For as long as I can remember, I've always made a New Year's resolution. There's something self-satisfying about setting a goal that betters your life and improves your motivation to succeed. Last year I made a resolution to floss more (that's what happens when you have a January 2nd dentist appointment). The year before that, my resolution was to exercise at least three times a week. Like the majority of resolutions, these lasted two weeks max. I would rather sleep an extra two minutes instead of shoving some string in between my teeth in an attempt just because my dentist gave me the evil glare as she examined my pearly whites. I love to workout, but sometimes three days a week is just too stressful when combined with a full-time job and education. Some nights ice cream and Netflix is clearly the better option.

This year I have decided that I will not be making a New Year's resolution. I'm not perfect, and I know that I have so many areas of life in which I can improve and be a better person. However, I realized that it shouldn't take a once-a-year resolution to make the changes necessary in my life.

I'd love to eat healthier and forget that ice cream ever existed. I'd love to have more time to workout, go for walks in the woods, and sit in coffee shops reading fictitious novels and sipping chestnut praline lattes (Starbucks, that's you). It would be amazing if I could spend hours each week giving back to the community and raising awareness for the less-advantaged people in our towns and cities. Unfortunately, I can't do all the things that I want to do. That's not reality, and even more prominently, that's not how college works.

This New Years, I'm going to keep the half-gallon of mint chocolate chip ice cream in my freezer. I will eat in a way that best satisfies my metabolism, physical well being, and random cravings. I'm healthy and happy; why should that change just because I don't eat enough salad? I'm going to continue to workout when I have the energy and time, but school and sleep will always come first, just like they have bee for the last two and a half years of college. I'm going to visit home when I can and cherish the time with my family, but there will be weeks when a quick hug will have to suffice. Opportunities to volunteer will arise and I will only be able to say yes to a few of them, because schedule is just downright too full already. I'm going to always be on the lookout for ways to better improve my life, but I'm not going to stress about it or slave myself to a resolution.

My life is full of flaws, struggles, and mistakes, but it's pretty damn amazing and I'm beyond blessed, even amidst the imperfections. A New Year's resolution isn't going to change that!