Sometimes it's hard to admit, but everyone has those days where they get down on themselves. Where they feel like anything they do is "wrong" or "not good enough." It's completely normal; we're all human, and we just aren't perfect. Over my short 22 years of life, I've learned some pretty valuable lessons when it comes to trying new things, challenging yourself, and not giving up.

Since I can remember, I have decided to challenge myself with something, just to see if I could follow through with it. Freshman year of high school, I quit the soccer team to try field hockey, a sport I never even heard of. Any outsider looking in on the situation would be able to assume that I wasn't all that good, but it was the fun in starting something new that kept me coming back for more.

Apparently high school wasn't enough because I went off to college and challenged myself to try and play a sport while attending classes and balancing a scholarship. Now, graduated with a full-time job, I am pushing myself to run my first half marathon. I've always loved to run, but never usually exceeded more than three miles.

Though this summer has been tough, and I have found myself scared and worried that I wouldn't be able to complete it. I've learned that it's all a mind game. Sure, you have to be physically fit to be able to run 13 miles, but the minute you begin to think "I can't do this" everything shuts down.

As I write this article and think back on instances where I've felt like I wanted to give up, I remember the saying "you can't say can't until you tried." It's true. A little effort goes a long way, and sometimes all it takes is perseverance and a little self-encouragement, and you can do anything.

So next time you feel like you're in a situation where you're about to give up, or you feel like you're failing, just remember, the amount of control your mind can have your body. Think positive. Be positive. You can do it.