It’s 2017, and because it's a new year, and more importantly not 2016 anymore, we are all more eager than ever to make ourselves the person that we’ve always wanted. Honestly, I never understood why everyone's new year resolution was to hit the gym until the freshman fifteen hit me, but I'm sure that I’m not alone in that one. The crazy, totally achievable resolutions that usually don’t ever happen start flying and by February we’ve all but forgotten them and decide to try again next year. This isn’t anything new, and shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. There are, however, things that you should remember past January 31st.

You need to take care of yourself. This means, physically, mentally, and everything in between. Going to the gym every day, especially when you work or go to school, might not be realistic. This doesn’t mean that you can’t find time to eat healthier, or workout every now and then. If you can’t find time for that, just drinking more water in a day is good enough. Mentally caring for yourself is so much more important than most expect. It’s easy to ignore how you’re feeling, to get caught up in stress and not be able to see a way out or to feel like you're the only one feeling the way that you do. I can say that I have done this before and it isn’t healthy. More times than not you're not the only one going through whatever is bringing you down, and I do not say this to minimize the issue, I'm only reminding you that there are others who actually understand and who can be there for you. Talk to your friends and your family. You can’t keep everything bottled up forever. Whether it be school, family, or social issues, open up to at least one person about it. Make 2017 the year of letting things loose and letting things go. You cannot receive help in any form if you do not seek it. I know that some people, like myself, may not like to admit when they are in need of something, even if it is just someone to listen so they don’t feel alone. I can speak from experience when I say that just being able to express how I feel has been so helpful, and I have realized that I am not alone in what I am going through.

What’s easy isn’t always what’s best. It's easy to get caught up in your life and school and not talk to your family for a while, but this is neither productive nor satisfying in any way for either party. It is easy to go back to the same group of people from your school even though they may be a bad influence or just make you generally unhappy. Don’t be afraid to branch out and make new friends. Find yourself a good group of people who will love you. This doesn’t have to be a drastic black and white split from your current group, but do what you know will make you happy. With that being said, it’s easy to go back to a significant other who may not be the best for you because you are used to them, and they have just kind of always been there. They’re a habit, and although you know that they might not be the best for you, it seems too intimidating to end things or distance yourself. This is not fair to either person, and you should not remain unhappy in a situation because you fear change. It is easy to get caught up in what other people have, or what they have accomplished, and begin to feel sorry for yourself. This isn’t fair to you. You are full of so much potential, and comparing yourself to others does nothing but delay your productivity and future achievements.

While most of your ambitious resolutions may wither before February rolls around, remember that above all else 2017 should be a year of caring for yourself whether that may be the easiest choice or not. You are nobody but yourself, so keep that in mind next time you find yourself comparing everything you do to what everybody else has done.