Let's be honest, we all set unrealistic resolutions for the New Year and dream about the perfect Christmas. We plan and hope for snow, the exact gifts we want, the perfect moments under the mistletoe and all the food we are going to eat. We also make resolutions to make our lives "better" in the New Year. We plan to lose weight, make better grades, and plan to change our lives.

We do it every year over and over. We say we are going to do this but end up doing the same as before. Chances are no matter how hard you try or your mom tries, Christmas will not be flawless. Your Aunt will say something at the dinner table or someone will bring up some forbidden past event. It happens in most families at the big family dinner. There is also a chance life may take a more serious turn. Unfortunately, life does not stop happening just because it's the holiday season. Loved ones can get sick, family members may not be able to travel home and people may go through rough patches during this season. Then there are the resolutions are you advised to set for the New Year. But is all the unrealistic expectations dangerous for ourselves? What is the real effect our thoughts are having on our lives?

We dream of the perfect Christmas. But is your family perfect? I kind of doubt they are. Imaging a Christmas that does not take into account the truth is dangerous to our happiness. I also doubt your New Year Resolutions are being monitored by a doctor. Let's be real, is losing 15lbs without the help of a doctor or nutritionists a good idea? Probably not. We are so focused on having a perfect life and having it quickly, that we are not considering the side effects of wanting it too fast.

It is also dangerous for us to focus on making ourselves new by losing weight, instead of focusing on creating a healthier lifestyle that is sustainable. We are setting ourselves up for disappointment if we focus on losing weight quickly and not changing the lifestyle that led us to gain the weight. We are also risking our health by quick diets without a nutritional base.

It is dangerous for us to focus on superficial things to make us happy. You are beautiful just the way you are. The world may tell you that weight loss is necessary in January, but is not if that is not what you want. If you want to make a change in your life, make it a sustainable one. Your family loves you, but you will never have a perfect family. They are human just like you are. If anyone says their Christmas was completely perfect they are lying or exaggerating. This season, love yourself and the ones around you just the way they are.