2016 was tough. It was a year of transition, pain, difficult decisions, moving forward, and a whole lot of binge watching Grey's Anatomy on Netflix to help me through the rough patches. Here's 17 things I learned from Dr. Cristina Yang in preparation for 2017:

1. Every Woman Should Be Known For More Than Just Her Good Looks

There are more important things in life than what you look like. At the end of everything, when lots of years pass, beauty fades, and brains remain.

2. Sometimes You Just Have To Be On Your Own.

Sometimes the only person you can count on is yourself. That's when you can become a force of nature.

3. It's OK To Keep Some Things To Yourself.

Not everyone needs to know your business, and not everyone that you're really close to has to know every detail of your life. Choose what you share with people very carefully.

4. It's OK To Not Need No Man!

Being a "strong, independent woman who don't need no man" is an important first step in becoming a better you. After all, you can't love anyone else unless you love yourself first.

5. You Set The Standards For Yourself, So Raise The Bar High.

Greatness can only be achieved if you push yourself to new levels. So, forget being average, and strive for greatness.

6. Sometimes You Can Only Handle Focusing On One Thing At A Time.

Don't bite off more than you can chew, especially if you're going through a difficult time. Focus only on what you can handle in any given moment.

7. In This Life You Get What You Accept, So You Just Have To Stop Accepting Crap.

Along the lines of, "you are who your friends are" falls the idea that what you accept is what happens to you. So, stop accepting crap from yourself and others, and crappy things will stop happening to you.

8. Pain is a real thing. You will feel it, and it will hurt.

Life is hard. And sometimes very painful. But you have to allow yourself to feel the pain as it comes, otherwise it'll only hurt worse later on.

9. Sometimes The Best Things Happen After We Hit Rock Bottom.

Many of us know what it feels like to hit rock bottom, but only a few of us know what it feels like to pull yourself up out of that. Choose to be like the Phoenix, and rise from the ashes.

10. You Have To Put Yourself First, And That's OK.

You have to choose what is best for you. If you're constantly doing things for the approval of others, or to help others and neglect yourself, you will burn out and face more difficult times. It's OK to put yourself and your needs first.

11. The Most Painful Experiences Are The Ones We Learn The Most From.

The most painful experiences we endure are also the ones we learn the most from. We have to find the strength within ourselves to learn from those mistakes and to choose to never let them happen again.

12. It's OK To Be Dedicated To Your Work.

There are worse faults to have than being a hard-worker.

13. A Little Bit Of Competition Is Healthy.

Healthy competition is a great way to relieve stress, keep your body healthy, and your mind focused. Shoving as many hot dogs as possible down your throat may not be the best choice, but hey, to each their own!

14. Even The Strongest Of People Need Someone They Can Count On.

Everyone needs someone to be their person. You've got to find your person and never let them go.

15. You Can't Fix Your Problems If You Let Them Cripple You.

"The first step is admitting you have a problem." Well, if that's true then the second step must be working towards fixing the problem is the only way you'll overcome your problems.

16. It's OK To Let Your Guard Down With The Right Person.

Often times after we endure traumatic experiences we put up walls and never trust anyone again. This can actually do more harm than good. It's OK to tear those walls down for the right person.

17. When All Else Fails...You Just Have To Dance It Out.

Sometimes you just have to get out of your own head and let loose for a little while. Take a break, throw on some uplifting, upbeat music, and throw yourself a mini dance party...even if you're dancing alone!