Your Life: Tweak, Demolish or Rebuild?

Think of your life as your house. What aspects of it need tweaking? Are some parts of your life beyond repair? Are there some that need a complete overhaul?
We've taken five important facets of life and examined when and how they can be tweaked, demolished or rebuilt.

Tweak: You can't choose your family, but you can choose your behavior. Some turbulent family relationships may just need to be adjusted. That may mean spending less time together, communicating about your issues or simply trying your best to ignore your family's irksome traits.

Demolish: Choosing to completely cut ties with a family member is a big decision, but it may be necessary if the relationship is toxic. Be honest and respectful about your decision, prepare for difficulties and don't dwell on the past.

Rebuild: It is possible to rebuild after the storm. A relationship can be restored if you've learned your lessons and are ready to forgive and move on. Just make sure you don't carry past grudges into the newly remodeled relationship.

Tweak: In relationships, compromises are necessary in order to live in harmony with your partner. When asking your partner to tweak their behavior, first make sure you are indeed requesting a small adjustment and not a personality demolition.

Demolish: A relationship teardown is usually a last resort. If you've decided that it's time to demolish your romance, make sure you let go of the past, move on with your life, and learn to forgive.

Rebuild: In some cases, you may decide to rebuild the relationship rather than demolish it altogether. People make mistakes, and if you think your love can rebound from those mistakes, proceed with caution and weigh the risks. When you're ready to forgive, make sure to leave the past in the past so that you can enjoy a truly remodeled relationship.

Tweak: Are there a few fashion flops in your closet? Need an accessory update? It's probably time to tweak your wardrobe. Start by asking a fashionable friend to help weed out what's not working, and then add a few fun pieces.

Demolish: If every item in your closet is ill-fitted for your body shape and you can't remember the last time you felt confident in anything you own, it may be time for a fashion overhaul. Keep any basics that you might still wear, then sell or donate the rest.

Rebuild: To rebuild your wardrobe from the ground up, first determine your body shape and find out which pieces look best on you. Then it's time for the fun part -- shopping!

Tweak: Small changes can make a world of difference at a job you dislike. Pinpoint what it is about your job that's making you unhappy. If it's something trivial -- an annoying coworker or erratic schedule, perhaps -- talk to your boss. Something as simple as a new workspace or more convenient hours could drastically change your perspective.

Demolish: Many people don't particularly enjoy their jobs, but a really bad job will negatively alter your entire outlook. If you dread getting up in the morning because of your job, it's probably time to start searching for something new. Even if you hate your boss, be positive when you resign and throughout your transition.

Rebuild: Taking on a completely new career can be daunting. Rebuilding your work history may mean taking a demotion, settling for a pay decrease or, in some cases, working for free. Remember to stay focused and prepare for setbacks.

Tweak: Going over budget every month? Can't seem to save? Make adjustments to your financial plan by weighing your wants versus your needs. Use financial planning software to help you figure out where your money is going -- and how you can change your spending habits.

Demolish: If you're living on borrowed money and find yourself diving even further into debt each month, it's time to completely change your financial mindset. Educate yourself on personal finance, and then create a long-term financial plan -- and a budget you can live with.

Rebuild: Rebuilding your finances takes time, but persistence is key. Remodel your budget, focus on paying off your debt, and build an emergency fund in case of future financial setbacks.

Kristin Wong is a freelance writer and frequent contributor to MSN Living.