Have you ever met someone who seemed to focus on only the negative side of life? No matter how small they’re bothered by something or someone, and this is all they can talk about. Now I’m not saying I’m perfectly perky all the time, but spending all that energy to nitpick every little thing has got to be exhausting. After a while, most people will start to avoid you. Life is hard enough without a downer constantly point out the bad.

Take a close look at yourself. Are you one of those people? If so, you don’t have to be. It will probably be hard at first—habits are hard to break—but it’s not impossible.

Start by making a daily list of five good things you saw. Once you can consistently do that, add a higher goal, like ten. The way our minds process information can be changed, it takes time and self-control. I promise the struggle will be worth it. Life is so much easier when you notice the silver linings around you. And who wouldn’t want to be around a positive person, they uplift everyone they come in contact with.