Can I be real with you? This has been a hard year for me so far. We’re almost four months in, and even though it has had its good moments, mostly it has felt like an uphill battle. I know I’m not the only one feeling this way: it seems like everyone I talk to is going through some version of this themselves.

I don’t know what’s happening. Is it this crazy winter finally getting the best of us? Can we just blame it on the stars?! It feels like we’re getting a big, cold dose of reality… And it doesn’t taste good going down.

Sometimes life takes an unexpected turn, and sometimes our plans don’t quite pan out, but it’s how you deal with it that counts. You can feel sad and go back to bed, or you can switch up the way you look at it. Even if things SUCK, make the effort to focus on the good things in your life, and not obsess over the negative.

Mystic Medusa said recently, “If anything seems awry, jump on it hard and deal with it like a boss. Evolve or Evaporate. Drastic change not only feels normal with this vibe, it is the most desirable survival strategy.”

Sometimes I think the pressure of the internet makes it all so much worse. FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) has us all looking at everyone else’s updates, thinking that the highlights being shown are representative of their everyday life. That is not the case. I identified so strongly with Bri’s Instagram post yesterday when she said that just because your life looks good online, that’s not the whole story.

We all have our struggles, we all have pain that we’re doing our best to deal with. No one’s life is perfect, and, well, some days it feels much less perfect than others!

If you’re having a hard time, it’s not just you. We’re all in this together! Remember that your friends and family are there for you when you’re having trouble, and they want to help you. Don’t be afraid to reach out if you need it.

In my experience, one of the fastest routes to happiness is to focus on what you’re thankful for. Some days, the list might be short and simple, and that’s okay, too. It’s not always going to be all Patrón and peonies!

Today I am thankful for: Yerba Mate tea Chill playlists Dog snuggles New books (I just picked up Rachel Zoe’s Living in Style: Inspiration and Advice for Everyday Glamour, which is so gorgeous!) Working on my Radical Self Love Bible (so much fun: join us!) Tea and brainstorming dates with my girlfriends Getting super-organised The chin-up bar I installed in my office doorway! (Buff!) Citrine crystals Securing beautiful Blogcademy venues! Going on ice-cream dates with Mike Seeing red-tailed hawks in the park Instagram inspiration!

“Most great people have attained their greatest success just one step beyond their greatest failure.” (Napoleon Hill)

The good news is that storms pass, clouds part, and the sun shines again. Until then, all we can do is our best. At least that way, when we look back, we know we did everything we could.

By the time you come out the other side of your hard times, you might even discover that you learned some valuable and important life lessons.

If you’re feeling less-than-stellar, start with the easiest step, which is to write down the things you love. This might help you, too: 5 tips to keep fighting for your dreams when you want to give up.

I love you,