HEALTH

You try your best to be more Positive Polly than Negative Nancy...but lately, it's just been hard. You've been feeling down in the dumps more often than not, but you're not really sure why. We've come up with the top reasons you aren't as happy as you want to be, and how you can nix them for good by summer.

1. Trying to please everyone. 
The harsh truth is that you'll never be able to make everyone happy and there will always be people who don't like you. No matter how hard you try. And when you pretend to be someone that you're not just to impress other people or make them like you, you end up *super* miserable. Focus on being the best version of you (that means embracing all your quirks and uniqueness) and you'll attract the right kind of friends and potential sweeties into your life.

2. Not focusing enough on yourself.
You put yourself last, and everyone else first. That's not a bad trait to have necessarily but if it's your M.O. all the time, it can be harmful. You have to take time for y-o-u (no, it's not selfish). Do your best to be there for your friends and family whenever possible but also set aside time to do things you love like reading a book or going to yoga class or simply having alone time to recharge.

3. Being afraid to fail, or even try.
We get it—failure is scary. The thought of not getting your dream internship or being rejected by your crush can be enough to make any girl want to crawl under the covers and hide. But what's even scarier is never reaching your dreams, or getting what you want. The saying "with great risk, comes great reward" is true. You have to go for it in order to achieve it. Sure, you might fail sometimes, but if you keep trying, eventually you'll succeed. And that'll be *so* worth it.

4. Putting yourself down.
OK so you were joking when you laughingly called yourself a cow while you were downing a giant milkshake with your besties. Or when you called yourself a clumsy idiot when you tripped up the stairs. Joking...right? Well, even if you're "joking", degrading yourself can still be a major mood bummer because you'll actually start to believe it. Not to mention, putting yourself down just makes you look and feel insecure. Next time you start to call yourself names (even if it's just a joke), stop yourself. And try saying positive things about yourself while you're at it, like reciting motivational mantras in the mirror when you wake up. A little weird, but effective!

5. Comparing yourself on social media.
Just read this. 

What habits are you trying to break this year? Share in the comments! 

Photo credit: Instagram.

by Amanda Tarlton | 6/18/2018