawing a line in the middle).
• Place the mouth halfway between the nose and chin. Add 3 lines—1 for the mouth, 1 for the upper lip, and 1 for the lower lip.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Adult Woman

1. Make a light outline of a face. Heads aren’t actually circular; they’re oval-shaped, like an egg. Sketch an oval outline that tapers down at the bottom where the chin would be.^[1]
   
2. Divide the oval in half vertically and horizontally. The easiest way to draw a face is to use dividing lines to map out the proportions of the features. First, draw a line down the center of the oval. Then cut the oval in half again, this time horizontally.
   
   
3. Add another horizontal line to illustrate the nose. Divide the lower half of the oval again with another horizontal line. The point where the vertical line meets the lower horizontal line is the base of the nose. Sketch out the tip of the nose and add a nostril on each side.
   
   
4. Sketch out the mouth with a third horizontal line. Divide the bottom of the oval in half again. Put the bottom of the lips on the dividing line you have just drawn. Draw a line for where the lips meet and then draw the top and bottom lips.^[2]
   
   
5. Add two symmetrical eyes along the top line. Draw two circular balls to make out the eyes across the central horizontal line. These are the eye sockets. The top of this circle is where the eyebrows go and the bottom is where the cheekbone sits.^[3]
   
   
6. Develop the eyebrows along the top of each eye socket. The eyebrows communicate a lot of expression. Craft the eyebrows evenly along the top line of each ball for a more neutral expression, angle the eyebrows inward for a more intense vibe, or raise them up a little to communicate surprise.
   
   
   • Use a series of short, thin strokes to add individual hairs if you’re going for a more realistic look.
7. Finish the eyes by adding pupils and eyelids. As a rule of thumb, the distance between the two eyes is the width of a third eye. A person’s eyes are almond-shaped, so bear this in mind as you sketch them out. Eyes come in every size and shape, so experiment with the form a bit until you’ve got the right look.
   
   
8. Color the irises and develop the pupils. Draw the pupil, which is the darkest bit of the eye. Fill most of it in black and leave a little white. With your pencil flat, use a bit of shading for the base. Shade variant from medium to light in each iris. Use tightly-spaced short lines from the edge of the pupil to the white of the eye.^[4]
   
   
   • Make some of the edges of each pupil lighter to give it a nice effect. Develop the eyebrows above. Then, rub out the guidelines below the eye.
9. Draw the top of the eyelid over the top of each eye. The base of the eyelid comes down over the top of the iris and covers the top of it slightly. If you make the eyelids really big, the woman you’re drawing will look sleepy. Keep them even and thin.
   
10. Shade under the eyes to communicate depth. Add a little shading underneath the eye and where the eye meets the nose to define the socket. For a tired look, add shading and swooped lines at a more acute angle to the bottom eyelid.
    
    
11. Add an ear on each side of the head. The base of each ear should be drawn in line with the bottom of the nose and the top of the ear in line with the eyebrows. Remember, the ears are flat against the side of the head.^[5]
    
    
12. Give your face some hair. Start where the hair parts and develop it outwards. Put some strands in front and other strands behind to communicate dimension.^[6]
    
    
    • You can opt for whatever kind of hairstyle you’d like. There are no rules, so go for whatever look you want.
13. Add the neck coming from the base of the head. Necks are thicker than you probably imagine. Draw two lines coming down from roughly where the bottom horizontal line meets the edges of the face.
    
    
    • You can include shoulders if you’d like, or let the neck be the end of the body.
14. Include any details you feel you’re missing. You can add a bit of shading under the nose and accentuate the chin, or put expression lines around the mouth and shade in the corners. Outline the ridge of the nose. The more prominent you make these features, the older your face will look.^[7]
    
15. Draw clothes if you want a fuller portrait. Throw on a blouse, shirt, or jacket if you want to add a body. This is totally optional, so if you’re only interested in drawing the face, go ahead and skip this.
    
    
16. Erase any guidelines you no longer need. Now that you’re done, get rid of any pesky lines that don’t belong anymore. Clean up any marks you didn’t mean to erase and you’re done!
    

