It's that time of year when everyone starts making lists of things they want to work on the minute the ball drops in Times Square.

After a few weeks, or even days, it's pretty easy to realize that most of us fall short of our new year resolutions. Gym memberships go unused, we sit on the couch eating leftover Christmas desserts, and continue the same old habits we had last year.

So, instead of announcing our goals to our friends and family on January 1st, we should all try something new:

Just do it.

If the only reason you feel the need to start working out or eating healthier is because of the "starting fresh" feeling at the beginning of the year, it seems you don't truly feel motivated enough to do it anyways. My favorite way to work on bettering myself is to simply start whenever I feel the urge to do so. I'll think to myself I should start running, so I'll go for a run. Why wait around for the new year when I've had 364 other days to start?

In the past few months, I've wanted to change a lot of things regarding my habits and health so I could better understand my depression. Rather than waiting around for everyone else to start working on their resolutions, I started to work on my own. I didn't announce it on Facebook or Twitter, I just did it. I bought a bullet journal on Amazon and started making charts and diagrams of my goals. I wanted to work on grasping my depression, so I made more appointments with my therapist. I wanted to start spending less money, so I downloaded a budgeting app which allows me to get a better look at my spending and put specific funds away for things I want to save up for (like a new car)!

I get it, we aren't perfect. There will probably come a day when I stop highlighting in my bullet journal and spend a little bit more than I planned at Sephora (why does makeup have to be so expensive and tempting?). While I'll often fall, trip up, and be an all-around human, I know I can try a million other things to help me grow as a writer, musician, and overall a healthier person.

So before you run to Planet Fitness and start researching new diets, remember that you can take little steps too. Maybe the gym membership is too much of a commitment, so why not try going on a walk a few days a week? Work it up to a jog and then maybe a run. Do a home workout you found on Pinterest. Instead of committing yourself to kale smoothies and protein shakes, try a fun new recipe that includes all the food groups (it's healthier than ordering a pizza, so that's a start)!

Whether it's October, March, or July, you have the power to make positive changes in your life. Don't wait around until next year. Go out and do it. Take the smallest of steps as you need and keep making progress. If you fall, get back up and try again.