Health Is Beauty

Advice from an (almost) adult ~ Surround Yourself With Positivity

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This might sound like a simple rule, maybe even silly, but it’s one of the most important ways to ensure your long-term happiness. (It’s always better to discuss happiness as long term, an ongoing achievement, not as fleeting.) To make sure that even when the blues bite you’ll come out on top, you must surround yourself with good company. Like shoes, it’s not about the number, but the quality. Get one or two kickass pair of pumps and be set for a year, but get six pairs of cheapies and there’s no guarantee when they’ll fall apart.

Find two or three friends of quality, and you’re golden. There are sweet, honest friends out there — it just takes time to slow down & get to know them. However, its worth it because when you need the advice, the reality check, or hug you’ll be surrounded with people who have positive outlooks on life, who want the best not just for themselves, but also for you.

Trust me, this exists. It may seem dreamy, but I’ve invested smartly. I’ve invested not so smartly several times, and for that I’ve spent many nights upset or crying because I feel disrespected. Like any relationship, friendship has its up and downs, but the amazing ups always make the downs easier to work through. If your friends can’t be happy for you, then they sure aren’t adding to your happiness. It’s that simple.

Haley Sherif holds a B.F.A. in creative nonfiction writing from Emerson College. Born & raised in Manhattan, she's currently living in Brooklyn pursuing her dream to write. As an eager fourteen year old she originally joined the Eco-Chick team as an intern, several years later she's happy to be back. Her writing and design projects can be found on her personal site, haleykamilla.com, as well as on The Culture-ist and later and in Perversion's June, 2016 issue.