Sometimes, life sneaks up on you. One day everything seems to be going perfectly, and then the next you find yourself a few steps backward, not quite able to put your finger on where you went wrong. That's the thing about life; there are curveballs, inconspicuous changes, and moments when you are given more than you feel able to handle.

My transition from college to home for the summer has been less than desirable. My family has been through a whirlwind of ups and downs, some of my relationships feel like they're coming apart at the seams, and I find myself becoming more anxious by the day about what my future holds. That being said, I've always been one to hold it together and wear a smile through almost any circumstance, letting few outside my closest friends know when my life feels less than perfect. We all do it. But some days, when you're alone and not pressured by the outside world to appear happy and perfect, you can't help but fall apart. And that's okay. I believe falling apart is one natural step in the cycle of life. Just be sure to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start again. I've also come to realize that life has a funny way of working out just when you think it never will.

So, if you're ever feeling lost, or broken, or anxious, my best advice is to remember that you can handle whatever is being thrown your way. Life is tough, but the good news is, so are you.

These are just a few little reminders; sayings that keep me going on the toughest of days:

"You have more to do than be weighed down by pretty or beautiful. You are a fiery heart and a wicked brain. Do not let your soul be defined by its shell."
- Unknown

"If it is both terrifying and amazing, then you should definitely pursue it."
- Erada

"It's all messy. The hair. The bed. The words. The heart. Life..."
- William Leal

"Expect the bullsh*t. Never accept it."
- Unknown

And, my absolute favorite:

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson