I'm the first one to roll my eyes when somebody shoots off the "new year, new me" mantra. It's cliche, first of all, and it actually doesn't help anybody get anything done. I'm all for positive reinforcement, but "new year, new me" isn't specific enough.

We can't just say "new year, new me" and then be new people, guys. We need a plan.

In 2018, I'm going to focus on becoming mentally strong. When I say 'mentally strong', I'm saying I want to develop a mentality that will allow me to build an aura of confidence and conquer the world. Well, at least, my own world. One step at a time, right?

And one thing I'm not going to do is just say, "new year, new me." I have a plan, so let's do this. Here's how I'm going to become a mentally strong, confident being in 2018. Please, feel free to take the journey with me.

1. I'll remember that it's okay to put myself first.

It's not okay to be an inherently selfish person, but it's okay to be a tiny bit selfish, sometimes. In 2018, I'm going to be out here taking care of myself, even when I have a lot to do, or there's a lot of pressing matters at hand. No more neglecting myself. I am my own first priority from now on.

2. I'll put only good things in my body.

Recently, I stopped taking most of my medications. This was especially tough with my Xanax prescription - I've had to learn to deal with anxiety in healthier ways, and I'm still learning.

The human body isn't meant to be loaded up with all those chemicals. I'm not just talking about artificial medicines - junk food, preservatives, etc. None of that is good for you, and it's not going to help you become the best you.

I may be on a journey to mental strength, but being physically healthy is one of the first steps on that path. They don't say "healthy body, healthy mind" for nothing. I don't care if I lose weight or get abs this year, but I do care that I stop pumping my body full of unnatural substances. Drink water, take vitamins, and watch how your mental function improves.

3. I'll learn the art of acceptance.

There's a reason why Mark Manson's The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck is the #1 best-selling book on Amazon. I'm going to learn to differentiate between what matters and what doesn't. Spoiler alert: a lot of things aren't going to matter.

Let things go. Go with the flow. Don't let trivial shit deter you; that's only going to take your eyes off the prize.

4. I'll stay organized and focused.

An organized mind is an efficient mind. In general, if I become more efficient, I'll become more productive. Personally, I love that feeling when all my ducks are in a row and I've accomplished everything I needed to do. I want to live my whole life that way. I'll probably start a bullet journal, invest in a good dry-erase calendar, pay close attention to deadlines, and get some great color-coding pens.

5. Meditate daily.

I did learn the practice of meditation in 2017, and I did occasionally meditate when I was feeling anxious or overwhelmed. In 2018, I'm going to take it to the next level and meditate daily to clear my thoughts, improve my focus, and promote general mindfulness. There's a bunch of great, easy meditation apps you can download right to your phone, like Simple Habit and Calm. They're definitely worth a try.

6. Don't overload.

This goes hand-in-hand with steps 1 and 3. I'm going to take care of myself, and learn to accept things. As a prime example, I know that taking 5 classes is too much for me. I'm going to take 4 instead. I'd rather get 4 great grades than 5 okayish grades, and I'd rather be organized than overwhelmed.

Know your limits and respect them.

7. Look forward to the future.

Looking forward to the future always keeps me focused on my goals. I want to be a homeowner. I want to have a successful career. I want to get married. I want to be financially secure. I want to raise a family.

I won't be in college forever, but what I do in college will affect how I live the rest of my life. No better time to start preparing for my future.

These are the aspects of my mental strength that I want to improve over the course of the next year. I have a lot on my plate, and I need a mindset that will allow me to conquer my biggest goals. Through becoming physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually strong, I will get there in no time.

Here's to #2018 and being our best selves.