“It takes ten times longer to put yourself back together as it does to fall apart.”
Finnick Odair, p. 156, Mockingjay

My friends constantly tell me how I’m the worst at spoiling movies and books, so I’m going to try really hard not to give away certain parts of Mockingjay. Finnick Odair is one of my favorite characters from The Hunger Games. He seems like kind of a dick at first, but you quickly learn that he has a big heart. He loves this girl named Annie despite a lot of things, including the fact that he is highly desirable in the Capitol. The quote at the beginning of this post brought tears to my eyes the first time I read it because I understood it. I have lived it, survived it, and I truly believe that you can put yourself back together over time.

So here are 10 great things I've done to get back to that happy place in life. I've had to do these things over and over again, and I finally feel like I'm getting it right. Just remember, it's okay to mess up. Just don't give up on yourself.

1. Admit to yourself that you are broken and that it is okay

You may try to deny the overwhelming feelings you have of sadness, defeat, or whatever you’re feeling, but you can’t live comfortably like that forever. The first step is always accepting the state you’re in and making a commitment to yourself to get better.

2. Let go of those fears. Find closure.

There are probably one or two things that are holding you back from finding closure. You're scared. You don't want to take the next step. But I promise you that no matter how hard that next step may be, it is completely worth it.

3. Do what you love to do.

Keyword: love. Remember that one thing you used to do that made your heart happy, but you find yourself too busy to actually do it? Well, it’s time to make time for it again. Start singing again, dancing again, paint that picture you’ve been wanting to paint, or play your favorite sport. Don’t let go of those little parts of you that play a big role in your happiness.

4. Spend time with your positive, uplifting friends.

Ain't nobody got time for negativity. You know who those friends are. Go to the ones who make you smile, laugh, and bring the sunshine to your life. Their positive energy is likely to rub off on you.

5. Start something new.

Refresh your life with something new and exciting. Take a fun class you've been wanting to take. Start a blog. Start a book. Do something you've always wanted to do. Don't feel held back anymore. In order to move on from the previous chapter, you need to purposefully start a new one.

6. Do something to express your feelings.

Don't keep everything bottled up inside. Seriously, it's not healthy. Use your talents to express how you feel. You can even just talk to someone about everything. I believe that smiling helps a lot too.

7. Become more active than you’ve ever been in your life.

You need exercise to be healthy and feel good. Go for a run in the park. Go to the gym with your friends. Play a fun sport. You should exercise your mind as well. Playing video games does it for me.

8. Embrace the down time. LOVE the down time.

You still need time to rest your body, your mind, and your soul. Take a nap, or watch your favorite TV show. Read something inspirational, and give yourself time to digest it. Start a journal, and every time you think of something that inspires you, write it down. Don't forget the good things in life.

9. Be proud of yourself and your accomplishments.

Give yourself some credit. Nobody is perfect. Everyone falls apart. Everyone has their demons. When you overcome something or make a big step in pursuing your goals, treat yourself! Go out to eat, splurge a little on clothes or whatever brings you happiness. Take a day off from work and do whatever you want to do in that moment. Take a vacation. You deserve it.

10. Don’t just exist. Live.

Lastly, just live. Some days will be extremely hard. Some days will be easy. Whatever the day may bring, don't forget to do what you have to do to get to the next day. At the end of the day, let go of the hardships, and know that the next day is new. Smile. Love. Dance a little. You are blessed.

#loveyourself