As humans, we all have crappy days. We wake up late, get a bad grade on a test, the weather ruins your plans or whatever may happen, we seem to turn straight into a negative thought process.

It goes something like this: something bad occurs, we get upset, we stay in that bad mood then we get in this state of complaining. Well I’m here to tell you that complaining and being in this negative thought sequence, makes everyone around us miserable.

I know it is very hard to get away from complaining at all but I think we can all do a better job at containing these comments and keeping them to ourselves. Here are some ways to try and help you think more positive thoughts and stay away from all that complaining even when your day is not going the way you planned it.

1. Appreciate the little things

Whether its smelling the flowers, when the notes you just took in class ended up looking perfect, or just sitting outside doing homework because the weather is nice. Be thankful that you have these things in your life and remember how great these little things can make your day be.

2. Keep the complaining in your head

Like I said, even though you might be having a crappy day, not everyone around you wants to know. I am totally not saying you can’t vent to your friends when you need to, but the people around you don’t want to hear negative things constantly because it will just drag them down with you and we need to be striving to bring your friends up not bring them down to a lower state.

3. Smile

You will be amazed at how much just trying to keep a smile on your face for 24 hours will change your day. Just try it!

4. Stay organized

Keep a wall calendar, planner, google calendar app, or whatever works best for you. When you stay organized and keep up with your meetings and due dates it will help you to be more prepared and not let those things sneak up on you so you are unprepared and end up doing bad. This will help your grades too, and when you have good grades you’ll be a happier person too. Killing two birds with one stone!

5. Go off the grid

By saying this I don’t mean just disappear or run away but take some time for yourself. Turn off your phone, get off social media, go for a run but take some me time.

6. Have reinforcement

These can be little things you have in your back pocket to pull out on days that don’t go the way you expect. Whether its baking cookies, eating a tub of ice cream or going on a run. Find your go to thing for when you’re having a bad day instead of turning to complaining.

7. Do more of the things you love

If you love to knit, sit in your hammock, read, go for runs, or whatever it may be, do more of it!! No matter what people think of your go to hobby, do more of it because it will make you happier in the long run.

Life is such a happy thing — focus on the positives to make it even better!