It's all you've been hearing, all you've seen on Facebook from literally everyone, and all you've been thinking about for weeks: 2016 SUCKED. For a lot of us, the past year didn't necessarily go as planned, which, let's face it, isn't totally unusual. Every New Year we tell ourselves that this year, this year will be different. You say you'll do this good thing and improve on that one thing and stop doing that bad thing that you do. But it doesn't always work out the way we want it, and that's totally fine. However, I'm really tired of feeling like I missed out or let myself down or didn't make the best of the last 12 months. So, I've decided that I'm going to make 2017 my bitch, and here's how.

  In 2017, I will not let my insecurities hinder me from experiencing new things, or having fun, or making new friends and memories.   I'm going to seize opportunities as they come my way. I will not allow fear or insecurities stand in my way because if I do, I could be missing out on some of the greatest people, experiences, and opportunities of my life. I'm not going to miss out anymore.

  In 2017, I will learn how to treat myself and learn how to live a healthier life mentally, physically, and emotionally. I'm going to eat more veggies and drink more water and exercise on a regular basis. I'm going to go to bed at a decent hour (most of the time) and do my homework not on the night (or the hour) before it's due. I'm going to leave time for myself to spend alone when I need to. I'm going to look at things in a glass-half-full kind of light more often.

In 2017, I will not allow others be in control of my mood.   I can be too empathetic for my own good, and while that's perfectly fine, I'm going to try to put myself and my feelings first. I will not let little things that other people do or say that I have no control over affect me too deeply.

In 2017, I will learn how to save more and spend less money. I'll stop going on Chipotle runs every time someone suggests doing so, and I'll spend less money on clothes that will hopefully be too big for me within the next month, and I'll put more money into my savings on a regular basis (because, let's face it, having $93.05 in your savings account will just not cut it later on).

In 2017, I will not get down on myself when I fall off track or even fail. It happens to everyone. If it didn't happen to me, I would never learn or grow or improve. That's going to be my mindset when things don't quite go my way this year.

  In 2017, I will read more books. Not for any particular reason. I just love reading and I don't do it nearly as often as I'd like to.

  In 2017, I will put my happiness first because when it comes down to it, I only have 365 days until 2018, and I want to look back on the year that's ahead and say "Wow, that was pretty damn good."