2016 was a doozy for many of us. It was a year full of roller coaster emotions, life changes—big and small, and a few handfuls of lessons that will carry over into the New Year. While I am sure we are all grateful that we are lucky to have experienced another year of life, there are many things from the year I will not be taking with me, and you shouldn't bring them with you either.
The constant negativity that occurred in 2016 can stay there. Whether it was negativity created by the media, people I knew, or even myself, there is no place for it in the new year. There is so much going on in this world that makes our hearts ache on a daily basis, so why should we create more? Creating positivity is as simple as smiling to the stranger passing by, holding the door open for someone behind you, posting an uplifting quote on social media, and avoiding gossip.
And while we are on the topic of negativity, can we all decide that it is not cool to body shame people? We do it to ourselves, too. Let’s be real here. We pick ourselves apart and do the same to others, and it is so wrong. 2017 needs to be the year where we all embrace who we are and who everyone else is. We were all created uniquely and we all have so much to offer the world because of it. Just because the person sitting next to you does not wear a size small does not mean that you should judge them. On that same note, just because you do not wear a size small does not mean that you should feel negatively about your body. Be confident in who you are and what you look like. You have worked incredibly hard to get to where you are. Do not let the voices of others or the voices in your own head bring you down.
To top off the negativity discussion, leave those negative friends behind! If they are not adding to your life then you need to get rid of them. A point will come after you have given all that you can when you cannot give anymore to someone who is giving nothing back to you. You deserve to live your best life and you cannot do that with the baggage that these people bring you. It will not be easy to leave them behind, but it will be worth it. Saying goodbye to negative friends will only bring you closer to a path of positivity.
Let’s kick off 2017 with being truthful to ourselves. Stop caring about what others think about you; you are your own person and you get to make your decisions with no added input. We need to be honest about what we want from this crazy life. What are our goals for each month, the year, in five years, and what are our ten year goals? Who do we want to be in 2017? Take all of the previous life experiences that you have with you on your journey, but do not feel obligated to take every single piece of it with you into the new year. You do not need it. We have the opportunity to create what we want with a fresh start in the New Year. We do not always get to choose what happens to us, but we do have a say in how we approach ever moment of our beautiful lives. If you choose to work hard, stay true to yourself, and accept the positive light, you are in for one wild year.
