Life can be very stressful, confusing, and overwhelming at times, especially as a college student. I have found that one important thing we must remind ourselves of is to cleanse our lives of negativity. Holding onto things that do not serve you will only bring you down and hold you back from your goals. Here are a few ways that I have been working to keep my life full of positivity.

Here are a few starting points I've found helpful in cleansing my life.

1. Get rid of old clothes/things.

Give your old clothes and things to Goodwill, or sell them, give them to a friend, whatever it may be. Don’t let your stuff own you.

2. Don't be afraid to be authentic.

Don’t be afraid to be who you truly are. It is better to be hated for something you believe in than to be liked for being someone you are not.

3. Take care of yourself.

It is easy to prioritize other things and people before yourself. Make sure to listen to your body and mind and take care of it when it is in need. As a student, it can be easy to go the entire day without eating or resting because of how much homework you have. Taking a break to refuel yourself will do you good.

4. Meditate and breathe.

When stress feels like it is overpowering, take a second to breathe and notice how you feel. Taking the time to let the mind completely rest will help immensely with stress management. meditation will also help with sleep.

5. Be confident.

This is something I have struggled with the most. But, it is very important. If you are confident in yourself it will help you reach for higher goals and be a better person.

6. Accept that people come and go from your life.

It is sometimes hard to accept when people leave your life, for whatever reason it may be. It is important to remember that as doors close, new ones open. Letting go of people who are not a positive part of your life will help you to find new beginnings and grow as an individual.

7. Foster healthy relationships.

Make sure the people who you really care about know that you care about them. Share your love with the people who do the same in return. The effect your behavior has on the people around you is incredible. Send good vibes, and you will find the positive people in your life will reciprocate them.

8. Keep a positive mindset.

It is not fun to fail in anything, but seeing failure as an opportunity to improve is key. With determination and the right mindset, you will find success.

9. Take control.

If you wake up and dread what you have to do that day, maybe you should consider finding new things to do. I am not telling you to drop out of school or quit your job. I am telling you to be aware of what is holding you back and know that your life is in your hands.

10. Let go of grudges.

If someone did something to you that hurt you, broke your trust, or screwed you over, just know that holding onto those nasty feelings of resentment will only bring you down more. You don’t have to ever speak to that person again if you chose, but for your own good, don’t hold onto the negativity of whatever it is that they did to you.

11. Invite new people and things into your life.

Trying new things, maybe with new people can sometimes be intimidating. But, if you invite new opportunities into your life, you will learn new things, probably make new friends, and experience things you may have never expected.

12. Love yourself.

This is so important. Remind yourself every day that you are unique, one of a kind, beautiful, capable, strong, and perfect the way that you are.