I'm not being negative, I'm just being realistic.

I can't. I really can't.

No, that's not possible.

Do you see what's wrong with these sentences? If not, let me tell you.

Realism doesn't have to come with pessimism. Being realistic means considering both sides of a situation, not just the negative one. Many people who are negative deny having that characteristic, but if multiple people are telling you that you are negative, chances are they are right!

Thinking I can't is extremely detrimental to your well-being and self-development. If you don't believe in your own capabilities and capability to achieve and succeed, who will?

I believe that anything is possible. Although different factors play a role in making your dreams come true or in becoming successful, not believing in yourself is detrimental to achieving anything. Negativity can only get in the way of success and happiness.

That's why I've created five reasons why you need to let go of everything and anything that's holding you back from enjoying a happy life.

1. People CAN change--for the better.

They say people don't change, but that's not necessarily true. If someone can be open enough to see why their behavior is not beneficial to themselves or others, they have the ability to do something about it. It's never too late to shape yourself into the person you want to be. So just because you may have been a negative person in the past does not mean that you have to continue being that person forever. You have control of your mind and actions, so you have the power to be the future "you" that you want to be.

2. Negative thoughts can harm self-development.

The point of life is to discover who you are and grow into who you strive to be, but there is very little self-development when negative thoughts are parading around your brain. Those who are constantly negative are usually close-minded, so if you find yourself thinking solely negative thoughts, try to be a little bit more open-minded and considerate of ideas other than your own. Having an open mind leads to self-development and growth, and isn't that what life is all about anyway?

3. Positivity can be found in every situation.

Every negative can be turned into a positive. And that's because life can always be worse. We tend to overcomplicate our lives and exaggerate our troubles. For some reason, when something bad happens to us, we make it out to seem like it's the end of the world, but it isn't! Every situation can get worse, so we should find good wherever we can and stop allowing negativity to control us.

4. Nobody wants to be surrounded by someone who radiates negativity.

Ever heard of good vibes only? That's not to say that you are not allowed to have a bad day or two, but people don't want to be around those who are consistently negative. It dampens the mood and atmosphere, plus people want to enjoy the presence of others, not be burdened by them. Surround yourself with people who make you happy; perhaps their positivity will rub off on you!

5. Focus on "what is", not "what was".

Holding onto what "once was" or what you "wish it could have been" will only make you focus on things that are NOT important anymore. Take control of YOUR life and allow yourself to be happy. Attempt to find the good in every situation and surround yourself with positive people who make you smile. Find happiness within yourself and stop relying on your past to tell you what to do in the present or the future.

Many of us have experienced things that have left marks on us, both inside and out. But even after enduring the greatest hardships, you shouldn't let your life revolve around an unfortunate event, a relationship that wasn't worth your time, or a friend that wasn't true to you. You might think that you can't get certain negative images out of your mind, but you can. For four years, I struggled with my parents' divorce and the life that came with it, along with an unhealthy high school relationship. But sometimes, letting go can actually do less damage than holding on. So I'm learning to let go of my past, enjoy the present, and look toward the future.