The world will tear you apart a million different ways. Divorce. Death. Addiction. Hatred. Fear. It’s difficult to be prepared for whatever may come your way and make your life fall to pieces.

If you do feel your strength is fading, remember these 21 things:

1. It’s not the end. Not yet

You still have time to pick up the fallen pieces in your life. It may not be as it once was, but that does not mean it cannot be any less beautiful.

2. You’re stronger than you seem

It may not always seem like you can this, whatever “this” is, but you can. You can trust in that, no matter how weak you may have felt in the past.

3. Don’t guilt yourself for eating chocolate.

If eating chocolate helps you when you feel overwhelmed, then eat it! We all have coping mechanisms, find the ones that work for you, and not just for a moment, but for a long term solution.

4. That was then, this is now

The past is in the past and now is the time to move forward.

5. Giving up isn’t an option

The moment you start saying you can’t and even consider that to be an option, is the moment when that becomes a reality. Don’t let yourself fall into that trap.

6. Sometimes it’s okay to just be okay

You don’t have to happy all the time. Be real with yourself. Acknowledge the bad and the good.

7. There is still good in this world

Despite all the bad, you’ve found moments in this life that are truly beautiful. Cling to those moments when the bad seems like too much to handle.

8. You’re not the only one who is struggling

Some people may seem perfect in your eyes, but they have challenges and struggles that they don’t let anyone see, same as you.

9. Don’t lose sight of where you want to go

Even if you were never a track star, you can relate to how hurdles work. The funny thing about hurdles is that you have to focus on the one that is farthest away in order to clear any that come before it. If you hold to what you want (and need) most, then you can better overcome the hurdles that are keeping you from reaching that end goal.

10. No matter where you came from, you choose where to go from here

When you make mistakes, or think your circumstance too hard, remember that we choose who we want to become. Sometimes the choice is harder to make, but don’t ever forget what a gift it is to choose.

11. Listen to the voice that tells you to not give up

Everyone has moments when something inside of us tells us to give up, but everyone also has a voice that tells them to never quit. That is the voice to be listening to.

12. Even when you don’t feel like it, you deserve to treat yourself.

Don’t withhold so many rewards from yourself until you accomplish something. When you live this way, you run the risk of being abusive to yourself.

13. There is always help

When it feels like you have nowhere to turn, keep turning. There are always resources and people who want to help when you can’t go any further.

14. It is totally fine to make mistakes

Again, be real with yourself and be happy that you don’t have to be perfect. It takes a lot of the pressure off!

15. You don’t have to have all the answers

The hard truth is that sometimes life doesn’t make much sense. That doesn’t mean you aren’t wise in taking a step in the dark.

16. Don’t forget to laugh

Once you stop laughing, the world automatically seems like a darker place. If you’re looking for ways to laugh, you also will be looking for the good, something hidden in every situation.

17. Some things matter, and others don’t

Pick the right things to worry about. Nothing else really matters after that.

18. Who says you have to do this alone?

Sometimes we think we have to accomplish something on our own to seem stronger. But often it takes more strength to reach out for help. When you feel alone in your struggles, seek for help, from friends, trusted professionals, people whose first priority is to help you get back on your feet.

19. Things always look worse at night

Sometimes you can’t do anything except wait out the bad times. No matter how dark the night is, somehow morning always shines through. Without fail. It’s like the earth is trying to tell you that no matter how bad it seems, there’s always hope if we keep holding on.

20. It may not be perfect, but your life is not impossible to repair

Your life may have fallen to pieces, either over a long period of time or overnight, but that doesn’t mean it cannot be fixed. Some problems are not ones you should try to fix, it will only result in more heartache. Some problems seem like they take forever to solve. But hope is never lost, that is something you can count on.

21. It’s only going to get better from here

Rock bottom isn’t always such a bad place to be, the only place to go from there is up.

This is just the beginning. And the path ahead is so bright, you won’t believe it.