Finally one year has come to a close as the next begins seamlessly. 2016 seemed to be a tough year for most, but at the same time, one of the best. In the wise words of Kylie Jenner, “...I feel like this year is really about, like, the year of just realizing stuff”. Regardless of how one’s year went, everyone celebrates New Year's Eve in their own little way. Whether you were popping champagne or passed out before midnight when the ball dropped, 2017 is upon us. A new year brings new hope and new energy.

Along with the New Year’s Eve festivities there is the New Year’s tradition of coming up with a New Year’s Resolution. Even if you’re not a believer in New Year’s Resolutions, I personally believe it’s important to set goals for yourself in life. This year my goal is going to be based of Elizabeth Gilbert’s book, Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India, and Indonesia.

“Liz Gilbert (Roberts) had everything a modern woman is supposed to dream of having--a husband, a house, a successful career-- yet like so many others, she found herself lost, confused and searching for what she really wanted in life...Gilbert steps out of her comfort zone, risking everything to change her life, embarking on a journey around the world that becomes a quest for self-discovery. In her travels, she discovers the true pleasure of nourishment by eating in Italy; the power of prayer in India, and, finally and unexpectedly, the inner peace and balance of true love in Bali.” -Sony Pictures

It’s safe to say I will not be traveling to Italy, India, or even Bali this year, but exploring is definitely something I will be doing.

Eat

In this section, Gilbert devotes herself to simple pleasures. As they say the best things in life are free. You can’t always anticipate what life is going to throw at you, but you can always choose how to enjoy it. This year I’m going to take time to enjoy the little things in life, and go out of my way to do the little things for others.

Pray

This section is where Gilbert focuses on her physical needs, which includes her mental health. This year I’m going to find ways to relax (yoga, meditation, getting massages, working out), practice good health habits (flossing, eating my veggies, drinking enough water), and doing something I enjoy everyday. “Health is like money we never have a true idea of its value until we lose it”.

Love

This section is about Gilbert combining everything she had learned from the Eat and Pray sections and she finally found love. This past year was a lot of saying “yes” to everything, but this year I’m ready to start saying “no”. The kind of love I’m hoping to find is more self-love. Self-love is all about finding balance. I don’t need to say yes to everything in life. I’ve found it’s often wiser to say no. As well, I know my strengths and am not ashamed of them, but I’m aware I have my weaknesses and am never going to stop turning them into strengths too. “Worry about loving yourself, instead of loving the idea of other people loving you".