Life, huh? It's the definition of a frenemy. It's the epitome of a love-hate relationship. Sometimes we feel like it couldn't get better, and other times we wish we could hit pause just to breathe. I'm no expert, but here is my take on some of the toughest situations and the remedy for getting through them.

1. When you feel like giving up:

Stop. You are stronger than that. You have what it takes to keep going, even if it's hard. There are people who believe in you and people who want to see you succeed. All you can do is your best, even if that ends up being a crappy performance. No one is perfect, but everyone is capable of trying.

2. When you start to blame yourself for every failure or mistake:

Stop. If you can name one person who has not screwed up in their life, you are lying to yourself. Every one of us has flaws, every one of us chooses the "wrong" decision, and every one of us gets back up to move on. People make mistakes. Hannah Montana sang it best in her hit "Nobody's Perfect"; it's the truth. And while we all strive to be "perfect", our vision of what that is is different person-to-person. Strive to be the best version of yourself, but don't beat yourself up when it seems like you've got it all wrong. Tomorrow is always another chance to change, to improve, to succeed.

3. When you are running out of options to de-stress:

Stop. Take a deep breath and say (or think) to yourself "I can do this". The most difficult tasks are the most rewarding, whether that be an interview, a presentation, an essay, a meeting, or simply a long drive. Meeting the goal or completing the task is a chance to revive the faith you once had in yourself. While it may be stressful in the beginning, the fact of the matter is that you will finish the task and find inner peace after doing so.

4. When you barely have enough energy to put one foot in front of the other:

Stop. Think about how much your body does 24/7: it never shuts off. It's "on" from the moment we're born. Sure, we sleep (even that is questionable), but that is actually one of the most active times for your brain and muscles. So if you're feeling excessively tired or dysfunctional during the day, let your body rest. Give it the extra few hours to sleep, or spend an hour just laying down with your eyes closed. If you want your body and brain to do the things you want day in and day out, you have to let them do the things they want night in and night out. It's just the way it works!

5. When you don't have time to work out and make yourself feel guilty:

Stop. It isn't the end of the world. You won't gain 5 pounds overnight, nor will you lose all the muscle you've spent the past year building up. It will be there in the morning, and probably a hell of a lot more ready to take on the workout. Rest days are important and should be part of your routine. Even if you give yourself an extra one because it doesn't fit into your busy day, you'll be fine.

6. When you forget about the phone interview and feel nothing but embarrassment:

Stop. Life happens, man. Our memories aren't perfect, and sometimes things don't go according to plan. It's okay; life goes on. The phone interview can be rescheduled. The person on the other end knows you're not perfect and (hopefully) understands that you had every intention of interviewing. Be honest. It's the best policy.

7. When people laugh at you:

Stop. You have the right to be upset, especially if they mean it in a rude way. Don't be afraid to let yourself feel those emotions, as long as you don't linger or wallow in the pity. Validate your feelings before you beat yourself up for being a "wimp" because you're sad or angry. But when you've faced the true emotions, you have to find your strength again and get back up.

8. When you know you should be eating cleaner and beat yourself up for it:

Stop. Treat yourself! You deserve the cookie. Indulging isn't a crime, so don't treat it like one. Balance is important in all aspects of life, so allow yourself to eat dessert every now and then. It won't make or break you.

9. When you look at someone and think "I wish I could be them":

Stop. Stop right there, because let's face it: you can't be that other person. You are you, and that is the only person you will ever be. Love yourself! If you don't like who you are, what's stopping you from changing? Take charge. Take responsibility. You are worthy of happiness and contentment with yourself, so reach for it. If you say this to yourself because of your personal struggles, realize that the person you wish you could be has his or her own set of personal struggles too. We've all got baggage. Embrace it!

10. When you feel like you have nowhere to turn:

Stop. There are people in this world who would be more than willing to help. You may not know them yet, so talk to the people around you. Reach out and make yourself vulnerable. Sometimes talking with a stranger is easier than talking with a friend because they don't have a right to judge you yet. Don't just walk up to someone and tell them your life story, but be social and introduce yourself. Chances are that person will be in need of a friend too. Who isn't?

11. When your anxiety is through the roof:

Stop. Walk down the hall, or around your space. Take the attention off of whatever is worrying you. If you feel like you can't turn your brain off at night, read an article and then go back to bed. Think about the article, not your worries. If you are at work and feel too overwhelmed to be productive, make a checklist. Start with the quicker tasks so you can eliminate things faster. If you're in class and your professor is cramming assignments into a short span of time, ask them if there's any way you could have extra time. Be open with them! Anything life throws at you, you are capable of overcoming.

12. When you feel alone:

Stop. There are people going through the same things as you. There are people who have already been through the same things as you. Guess what? They made it. They survived. You, too, can get through whatever it is that's standing in front of you. With a positive outlook and a strong determination to do it, you will.

13. When you start to stress out about everything going wrong:

Stop. Breathe. Name one thing, no matter how small, that has gone right. One thing today that you can say "I did that". The truth is, no one lives an easy life. Every single one of us has stress in our lives, and every single one of us is learning how to manage it all. You are no different. Keep your head up!

14. When you think you can't take any more:

Stop. You have not only accomplished years worth of goals, but you've also overcome years worth of obstacles. There is nothing you cannot do, except give up on yourself. I promise you that if you have done it before, you are more than capable of doing it again. Keep chugging. Keep keeping on. Keep being yourself. Keep setting goals. Keep trying. You can do it.