Now that Christmas has ended, everyone is onto the next holiday: New Year's.

New Year's is a celebration many look forward to not only because it's a celebratory holiday (I can already hear the champagne bottles popping), but because the start of a new year feels like a fresh start.

As we all know, traditionally, people have at least one New Year's resolution they plan to commit to starting with the new year.

Whether it be staying consistent with the gym, working harder at school and/or work or maybe spending less time on social media and more time with loved ones, all New Year resolutions essentially correlate with self-improvement.

I think it's great this holiday promotes personal refinement; however, I sometimes ask myself why a holiday needs to remind us of what we should already be working toward.

For instance, Valentine's Day reminds people to show extra love and appreciation on February 14. I'm not cynical toward Valentine's Day, but people are capable of showing their love for their family, friends and/or partner every day of the year.

New Year's promotes self-improvement when people can and should strive for this every day of their lives (whether it's a big or small goal). Studies prove most people end up not following through with their New Year resolutions. Many start off strong, but then slowly relapse into their old patterns.

There's nothing wrong with falling into your old ways so don't beat yourself up over it. A lot of people want to embody the "new year, new me" mantra, but it's not pragmatic that you'll be able to transform over night.

The new year doesn't need to suggest a "new you." Instead, think of the new year as a clean slate to better yourself; in other words, a "better you." Don't put down your past self because that's what got you where you are today. Without our mistakes, we would never learn and thus, never improve.

Cheers everyone!

PS- stay safe and if you will be drinking, drink responsibly.