2016 was a rollercoaster. A lot happened in 2016 that makes us not even want to talk about. Because so much happened in 2016, here is some advice on surviving the 2017 year.

Advice Number 1: At the beginning of 2016, I was starting college and I learned a lot in that semester. I learned that respect is earned not given. I met a lot of adults at the beginning of 2016 that acted like children, so to speak. I learned a lot because of that, so my advice to that would be if you’re starting off at a new school year or a new job is that sometimes you have to be the adult in the situation but that doesn’t mean you have to always be one.

Advice Number 2: Something I learned this year is that it is okay to leave a toxic environment. I had a job last year that was toxic and unhealthy. The people were messy and always caused drama and although I had no job as a backup plan, leaving was the best decision I ever made. If you are in a toxic environment, it is okay to leave. You won’t be perceived as overdramatic. If it is better and healthier for you to leave then leave.

Advice Number 3: Mental illness is not a joke. Being depressed doesn’t mean you’re just sad. There is a difference between sadness and depression. You do not have to explain your depression to someone who doesn’t understand or want to understand. Yes, it is good to tell someone, but if that person makes you feel invalid, they are not someone that can help you for they will only cause more pain. If you are aware of your mental illness and depression, then it is valid. You do not need to prove to anyone how you feel.

Advice Number 4: It’s okay not to know where you’re going in life. I have been asked the question a thousand times. What do you want to do with your life? And my answer changes every time; it's okay to say I don’t know. When you’re in high school it was easier to live life day by day but now that you are older, living day by day doesn’t pay the bills. I can’t say I know where my life is going, but I can tell you where it’s not going. It’s not going to please everyone so they can leave me alone. It is not going to the idea of working a 9 to 5. Where will I be in 10 years? I don’t know.

Advice Number 5: Resolutions suck. If you want to lose weight go for it, but if you are doing it for any other reason than for yourself. Then stop, right now. I mean it stops. How about this as a resolution to do more, to see more, to be more than last year. My only resolution for this year is to be a better me than last year.

Not everything in life is easy and 2016 was the definition of a hard year, but it’s time to say goodbye to 2016 and hello to 2017. There is no point to living in the past. Time to move forward.