I'm not one to make New Years' Resolutions, and I never have been. But this year, I decided to make a goal for myself-- something broad and achievable. I decided to create a goal that has nothing to do with my looks, or my weight, or other things that people tend to work on. I created one simple goal for myself: to live a more meaningful life. This goal manifests itself in a few different forms: owning less stuff, truly engaging in conversations, and not letting my fears and anxieties get the best of me. I decided that if I work on these three areas, I could live a more meaningful, and therefore a happier, life.

Owning less stuff is more than just purging what you already own. Owning less stuff is also about being mindful with your future purchases. Yes, I did go through all of my things and got rid of anything that was absolutely unnecessary. I recently watched a documentary called Minimalism, and their philosophy stuck with me: if it doesn't add value to your life, it doesn't need to be in your life. It really got me thinking. How many things was I keeping "just because" or "just in case"? Three garbage bags full, that's what. I pared down my closet, memorabilia-type items, makeup and other beauty products, etc. I kept only what I needed and what I knew I loved and would use. Owning less stuff means more money and time for things that are important in my life right now, like getting through college. College is my top priority right now, and spending less money on things means more money to spend on becoming the person I want to be. I've decided to stop impulsively purchasing items, and to be more conscious with my money. If it's unnecessary, I'll think about the purchase. Does it add value to my life? Do I absolutely love it? If the answer is no, I'll skip it for now. More money is always a good thing.

Truly engaging in conversations will help to strengthen friendships and create more meaningful interactions. I've decided to make a conscious effort to put my phone down, focus my thoughts, and make eye contact with the person or people I'm talking with. My friends and I hung out the other day, and we all stacked our phones in the middle of the table, face down, so that we weren't tempted to pick them up. It was a fun time, and an idea that I'll be implementing, even if just with myself. In conversation, my thoughts tend to wander to myself, rather than on the person whom is speaking. I wonder how I look, if I seem nervous, etc. etc. etc. I want to try my best to channel those thoughts to the conversation and actively listen to the speaker. So far, I've been doing pretty well. Actively listening will help with the eye contact piece, as well. Having meaningful conversations will create closer friendships, something so important to me. I want to have people that I can rely on and vice versa, and to have relationships and friendships that are truly loving and meaningful.

To live a more meaningful life, I want to stop letting my fears get in the way. I want to start being adventurous, trying new things, and making amazing memories. There is no better time than college to be spontaneous and step out of your comfort zone, and I want to stop getting in my own way. I've decided that 2017 is going to be the year of trying new things. (Kylie Jenner, what do you think 2017 is the year of?) Supposedly, I'm in my prime, and I want to make the best of it. I turn 19 this year, and I want it to be the best age yet. I want to create lasting memories, because let's face it, I won't remember the nights I spent in my dorm watching Netflix. I want to have meaningful experiences that I'll remember for a lifetime.

A meaningful life will be a happier life, and that's what we all want, right? Forget the old cliche "happy wife, happy life," and remember that a meaningful life is the best life you can live.