There are times that I am so salty with myself I could supply the entire North American continent with enough sodium to last a decade. As time wears on, those periods seem to stretch on forever. Trying to survive it seems nearly impossible. But luckily enough, there are ways to combat it, and here are just a few.

1. Realize that what you feel is not a reflection of who you are.

Sometimes the bad days come to teach us the lessons we need most. So if you are feeling the heavy weight of it all, just remember that this is just a stepping stone to a better you. What you are going through will one day end, and you will either become bitter or better for surviving it. So while you are surviving, remember that you are loved, even if you don’t feel like it. Remember that there are brighter times ahead, and you will thank yourself for staying strong. There is always a helping hand. Sometimes that helping hand is in the most unexpected places, but it’s always there, one way or another.

2. You are the one person who needs you the most.

For me, this is a hard one. I look in a mirror with a self-loathing that could level a city block. But at the end of the day, the fact that I need to be my own number one doesn’t change, despite that self-loathing. Remember to take a deep breath and treat yourself as gently as you would treat a small child. You can’t walk on a broken ankle and expect to heal properly, so don’t push yourself if you are feeling mentally or emotionally broken as well.

3. Take a deep breath and take a step back.

At times, it can be so incredibly easy to get wrapped up in family, jobs, friends, and the seemingly million other things that devour our time. If you are stressed, take a deep breath and try to find out why. Have you slept within the last 24 hours? Have you eaten? Are you hydrated? When was the last time you went outside and enjoyed the sunshine or outdoor view? If it’s something you can change in this instant, change it. If it’s not, take the steps you need to or let it be. Remove the situations or people who upset you. You do not need that negativity in your life. I realize that sometimes you can't always identify the source of your collapse, but try your best to still take a deep breath and step back,

4. Nothing in nature blooms all year. Be patient with yourself.

This Is something I should have tattooed onto my arm at this point. In our fast-paced lives, we too often forget that we won’t always rise to the already high standards we set for ourselves. And you know what? That’s perfectly okay. Just try to take a deep breath and let yourself grow at the pace you need to.

5. Treat yourself.

As someone wise once said, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Find those things that fill your cup and do them often. I don’t care if it’s reacting Broadway musicals in your kitchen while making dinner, underwater basket weaving, or searching for the legendary Pokémon you have always dreamed of catching. Do the things that make your soul smile and do them as often as your life permits.

6. Reach out to those you love and trust.

They love you for a reason. Don't be afraid to ask to be reminded of what they see in you when you struggle to see it yourself,