Don’t.

That feeling of despair, loneliness, discouragement, exhaustion. Many of us know those feelings all too well. It’s common. Whether you feel this way due to the weight of school, relationships, your job, or just life in general, it’s not easy. And you may feel that things would be so much easier if you just give up. You’re wrong.

When you feel like giving up, stop for a moment and remember these things.

1. You’re not doing it wrong

When life becomes too much and it feels like it’s your fault, remember that it isn’t always. Things feel tough because most likely, you’re doing them right. You’re putting in your all, you are working hard, dedicating time and making sacrifices. It will get easier.

2. You have talent

Build up the courage to follow your talent and it will lead you far.

3. If you never ask, you’ll never know

Go after what you want. It’s guaranteed that if you don’t at least try you won’t get close to what you want.

4. Mistakes are okay

Making a mistake is a consequence of trying. This is okay! Learning comes from making mistakes and mistakes come from trying. You are making progress!

5. Don’t worry about things you can’t control

You will never find peace if you continue to worry about things that are out of your control. These are the things that you physically can’t do anything about, so why are you wasting your energy on them?

6. You will move forward

This won’t always happen naturally. Sometimes you just have to remind yourself of the importance of not letting things get the best of you and moving on.

7. Pain is inevitable

Life is going to kick you in the ass every once in a while. You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control how you respond to it. Be strong and kick life right back, and remember that sometimes you have to get hurt to grow.

8. Have faith

Find something to have faith in — whether it’s the universe or a higher power, it’s your choice. Whatever it is, believe that there is a plan for you. This plan will be revealed to you in time.

9. Remember why you started

Think back to the moment that your goal was conceived. Remember the way it made you feel and the hope you felt. Going back to the beginning will bring focus to the purpose of your journey. Don’t give up just yet because you didn’t come this far to give up now.

10. There’s a reason you’re here

Life is not meaningless, there is a point to everything, whether you have discovered it yet or not.

So, instead of throwing in the towel and giving up, remember these things. It’s okay to let negative emotions flow through you, process them, but don’t dwell on them. Giving up may seem tempting, but it’s too easy.

And remember: without bad days, we wouldn’t know what the good days looked like.