[Edit]Young Woman

1. Draw the shape of the head using a loose oval. Craft a loose oval shape to guide the illustration. Heads aren’t perfectly circular, but younger people rarely have sharp chins so don’t make it too sharp.
   
   
2. Add guidelines to the center of the face. Put one horizontal line and one vertical line in the center of the oval. This will help you compose the features evenly.
   
3. Sketch lines to define the eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. Use your pencil to lightly sketch out the location of each part of the face. Add marks for almond-shaped eyes, note the location of the mouth, and lightly define the nose.
   
   
   • Younger women rarely have harsh, sharp noses. If you want to make your drawing appear youthful, use softer lines.
4. Develop the eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and eyebrows. Feather out some soft and unassuming eyebrows. Fill in the eyes with pupils, and add any lines to the nose and nostrils to give them shape.^[8]
   
   
5. Sketch out the hair and neck. You can even throw a little ribbon or headband in the hairstyle if you want the girl to appear really young. Start where the hair parts and add flowing lines going away from that location.
   
   
6. Use a small-tipped drawing tool to add the finer details of the face. Grab a razor-sharp pencil, thin pen, or marker and develop all of the features you’ve added.
   
   
7. Outline your sketch with your preferred tool. Now that you’ve developed your drawing entirely, add any outlines or features that feel like they’re missing.
   
8. Erase any sketch marks and guidelines to produce a clean drawing. Use your eraser to carefully remove all of the lines you drew to guide your drawing and keep your features symmetrical.
   
   
9. Add color and shading to the drawing. You can keep your drawing black and white if you’d like. Use colored pencils, markers, or crayons to finish your drawing if you’re adding color. You can also shade in the darker parts of the face (like under the eyes and hair) to create more depth.^[9]
   

[Edit]Young or Adult Man

1. Sketch a light circle. You’ll add the chin later. Don’t worry if your circle isn’t perfectly round—this is just a starting point.
   
   
   • You can start with an oval if you prefer, but men tend to have much more angular jawlines. This circle will represent the top portion of the head.
2. Draw a guideline through the middle of the head. Extend the line down past the bottom of the circle until you reach the bottom of the chin. This line determines where the person is looking, so keep it straight if you want the face to be looking at the viewer.
   
   
3. Define the shape of the cheeks, jaw, and chin. Build out the bottom half of the head by adding the jaw lines. The more angular you make the cheeks and jaw, the more “rugged” the face will eventually look.
   
   
   • Younger men typically have softer, less developed jaws than adult men do.
4. Sketch out the location for the eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. Build out the core locations for each of the man’s main facial features. Place the ears at the same height as the top of the eyes and put the base of the nose halfway between the bottom of the chin and the bottom of the circle.^[10]
   
5. Give some shape to all of the facial features. Build out the eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and eyebrows. Add as much detail as you’re comfortable developing right now.^[11]
   
6. Draw the shape of the hair and neck. You don’t have to craft everything in perfect detail, but develop a sense for the overall composition of the hair. Add a neck, as well.^[12]
   
   
   • A thinner neck will convey a bit more youthfulness while a wider neck will make the man look older.
7. Use a smaller tipped drawing tool to add the finer details. Grab a fine-point pen or sharp pencil and begin to develop the finer details. Add moles, individual hairs, or shading.
   
   
   • Now is also a good time to add facial hair! This is one of the best ways to make a man look older.
8. Outline the sketch. Start cleaning up the softer lines with cleaner, crisper strokes. Develop the hair, fill out the eyebrows, and continue to clean up the sketch.
   
   
9. Erase all of the guidelines you sketched out. Grab an eraser and remove all of the original guidelines and any mistakes you’ve made.
   
10. Color in your drawing. It’s totally fine to keep things black and white if you’d like, but now’s the time to add color if you’re going to. Use markers, colored pencils, or crayons to bring your creation to life.^[13]
    
    
11. Add shading to the drawing for a more realistic look. You can keep the drawing unshaded for a more cartoonish look, but shading and adding depth is a great way to give your drawing a little extra pop.
    

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

• You don't have to draw exactly the same face as the one shown. Try to draw your own as this guide is just a basis on how to draw a face.
• Use graded pencils if you want to draw the pencils in grayscale. The pencils you can use for a realistic grayscale youth female face are B, 3B, H, HB.
• Use a reference photo to draw a person in a realistic position if you don’t want to draw a face that’s looking straight at the viewer.^[14]

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Draw Human Faces
• Draw a Cartoon Man

[Edit]Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about drawing, check out our in-depth with [v161797_b01].

