With every toast, every kiss and every party hat, the New Year is usually rung in with resolutions as well, ranging from physically (I'm going to the gym every day") to monetarily ("I'm going to save for that big trip"). Granted, some dedicated folks do achieve these goals, and use the new year for a chance to start over. With most though, those resolutions are either left for the next new year, or abandoned completely. I have definitely abandoned some of my resolutions.`

However, for me personally, I learned that setting certain resolutions wasn't going to help me get anything done. It would begin to feel like something I was obligated to accomplish. If I didn't, I felt like a failure. Now, I set resolutions that have more to do with how I can improve myself mentally and emotionally, rather than on the surface.

Once I work on my inside self, I can work up to the larger goals without the time limit of a year. None of my resolutions have a time limit, in fact, they're set on my schedule. Here's a short list of some of the goals I have set for myself, and they can easily apply to you for an easy-going and relaxing new year.

1. Let go of the mistakes of the past year

Time travel does not exist yet (easy there fellow conspiracy theorists), so it is impossible to change the past. It already happened. The only thing that you can do is move forward and remember that every single person on this earth has messed up, in some way or another. Even the people who seem to be perfect. Nobody is! All we can do is learn from what we've done and use our moments of weakness to become stronger.

2. Start every day with a positive thought

Tell yourself that you're a great friend, or your skin has been getting better lately. Or, even though yesterday you didn't want to get out of bed, and today you didn't either, you did. You're taking a shower. That takes strength. Even if you can't think of anything positive regarding yourself, think about your pet and how much you love them. Or how much you love your favorite food. Start each day by thinking about one thing you're happy to wake up for.

3. Have more date nights with yourself

Going out with friends is really helpful and helps take your mind off of things, but with me, sometimes my brain needs a night where I'm not talking to anyone. A night to get in touch with who I am as a person and explore my interests alone. Go to Barnes and Noble, pick out two or three books, and read them at a table with a coffee. Go to a movie alone. Have a Netflix night with all of your favorite snacks. Everyone needs some me time once in awhile, and that is not selfish in any way.

4. Stop giving 100% to those only giving you 50%

Whether it be relationships or friendships, text message or face-to-face, do not put yourself out there if you have to struggle to receive the same energy. Don't tell anyone all of your secrets if they close up when you ask them, don't display your friend or significant other on social media every second if you can barely get one picture and don't offer emotional support to those who disappear when it's time to talk about you. You deserve them in your life only if they deserve you.

5. Do not judge anyone unless you know their entire story: and 9 times out of 10, you don't.

This is one I try to accomplish every day, and it's a yearly, monthly, sometimes daily struggle. It's easy to look at someone and pick them apart based on your limited knowledge of them. It takes someone even more intelligent and compassionate to realize that a person is so much more than what they reveal the world. Everyone struggles, and not everyone displays it for the world to see. As Post Malone said, "This is a world filled with humans, and we are all humans." No one is better than the next.

These are things I hope to get better at as the years go by, and I'm confident this year will be better than the last. I wish everyone a safe and positive new year, filled with new possibilities and adventures.