As the clock strikes midnight on New Year's, everyone vows to work out more or eat better or spend less money, but these things aren't the key to a happier life. Sure, they're great for your health and your bank account, but the answer to making 2017 the best year yet lies deeper within.
1. Make peace with yourself
You're human. You're allowed to make mistakes. Forgive yourself in the same way you so easily forgive others. You're beautiful. Stop stressing about your weight, your skin, your hair, and your teeth. Accept yourself exactly the way you are. You are smart. Your worth is not defined by your test scores or your GPA. The sooner you realize the smart, beautiful, worthy human you are, the more comfortable you will be and the sooner you will be able to start living your life exactly the way you want to.
2. Remember birthdays
When our lives are so chaotic, birthdays, anniversaries and other important days often slip through the cracks. You don't have to buy iPads for your next door neighbor's uncle and the city bus driver, but a little note for your friends and family to let them know you're thinking of them goes a long way.
3. Be generous
The amount of money you have doesn't determine your happiness. Being rich won't make you any happier, but spending your money on others could. Not only does buying gifts for others make them feel good, but it could actually make you happier, according to a recent study. If you can't spend money, do a random act of kindness now and again. Spreading joy is beneficial to everyone.
4. Disconnect
Think about how much time you spend scrolling through Instagram and Facebook, swiping through Tinder or binge watching Netflix. Technology consumes our lives and we spend more time looking at what other people are doing than actually doing anything ourselves. Turning off our electronics and reconnecting with the great outdoors is good for the soul. We could all use a breath of fresh air to remind us we are part of something so much bigger than ourselves.
5. Explore
We all have our favorites--favorite restaurants, favorite stores, and favorite places. The more we grew up, however, the less we experienced new things and the more we got stuck in the same routine day after day. Exploring new places and learning new things is how we grow as people. Challenge yourself to go to a place you've never been every once in a while, whether that's China, the park down the road, a new restaurant, or even taking a new route to work. You never know what new experiences are out there until you are able to break your everyday routine.
6. Take time for yourself
There's nothing more important than your health, and your mental health is just as important as your physical health. You shouldn't be expected to be feeling perfect all of the time, so if you're feeling overly stressed, take a step back and do something you love; whether that's yoga or napping or reading a good book. You deserve some time to do what you love, instead of what everyone else wants you to do.
7. Face your fears
Skydive. Ask out your cute coworker. Apply for your dream job you think you're way too under qualified to ever get. You know what they say; "You'll never know unless you try." You don't have to resolve your lifelong phobia of heights or snakes in a year, but take steps to do that thing you've always been too afraid to do. Taking a risk means you could end up with something you never thought imaginable.
8. Take steps toward your dreams
When we're kids we're asked what we want to be when we grow up and we never hesitate to dream big: Doctor, rockstar, professional soccer player. But as we grow up, we start to settle. We take no for an answer and make adjustments. Instead of a doctor, a manager at Target will have to do. When we're adults, we realize our dreams won't just show up overnight like a present under the tree. While becoming a famous rockstar this year seems like a long shot, it's even more of a long shot if you've given up on music altogether. Take baby steps toward what you really want to be doing and never, ever let your dreams die or settle into something less.
9. Stop making excuses
You have every right to say no to something you don't want to do, but challenge yourself to do more of the things you do want to do, but just are feeling too lazy or scared to do. When you really don't want to go out with a friend, tell them. Don't leave them hanging in unanswered texts and missed calls because you feel bad about blowing them off. Be real and don't get caught up in an intricate excuse. Say yes to new opportunities you may feel nervous to do, and then go out and actually do them. Make memories you will never make watching reruns of Grey's Anatomy.
10. Remember your roots
Go out and explore the world, see things you've never seen before and meet new people, but don't ever forget where you came from. Make time to call your parents, get together with old friends, and head back to your hometown for holidays. These people and experiences shaped you into who you are today and they deserve the appreciation and love.
11. Learn a new hobby
I know what you're thinking, and no, Netflix doesn't count. Join a sports team, learn to play guitar, or take up knitting. Dabble in new activities until you find something you're interested in. Not only will you have something to do offline, but finding a hobby is a great way to meet people interested in the same things as you.
12. Try something new
When the opportunity presents itself, go for it and never look back. Ever wonder what it's like to scuba dive or audition for a commercial? Maybe you'll love it or maybe you'll hate it, but the only way to find out is to do it. Try a bit of this and a bit of that, and somewhere in between you'll find your true self.
13. Channel your inner child
Why does everything have to get so serious as we get older? Why aren't we willing to jump into the pool fully clothed anymore? When did we get disgusted with mixing every flavor of pop together at McDonalds? When did we start to care so dang much about what people think about us? Never forget how carefree you were as a child and how much joy the simple things brought you. It's okay to run out to the ice cream truck or to do cartwheels on the grass or to build a snow fort in the backyard. Let your bright, happy, fun inner child shine through from time to time.
14. Be present
Being there doesn't seem so hard in theory, but getting yourself to focus on the present moment is often pretty complicated. We're often dwelling on things we said 10 seconds ago or things we did 10 minutes ago. If we're not dwelling on that, we're worried about what's going to happen 10 minutes, 10 days or 10 years from now. If we're not doing either of those things, were distracted by our phones or our TVs. So put your phone away, forgive yourself for the past, and don't worry about the future. The only way to enjoy a moment is to be in the moment.
15. Do things for yourself, not your social media network
Don't get me wrong. Pictures are great. Pictures are fun. But pictures shouldn't be the reason you choose to do something. You shouldn't go out when you'd rather stay in just to prove to your Instagram followers that you have a fun life. You shouldn't hike up a mountain just to show your Facebook friends you're adventurous. You shouldn't be looking around at the crowd instead of the band at a concert, just so you can scope out who you can ask to take a picture of you and your friends when it's over. Go to that cool new amusement park because you want to, and don't worry if you don't take any pictures. You have nothing to prove. The memories should feel better than the number of likes you got, and if they don't, you didn't do it for you.
