Some weeks we get so pushed down and around that we feel like giving up. Some days the voices in our head are so loud that we feel like we're drowning. Life can get difficult, everyone knows this. What is perhaps not quite so common is a small way to prevent these feelings from becoming overwhelming and to make us happier as people.

I learned a few years ago that only I could control my happiness. I couldn't rely on my friends, my boyfriend, my family, or anything else to make me happier. It just wasn't logical and I was sick and tired of constantly letting those negative feelings walk all over me. I wanted to be in control of my own life, so, I told myself that every day I was going to find five things. Five small, almost insignificant "things" that made me happier. And I was going to take the time to appreciate them. That was huge, noticing what made my day better and actually stopping to take in that good feeling. It forced me to shut up those voices and negativities, and that made all the difference.

The first few days were admittedly very rough. I had been so used to thinking negatively and just looking at the bad that I almost could see the good anymore. Even one or two things in a day was hard, let alone the full five that I wanted. Yet, slowly and surely, I found there was more that made me happy daily that I ever thought. The smiles and good mornings from my friends was always one of my first. The iced coffee from my school's coffee shop was usually second. I mean, who doesn't love a delicious pick-me-up in the morning? So, every day I managed to find a couple more things that made me feel less negative. I found myself looking forward to those moments of sunshine, and as I was more excited for them, they had an even larger impact on my disposition. I wasn't as negative, I wasn't upset all the time. I was happier, more positive, and definitely more fun to be around. My friendships grew stronger, my stress levels declined, and my friends wanted to be around me more.

All of that just with a little bit of positive thinking.

My life was flipped entirely upside down for the better once I allowed myself to be happy and embraced the positivity that surrounded me. The little things in life are the most underappreciated items or occurrences in the world and if I could pass advice on to anyone, it would be to take advantage of those small spots of brightness in life. Take advantage of everything you can and take control of your life. Take control of your happiness.