Happy New Year! 2016 came, gave me hell and left. Okay I'm being a little dramatic. It wasn't all that terrible but there was a significant amount of times that I can recall in which I learned a lot about myself, others, life, etc. all due to mistakes I made. The thing about a new year is that it's refreshing to know we haven't messed this one up yet. It's a clean slate which is nice and all but it's also important to reflect on the things that you don't want a repeat of. New year, same you, just a new perspective. Here's some of the things I learned after everything 2016 tested me with...

1. If you work hard, you can play hard.

2. Stop making excuses for people’s actions.

3. Time is precious, use it wisely.

4. If your friends let you do stupid things alone, they aren’t your real friends.

5. Be mindful of others opinions but also defend your own.

6. Your free Starbuck’s birthday drink expires after a week…

7. Don’t underestimate the alcohol content in champagne.

8. Taking risks is scary as hell but the outcome is well worth it.

9. It’s okay to be on your own.

10. It’s also okay to depend on others when in need.

11. Eat the damn cheeseburger and just go to the gym tomorrow.

12. Saying you went to the gym is a lot easier than actually going.

13. Do things to impress yourself and no one else.

14. Comparing yourself to others is the fastest way to make yourself feel low. Don’t do it.

15. Music heals almost everything.

16. Hug your mom every chance you get.

17. Being an adult has by far been my worst decision.

18. Reading is actually cool, it also makes you look super hipster and what not.

19. One cup of coffee cannot make up for the 10 hours of sleep you lost.

20. Learning about politics is draining but it's important stuff.

21. Second chances are rare, take them and give them.

22. It's okay to remove toxic people from your life.

23. College keeps getting harder and harder.

24. Never compare your lifestyle to someone else's based on their social media.

25. Don't be shy of your accomplishments.

26. Find other ways to express yourself besides tweeting about your problems.

27. Less talking, more doing.

28. Spending more time outdoors is the best therapy.

29. Encouraging others to be better says a lot about your character.

30. Music festivals and concerts are worth the money.

31. Green tea is magical.

32. Trust your gut.

33. Family time is valuable.

34. Having a small amount of really great friends is better than dozens of acquaintances.

35. Don't shut people out.

36. You can be so completely wrong about a person.

37. Being healthy and being thin are not the same thing.

38. Everyone is artistic in their own way.

39. Study, study hard.

40. Go to the gym for yourself and yourself only.

41. Partying gets really old.

42. 'New Girl' is a great freaking show.

43. Be patient with love, don't force anything.

44. Take the time to pamper yourself.

45. Save your money. You'll thank yourself later.

46. Listening to sad music will make you sad... duh.

47. Everyone goes about life at their own pace.

48. Stubbornness is my worst quality, I'm working on it.

49. I'm not a math and science person, I'll stick with this writing thing.

50. People will treat you how you treat yourself.

51. SYNC YOUR PHOTOS TO ICLOUD BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!!!

52. Recognize how blessed you are.

53. Forever 21 clothes shrink like no other.

54. Black Friday is always a good idea.

55. Don't settle for anything less than what you deserve!

56. Let yourself be a little vulnerable.

57. You always have the ability to change something about yourself.

58. Never hide your mistakes, someone else can learn from them.

59. Writer's block is a real thing.

60. Unfortunately, bad things can happen to good people just like good things can happen to bad people.

61. Once you start dipping your pizza into ranch and sriracha sauce, you never go back.

62. Bodysuits may look cute but they for sure are not comfortable.

63. Eat your dark leafy greens!

64. Forgive yourself and let it go.

65. Not everyone has the same heart as you.

66. Don't expect too much of others.

67. Take pictures every chance you get.

68. Love comes and goes.

69. Live in the moment and appreciate all the good things you have right now.

70. You don't need it to be a new year to make a change.