Every year there comes a new optimism to set goals for oneself. Goals can range from anything involving weight loss, disconnecting from technology, more time for devotion to your faith, and the list goes on and on. One thing that scares people is the thought of a set back on the goal you might set for yourself.

It is okay to slip up and make mistakes. I repeat, it is okay to make mistakes. I had started the fall semester in 2017 with an amazing workout plan, a bigger ambition for myself, and optimism for many other aspects of life.

I have had to accept the fact that my body is built a certain way, I have curves and I am unique. However, the biggest thing I have honestly had to overcome is myself. I forgot to keep fighting for myself as I had been for so many months. It is a battle that I am still facing and will continue to face. As this battle begins in 2018, I am beginning to accept a couple of things.

1. FOOD IS NOT A BAD THING.

What I see too often is that people see food as the enemy when working towards their resolutions. We as people enjoy food and often eat way too much of it in one sitting. What I feel like my error is that I turned to food for comfort when going through sad situations. The first example would be when a boy picked someone else over me, food was easy. Since I have taken the time to accept this, I am able to take a new perspective on nourishment for my body. Your body needs fuel but you also cannot cut out your favorite foods like cold turkey. When you cut the comfort foods out altogether when you get the chance to eat them you often go a little bit nuts and then the cycle of issues can often continue.

2. Water Is Crucial To Your Body.

Continuing along with the idea that your body needs fuel, hydration is super important to your general welfare. It is hydrating and it helps your bodily functions. I know that soda and tea are out there but try to drink as much water as you can. I'm not saying start drinking a gallon of water a day, just start with a small change like one to two glasses.

3. Meal Prep Is So Good.

People get lost in the idea that eating less food is the answer. However, it is what you are eating daily that continues to help or harm you. The way you can start true change is what you fuel your body with consistently. As stated in my first point, do not cut out every single type of food. However, make the comfort food and the sweet things in your life a treat.

4. Make The Gym A Priority.

I, like many others, struggle with fitting the gym into their daily schedule. However, when I did this, I felt like I was a whole new person and I could do so much more with my life. I felt stronger, I had a set work out regimen.

5. Loving Yourself Is The Major Key.

I know that there are so many cliches about self-love but I cannot overemphasize this enough.If you don't remember that you make mistakes and slip up, you will continue to lose the battle that you are trying to start. I at least feel that way so if this does not apply to you then, more power to you!

Now I listed these five things because my resolution for this year is quite simple. I want to be proud of myself. I want to go above and beyond what anyone thought I could accomplish. I want to make my family proud of me. I want to fight for the best version of myself that I can be. I have been told many a time that I am not going to amount to much. Whether it be dance teachers, classmates, or people in society I have always had people who doubted me. I want to take on 2018 with the ferocity that I knew once existed within me. To anyone who might be doubting themselves, this is your sign that you can take on this year.