With all the “new year, new me” subscribers out there, it can be pretty difficult to NOT think about what you can do to make improvements to yourself and your lifestyle this upcoming year. Being realistic, we all know that most of the changes people ambitiously plan on making will not actually happen. However, if there is anything 2016 has taught me, it’s that sometimes, changes need to happen for our own good. Without further adieu, here are five resolutions that you owe it to yourself to implement:

1. Stop eating garbage

Fueling your body is not a task to be taken lightly. Changing your diet to include more vegetables and water and less fats and sugars will not only help you to feel and look your best, but also will manifest changes in your confidence level and your mood. You should not limit yourself to never enjoying the foods you love, but cutting back on the foods that truly are not healthy for you is a change that your body deserves.

2. Remember to say thank you

A lack of appreciation is not only disrespectful, but also makes you look unprofessional and does not translate well to others. Even if someone else has done something small for you, remember to always show your appreciation and say thanks.

3. Stop letting people waste your time

You can try and blame failed relationships on distance, bad timing, or crazy significant others, but if you are enabling the behavior then you only have yourself to blame. If someone isn’t giving you the attention you deserve, move on. If someone is making excuses for why they can’t follow through, move on. If someone is making you feel any less than you deserve, say goodbye. You’ll only be better for it. Focus on yourself and your goals instead of waiting for someone to make you a priority.

4. Take time to yourself

You deserve some time to yourself, no matter how old you are. Don’t be afraid to say no to activities that you can’t commit to if you are feeling overwhelmed and stressed. Take some time to use an adult coloring book, treat yourself to a movie night, or read a book and I can guarantee you will be more productive.

5. Don't be afraid to let go

Let go of things that aren't moving you forward. Embrace change, because we cannot spend our whole lives stagnant, constantly waiting for things to happen. Try something new and stop caring about what others think. Thoughts become habits and habits become actions; any journey, whether one mile or one thousand miles, begins with a single, simple action: a step forward.