There are 365 days in a year, 24 hours in a day, 60 minutes in an hour and 60 seconds in a minute. Both you and I know that not all 365 days will be good ones, and not all 24 hours or 60 minutes or 60 seconds will be good, either. There will be days when the sun is a little more difficult to find, but remember that it’s likely to be shining right outside your window. A wizard – from the imagination of a woman who seemingly possessed a sort of magic that ignited her words – once stated that “happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, when one only remembers to turn on the light”. It’s a similar concept.

When you’re feeling like this, sometimes you need someone else to shine the light. Here are a few things to remember:

Crying over little things does not make you weak. Everyone does it and it only makes us human. Surrounding yourself with the right people can make life a lot easier and a lot more positive. Don’t hang onto people who put you down, find someone better. Listen to others. Apologise for your mistakes and apologise for hurting someone, but never apologise for who you are. Friendships will end out of nowhere, at no fault of your own and at no fault of anyone else’s, either. It’s just the way things are. If you want something enough, you will find a way to make it happen. It’s okay to take a break from everyday routines, sometimes. Grab a blanket, occupy the sofa, and switch on the television. Give compliments. Do not rip yourself apart just to keep others whole. A portion of ice cream will not kill you. You do not have to pretend to like something, or not like something, just to impress a person. Whoever they might be. “Don’t waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind. The race is long and, in the end, it’s only with yourself.” – Mary Schmich Appreciate the rain. There’s nothing more refreshing than the smell of the air during a storm. Remember to be kind to everyone you meet because everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Don’t judge a person based on the decisions they’ve made. Stay motivated. Stay curious. Treat yourself. Shower and clean your room. A tidy environment is a tidy mind. Your happiness and mental health is more important than your school or your work. Breathe deeply. There is not one thing that defines you: the colour of your skin, your favourite food, your sexual orientation, your gender, your career, your number of friends are not individually the one thing that describes you; you are a collection of your attributes and cannot be defined by a single thing. Your imperfections are what make you perfect. Embrace them. You won’t be heard if you never speak. It’s okay not to feel okay. Control what is in your control and don’t beat yourself up over what is not. Don’t be afraid to step out from your comfort zone. Do not read beauty magazines or, if you do, do not compare yourself. Smile to strangers. What Susie says about Sally says more about Susie than it says about Sally. Remember that even your worst years only have 365 days, your worst days only have 24 hours and your worst hours only have 60 minutes.

There will be darkness but it is there so that we can appreciate the light. Every time you are down, have faith that you can get back up. It doesn’t matter how many times you fall, what’s important is that you stand up eight times if you fall seven.