2016 just wasn’t a good year. Too many good people died, I lost myself and I got my heart broken. Some of those things are completely out of anyone's control, but my goal for 2017 is to live a happier and healthier lifestyle. Way too often, people chose to wallow in their own self-pity instead of looking on the bright side, I’m guilty of that too. In 2017 I want to look for the best in every situation life throws at me and I hope you do too!

1. I will take on this new year with positivity and happiness. Every bad thing that may happen to me, I will make it into a lesson to learn from.
2. I will put all of my faith in God and trust him to lead me in the direction I need to go.
3. I will no longer care what other people think of me as long as I see myself in a positive light.
4. I will lead a healthy lifestyle which will include working out on a daily basis and eating as healthy as a college student possibly can.
5. I will come to terms with things that happened in the past and learn to let go of them.
6. I will learn to love myself before I let myself fall in love with someone else again.
7. I will be honest and tell the truth even if it is the hardest thing I have to do.
8. I will be a better friend and listen to their problems more than I talk about mine.
9. I will spread positivity to everyone around me by staying positive myself.
10. I will learn to be more forgiving, but that doesn’t mean I will forget.
11. I will not be judgmental about other people, you never know what battle another person may be fighting.
12. I will love and cherish my friends and family because you never know which day may be their last.
13. I will give more than I receive, whether it’s my own time, presents or giving an ear to someone who may need to talk.
14. I will do everything to accomplish my dreams and won’t let anyone else’s opinions get in the way.
15. Lastly, I will live a happier life, not because my situation will be better but because my mindset will be.

2016 wasn’t a good year because I let it affect me in ways that I shouldn’t have. You get to chose whether you’re happy, sad, angry or depressed. No one else makes you feel like that other than yourself. When you feel like 2017 is giving you a hard time, come back and read this and remember your happiness is in your hands. 2017 can be your year too if you just let it!