With the new year approaching, the resolutions will be in full swing. Diets, weight loss, exercise more.... these New Year's resolutions are all too familiar.

But what if we took on some not so typical resolutions for once? We're all too quick to hop on a bandwagon that makes us look better in the eyes of others. Try out one of these seven New Year's resolutions, and I guarantee you'll find yourself happier than ever before.

1. Be Patient

This is something we can all get better at. In our fast-paced, demanding, and ever-changing world, we live for instant gratification. We want things now, because we don't have time to waste. Often times, we miss out on some amazing moments and opportunities right in front of us, because we're already thinking about our next move.

2. Be more kind to those around you.

The old elementary school saying, "Treat others how you want to be treated" still applies in the adult world. Negative attitudes are contagious, and it's often what puts us in a grumpy mood. Just one interaction with an unpleasant person can ruin your whole day. So don't be that person. Be the person that turns someone's day around for the better, and in turn, they'll do the same for everyone else they come in contact with. It's a viscous cycle, that can either brighten or darken someone's day.

3. Volunteer.

Speaking from experience, it's amazing what giving back to others does for yourself. Taking just a small part out of your week, or even month, to serve others does a whirl for your wellbeing and self-esteem. Volunteering gives you a feeling you can't really describe, it's something you just have to do to in order to experience it.

4. Spend more time with yourself.

As an on-the go society, we constantly have to be entertained. So when we're not at work, school, or whatever else, we feel that we have to be surrounded by others, always doing something. The thought of not having plans for the weekend is almost unheard of these days. Take a weekend to just stay home and catch up with yourself every so often. It's not the end of the world to skip going out with friends or taking events out of a packed weekend. Sure, the FOMO might be there, but I promise it doesn't last forever.

5. Say no.

You don't have to say yes to everything. Too often, we say yes to people, in fear of hurting their feelings if we say no. But the truth is, saying no sometimes is completely okay. You'll find yourself a lot less stressed and at peace in the end saying no, rather than doing something you really don't want to do.

6. Stop worrying about the 'What If's', and live in the moment.

What if I don't get that job? What if I never find the one? What if I don't make enough money? Stop. Don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. You can't plan out every aspect of your life. Truth is, you can hardly plan out any of it. So stop worrying, plain and simple.

7. Cut out the negative people in your life.

Why do you keep that one negative Nelly around in your life, when they don't ever have anything positive to say? I'm telling you, this year, get rid of them. You don't need that negativity in your life.

You might not take my advice and do all of these things. Understandable. Even if you can just add one of these seven things into your new year, you'll see a whole lot of difference. This isn't to say that losing weight or exercising aren't good new year's resolutions. Consider stepping outside of the box and doing something truly different this year. 2017 is your year!