2016. Man... what a year you have been. So many things have changed, so many obstacles have been overcome, so many realizations have been had and so many incredible moments have occurred. As a whole as a year, it may not have been perfect -- but for me, and maybe for you too, this year has allowed me to grow in unimaginable ways. So, thank you, 2016 -- you were exactly what I needed, even if I did not always realize it.

Maybe 2017 will be your year of growth, or maybe you just wish to reflect on 2016. Here are the biggest things I learned in this year of growth.

1. Identify What Makes Me Happy

Sometimes you have to actively choose to take care of yourself, and make decisions that will be in the best interest for you. As one who often puts others above myself, I have to actively remind myself that I too deserve happiness, and I can’t always just base my decisions on pleasing others, because at the end of the day, I ultimately need to please myself.

With identifying what makes me happy, it's important to make sure you fit those elements that make you smile and brighten up your life into your schedule no matter how busy you are. Don’t let life get the upper hand (even when you are crazy busy) and allow you to miss out on daily joys. Take five minutes and go do something for YOU that makes you happy.

2. Understand How I Am In Control Of My Happiness

This was a big one this year. If you aren’t happy with something in your life, or with anything, then you and only you are in control of changing or tweaking something to make a better outcome. If you stay in the same situation -- IT WILL NOT CHANGE. Some action has to take place, and while it may be challenging, and take a leap of faith; your happiness will improve and you won’t be one of those people stuck in and plagued by their unhappiness in the world.

3. Find My Passion That Has Led To Purpose In My Life

It’s crazy how finding a passion about something that you love can lead to your purpose. It is not always easy to figure out with right off the bat, but I encourage you to take your time and do a little soul searching, because when you discover what your passions are, your purpose will not be too far ahead.

4. Don’t Always Have Everything Completely Figured Out

THIS IS A HUGE ONE. I used to think I had to have absolutely everything figured out to feel comfortable and to be considered a successful person. I couldn’t have been more wrong. There is so much beauty in allowing yourself to explore and use present opportunities to guide you in directions. While the planner in me will always have parts of things figured out, I now leave room to let myself not always have the answer, and feel comfortable saying that I don’t have to have everything figured out right now. This space I’ve given myself this year has led to some of my largest forms of growth.

5. Have Courage And Put Yourself Out There

If you don’t put yourself out there you never know all the good you have been missing. Life is too short to care about every little judgment people will make of you, or whether you are good enough. Be yourself, have some fun and go for it, because you never know what you’re missing out on if you don’t try.

6. Actively Choose To Find At Least One Positive

This will make a huge difference in not only your life but the lives around you. Being optimistic even with just ONE thing, will give you the motivation to pick yourself up when needed and use that one positive to turn the rest of the negatives around.