Sometimes life isn’t exactly how you imagined it could be, and it can be easy to become depressed. But what you believe about your circumstances and the possibilities held within your future can play a big role in how you choose to bounce back.

Being a positive person does not always come naturally, sometimes it takes effort on many fronts. If you or a friend are having trouble fighting depression, or finding joy and satisfaction in life, try incorporating three or more of the things outlined below into a daily ritual for at least a week. You may be surprised at the result.

Build the life you want one positive piece of wisdom at a time!

1.) Music

Curate a playlist on Spotify or another music site with all of your favorite happy songs and listen to them for at least ten minutes a day for a week. If you think making your own list may take too much time, or you don’t listen to a lot of happy music and can’t think of songs, start out by checking out “Upbeat + Summer Sun,” “Morning Commute” or check out my personal “HAPPY SONGS” playlist here. (all of which are on Spotify) Music is something you have control over, and hearing familiar songs can be comforting if you are in a foreign environment or stage of life.

2.) Quotes

Find at least 3 quotes that you like, and read them every day for a week. If you need some inspiration, check this out.

Find things that truly speak to you and stir your soul. If they don’t, it won’t do a lot of good to read them every day. You are trying to re-program your brain to think more positively.

3.) Videos

Some people learn best visually, so find some youtubers who inspire you or make you laugh. If you need some suggestions,here are some of my favorites.

If you like cooking, check out Alton Brown, or “Sorted Food” for some really silly and awesome cooking shows - I especially like the “Ultimate Battles” playlist they have. If you like inspiring people, check out Gary Vaynerchuck, The Persuit, and Evan Carmichael. Nerdy humor can be found at Vlogbrothers or Nerdwriter1. Ted talks are pretty amazing too if you just find a subject that you like. My favorite TedTalk is Drew Dudley “Leading with Lollipops.” If you like political comedy, “Last Week Tonight” is both informative and funny. The goal is to find videos that you engage with and that inspire you or make you laugh. Watch 1-3 for this coming week.

4.) Thankfulness Lists

I know it may seem cliche and silly, but in a depressing or difficult time of life it can be so easy to focus on what is going wrong. So, write down 3-5 things you are truly thankful for each day. Some examples are a roof over your head, food in the fridge, family members, friends, a car, your favorite music, a job, a pet. Anything that makes your life better, just write it down!

Make a brand new list every day for a week. See if focusing on the positive things in your life help you feel better.

5.) Visual Aids

Put key phrases on sticky notes, or print them out and hang them in your bedroom and bathroom so you see them daily.

6.) Affirmations

Affirmations are "I am" statements that you want to believe. The three that I use the most often are “I am smart, beautiful and fierce.” It is actually my personal brand mantra on all my social media wallpapers. You can find affirmations on YouTube here.

Or write down a list of 5-10 that really catch your eye from these suggestions, and read them out loud at least once a day.

7.) Blogs/Podcasts

Find a group of people or organizations that you look up to and follow their blogs and podcasts. A favorite blog I follow is Seth Godin. I have a ton of podcasts that I follow as well. I make sure to listen to one a day while doing my makeup. The ones I enjoy are:

-NP/NIGHTS

-The Charged Life with Brendon Burchard

-The Robcast

-The Living Room North

-Growing Leaders Podcast

-You Made It Weird with Pete Holmes

-The Ziglar Podcast

Before subscribing, I suggest you listen to one or two episodes from any podcast you think might be cool. If you don’t like it, just find another podcast to try, and if you do enjoy it, think about subscribing to get their newest episodes! I listen to podcasts daily, and it definitely helps me stay positive and gain a new perspective every day.

8.) Mentors and Groups

Human beings were meant to have connections with others, and it can be easy to be depressed if you don’t have others to console you. Find mentors, mentees and groups to join to get plugged into a community and find some instant positivity in the knowledge that you are not alone in the struggles of life.

If you have people in your life that are farther along and might have wisdom to offer, invite them to coffee and come up with 5 open ended questions to ask them and write down their responses.

Or, is there a church, boys and girls club, or other mentorship program you can become a part of to utilize your struggle stories for good?

People younger than you can benefit from learning how you have overcome your past difficulties and it can be such a wonderful thing to have something you thought was awful turn into a teaching lesson that spares someone else the same pain. I have had that happen many times.

Find a club or group that have similar interests as you. If you're in college, look into Greek life, the newspaper, student government, art club, or whatever else they may have available. There are also book clubs, toastmasters groups, anything to have a group around you that reminds you that you're not alone.

Many people are looking for a magic cure or single thing that is going to make everything better.

The truth is, though, that things only improve with many small consistent changes. I have been struggling recently with a move to a new school in a new city where I don’t know anyone, but after remembering I have control over the items on this list, I combined them all and I see a change. If you are struggling with being positive, take charge of what you do have control over and hopefully you will be able to see changes within even the small span of a week.