The beginning of a new year is such a good chance to reset your goals and priorities and to refocus on becoming a better version of yourself. But sometimes other people's words work better than your own when it comes to inspiration or motivation, so here are 11 of my favorite quotes that motivate me to adventure, study, exercise, etc. (Some of them are a bit cheesy)

1. “I want to go barefoot because it’s holy ground; I want to be running because time is short and none of us have as much runway as we think we do; and I want it to be a fight because that’s where we can make a difference. That’s what love does.” ~ Bob Goff

This quote is from an amazing book called Love Does by Bob Goff. When I first read it, I got chills. It makes me want to go out and do everything I possibly can and just live life recklessly and freely.

2. “Friendship is born at the moment when one man says to another "What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . .” ~ C.S. Lewis

I love this one because it reminds me that you're never alone. There will always be someone that can relate to what you're going through, and I love how people can bond so much over hard times.

3. “It is never too late to be what you might have been.” ~ George Eliot

This is such a message of hope. In the new year, stop making excuses and just do it. It's not too late.

4. “Because what else are we going to do? Say no? Say no to an opportunity that may be slightly out of our comfort zone? Quiet our voice because we are worried it is not perfect? I believe great people do things before they are ready.” ~ Amy Poehler

I don't feel ready to do anything. Especially being in college, there are so many terrifying things in the future so this quote is comforting because it's a reminder that no one knows what they're doing.

5. "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." ~ Isaiah 43:2

This verse is a good reminder that God is with us. While it might feel like life is overwhelming you and everything is out of control, you know that you can get through it.

6. “Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure. ” ~ Oprah Winfrey

Living life for the moment is something that's really easy to say, but really hard to do. I'm struggling to do it for sure; it's so easy to take your life for granted but you never know what life will throw at you.

7. “We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.” ~ Jawaharlal Nehru

I've always had such a yearning to travel. If I could just drop everything and go travel, I would. This quote makes me want to go out and adventure.

8. "Many people lose the small joys in the hope for the big happiness." ~ Pearl S. Buck

People that are pining for that one thing that will make them happy often miss all the little things that are joyful in themselves.

9. "Laughter is wine for the soul - laughter soft, or loud and deep, tinged through with seriousness - the hilarious declaration made by man that life is worth living." ~ Sean O'Casey

I love this because life doesn't always need to be so serious. The times of joy are just as important as the hardships and laughing is one of the best things in life.

10. “I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery—air, mountains, trees, people. I thought, "This is what it is to be happy.” ~ Sylvia Plath

This is the best feeling ever. It's feeling completely alive and letting go of worries just for a moment.

11. “It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Find friends that you can make mistakes with, that you can act like a complete idiot with.

Here's to a 2017 that's filled with adventure, friends and worthwhile memories. Hope one of these quotes struck a chord to encourage you to make the most of life.