In the story book of life, things rarely go as planned. However, the hiccups along the way serve as valuable lessons in our personal growth. The challenges we meet help us appreciate the victories even more, and give us perspective on the beauty within those difficult times. With the complexities of modern life, it’s virtually impossible to avoid some sort of problem.

“Sometimes things fall apart so that better things can fall together.” – Marilyn Monroe

The key to solving the problems lies in how you deal with them, and the following advice could help you keep things in perspective the next time you feel your like your life is spiraling out of control.

Here are 6 Things to Remember When Life Feels Like It’s Falling Apart

1. Other people’s problems are not yours.

If you have a strong sense of empathy and intuition, you probably feel obligated to help solve everyone else’s problems. However, this can leave you feeling exhausted at the end of the day, and others might start viewing you as their free personal therapist that they can call at all hours of the night. While showing compassion and support for others is important, you need to find balance between helping others and helping yourself.

“The problem isn’t the problem. It’s your attitude about the problem.” – Captain Jack Sparrow

2. Remember that there is a lesson in your troubles.

Teachers throughout history have advised that we attract what we feel and what we are, so any bad situation we face is often the product of our own thoughts and feelings. This may not always hold true, but oftentimes any negative situation can be looked at as a valuable learning tool and an experience to test our highest selves.

Let’s not forget that pain is temporary. Any situation never lasts forever, whether that be a bad breakup, financial struggles, family arguments, or other issues. No matter what you might be going through, console yourself by remembering that you are the master of your emotions. You can choose to see the silver lining in any situation, and transmute the pain into an opportunity for growth.

3. Remember that you don’t have to be afraid of doing what you’re afraid of doing

Sometimes you need to test your limits and throw caution to the wind in order to know your true capabilities, but that doesn’t mean you have to be afraid to do so. Simply by focusing on the benefits of overcoming adversity might unearth newfound passions and totally new sides of yourself that you never knew before by conquering your greatest fears from a comfortable perspective. Create affirmations from them and repeat them daily.

4. Remember to take a minute to channel positive energy.

No matter what you might face, try to look at the bright side of the situation and call on your angels or spirit guides for higher wisdom. They will help ease your frustration or anxiety about the experience, and calm your energy so you can better handle the situation. Positive energy will put things into perspective and remind you that everything on Earth works in mysterious cosmic ways which we can’t always understand.

5. Remember that worrying creates more problems, but faith transforms.

No amount of worry will change the situation. It will only leave room for more negative energy and more obstacles to enter your life. Keep a positive mindset and trust that the universe only sends you the experiences that you need to help you transform into the best version of yourself.

Keep going; everything happens for a reason. Even if you feel that life is merely one catastrophe after another, all of these difficulties only serve to test us and make us stronger. They enable us to handle future situations in a better way, and teach us valuable lessons about life. Without struggles, we would not experience growth as human beings.

6. Remember that you have a LOT of influence and power over your life.

You don’t have to become a victim of circumstance or succumb to defeat; you have total control over your life and can easily turn a bad situation into a good one. Keep in mind that rainbows only show up after a storm, so you must weather the storm in order to recognize the lessons it holds.

Listen to your thoughts and feelings and figure out what they’re telling you. If your predominant thoughts seem negative, try to transform them into positives by looking at the silver lining in each situation. Often, the hardest lessons are the greatest teachers, and we can either take them in stride and learn from them, or dwell on the pain and unfairness of the situation.

“The most important decision you can make is to be in a good mood.” – Voltaire

If you let yourself get into a negative mindset, you will fall into a victim mentality once again. Resolve to keep your mood up despite your current situation, and the negativity will not have any power over you anymore.

“Keep calm and carry on.”