You cannot cherish life without its ups and downs. In order to know what happiness is, you have to deal with sadness or other uneasy experiences first. This goes very well with staying positive or negative in life. For some, it’s very easy to keep positive, be bright, and always carry happiness with you. However, others deal with quite the opposite.

People with depression or anxiety struggle with having a positive lifestyle, focusing on more negative things because that is what is surrounding them more. I, for example, live with depression and anxiety. I have grown up with many issues, just like others, which has always made it hard to stay strong and happy. Throughout the obstacles, I have definitely learned (after a very long time) how to cope with many things and do what’s going to help me live a better life.

For example, what many seem to not realize is that if you "force" yourself to think happier thoughts every day, you will find yourself making it a habit and actually helping you be more positive. By forcing yourself I mean trying to see the better outcome of any situation you're in or even just finding any little thing every day to help you stay up and happy.

Negativity is harsh. It’s the enemy of many minds and for some of us we don’t believe in change or it ever getting better. This is where we are wrong. Here are a few things that have helped me get to becoming a more positive human:

• Making goals
• Watching your favorite movies/shows
• Meditation
• Reading/Writing
• Meeting new people
• Doing/learning new things
• Cleaning out your room
• Walking your dog every day
• Working out
• Having things that make you happy surrounding you always.

There are numerous ways to help increase positivity in your life. Unfortunately, it is up to you to make this change, and it is hard for people to actually take action and help themselves. Making time for yourself is possibly the best remedy.

Doing something every day that is going to make your week better, whether it is waking up and doing something that is going to carry you in a great mood throughout your day. In addition, being alone for at least ten minutes a day and simply practicing how to breathe or meditate can help increase your happiness as well. We all need a "pause" moment from the world, and sometimes it’s needed more than usual each day.

We only have one life. No matter what happens, you must live it to the fullest and continue to progress and build who you want to be. Positivity is the key to taking your daily challenges at full speed and creating the life you want to live in.

Hopefully, these little signs and options can help you get into the routine you want to live in. It’s better to waste your time smiling than it is to be depressed because there are no ways to ever gain back that time again.