Life is hard. We all know this. Being ambushed with school, work, social life, and whatever else life throws at you (this week it was a BS parking ticket) makes it easy to let yourself fall into a rut. You go through the same patterns every day, and feel like you’re not moving ahead. It’s a constant state of no steps forward, one step back. This can go on forever unless you change something.

You have to remind yourself that NOTHING is permanent (except that cat tattoo on your shoulder, that’s definitely permanent). Everything is temporary. You don’t like your hair? Chop it off, it will grow back. You’re sick of the same town and the same people? Pack your stuff up and move to a new city, no one can stop you. You have the power to change your situation.

This is one of the many things in life that’s easier said than done. That being said, you have to realize that you are a work in progress. You are not the person you were a year ago, and won’t be the same person a year from now. This rut you’re in is, as cliché as it may sound, just a few pages out of your so called ‘book of life’. And let’s be honest, it’s about as insignificant as Ron Weasley’s fling with Lavender Brown in Harry Potter. You’ll get through it just as he did. What’s ahead is going to be so much better. (Ron clearly won it all when he ended up with Hermione)

Knowing this will help you find peace with yourself, even while struggling. That voice in the back of your mind telling you to just give in and fall back into the same habits will be there. You have to push it aside and focus on the beautiful sight ahead. Classes are hard right now, but think about the life you could live with your dream job. I know your manager asked you to come in for a double shift on Saturday, but think about the shopping (aka more Chipotle) you could use that money for. It’s all about looking into your future. *cue “That’s So Raven” theme song*

But on a completely real note, just remember that no matter what kind of slump you’re in at the moment, it won’t last forever. You can always change your plans, or even start over. Have confidence in yourself and your decisions. You’ll look back on this time of your life and laugh at the fact you were even worried.

I’ll leave you lovely people with a quote everyone has heard a million and two times, yet it’s still highly relevant.

"Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light."