Ahh, finally the start of the new year is here! I think I can speak for the majority when saying that I am incredibly happy 2016 is now a year in the past. Although personally, this year has held a lot of major milestones like high school prom, graduation and the start of college, with all the ups came major downs. I am so excited for a new year to start because I believe with a new year comes new beginnings. A new year signifies the start of a new chapter in your life story, and you can write this new chapter however you choose. I completely understand the people that say new year’s resolutions are stupid because no one sticks to them. But, I believe those people have never stuck to their resolutions because the resolutions they made were not realistic. The start of a new year is a great time to work towards a goal or make a change, but only if the goals you set and changes you intend for are actually attainable. If you need some help, here are some common resolutions reimagined to be way more realistic.

1. Losing Weight

Instead of: I will stick to my no fat/carb/sugar/flavor diet; I will eat something green once a day (and this does not include mint gum or Skittles).

2. Exercise

Instead of: I'm going to work out twice a day every day; I will choose the stairs every time over the elevator.

3. Saving Money

Instead of: I will not buy any new shoes this year; Every new pair of shoes I buy MUST be on sale.

4. Bad Habits

Instead of: I am going to stop drinking; I won't go to the bar every Thursday, and when I do, I will really think about not having that fifth shot.

5. Getting Organized

Instead of: I'll keep my dorm room clean; I will turn on the vacuum once in a while.

6. Personal Hygiene

Instead of: I will get dressed and ready every morning; I will wash my laundry before I run out of clean underwear.

7. Focus On Family

Instead of: I will talk to my family every day; I will call my parents not just when I need something, and I will listen to their stories about their bowling league.

8. Stop Procrastinating

Instead of: I will start every assignment the day I am given it; I will start every assignment before the night before it's due.

9. Sleep More

Instead of: I will get a full nine hours of sleep every night; I will no longer watch Netflix after 2am.

10. Do Better In School

Instead of: I will study every day for every subject; I will go to at least half my classes every day.

11. Self-Love

Instead of: I will stop looking for my future husband and start looking for myself; I will stop going on Tinder all the time.

12. Stop Eating Ice Cream

Instead of: I will no longer eat ice cream when it isn't necessary; Come on, these are supposed to realistic.

So there you have it; some of the most common new years resolutions and what I believe to be way more realistic options. I hope that all the resolutions you have set you work towards throughout the year and that they are met. Personally, I am incredibly excited to see what 2017 has in store for me and how the goals and resolutions I have set work out. I wish everyone reading nothing but the best year yet. Cheers!