I've created a new game for myself. When things in life get difficult and I think there is no possible way I can move on from an incident, I begin thinking of all the things I have to look forward to in my life. This has relieved so much stress in my life, believe it or not. I realize that the battles I face now are nowhere near as big as the amazing things I have to look forward to in life. Here's a list the remember that you have to look forward to in life when stress tries to take over.

1. Graduating College

Half the time, my stress comes from school overload, as it does for many college students. When I think it's time to give up, I remember how satisfying it will be to graduate and to know that I never gave up. College is hard on everyone at one point or another, but I didn't use that as an excuse to quit. I will have that satisfaction of hanging a degree on my wall.

2. Getting Married

When I get stressed, I close my eyes and think about the day I know will be one of the best of my life. I think about the look that will be on the face of the man of my dreams when I walk down the aisle. I think about my dream wedding, with colors that fit our personalities to a T. That, I know, makes everything worth it, because at the end of the day I know I am one step closer to my own fairy tale.

3. Repaying My Mom For All That She Has Done

A little weird, I know, but this is a big one. I think about the fact that every day I work hard I am making my mother proud, and that is all she has wanted. I think about the fact that getting through the rough times will lead me to an amazing time where I can truly spoil the woman who has done so much for me. I want to work hard to make sure I can always be there for her and make her proud.

4. My Someday Children

Someday, far, far from now, I will have children of my own, and that makes everything I am going through now worth it. Living through these times gets me closer to meeting the people that will change my life in a way I know that no one else ever will. I am living through these life lessons now in order to help them deal with their own rough times in the future. I know that I am meant to survive these challenges in order to help them survive their own.

5. A Puppy To Come Home To

Dogs are like automatic stress relievers. I can't wait to experience the joy that comes with coming home from a long day to a loving dog that wants nothing more than to spend time with and play with me. I can't wait to settle down in a dog friendly home and have a puppy to always bring joy to my life. I look forward to the calming feeling I know comes with owning a dog.

6. Proving The Negative Minds Wrong

I know that WHEN I get through the hard moments in my life, I will prove the people who only have negativity toward me wrong. I will go on to succeed and prove those that thought I would fail wrong. I will have a strong relationship with a godly foundation with my someday husband and prove the ones who thought we would fail wrong. I know I will experience the knowledge that the negativity thrown at me did not destroy me. I am stronger that those that try to destroy me, and every day that I continue is a day that I am reminded that the weak-minded people trying to take me down really have nothing on me and my strength.

7. A Career I Love

It's reassuring to know that though school is hard, work is hard, and life, in general, can be hard, it is all leading to the career that I know I will love. It is worth the rough time to know that one day, I will be waking up to go to a job that I worked so hard for.

8. My Dream Home

I won't lie and say that looking at Pinterest homes in my free time doesn't relax me. I can't wait to experience creating and living in my very own dream home. I know that is not something I can jump right into. I have to work hard and deal with my now to get to then, but I know it will be amazing to stand in the doorway of my dream home one day and look back at where I came from with pride.

9. A Normal Sleep Schedule

My life won't always be filled with bed times scattered in the mornings. One day, I will have a normal sleep schedule. I will be out of school and therefore done with homework and studying. I will have a life that allows me to fully take care of myself and those I love. I just might go to bed before one a.m.

10. The Relief Of Knowing I Made It

I can't wait to look back on these times one day and know that I didn't let them break me. One day, I will laugh at the class that kept me up 'til all hours of the night. I will laugh at the memory of the girls that tried their hardest to make me crumble but failed. I will experience that relief in knowing I am stronger than any stress and hardship thrown at me. I will have a good life, because I refuse to give up and I will know that the rough times I experienced led me to the greatness I will one day reach and made me just that much more grateful for the glorious times that are yet to come.