2016 was quite possibly the worst year of my life and I am not sad to say that it's finally over! This past year I was diagnosed with depression and an eating disorder. I watched the end of my parents’ relationship and saw my dad move to Florida. On top of all of that, my grades were terrible at the end of my freshman year. Considering all this I would say that it is fair for me to say that I am glad that it’s over.

The new year is a time for reflecting on what the last 365 days have brought you as well as being a time to set aspirations for the next year. Given all the things I was handed this year I have learned that you definitely cannot control what life is going to throw at you--all you can do is take things as they come. Now I’m not going to pretend that I ever liked making resolutions. The concept is a little silly to me in all honesty. Why do you need a day to make you improve your life? If you aren’t happy you should seek out a change not because it's the beginning of January, but because you think it what’s best for you.

I have always hated the idea that everyone on this day decides that they need to lose weight to be happy with themselves. Everyone suddenly makes this decision on the same day and then the gyms are overcrowded for a month or two but soon enough everyone gives up, their lives get in the way and they feel even worse about themselves. People feel pressured to make New Year’s resolutions every year and the phrase “New Year, New Me” is chanted as a mantra, fueling everyone’s desire to change.

This year I have only one resolution, to do what makes me happy. Rather than pressuring myself to change or improve in some way I just want to do things that bring me joy. I’m tired of worrying about what everyone else thinks at the expense of myself.