I feel that every once in a while, especially on a Monday, it can be hard to stay positive. Sometimes we all just want to curl back up in bed and let the day pass us by. Well, everyone has those days and it is completely okay to feel down. This week I am bringing you 10 quotes from some brutally awesome women to lift your spirits and remind you that you are awesome and can do anything you set your mind to.

1. “Power’s not given to you. You have to take it.” – Beyoncé Knowles Carter

If there is anyone out there that embodies “girl power” it is definitely Beyoncé. I picked her quote because it reminds me that nothing in life is easy. If you want something, you have to work for it in order to get it, even when things get challenging. On days when you feel like it’s all going wrong, just remember every day is a new day, and you can do anything you set your mind to. With hard work and determination, anyone can be a strong and powerful woman.

2. “The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.” – Ayn Rand

I love this quote by Ayn Rand because it reminds me that I can do anything I set my mind to. The only person stopping you from pursuing the life you want is yourself. Every day is a new opportunity to do something amazing for yourself. Don’t let others stop you from being anything but yourself. If they have a problem with your goals, ambitions or who you are all together, they aren’t worth your time anyway.

3. “In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.” – Coco Chanel

I could not have said it better myself. It is true when they say that there really is only one you. You should love the person you are and share that amazing person with everyone. No one wants to live in a world where everyone is the same; it would be incredibly boring. You offer something different and original to everything you involve yourself in, and that is something to be proud of.

4. “The most effective way to do it, is to do it.” – Amelia Earhart

We all can relate to the feeling of not knowing how to start. Whether that is a new job, a project or anything else, beginning can be a scary challenge. Amelia Earhart’s quote is here to remind you that the best way to start is to just start. Don’t worry or overthink it. Things always work out in the end. Once you get started, you’ll begin to figure things out along the way.

5. “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

No one likes gossip and rumors. We all have been exposed to them and we all know that hardly any of it is constructive or positive. Cut that kind of negativity out of your life and enjoy things that really matter, like spending time with family and friends or doing something for you. Who cares what so-and-so did or who they did it with? It won’t matter in a few days, so instead of gossiping, do something constructive. Also, being the subject of gossip doesn’t matter much either. It only has as much power as you give it.

6. “It’s one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, to forgive. Forgive everybody.” – Maya Angelou

Holding a grudge is not going to fix anything. Being forgiving towards others and yourself will provide you what you need to focus on more important things. Everyone wants to be forgiven, even if they don’t admit it. Save yourself the time and energy by being forgiving rather than holding something against someone. In the end, I think you’ll find you are a lot happier and have more room in your life for more important, exciting things.

7. “You can’t be that kid standing at the top of the waterslide, overthinking it. You have to go down the chute.” – Tina Fey

Everyone knows that things in life can be scary or uncertain. Everyone always wants to have all the answers to every problem or situation they’ll come to face. When they try something new, they want to be amazing at it their first try. In all honesty, that rarely ever happens. No one has all the answers, and no one is perfect at everything they do the first time they do it. The best way to improve yourself and be the best version of you that you can be is to just take the “leap” of faith. I know it is a lot easier said than done, but you will thank yourself for it in the end.

8. “We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better.”  – J.K. Rowling

Nothing in life is perfect. However, we all have the power to stand up against the things we disagree with. J.K. Rowling is right, magic isn’t needed to change the world. The world changes because of the people that live in it, because of the people that care about others and the issues at hand. Don’t be discouraged when things don’t work out the first time. Nothing worth having ever comes easy. You have everything you need to be influential, strong and successful; no one can take that from you.

9. “I learned compassion from being discriminated against. Everything bad that’s ever happened to me has taught me compassion.” – Ellen DeGeneres

We all have problems and issues that we go through. We all face adversity in some form or another, but what is important is having the strength to push forward. Don’t let other people’s hatred and lack of compassion make you bitter. Not everyone is going to encourage you, show you kindness or believe in the person you are, but you cannot let those people dampen your spirit and drive. Show them kindness and compassion, just like Ellen describes. Nothing is more rewarding than proving you can do something when others said you couldn’t. Just remember that everyone is struggling in some way, even if you don’t understand it. The best way to live is to show others love, understanding and compassion.

10. “It’s not the absence of fear, it’s overcoming it. Sometimes you’ve got to blast through and have faith.” – Emma Watson

Fear is a hard emotion to overcome. It keeps you awake at night and finds you when you least expect it. Overcoming that fear is what truly matters. Believing in yourself and knowing that everything works out in the end is the best way to combat fear. Have faith in yourself and seek the support of others. Every time you face a fear, it gets easier. Then, before you know it, you feel like you can do anything.