As the remaining days of 2016 have come to a close, it is hard not to think about the year ahead. 2016 was an interesting year, to say the least. A lot happened and a lot is going to continue to happen in the year to come. One question that I constantly hear being asked this time of year is "What's your New Years resolution?" I have also always heard people quick to judge the idea of a New Years resolution, saying things like "You shouldn't need to wait until the next year to make a change..." or "Most people don't even stick with their resolution..."

I've never understood the people that are so quick to question and judge the idea of a resolution. To me, the New Year gives so many people an opportunity to start over. Maybe it is only a symbolic "new start", but that doesn't mean that it doesn't hold a lot of value to a lot of people. The world can be cruel sometimes, and if someone needs something to look forward to in the future, hope for a fresh beginning, then we shouldn't judge them for that.

Hope. A feeling or desire for something to happen. That's what a resolution provides people with. It gives them hope. There are very few opportunities to start over in life, and no one ever actually gets a completely fresh start, but if someone needs that hope that things will change and be different than they should have it. No matter what it is that you are unhappy with in your life, if you make a decision to change it, then we should all be celebrating with you because that's amazing. It is extremely brave to look yourself in the mirror and decide to make a change. So for people to mock that celebration of realizing what you want to do differently is really unfair and cruel.

Instead of telling someone that their New Years resolution is stupid, we should instead be saying "good for you," because it is amazing that they are trying to change something in their lives that they are unhappy with. Deciding to make a change is one of the scariest things that any person can do in life. It is hard to admit when you're unhappy with something, and no one should discourage you by saying your resolution doesn't matter.

Whether you're looking to lose weight, give back more, be kinder, save money, travel more, or anything else, don't let anyone tell you that it's "stupid" or that it "doesn't matter" because we all need a reason to look forward to the future, and we shouldn't judge anyone for ever having hope.

So this year think hard about your resolution and in 2017 we can all look forward to a brighter future together.