The phrase "I refuse to sink" is a popular one. It denotes a refusal to give into emotional distress, a refusal to let yourself be destroyed. But... It also says that you're in the middle of that process. You're treading water. You're saying that you won't let your past get to you, but you won't think of the future either. It's focused on what's wrong, what can go wrong - what will go wrong. It's a defeatist attitude!
I propose that there are better phrases out there. For example, the one I use: "I will soar up high." I prefer this phrase in every way. First off, the consequences of not managing to reach your goal ("to soar") is far less dire than failure in the other ("to [not] sink"). The word "will" shows you're living in the present and the future, working towards goals. More importantly, it declares that you can do something. You are not helpless, barely keeping your head above the water. Rather than "not" doing a negative thing, I "will" do a positive one, once again contrasting the different attitudes. Of course, both can be used at the same time.
Ex: Not only do I refuse to sink, but I will soar up high.
But most importantly, to my present and future, I will soar up high.
Side note: Anchors don't keep anything floating, and they certainly don't keep you from sinking. To replace the anchor that normally accompanies the former phrase, I'd use a pair of wings to symbolize the latter.
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