Have you ever been involved in a situation where you said to yourself, “I can’t believe this is happening to me?!”? I’m sure you have—we all have. So what do you do, when faced with such a position? Do you know how to make the best of a bad situation? Or do you simply zone out until the storm passes and become a passive player in life? If you have trouble dealing with bad situations, here are some pointers to help you through the next one.

No matter what you are faced with, you can always find something good in it. Even the bleakest moments have a silver lining, but you have to look for it. Failing to do so can result in you becoming depressed and anxiety-ridden.

Vent to a trustworthy friend.

When something bad happens, you need a shoulder to cry on. But be careful whose ear you’re bending. A trustworthy friend will be there to listen to your troubles and keep your confidence. More importantly, they will also be there to offer you advice and encourage you to stand up, despite the pain. They’ll never let you sit in your sadness or frustration and feed into your blues.

Turn it around.

Sometimes the only way to make the best of a bad situation is to find a way to turn it all around. Find something you can do to flip the problem into a solution. It might take some time and energy doing so, but why not expend your energy into a positive outcome, rather than wallowing in self-pity and worrying about the problem?

No matter how bad something seems, there is always something good that can be found in it. Remember that you hold the power to decide to do so, though. It is your choice, whether to be consumed by what is happening or turn it all around.