Christmas is over, which means it's time to start prepping for the next year. In the past, my New Year's resolutions have seemed like a good idea until January 10 when I lose motivation or forget about them completely. But this year I want that to be different. These are five realistic resolutions that I think we can all stick to in 2017.

1. Getting Healthy

Everyone wants to get healthier and be in the best shape they can be. But actually executing this goal is a different story. Whether it's cutting out junk food or exercising regularly, there is always room for improvement. One thing that I'm going to do is start small and set realistic goals. Exercising every day isn't realistic for me with my schedule right now. So instead, I am planning on exercising three to five days a week. This way I will feel encouraged when I accomplish my goal instead of discouraged when I fail to meet an unrealistic goal.

2. Saving Money

This is another hard one. One way that I am going to work on saving and spending my money responsibly is by learning how to budget. I know the concept of a budget and what it means but I want to learn how to do it more effectively. I'm also going to learn how to save money in a smart, realistic way.

3. Getting Organized

Getting organized is actually fun for me but it can be daunting. Clutter hides in every corner and after a while it can be hard to notice and can become easy to slip back into the mess. One way that I am going to work on staying organized is to take the little bit of time every day to clean something. Whether it's clothes on the floor, clutter on the counters or laundry that needs to be put away, I am going to make the conscious effort to take care of it right away, so that I won't have to worry about it later.

4. Managing Time

This is something that I tend to struggle with. Juggling a lot of different things can be difficult because they are all important to me and it's sometimes hard to determine which one is the most important. A way that I am going to work on managing my time better is to make a list and allocate a set amount of time for each task that I need to accomplish. Another thing that I think will help is allowing myself a break, but not for too long. My thirty minute break will often turn into an hour and thirty minute break, and then I'm unmotivated and lazy.

5. Reading For Fun

When I was younger, I read constantly. But as I've gotten older and taken on more responsibilities and freedoms, I don't read as much. I have a list of books that I want to read but never find the time or seem to forget about them. In 2017 I plan on having a "screen free" time before bed. That way I can focus on what I am reading without distractions.