I have never been fond of the phrase “new year, new me”. As I have begun to embark upon the inevitable journey of 2017, I have finally been able to figure out why this commonplace resolution does not sit well with me: it’s because of the “new me”. Rather than completely altering ourselves, I find it important that we focus on making conscious efforts to better ourselves. One is not able to grow if they are only thinking about how to drastically change themselves, or how to become an utterly new version of who they truly are. Doing so will ultimately ensure that we lose unique pieces of the puzzle that makes us who we are as individuals.

It will take a copious amount of effort to become the person you desire. Achieving this means you must be willing to make efforts to improve yourself instead of transforming your inner being by the destruction of the personal, original characteristics that are specific to you. You have to be willing to work through your flaws and shortcomings rather than ignore them and find the new ones that come along with a “new you”. It’s easy to leave unfinished parts or “pieces” of yourself behind that discourage or dissatisfy you – but I see this as a major setback. We will never be able to realize our full potentials – or finish our individual “puzzles” – if we can’t learn to work on and accept areas of ourselves that aren’t as strong.

So, as we continue into this new year, I am making a point to better myself rather than change myself. My desire is to normalize the very real existence of flaws found in everyone that go beyond the need for a regular gym routine or a new hobby. As a young adult I am reminded every day that I am not who I want to be yet - and that is absolutely OK. Included in my resolution is a goal to be aware of what my shortcomings are and how I can improve them. I want to make sure I hold myself accountable for the sub-par areas of my life that may need some puzzle pieces rearranged. New year, better me.