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://www.easydrawingtips.com/how-to-draw-female-face-step-by-step-tutorial/
2. ↑ https://www.easydrawingtips.com/how-to-draw-female-face-step-by-step-tutorial/
3. ↑ https://www.drawingforall.net/how-to-draw-a-female-face/
4. ↑ https://www.pusd.us/cms/lib/CA01901115/Centricity/Domain/2467/Art%20in%20Focus.pdf
5. ↑ https://www.easydrawingtips.com/how-to-draw-female-face-step-by-step-tutorial/
6. ↑ https://www.drawingforall.net/how-to-draw-a-female-face/
7. ↑ https://www.drawingforall.net/how-to-draw-a-female-face/
8. ↑ https://youtu.be/8_rl2TYLsNE?t=115
9. ↑ https://www.pusd.us/cms/lib/CA01901115/Centricity/Domain/2467/Art%20in%20Focus.pdf
10. ↑ https://www.easydrawingtips.com/how-to-draw-male-face-step-by-step-tutorial/
11. ↑ https://www.drawingforall.net/how-to-draw-a-male-face/
12. ↑ https://www.drawingforall.net/how-to-draw-a-male-face/
13. ↑ https://www.pusd.us/cms/lib/CA01901115/Centricity/Domain/2467/Art%20in%20Focus.pdf
14. ↑ [v161797_b01]. 7 May 2021.

How to What Are the 7 Love Languages

Is your love language emotional or practical? Activity-based or financial? Find out here!

Dr. Gary Chapman’s love languages study took the world by storm in the '90s, and it continues to guide us in our relationships to this day. But recent reevaluation of Dr. Chapman’s original work has made it apparent there might be more than just 5 ways of expressing love—in fact, there may be as many as 7! Keep reading to learn what the 7 love styles are and how to use them to strengthen your relationship.

[Edit]Things You Should Know

• The 7 new love languages are activity, appreciation, emotional, financial, intellectual, physical, and practical.
• These various love styles represent the many different ways there are of receiving love in a relationship.
• For instance, if you feel particularly loved when you and your partner are emotionally intimate and have deep conversations, your love language might be emotional.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]What are the 7 New Love Languages?

1. Activity{endbold} If your love language is activity-based, you feel most loved and valued when you spend time doing activities with their partner. You may also feel seen and loved when your partner pays particular attention to and takes an interest in your hobbies and passions.^[1]
   
   • Quality time is one of Dr. Gary Chapman’s original 5 love languages, and while activity is similar, this love language is more nuanced in that it highlights one partner’s interest in and appreciation of the other partner as an individual: their passions and pastimes, their friendships and social circles, and their life outside the relationship generally.^[2]
2. Appreciation{endbold} If your love language is appreciation, you may feel most loved when your partner acknowledges and compliments you. Appreciation might come in the form of gratitude for the work the receiver puts into the relationship or their life with their partner (such as cooking or childcare), or it may come in the form of compliments to acknowledge the receiver’s personal victories.^[3]
   
   • This love language isn’t about flattery—it’s about sincere appreciation that makes the receiver feel truly seen and valued.
   • If your love language is appreciation, it's likely you don't just want to be complimented, but to hear exactly what your partner appreciates about you, in specific terms.
3. Emotional{endbold} If you desire to have an intimate emotional connection with your partner above all else, your love language might be emotional. You're the sort of person who will stay up until all hours talking about deep, personal subjects with your partner and who sincerely values your partner’s emotional support during tough times.^[4]
   
   • For this love language, it's important that your partner not just be there when you're experiencing difficult emotions or tolerate you engaging them in an intimate conversation, but that they're truly present, actively involved, and giving as much as you are to the exchange.
4. Financial{endbold} If your love language is financial, you feel valued and special when your partner spends money on you. This expression of love is less about the things that are purchased and more about the fact that your lover is using their financial resources on you in the first place.^[5]
   
