The more you think something, the more you believe it. So yes, it is important to fight negative thoughts. Remember, you deserve to get better. You deserve to use techniques that help you feel better.

• Negate thinking "Happiness doesn't last" with "I can experience happiness."
• Do little things that make you feel in control. Tell yourself, "I am in control." Go play a game with your little brother. Wash dishes. Clean your room. Make that dreaded phone call on your to-do list. Start on the paperwork due next week, even if only for five minutes. Don't do everything, just push yourself a little further than you normally would.
• If you can't help but think something negative, think, "Okay. I can only be negative for a moment. Then I have to stop."
• Exaggerate your problems to the point where they're funny. If you're feeling guilty about eating a few cookies with lunch, think, "Oh my god. I just consumed 200 calories. I must have gained five pounds already. I'm never going to fit into any of my clothes again! My skin will be so bad that people will claim someone splashed my face with acid. I will probably get three diet-related diseases from eating them. Oh, why did I do this horrible deed?! Do I have no control over the most dire of consequences?" Now it's ridiculous. You've distracted yourself from the real worry, which is what you want to do.
• Personify your anxiety/depression.
  • Make your anxiety/depression a villain. When you feel a negative thought coming on, think, "Oh no you don't! I shall defeat you!" Pretend your positive thoughts are superheroes. You can even draw a costume design if you want to help remind you of this technique :P
  • Give your anxiety/depression a name (e.g. Alex). When something is bothering you, pretend it's not you that has the problem - it's "Alex"! In your thoughts, give Alex advice or counsel him. It will give you different perspectives about your situation.
• Re-organize your room. If negativity is getting to you, then you may associate that negativity with the rooms you spend a lot of time in. Re-arrange furniture and belongings or add decorations to give yourself a fresh surrounding. Also, make sure not to spend too much time in one room. Pick up and move every so often.
• If you're feeling very anxious in a public setting, use the "Five Things" technique. Look at five different things around you. Touch five different things. Listen to five different things. Smell five different things. This should distract you from your negative thinking.
• Create a list of positive affirmations for yourself. Start working with ones that you are most willing to believe, even if you don't believe in them that much at all. Even if it's the smallest bit of positivity, tell it to yourself... "My hair looks nice" or "This doodle I drew came out half decent." Emphasize everything positive you can find and build confidence from there. Here's a list of affirmations that you can try.
• Negate "I'm awkward," with "I'm new to this. This is always how 'new' feels. When it's not new anymore, it won't be so bad." ...See my "I'm Awkward" and "I Feel Judged" box.