Throughout my high school career, there have been countless times when I can recall myself crying in my bed, stuck on something, thinking it might as well be the end of the world. However, the world doesn’t end when you’re in high school; it keeps going, and what we all need to learn is how to move on with it. By reshaping your mindset and not letting these little things bring you down, it allows you to have a better overall quality of life.

There have been so many days I’ve wasted away, replaying a specific moment or conversation, focusing on things I couldn’t change. Whether it’s wishing I had reacted differently, said the right thing or negative comments, I couldn’t seem to get out of my own head. When you let yourself fixate on these things that have already happened or words that are too late to take back, you end up missing what’s in front of you.

One of the most important things you have control over is your mindset, which affects your entire outlook on the world. One of the most beneficial things you can do is to learn how to keep a positive mindset. Small things like listening to sad music or fixating on those things you know you can’t fix all negatively affect it. The good news, though, is that doing things like showing optimism in a negative situation or blasting your favorite song can reshape your mindset and your outlook on life.

The self-fulfilling prophecy is something that regularly stays in my head: the idea that the more you fixate on something, the more likely it is to happen. It’s basically a manifestation; you attract what you put out into the world. It’s something most people don’t realize: the amount of control you have over yourself. You choose how you view life and what you do and don’t focus on.

The lesson of being self-aware, constantly improving yourself and your mindset has so many benefits. Letting go of these simple stressors and focusing on all the positive things in your life are all small ways to reach that goal. When you place your energy into things you can’t fix, you’re missing what’s happening in front of you, what’s actually important.