The new year is just around the corner and as you look back at the last 12 months, consider the things that you might want to change or improve. Now is the time to set goals, make resolutions, and live out the idea of: “New year, new me.”

2016 is the perfect opportunity to wipe our slates clean and rid of the things in our lives that hold us back and keep us from accomplishing our new set of goals. In order to make this happen, here are a few things that ought to be left behind as we begin the new year.

1. Following Trends

We're all guilty. Sometimes it's not that bad, maybe you didn't realize how much sense something made until someone else explained it. But at the end of the day these trends never last and there is absolutely no need to conform to the ideas of others, instead of your own.

2. Insecurity and Self-Hate

Leave behind the tendency to look in the mirror and hate what you see. There is never a reason to lack self-confidence. Life becomes more fulfilling and enjoyable when you let go of all of your insecurities.

3. The Past

This one's easy -- it's a new year! You can’t alter the past and by living in it, you are allowing it to affect opportunities that will arise in the future. Leave behind the grudges you hold against yourself and others.

4. Destructive Relationships

Leave behind the ones in your life that drain you. Regardless of the nature of the relationship, carrying these people along with you will only drag you down in the new year.

5. Negativity

A negative attitude can ruin some of the most enjoyable things in life. You cannot expect to be happy if you always have something negative to say, or you surround yourself with negative people.

6. Obsessing on Diets

Trying to eat healthy and live a healthy lifestyle is something that should be encouraged! But diets and obsessing over your physical appearance is a whole other world and I advise you to leave the ladder behind in 2015. Instead, focus on living healthily inside and out.

7. Hypocrisy

Practice what you preach. If you don’t appreciate the good, don’t acknowledge the bad.

8. Fear

Appreciate fear when it keeps you safe and ignore it when it stops you from trying something new and exciting. Instead of letting anxiety control you, find the courage to take chances, embrace your dreams, and let go of fear in 2016 -- it could be your best year yet!