Change is a necessary evil.

Without change and progress, we wouldn't be living in the country we are today. Women wouldn't have the right to vote, the civil rights movement would have never happened and America would have never been founded in the first place.

Our country was founded on this idea of changing for the better. This is why it's no wonder that new year's resolutions are so popular.

Resolutions have the reputation of failure for a reason: they aren't as effective as most people hope. You can go in with the best intentions in the world but, often times, people are giving into the social pressures and expectations of creating this idea of a "new you" for a new year.

I hate the feeling of being sabotaged and I've always known from the beginning that I wasn't really making these changes for myself. I was making changes because other people thought that just because it's a new year, I needed to be a new me.

I don't really think I need to be a new person; who I am is just fine.

Don't get me wrong, I love self-improvement. I'm constantly searching for ways to better myself and my environment, and I love supporting my friends and family members in their adventures in becoming better versions of themselves.

Change is great and I think that it's never too late to pick up a new hobby or start a new fitness routine or learn a new language.

But always make sure you're doing it for you.

The point of improvement is to make a lifestyle change. You won't get anywhere if your habits can't be worked into your current lifestyle.

Let's face it, no one wants to wake up and go to the gym at 4 a.m. every morning. If you don't want to do it, don't. If you're really determined on getting somewhere and changing something, it will happen. Don't worry.

If you associate good feelings with your good habits, it'll be much easier to keep them. If you absolutely despise running, find another way to get your cardio in without causing pain. Don't wake up at 4 a.m. to go to the gym before class if you value sleep more than some people.

If you're like me and enjoy eating pizza all the time, it's okay to start out small with a new diet. The whole point of new year's resolutions and self-improvement is to find ways to change your life that will cause long-term success.

Changes that fit into your life and that you enjoy doing will be much easier to keep up with. If your friends are joining a gym that you can't afford or don't have time for, don't do it. There's no problem with finding an ab-routine online and doing it before you get into bed at night or when you first wake up before you get ready for the day.

Too many times do I see and hear stories of people joining a gym at the start of a new year and then cancel the membership by March. I commend you for wanting to create improvement in your life, but make sure what you want to do is manageable.

Don't start a new year's resolution because one of your Facebook friends swears that she loves her new gym and has a KILLER body because of it. What works for someone else may not work for you.

The start of 2018 doesn't have to include a new year, new you. It can be a new year, same you, just better.