   • This love language is similar to gift giving, from the original 5 love languages, but while gift giving is an opportunity for one partner to show how well they know the other and express love with a thoughtful gift, the financial love language is about the act of investing one’s monetary resources in their relationship.
5. Intellectual{endbold} This love language involves a “meeting of the minds.” You value the ability to connect with your partner on a rational level. You may engage your partner in intense intellectual debates about philosophy, politics, or anything under the sun, but you always respect one another’s opinions.^[6]
   
   • If your love language is intellectual, you may also identify as sapiosexual—i.e., you're romantically or sexually attracted to people based on their intelligence.
6. Physical{endbold} If you feel most seen, loved, and appreciated when you're in physical contact with your partner, your love language might be physical. This physical contact may include sex, but it’s not just about that: it also involves hand-holding, forehead kisses, and just being in physical proximity to your partner.^[7]
   
   • Though there's more to this love style than sex, part of it is about feeling desired by your partner. So while you might initiate physical contact (sexual or not) with your partner if your love language is physical, it's likely important to you that your partner initiate from time to time as well.
7. Practical{endbold} If your love language is practical, you feel most loved when your partner helps you in practical ways: doing chores, offering favors, and just generally making your daily load a little lighter.^[8] People with this love language are usually no-nonsense and down-to-earth.
   
   • In order for this expression of love to be most effective, your partner usually must help out in practical ways without being asked.
   • This love language is similar to acts of service, from the original 5 love languages. However, Chapman's work reflects a more conservative, heteronormative approach to relationships—for instance, by emphasizing husbands "helping out" their wives with housework.

[Edit]Why Love Languages Are Important

1. When you and your partner use each other’s language, your relationship thrives. Partners who communicate their favorite ways to receive love and make efforts to implement one another’s love language in the relationship report stronger, healthier relationships.^[9] On the other hand, people whose partners don’t “speak” their love language may end up feeling taking for granted and frustrated in the relationship.
   
   • If you don’t already know your love language, take some time to think it over: what makes you feel most “seen” in your relationship? Or, look at it from the opposite side: which love language makes you feel neglected and resentful when you don’t get it?
   • To find out your partner's love style, ask them what makes them feel the most loved and if there's anything you've done for them that makes them feel especially valued and appreciated. Making efforts to implement their love language into your relationship will help you both to thrive.
   • Keep in mind that your partner's love language might be very different from yours, and it might not even make sense to you at first! For instance, if you don't care whether someone spends money on you, you might not understand why it's important to your partner.

[Edit]History of the 7 Love Languages

1. The 7 love languages grew from Dr. Gary Chapman's 5 love languages.{endbold} These original 5 love languages, from Dr. Chapman's 1992 book, were acts of service, gift giving, physical touch, words of affirmation, and quality time.^[10] The 5 love languages were influential in their time and continue to help couples learn how to better express and receive love, but they’ve been expanded over the last few decades to reflect a wider range of relationships and individuals.
   
   • Chapman’s love languages were informed by his experience as a Christian marriage counselor and have been criticized as only pertaining to married heterosexual Christian couples—hence, one reason for its evolution into 7 love languages.
2. Truity, a personality test website, developed the 7 love styles in 2022. Truity founder and CEO Molly Owens led a study of 500,000 people to see what made them feel most seen and loved in a relationship. While many of the results matched Chapman's original findings, this new and more diverse study reflected more nuanced and modern expectations for what a healthy relationship ought to be—generally, answers were less heteronormative and less conservative.^[11]
   
   • Truity's study doesn't discount Chapman's work, but it reflects the ways in which love, relationships, and societal expectations vary from case to case and have evolved over time.

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about love languages, check out our in-depth with [v160997_b01].

