I Cried at Work… Now What?

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We may cry during sappy television commercials, when we argue with our spouse or best friend, or if we get some upsetting news, but letting the waterworks flow at work is not something we want to do or see all too often. Being emotional in the workplace setting to the point where tears fall can be embarrassing, disturbing, and often frowned upon. But like anything else in this imperfect world, things happen that are beyond our control. Anything from welled-up eyes to a full-on bawl can go down at work, but it is not the end of the world – no matter how you may feel in the moment.

You may have cried at work in the past or held in your bubbling up tears to the point of nearly bursting. You may fear the day will come that you will lose your composure and weep like you just lost your puppy. Before you relive the moment or stress out unnecessarily, know that many people at all levels have cried at work and managed to live to see another day, through clear eyes and a renewed sense of spirit.

Aside from reaching for the nearest box of Kleenex, here is what you should do if you cry at work.

Acknowledge the Wave of Emotions

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OK, so the tears poured like a rainstorm and everyone saw the scene. You can't sweep the scene under the rug, but you do not need to cause a further spectacle. Once you can manage to get the words out, acknowledge that you became overwhelmed or overcome with emotions. And that's that.

Forbes recommends, "The key is to acknowledge the emotion or the circumstances that led to your outburst, but don't apologize for it. When you start apologizing, it takes one person's discomfort and makes two people uncomfortable."

Elle Canada suggests, "Own it. If you're in a meeting, be direct. Say 'Well, that hit a nerve." Clear and concise, end of subject.

Be brief and be mature. If you try to skirt the issue, people will be kept wondering what's going on with you, gossip can fester, and folks may think that anything said or done will cause the "fragile" you to break down again. Show your strength by exhibiting that emotions are part of humanity.

Excuse Yourself

You will need to get back to work with a clear head and a fresh restart. You may need to remove yourself from the group to recompose. Head to the rest room, take a breather outside, or just go to your desk or office for a few moments of privacy.

Those who witnessed your tears will surely understand and probably expect you to step away for a bit. Once you have recovered, hold your head up high and resume your work. Do not let the upset dictate how the rest of your day will go. You might actually feel much better after releasing the pent-up tension and stress.

Move On

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It is time to let it go. We all have our moments and this was yours. There is no need to rehash the episode or bring it up again. Most people will not even remember this happened in a day or so. As Fortune reminds us, "Just get over it. Everyone else will forget about it if you forget about it"

Like Elle Canada notes, "There's no 'tissue ceiling' — people can be successful at all levels of management, and crying is a biological thing that people are wired to do. Don't beat yourself up over it."

Once you reflect and get to the root of the problem that caused your crying in the first place, you will find yourself in a better frame of mind and have the ability to work through the issue the next go-round sans tears. 'Till then, always have a hankie on you.

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Where to Donate to Support Afghanistan and Haiti

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Over the past month, both Haiti and Afghanistan have been pummeled by tragic disasters that left devastation in their wake.

In Haiti, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake erupted, leading over to 2,189 deaths and counting. A few hours later, in Afghanistan, Kabul fell to the Taliban just after U.S. troops had pulled out after 20 years of war.

In many ways, these disasters are both chillingly connected to US interference. The United States invaded Haiti in 1915, ostensibly promising to restore order after a presidential assassination but really intending to preserve the route to the Panama Canal and to defend US creditors, among other reasons.

But the US forces soon realized that they were not able to control the country alone, and so formed an army of Haitian enlistees, powered by US air power and intended to quell Haitian insurrection against US controls. Then, in 1934, the US pulled out on its own, disappointed with how slow progress was going. Haiti's institutions were never really able to rebuild themselves, leaving them immensely vulnerable to natural disasters.

Something similar happened in Afghanistan, where the US sent troops and supported an insurgent Afghan army – only to pull out, abandoning the country they left in ruins, with many Afghans supporting the Taliban.

In both cases, defense contractors benefited by far the most from the conflict, making billions in profits while civilians faced fallout and devastation. While the conflicts and circumstances are extremely different and while the US is obviously not solely to blame for either crisis, it's hard not to see the US-based roots of these disasters.

Today, in Haiti and Afghanistan, civilians are facing unimaginable tragedy.

