2017 was a scooter to the ankle, accidently liking your ex's instagram photo from 42 weeks ago while stalking their page, ordering carry out and not realizing they forgot part of your order till you got home, stepping in dog poop, sending a text to your mom that was meant for your friend, not saving your 12 page paper before your computer dies, spending all night studying for your exam and sleeping through your exam, having a birthday on April 1st and no one believing you, getting a letter from your crush and it's a restraining order, making a girl laugh by asking her out, asking Siri to tell a joke and she turns on the selfie camera kind of year.

Even though these analogies perfectly describe this past year, I can still say I learned a few things to bring in 2018:

1. Life is hard.

2. Hot Cheetos is one of the best creations known to humans.

3. Even the "nicest" people are capable of hurting you.

4. Stranger Things 3 needs to come out like now.

5. Be thankful for who you have, because God will need them back one day.

6. I look like garbage unless I have a Snapchat filter of a dog cartoon on my face.

7. Don't settle just because you are scared you won't meet anyone else.

8. Don't depend on others for happiness.

9. Some days are better than others.

10. Some days are worse than others.

11. Don't ever forget your self-worth.

12. I have the best dog in the world.

13. "Wonder" was one of the best movies created.

14. Arby's has more money than we all thought if they are capable of buying Buffalo Wild Wings.

15. Justin Verlander is a beast.

16. Actions will always speak louder than words.

17. Just because someone is good at saying sorry doesn't make that a good thing.

18. Instagram is a great source to find out who got engaged over the weekend.

19. Riverdale answered more questions about their show in one season than Pretty Little Liars did in their 7 seasons.

20. Addiction is a disease.

Even though 2017 was brutal in every way possible, I have hope for 2018. I have hope that what I experienced in 2017 will help me grow as a person and be stronger. Even when challenges and hardships are thrown your way, it is your choice how it affects you. You can either let it bring you down or you can learn from it. I choose to learn from my hardships and allow them to make me stronger as a person.

Hardships are inevitable. I know that I won't have consistent perfect days, but how you handle situations can change your mentality. You're allowed to have bad days, but don't let your bad days drag on more than they need to. Challenge yourself to look at your problems as lessons. These lessons will improve your 2018 and hopefully let you have a better year than your last.