A sneak peek into the life of Izzy Roshko the very second these words are being typed: 1:37 a.m. in Westwood, Los Angeles, lying on my lopsided bunk, “Champagne Supernova” bringing a tear to my eye, wet hair and a Slightly Stoopid tank top, after having just returned from somewhere in Downtown. Sounds like a pretty standard night—so why am I feeling so emotional, so vulnerable?

Flashback to three hours prior and I’m sitting on a school bus with my best friend. A handful of genuine tears stream down my face (no, not more sappy ones from listening to Oasis) concerning a recent, difficult event which doesn’t need to be rehashed at the present moment. Regardless, there I am, tearfully telling her what a rotten human I’ve come to perceive myself as and expressing the dangerous feelings I had following the incident.

“Don’t say shit like that to me.”

Her words felt like a slap in my face.

“Well, obviously, I would never now, but that’s how I felt at the time.” I attempt to defend myself.

“I don’t care. Don’t allow anyone to make you feel that way about yourself, that’s giving people who put you down exactly what they want. Don’t give in, don’t let them make you hate yourself.”

She continued with some quality advice I think everyone can benefit from:

“Take a look at the criticism you received. Is it valid? Are you the things they say you are? No? You’re not weak. You’re strong. Don’t allow one negative comment here and there to stop you from doing what you do. Take the criticism, analyze, see if it’s worth looking at twice and move on. Take negativity and turn it into something positive for yourself. Create and grow stronger. Make something beautiful.”

There it is—God-sent advice from a college girl.

And I think we should all take it to heart.

The world is filled with so much negativity, it’s hard to deflect at times. Yet at the same time, it’s so crucial to keep your head up and exude positivity—to take the negativity, let it briefly brush against your skin, take that fleeting touch and transform it into something rewarding, inspirational, helpful. Don’t lose sleep over scathing remarks.

“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me.” Repeat it to yourself from time to time.

No one ever won fighting fire with fire. Water puts out a fire. Positivity can smooth over negativity. You just have to find the strength to say to yourself, “It’s okay, I will be okay.”

Take negativity and turn it into something positive for yourself. Create and grow stronger. Make something beautiful. Listen to this advice and I promise you’ll see the light at the end of the tunnel.

For my Oasis fans: “Don’t Look Back in Anger” just came on and if you know me, you know I believe in the will of the universe and this song came on to help me wrap this article up.

“But please don't put your life in the hands/ Of a Rock n Roll band/ Who'll throw it all away.” Don’t let people break your spirit, and carry on.

Keep your head up, and don’t look back in anger.