Here are charities offering support in Afghanistan:

1. The International Rescue Committee is looking to raise $10 million to deliver aid directly to Afghanistan

2. CARE is matching donations for an Afghanistan relief fund. They are providing food, shelter, and water to families in need; a donation of $89.50 covers 1 family's emergency needs for a month.

3. Women for Women International is matching donations up to 500,000 for Afghan women, who will be facing unimaginable horrors under Taliban control.


4. AfghanAid offers support for people living in remote regions of Afghanistan.

5. VitalVoices supports female leaders and changemakers and survivors of gender-based violence around the world.

Here are charities offering support in Haiti:

1. Partners in Health has been working with Haiti for a long time, and they work with the Department of Health rather than around them, which is extremely important in a charity.

2. Health Equity International helps run Saint Boniface Hospital, a hospital in Haiti close to the earthquake's epicenter.

3. SOIL is an organization based Haiti, "a local organization with a track record of supporting after natural disasters." They are distributing hygiene kits and provisions on the ground to hospitals and to victims of the earthquake.

4. Hope for Haiti has been working in emergency response in Haiti for three decades, and their team is comprised of people who live and work in Haiti. They focus on supporting children and people in need across Haiti.

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How the Beyoncé and Jay Z Controversy Shows Gen Z's Money Priorities

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When the new Tiffany's campaign was unveiled, reactions were mixed.

Tiffany's, the iconic jewelry brand which does not (despite what some might be misled to believe) in fact serve breakfast, featured Jay Z, Beyoncé, and a rare Basquiat painting in their recent campaign.

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How to Save Money on a Road Trip

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Road trips can be a lot of fun — but they can also drain your wallet quickly if you aren't careful.

From high gas costs and park admission fares to lodging and the price of eating out every night, the expenses can add up quickly. But at the same time, it's very possible to do road trips cheaply and efficiently. Without the headache of worrying about how much money you're leaking, you can enjoy the open road a whole lot more. Here's how to save money on a road trip.

1. Prepare Your Budget, Route, and Packing List in Advance

If you want to save money on a road trip, be sure you're ready to go. Try to count up all your expenses before you hit the road and create a budget. It's also a good idea to plan your route in advance so you don't end up taking unnecessary, gas-guzzling detours. And finally, be sure to pack in advance so you don't find yourself having to buy tons of things you forgot along the way.

2. Book Cheap Accommodations — Or Try Camping

All those motel rooms can add up surprisingly quick, but camping is often cheap or free, and it's a great way to get intimate with the place you're visiting. You can check the Bureau of Land Management's website for free campsites. Freecampsite.com also provides great information on If you don't have a tent or don't want to camp every night, try booking cheap Airbnbs or booking hotels in advance, making sure to compare prices.

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If you're planning on sleeping in your car, a few tips: WalMart allows all-night parking, as do many 24-hour gyms. (Buying a membership to Planet Fitness or something like it also gives you a great place to stop, shower, and recharge while on the road).

3. Bring Food From Home

Don't go on a road trip expecting to subsist on fast food alone. You'll wind up feeling like shit, and it'll drain your pocketbook stunningly quickly. Instead, be sure to bring food from home. Consider buying a gas stove and a coffee pot for easy on-the-go meals, and make sure you bring substantial snacks to satiate midday or late night cravings so you can avoid getting those late night Mickey D's expeditions.

Try bringing your own cooler, filling it with easy stuff for breakfast and lunch — some bread and peanut butter and jelly will go a long way. Bring your own utensils, plates, and napkins, and avoid buying bottled water by packing some big water jugs and a reusable water bottle. Alternatively, try staying at hotels or Airbnbs with kitchens so you can cook there.

4. Avoid Tolls

Apps like Google Maps and Waze point out toll locations, so be sure to avoid those to save those pennies. (If it takes you too far off route, you might have to bite the bullet and drive across that expensive bridge).

You can also save on parking fees by using sites like Parkopedia.

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5. Save on Gas

Gas can get pricy incredibly fast, so be sure that you're stopping at cheap gas stations. Free apps like GasBuddy help you find the most affordable gas prices in the area. Also, try going the speed limit on the highways — anything faster will burn through your tank. Be sure that you don't wait till you arrive at touristy locations or big cities to fill up.

6. Get a National Park Pass

All those parks can get really expensive really fast. If you're planning on visiting three or more parks, it's a great idea to get an America the Beautiful National Parks Pass. For $80 you can get into every National Park for one year.

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