Do you remember those miniature rain clouds that follow cartoon characters around when they are having a bad day? I have had one of those babies lingering over my head for about six months now, save blissful, reality-free Europe, namely since I graduated from college. I think the term is coined “Quarter Life Crisis”.

I don’t know if I am just not suave at handling change anymore, but I think the dynamics of everything changing in my life at once has had quite the negative impact on my psyche. New financial responsibilities, paired with job anxiety (how do I get one and more importantly, one that I like) pack a one-two punch for new grads like myself. Decisions about where to live, keeping friendships going and letting others go, trying to be a good family member/friend/girlfriend, and satisfy my soul and stay healthy has proved to be quite a challenge, and has taken a toll on my standard sunny/bubbly/perktastic personality. I like to call it my battle with negativity.

Don’t despair though, friends, things are looking up! Although I am not sure of many things at all right now, I have found a partial solution. My newest trick is simple: set small challenges and meet them so as to not feel perpetually like a large failure. Sometimes this involves lying to myself to get through things, but I never regret it in the end. As with everything, running is a prime example in my life.

I have been feeling pretty out of shape for the last while (pastries and wine are not kind) and have been down on my running skills. Every week, I make up a list of workouts to do, and have surprisingly high adherence (running makes you selfish though, be warned). What started out as painfully hard has become more of a bliss lately, and there is a palpable difference in my strides; hills that I used to walk are now conquered by a little “don’t give up just yet” that has found its way back into my head. Rising to these small challenges gives me a confidence in myself that I haven’t felt in a couple years.

The other day in my car, I blasted the music like I did in high school, sang as loud as I wanted with the windows down, and felt like my old self for a minute. It was pretty awesome. While I do let negativity get the best of me sometimes late at night, I am happy to report that things are turning around a little. Heck yes!