Staying positive is really important, yet hard to do. Sometimes it can be hard trying to "see the brighter side of things" and to remain optimistic when it feels like things are falling apart. It can feel nearly impossible to stop worrying about the negatives and start focusing on the positives. But I promise you, there is a way.

In order to maintain a positive lifestyle, you need to eliminate as much negativity from it as possible. Anyone toxic needs to go. What makes a person toxic? Hmm..

-They're always involved in drama
-Not really going anywhere in life
-Selfish
-Don't have your best interest in mind
-Always talking shit about people
-You find it hard to trust them
-Always convincing you to do things
-Make you feel insecure in any way

There are a lot of things that can make someone toxic, but those are just a few. If any of those points apply to someone you have in mind, you should probably cut that person off. How? My advice to you is to gradually fall back from that person. Stop hitting them up to make plans. Stop going out of your way for them. Gradually stop allowing yourself to be around that person. Unfollow/block them if you have to. Stop going places where you know they'll be. Shoot, find a whole new friend group if you have to. But it's important that you eliminate that negativity from your life so that you can prosper. You don't need shitty friends holding you back from where you need to be.

Aside from getting rid of crappy friends, try getting rid of crappy habits. Not everyone has a toxic habit, but some do. Whether your habit is drugs, excessive partying, drinking, whatever. Try drifting away from that habit. Find some supportive people and let them help you out of it. Distract yourself with new hobbies. Try new things. Go new places.

Another way to maintain a positive lifestyle is to keep in mind that it could always be worse. Always. No matter what situation you're going through right now, I promise you, it could always be worse. You're reading this right now, aren't you? Do you realize how many people in this world would give anything just to learn how to read? You're using technology, aren't you? You have a smartphone in your hand 24/7. There are millions of people who can't even afford to eat 3 meals a day.

There are people who sleep outside every night. People who know they're dying. People taking their last breath. People struggling to support their families. People stuck in places they can't remove themselves from. I'm not saying your situation isn't as important as anyone else's. I'm just reminding you that you're blessed. It's not the end of the world. You're still alive and breathing easily. You have your whole life ahead of you. And if you feel like you've hit rock bottom, try to stay optimistic, because once you've hit the bottom, the only way to go is up.

Keep all of this in mind whenever you're finding it hard to stay positive. God or whatever is out there wouldn't put us through anything we weren't strong enough to go through. Everything happens for a reason. And a few years from now, you'll look back on this as a learning experience and you'll be thankful. So keep your head up. Count your blessings. And keep the negativity out of your life.