Hayden Panettiere has made a conscious decision to surround herself with "positive people".

The 36-year-old actress first found fame as a child, but she's experienced her fair share of ups and downs during the course of her life, and Hayden now believes that having a positive, can-do network around her is key to her long-term happiness.

The blonde beauty - who wants to write and produce, and release her own jewellery line - told The Independent: "I know that if I surround myself with positive people, I can accomplish whatever I set my mind to.

"I've made my share of mistakes, I've fallen on my face, but I've always stood up again and dusted myself off."

Hayden has battled addiction and family problems during her time in the spotlight. However, the actress has never struggled to find a purpose in life.

Hayden - who has starred in hit TV shows such as Heroes and Nashville - reflected: "I've got plenty of issues, but finding meaning in life isn't one of them."

Hayden has worked sparingly in recent years. But she hopes that her new memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, will help her to reclaim the narrative that surrounds her life.

The actress - who recently came out as bisexual - explained: "I made the decision to be brutally honest about every aspect of my life, from childhood to now. I had to learn not to be afraid of what people would think about it. Or if they would judge me."

Meanwhile, Hayden previously admitted that childhood stardom left her feeling like an "outsider".

The actress has enjoyed huge success in the film and TV business over the years, but Hayden admits it's taken a toll on her social life.

Hayden - who has daughter Kaya, nine, with Wladimir Klitschko, her ex-partner - told People: "I was four years old when I was on Guiding Light. And I did a bunch of commercials before that. So taking some time off after 'Nashville' was important. I literally hadn't taken a break from the industry since I was like, eight months old.

"It was difficult. It's difficult to keep up with your friends, to stay in the groove. I was the outsider."