[Edit]References

1. ↑ https://www.truity.com/blog/new-research-shows-there-are-actually-seven-love-styles-not-five
2. ↑ [v160997_b02]. 15 April 2019.
3. ↑ https://www.truity.com/blog/new-research-shows-there-are-actually-seven-love-styles-not-five
4. ↑ https://www.truity.com/blog/new-research-shows-there-are-actually-seven-love-styles-not-five
5. ↑ https://www.truity.com/blog/new-research-shows-there-are-actually-seven-love-styles-not-five
6. ↑ https://www.truity.com/blog/new-research-shows-there-are-actually-seven-love-styles-not-five
7. ↑ https://www.truity.com/blog/new-research-shows-there-are-actually-seven-love-styles-not-five
8. ↑ [v160997_b02]. 15 April 2019.
9. ↑ https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.psichi.org/resource/resmgr/journal_2020/25_3_hughes.pdf
10. ↑ https://www.uagc.edu/blog/the-psychology-behind-the-5-love-languages
11. ↑ https://www.truity.com/blog/new-research-shows-there-are-actually-seven-love-styles-not-five

How to Enjoy Spring

As winter bids farewell and the days start warming and brightening, it's possible to start feeling your mood improve, as you're less weighed down by the cold and dreary days of winter. Tolstoy wrote “Spring is the time of plans and projects,”^[1] and indeed it is the time to renew your goals, refresh your home, and to unearth your garden from its wintry layers. As the ever-growing days beckon you to spend more time outside, you'll easily find many ways to keep you outside of the house enjoying the fresh spring days.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Starting Fresh

1. Start planning. The beginning of spring is the best time to plan how you'll enjoy the rest of spring. Whether it's gardening, spring cleaning, learning something new, having a makeover, organizing renovations, or another activity suited to a season of renewal, planning for it will help you to make the most of the spring months.
   
   • Spring is the ideal time to set the pace for the coming warm months, including any transitions or transformations you're hoping to make.
   • If you want to take a summer vacation, start planning for it now if you haven't already started.
2. Spring clean. This age-old tradition of clearing away the cobwebs of winter will give your house a fresh beginning for the warmer months ahead and make the house and surrounds more inviting and enjoyable for you and your family and friends.
   
   • Spring is a great time to do thorough cleaning because many of us have pent-up energy to expend after being cooped up for the winter. Spring cleaning isn't as mundane as routine cleaning because it's about making space, clearing out things, and even redesigning your home.
   • Check that you have all the cleaning supplies you'll need. Look closely at brooms, brushes, mops, and sponges to see if they're still in good condition or whether its time to replace them.
   • Have all your cleaning solutions ready. If you're making your own cleaning solutions, check out wikiHow's suggestions under Home cleaning preparations.
   • Wait for the first few warm days of spring and get started. Clear the trash and clutter, sweep down cobwebs, dust everything, and donate or dispose of anything you don't need in the house anymore.
   • Don't forget the garage, car, any out-buildings, and garden sheds.
   • Clean out your computer files and emails. No time like springtime to get rid of your digital mess too! The less cluttered your digital life, the more time you have to enjoy the days of spring.
   • For more ideas, read How to spring clean.
3. Consider redecoration or renovation; perhaps even a move. This is a good time to sit back and assess the strengths and weaknesses of your current living space and to reach a decision about whether or not it could be improved through a change in decoration styles or additions through decorations.
   
   • Redecoration doesn't have to mean the entire house. Perhaps sprucing up your bedroom or your living area will be enough of a new direction for you and/or the family this year.
   • Renovations can take time to plan and get consent for. The earlier you start thinking about them, the better
   • If you find your house is too small or big, or that it's not meeting your needs and you don't want to renovate, Spring is usually a good time to place your house on the market and to find a new one.
   • If you're not sure whether it's better to move or renovate, read How to decide whether to move or renovate to help you make the decision.
4. Rejuvenate your energy levels. As well as spring cleaning the house, car, and garden, consider spring cleaning your health as well.
   
   • Winter is a time of eating more than during the rest of the year and if you've slipped into eating habits that aren't as healthy as they could be, Spring is the time to mend your ways and to begin eating healthy, fresh foods again. Improve your nutrition intake and feel your energy levels soar again.
   • Spring is a wonderful time to make dietary changes because there are so many delicious baby or young vegetables, salad vegetables and fresh fruits available. Make the most of these foods while they're fresh, as they taste best when young and will enthuse your taste buds to want more!
   • Eat seasonally and locally. Put your body and appetite on the same seasonal schedule as your local environment -- and help out your local farmers at the same time.^[2]
   • Consider detoxing your body. Some people enjoy going on fasts as part of a detox but you should always run going on a fast by your doctor first, just to be sure it's safe for you.
   • Improve your sleeping schedule. If you've been getting into poor sleeping habits over winter, spring is a good time to fix your sleep schedule to restore your energy. Read How to sleep better for more ideas.
   • Have a massage, or book yourself into a day spa for a full day of pampering.
5. Consider getting a makeover. It could be as little as a new hairstyle or as big as a whole wardrobe change but spring is a perfect time to consider personal appearance changes.
   
