It is that time of year again when everyone looks at themselves and their lives and finds something they want to change for the new year. "New year, new me". But why? Why do we have to change? Why do we have to make a New Year's resolution just to disappoint ourselves when we don't reach our goal, because we all know life just gets in the way.

How about we celebrate getting through another year on earth and celebrate what we have accomplished and who we have in our lives. This year I have seen a family member become a new mother, and my sister become a varsity cheerleader in her freshman year of high school. I have moved into college with a great friend who doubles as the love of my brother's life. I watched as several people became EMTs and my boyfriend go to college for something he is passionate about.

We need to stop picking apart our flaws and start seeing how beautiful we are and how amazing life can be. Life isn't easy by any means, but it can be amazing. This year, instead of wishing I was fit or focusing on what I look like, I am going to just live life to the fullest and see where it gets me.

Try new things, explore different hobbies and take advantage of the world we live in. I plan on working hard, having faith and finding happiness. Yes it's a new year, but that doesn't mean you need to change who you are, it just means you have another year to discover what you are capable of. I feel like we put too much emphasis on "bettering" ourselves but I think we need to focus on just being happy. We all are looking for a place to fit in this crazy world and finding our purpose. Well I believe our purpose is to find our own happiness.

You don't need a resolution each year to motivate yourself and remind yourself that that part of you makes you unhappy. Focusing on the negative doesn't have a positive outcome. Find what makes you unique instead of trying to change yourself. Reach deep into your heart and into your soul and figure out what your purpose is, what makes you happy. Once you can stop looking at your flaws and you start discovering what makes you you, then you will truly discover what happiness is and you can then live life to its full potential.

Bringing in the New Year should be a celebration of life and a celebration of what you have accomplished in a full year, because I bet you it's a lot. In 2017 and in all the years to come we need to let go of what everyone else thinks of us and focus on being our full selves. With that being said, Happy New Year!