Happy New Year and happy new decade! The end of the year is a time where we look back and reflect on our last year on Earth; if we were sad, if we were happy, if we did not like something we did and what we could do to change said things for the upcoming year. This is usually the time where we start to set goals for the upcoming year to live our best life, and in this case the new decade!

The last year for me wasn't really the easiest. My boyfriend and I had our relationship tested, I grew apart from my best friend, college got incredibly hard, and I went to a dark place that I never want to revisit. I've put together a list of goals that I want for myself and tips for my upcoming days that I think everybody should have in their life!

1. Stay at the gym consistently.

I love the gym, I really do. Finding time for the gym is what's always hard for me. There was a time I was going to the gym four to five days a week and sometimes twice a day. It is so cliche to say "new year new me, I'm going to start going to the gym," but that's something I really want to start doing again. It made me feel more energized and just all around happy with everything in my life.

2. Be more realistic.

Being realistic has always been hard for me. I tend to always try to see the brighter side of things and look past the negatives and it usually leads me to disappointment. For the upcoming year and start of a new decade, I want to set goals that are attainable to me and as time goes on, I can always little by little increase that goal. This leads to more success and less disappointment!

3. Eat a healthy breakfast in the mornings.

They always say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and that statement is so true! I am the worst with eating breakfast in the mornings, I either forget, or I am running too far behind to eat anything. I want to change that and make it a priority to have breakfast in the mornings. It could be toast or a bowl or fruit-- as long as I eat something, my mood would improve during the day and I won't get headaches by lunchtime.

4. Surround myself with positive people.

This year I lost a lot of people in my life, a lot of negative people. Since losing those people, I've found myself to feel more outgoing, happy, and successful. I want to continue on this path of happiness and success by keeping the negative out of my life and only surrounding myself with people who want me to succeed and people who want to help me achieve my goals.

5. Just freaking do it!!

I am always the person overthinking things, thinking about the "what ifs" and the person who does not take risks. For this new chapter, (decade) I want to just do it! I don't want to think about the consequences or the "what ifs." If I want something, I'm going to take that risk at a full leap, I'm going to do what I want to do without letting anybody hold me back, and I'm going to do these things while thinking about my happiness and mental health.

Now is the time to make changes and take control of yourself. Do not let others have the advantage of controlling your life or your happiness. You are in control or you. Do things for your mental health and happiness. Ignore the "what ifs" and say sorry later, now is your time to shine!