Going back is not an option. Rewriting the story isn’t either, and the more you think about how irreversible this unforgiving circumstance is, the more knotted up you feel inside.

Does this sound like you? Then read on.

Trust me when I say that I understand. I have sat back many times in my short existence and wondered why life doesn’t always feel like it’s on your side and whether constantly dodging the curveballs it throws is worth the energy it requires. Of course, not everything that occurs is the worst case scenario, and there are times when rising to the challenge seems doable. But sometimes, when things go wrong once too often, you begin to feel hopeless. You can’t help but wonder if this is how your life is destined to be—forever wandering in a metaphorical turnstile—and sooner or later, you find yourself feeling tangled in a world you can’t escape.

However, even the darkest of nights are brought to an end by the morning sunrise, and although our seasons may stitch together a year, they still divide the ever-changing weather that comes with it. Meaning that, whether figuratively or literally, having hope for better days is founded on something solid.

With that thought in mind, I’d like you to think about how you’d answer this question:

“If everything changed tomorrow, would you still feel the same?”

Most of our frustrations stem from being caught in a cycle, trapped in a situation that never seems to end, but if that could finally be broken, would you still want to give up? Would you still want to throw everything away, even if you got everything you’d ever wanted? Or even if it wasn’t exactly what you wanted, if you could find some form of inner-peace from your situation, wouldn’t it be worth holding on?

At the end of the day, however hard things may be, you have to have hope that things will change. Evidence is scattered in so many people’s lives who have sat where you are right now, thinking that all this hard work for such little return just isn’t worth it, only to wake up one day and see that, finally, it paid off. There is no difference between you and them. All they did was hold onto that hope and try one more time.

Despite the hardships you face, if you can still find good in your life, then HANG ON! Take a step back, weigh up your options, and work out how to tackle them without losing grip. I know it’s tough, yes. Draining, most definitely. But the only one who’s going to lose if you give up now is you. So have a little faith.

For better or for worse, no one knows what’s around the corner. So I understand your fears, especially when it feels like the negative cycle is on a loop. But, just like the weather, things can change.

All you need to do is be prepared for when it does.