I initially thought to write another one of those cliche "new year, new me" or "a letter to my 2016 me" articles, but after thinking about it, I've come up with some confusion.

Why do we all, year after year, focus on creating a better, "newer" version of ourselves? We put so much time forgetting about the present, only to look forward to this fabricated, fantasy like person that we strive to be, always falling short every December. Rarely do I hear, "I'm happy with myself for today." And half of the time, we don't plan to put any effort into changing ourselves, we just simply say "next year will be better." We always plan too much for ourselves, leaving us exhausted by February and ready to restart next December.

I propose we make 2016 the year for growth. Slow, daily, calculated growth.

Be real with yourself, don't set the bar too high. Make realistic goals, and for the most part make them small ones. You'll be happier that you did in the long run.

Be happy with yourself now. If you can't love yourself now the way you are, what makes you think that you'll love yourself when you finally have muscles, lose that weight, or get that significant other? You'll always, always be setting up more for yourself and you'll never spend the necessary time to get to know yourself, and be proud of what you've already achieved. Look at yourself in the mirror and really see who you are today. You are already good enough NOW.

And lastly, remember that this year doesn't have to be the year. You have many, many years ahead of you. Why settle on this year to be the best? That makes it sound like you're peaking and you'll never have anything else to look forward to after 2016. Just focus on being happy, and enjoy life.

2016 is going to be what you make of it. But, be careful. Although it is a new year and all, there are many more years to come. If you take five, maybe even ten years to achieve your dream, who cares? You did it. Plan to be excited for your life, and your future. Not just New Years.