College brings out the best and the worst emotions in all of us. I've noticed that with everything happening so fast, and our futures approaching so quickly, it can be hard to keep a positive outlook when times are tough. We easily get discouraged by little things because we want the best outcomes for every situation. Do you ever just feel like you flat out failed? Maybe you bombed that test that determined whether or not you would get into nursing school, or maybe that cute boy you've been hanging out with is suddenly interested in someone else, or maybe you've got so many assignments due this week that you feel like there is no way you can get it all done. Whatever the situation may be, I'm here to assure you that you can be happy and put the negative thoughts aside.
The first thing I know we often get caught up in is the past and the future, but what about the present? If we are spending too much time dwelling on the what should of been and what if's, then are we really living in the moment? The decisions you make in the now, determines results of the days to come. I'm sure you're familiar with the phrase, "Live life with no regrets." Don't focus your energy on things that are out of your control. If you had a bad day yesterday, let go of it and tell yourself today will be better. No matter how hard you try, you cannot go back in time to change a choice you made, or forward in time to make sure a certain situation turns out the way you plan. Something I've come to peace with as I've grown up is that nothing goes as planned, so expect the unexpected. Life is all about rolling with the punches and you'll feel pretty accomplished when you do.
If you're having trouble clearing your mind, get outside and get some vitamin D. Sunny days can quickly improve a bad mood. The worst thing you can do when you feel down is to stay cooped up inside. Take a walk, or a drive with the windows down and just breathe. Remind yourself that things get worse before they can get better. You may feel like you've hit rock bottom, but the good news is you can only go up from here. Brainstorm ways to avoid this happening again. If it's a bad grade, prepare sooner, seek help from a professor or student, and tell yourself that you are going to kill the next assignment.
Another saying I like to keep in mind when things aren't going my way is "laughter is the best medicine," and it's never proved me wrong. Sometimes, the best feeling is laughing from the pit of your stomach with your best friends. Watch a comedy movie, watch random YouTube videos, or blast music and sing at the top of your lungs. Let go and just have fun until you start to feel better. Surround yourself with people that make you happy. Negativity is just as contagious as positivity, so avoid others who are also upset. You'll start to feel better when you notice how happy others are.
The most important thing to take away from all of this is that, life is a roller coaster. There will be bad times, but there will also be plenty of good times. Hopefully the good times will out number the bad. You are your own person and happiness is a choice. Just because things seem bad now, doesn't mean they will be bad forever. If you change your mindset, maybe others around you will too, and that in itself will make you happy. Oh, and don't forget to smile.
"The person who sends out positive thoughts activates the world around him positively and draws back to himself positive results." -- Norman Vincent Peale