   • Over the winter your hair has been hidden under hats and scarves, and spring might reveal a hairstyle you're just not happy with. Talk to your hairdresser about options that will bring you up-to-date and feeling good about how you're looking again.
   • Check through your closet. Are your spring clothes in good condition and still wearable or are they looking decidedly old or perhaps even "last season" if you're very fashion-conscious? If you're ready to change your wardrobe, spring is the perfect time to do it.
   • Use a short break or a weekend to clear out the closet entirely and to only put back the things you really love wearing. Everything else can go to charity or the rag bag (or pet's bed) and then you have an excuse to do some shopping for a few new items that will blend in well with the clothes you've kept.
   • Now is an excellent time to discard outdated makeup. Makeup wasn't made to last, so throw out anything that's old, caked up, or obviously in bad condition.
   • Read the fashion magazines and websites to find out what's in season. You don't have to buy everything; just purchase a few items that will give your current clothing a spring fashion edge.
6. Smile and take time to notice the changes around you. Listen to the birds sing and nest, look out for animals with their young, and watch the plant life around you emerge, shoot up, and finally start to blossom. The world around you is starting fresh; so can you.
   
   • Every week brings subtle changes until suddenly it seems as if spring is in full bloom around you. Set yourself a goal of noticing all the little changes that get spring to this point.

[Edit]Getting Outdoors

1. Work on your lawn and garden. The garden will need some tender loving care after winter to encourage new healthy growth.
   
   • Plants differ in what they need at this time of year, so know which plants in your garden need a spring pruning or tidy-up; some may need dividing and now might be a good time to take cuttings.
   • Have a good look around the garden to see what jobs need doing and to check whether new mulch and compost layers are needed and whether there are weeds to be removed.
   • Plant flowers. The local gardening center will start to get deliveries of lovely new annuals and perennials in bloom that you can plant straight in the ground, or you can wander in and check out the available flower seeds. Sunflower seeds are a great beginner's flower if you're stuck for ideas.
   • Think about planting flowers in local community planting events -- a great way to meet others and beautify your local environment.
   • Don’t forget about your lawn. It may never be as beautiful as your flowers, but it can use some love after a harsh winter as well. Fertilize, reseed, and/or aerate to prepare it for the hot sunshine of July.
2. Prepare the vegetable patch. Now is the time to start thinking about your summer harvest. Which vegetables grow well in your area and are great spring or summer crops? Do some reading up of gardening books or ask a green-thumbed neighbor if you need advice.
   
   • If your compost has become a big sluggish, give it a good stir and start afresh.
   • If you are unable or prefer not to maintain a garden yourself, get someone to do the work for you. Just looking at a tidy and happy veggie patch will make you feel good.
   • If you don't have a garden, you might be able to join a community garden or a start a yard share. Spring is a great time to get involved in shared gardening and you'll meet lots of new friends.
3. Enjoy animals enjoying Spring. You aren’t the only one emerging from a long wintry slumber. Signs of life abound outdoors, so soak it in.
   
   • Build a birdhouse and/or birdfeeder. Bring those cardinals and blue jays in for a closer look. Or just go to the local pond and feed the ducks your stale bread. Keep an eye out for ducklings.
   • If you’d rather go to the birds than bring them to you, go birdwatching. Even a beat-up old pair of binoculars will help. Or just take a nature walk and see what you come across.
   • Take your dog on long walks. All winter, you’ve probably been walking Sparky only long enough for him to do his business. Go further, and see what he discovers. (But watch he doesn’t find a skunk!)
   • If you really want to maximize your springtime animal viewing, visit the zoo.^[3] You’re still outdoors, still exercising, and you’ll see a wide variety of animals responding to Spring. You’ll probably spot some exotic baby animals.
4. Capture the Spring scenery. Sadly, it will be Winter again before you know it, so give yourself some happy reminders of this time of year.
   
