I’ve never been one for New Year’s resolutions. When I was a kid, I remember going to a party with my parents. It was the typical cute neighborhood New Year’s party where the kids spent most of the evening running around upstairs. The parents drank champagne downstairs, wore New Year's party hats, and ate beautiful appetizers that I couldn’t yet appreciate. When it came time for the ball to drop and the kids to drink their sparkling white grape juice we all gathered in the host family’s sun room to say our resolutions. I flat-out made up something I now can't remember because—as I've mentioned—I’ve never really been into that kind of thing. I feel that for most of my life I’ve remained the same. I moved a lot and mostly kept the same outlook on life.

Today, I would love to be able to say that I’m going to totally change my lifestyle in 2017, but if I’m being real I’m probably never going to start going to bed before 11 or stop eating chocolate chip cookies at the dining hall. But it’s all about the attitude, right? I really do want to de-stress and take more time for myself. I want to go to yoga multiple times a week and find a workout that I don't completely despise. I want to love myself more and remember not to compare my life to others' lives. I don’t really think I will change all of that in one year. I think it would be a struggle to modify everything that contributes to my unhappiness in just 365 days; making my life a happier one would require a change in the way I look at everything in my life. In addition, I want to save my money, have makeup-free days (and feel good about it) and just lead an overall healthier life.

Sometimes, I look back and think about all the progress I've made over the years, and I feel good about all of my decisions and experiences— that’s how it’s supposed to be, right? I know I’m supposed to think about the past and be thankful for everything I have, be happy with the college I’m going to, cherish this moment I've made it to and be thankful for all of the times I’ve survived. But, looking back on my 18 years, I think I’m blissfully blinded by all of the happy times, and I’m really fine with not focusing on the bad. I think maintaining that kind of outlook on life is the best resolution I could ever make. So forget about “new year, new me.” How about a new year with the same cool, rocking, great, fabulous, positive person I’ve always been— despite a few bumps along the way?