Whether you’re 19 or 90 there comes a time in a person’s life where they just feel like nothing is turning out how they planned and they feel stuck. Now when I say stuck, I don’t mean in the physical sense as in maybe stuck under a rock (in which case please stop reading this and find some help). But what I do mean is “stuck” at a certain point of your life. Because well, let’s admit life doesn’t always go the way you would like it to.

Whether it comes to work, school, family, friendships or relationships...it’s just not always the picture perfect scenario. You might have a loved one that is diagnosed with a life-changing disease, imperfect relationships, inconsistent grades or not receiving the bonus at work, and sometimes you just feel lost about who you are becoming.

Families aren’t always perfect:

Every family has their ups and downs. During the struggles is when we depend on one another most. If a loved one is diagnosed with a life-changing disease, cope with it and most importantly, be there. As hard as it may be some days to sit there and watch…it’s harder to look back and know you didn’t. Remember that those will be the times that you look back on and pray you have the same type of support system around you.

You may not be able to physically heal them but love is a powerful medicine, so it can certainly ease the pain. Be happy that you stuck together through the hardest of times and if you feel as though you are all falling apart, remember the importance of one another. We’re given a family for a reason, so even though it may not be a Hallmark Movie all the time, it’s the one you received so appreciate that.

Sometimes the relationship doesn’t always work out:

Life is full of happiness but that comes along with heartbreak. But just because you didn’t end up with that person doesn’t mean you never will end up with your person. It just means the right one is still somewhere out there. So instead of having a pity party, focus on the positive outcomes. Maybe you didn’t end up together but that doesn’t mean you should regret the times you had.

Everything in life is a learning experience and wishing somebody else bad luck isn’t going to make yours good. Wishing others well brings good tidings for you, and that comes with striving for their happiness instead of their sadness. Ultimate happiness comes from within and if you’re full of anger and hate...you’ll never be content with life.

It’s not always straight A’s and Job Promotions:

When you have that bad semester at school, change your habits. Bad grades do happen. Do everything in your power to do better and to ultimately be better. An F doesn’t define what kind of person you are, but what you do to take responsibility for your actions does.

Stop binge-watching Netflix and study. Instead of going out stay in for a couple nights to catch up on sleep because believe me Chad from Pi Kappa Apple is still going to be in that frat basement next weekend. When the promotion at work doesn’t pull through, remember that doesn’t lessen your value as an employee.

Maybe life doesn’t have that in store for you right now but keep in mind that you are great, so just continue to prove it and eventually the good graces will catch up.

It’s never too late to mend your mistakes:

No one in this world is perfect. Sometimes we get caught up in the world wind of life and it can turn into a series of bad decision making. Mistakes happen and the only thing you can do is take responsibility and learn from the past. We are constantly changing who we are and growing from that.

The biggest thing to remember is that your mistakes do not define you and there’s always time to fix them…the first step is owning up to them and the rest will fall into place.

The hardest concept to understand is that you don’t know how long the struggle in your life will last or if it will ever end at all, and that’s a terrifying one at that. However, that’s the way life is. It’s hectic, it’s scary and absolutely unpredictable. But the one thing to remember is that every struggle is temporary.

What you decide to do with the hand you are dealt with is how your life is going to be affected. When your world feels like it’s turning upside down remember to never give up. Although the situations were placed in seem like mountains standing in our way…if we step back a bit to see the bigger picture we realize it’s just a small bump in the road.

So get yourself some durable tires, and push through the bad times because better times are always waiting for you ahead.