   • Take your camera when you go walking. Look for signs of Spring emerging everywhere and take photos that you can use for collages, decorations, and photo projects; or, you can just share the marvels of Spring through your photos with people online.
   • Try painting or drawing "en plein air" (the French expression for 'paint outdoors'). You'll be surprised at how much brighter your colors are in the spring sunshine and how many beautiful things there are to paint or sketch nearby. When sketching birds or animals from life, don't expect them to hold a pose - be more of an Impressionist. A painting isn't a photo - capturing the right “feel” is more important than accuracy.
5. Get active. Yes, you’re doing yardwork and taking walks, but make the most of this time of year -- not too cold, not too hot, just right for an active Goldilocks like you.
   
   • Dust off the bicycle and start seeing your neighborhood again from two wheels. Gather some friends and spend the day biking. If you want to explore, bring a phone with a GPS installed in it. You can discover some secret places, and get back home on time!
   • Take the kids down to the local park or reserve with some balls, rackets, kites, and a picnic basket. Spend an hour or more letting them charge about playing games and finish up with a lunch or dinner meal on a rug.
   • Enjoy springtime sports like golf or, perhaps the most Spring-y sport, baseball. Watch them, sure, but play them too. Heck, go down to your favorite ball team’s Spring Training and really feel the warmth of the season!
   • Check out the festivals in your area. There are many festivals and other community events held during springtime, including perhaps cherry blossom or tulip festivals. Find out what's happening in your local area or even where you're prepared to travel to and enjoy the festivities on offer.
6. Bring the outdoors indoors (and vice versa). You’ve spent the Winter looking out the window, dreaming of the chance to head back outside without having to pull on layer after layer of clothes. Get out there whenever you can, and when you can’t, bring a little of Spring into your home.
   
   • Open the windows. It sounds so simple, but we’ve become so used to climate conditioning that the simple pleasure of a springtime breeze lofting up your drapes and brushing your face is often lost. Take advantage of this time of year when you can give both the furnace and the A/C a rest.
   • Bring flowers into the house. Spring flowers will bring joy into the house with their bright colors and lovely fragrances. Tulips, lilacs or peonies will be a great choice.^[4] Aim to have new, fresh flowers in the house every week during Spring. Read How to arrange flowers, How to make homemade flower food for cut flowers, and How to stop cut flowers turning smelly for more ideas.
   • Do indoor tasks outside.^[5] Spare the dryer and hang your laundry on the line. Wipe off that old picnic table and have dinner al fresco. Read a novel or even balance the checkbook on a blanket instead of the couch. Feel the sun on your face, smell the blooming flowers, see the world colorizing like it’s the Wizard of Oz, and hear the birds sing. Spring is here and now, and so are you.

[Edit]Tips

• Wear sunscreen if you burn easily.
• Bringing along a friend or a family member can give you some great company if you're heading outdoors or doing an activity.
• Wear appropriate clothing depending on the current weather. Spring remains changeable, so it's a good idea to always carry a jacket when heading outdoors, just in case the breeze picks up or it decides to rain or snow unexpectedly.
• Look for a new job. If you're not happy where you are now, consider looking for a new job and ring in the changes with spring. After all, if you're trying to enjoy spring, work is a large part of your day.
• Renew your New Year's resolutions. Do you remember them? Spring is a time of renewal and you're probably more likely to meet some of those resolutions now that you're able to actually get out the door to exercise and get about more than during winter! Give them another try – you could even rename them "spring resolutions" if you'd like.
• Play games and spend time with your family or friends.

[Edit]Warnings

• Don't sit around too long wondering what to do with spring; before you know it, it'll be summer and the long, lazy days aren't as inspiring for transforming yourself and your surrounds as the spring weather is!

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Have a Fun Spring Break

[Edit]References

1. ↑ http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/spring
2. ↑ http://theartofsimple.net/20-ways-to-enjoy-springtime/
3. ↑ http://theartofsimple.net/20-ways-to-enjoy-springtime/
4. ↑ [v162112_b01]. 5 April 2022.
5. ↑ http://theartofsimple.net/20-ways-to-enjoy-springtime/