As we move on from 2015 to 2016, we may be thinking of the things we need to do to make the new year better than ever. Many people have various goals going into the new year that could range anywhere from losing weight to getting the promotion they've been working hard for -- but the thing these goals all have in common are that they're set in the hope that they make us happier. While this may sound easy enough, it can be incredibly difficult without knowing where to start in order for this goal to be achieved. Being happy is not always about what we may need to add to our lives, but rather what we need to leave behind. Here are a few things to let go of in order to make us happier in 2016.

Let go of negativity.

Negativity in our lives, unfortunately, comes in many shapes and forms. It can come in the form of negative thoughts toward ourselves -- thinking we are not good enough, thinking we do not deserve something, or finding various flaws we are not happy with. It can come in negative body image -- thinking we are too fat or skinny, shaming ourselves for eating that large fry from McDonalds instead of a salad, or hating ourselves for watching a New Girl marathon on Netflix instead of going to the gym.

It can also come in the form of negative thoughts toward others -- judgmental thoughts about that person we're secretly jealous of, hateful thoughts about the person who never seems to have to study but still gets an A, feelings of disgust for the girl who got the guy you have drooled over since freshman year. The thing about every single form of negativity listed is that none of it does any good. Is beating ourselves up about not going to the gym going to get us in any better shape? Is hating that student who gets A's without studying going to make us any smarter? No, it's not, no matter how much we may wish it would. Instead, let's focus on putting all of our positive energy into the things we can change instead of putting negative energy into the things we can't.

Let go of anger and grudges.

We all have that grudge that we've been holding for however long against the one ex friend that borrowed that thing and never gave it back. Does that sound super ridiculous? Yeah, it should. The thing about anger and grudges is that half the time, so much time has passed that we forget what we were even mad about in the first place. We know we don't like that one person but we can't for the life of us remember why and if we do remember, chances are the thing that happened is over and done with and there's nothing we can do about it now.

I'm not naive enough to say that being mad or upset about something shouldn't happen because everyone is entitled to being angry, but there is also something to be said about being angry and then letting it go. As much as we would like to believe that us staying angry at someone burns them and keeps them awake at night tossing and turning, the reality of the situation is the only person you are burning and keeping up at night by holding the grudge is yourself. I promise it is a waste of energy.

Let go of toxic people.

Please, for goodness sake, let go of those terrible people in your life that do nothing but talk badly about everyone you know and make you feel poorly about yourself. Life is incredibly short and we never know how much time we have with people. So, why waste yours on someone who does nothing to benefit anything or anyone except themselves? Instead, choose to spend time with those who make you laugh, make you feel happy and bring out the best in you. Trust me, these people will do way more for you than any toxic person ever will.

Let go of depending on others for your happiness.

I know I'm guilty of it, as many of you may also be. The idea that our own happiness depends on no one but ourselves is a lot of responsibility and pretty scary, therefore it can be easy to put it in the hands of another person-but this will not make you happy. I remember growing up my mom would always tell me, "Find something in life that makes you happy that will always be there. Don't rely on that thing being a person." Just like everything else she ever said, she was so right.

The truth of the matter is people in your life come and go, but the one person who will always be there is you. So go find a hobby, ride a bike, go for a hike -- do something for you that makes you happy that doesn't involve anyone else because at the end of the day a person may not always be there, and learning how to make yourself happy without someone else is the most rewarding trait you can have.

Let go of the idea that perfection exists.

I think one of the most common reasons people are unhappy or unsatisfied with their lives is because they are constantly striving for perfection. It could be in relationships, in appearance, or in life in general but those people who are constantly working to be perfect are going to have a very unhappy life because perfection is not real. What even is perfect? I have discovered that something or someone that seems so "perfect" from the outside could be destroyed on the inside. Everyone is fighting a battle and struggling in some way and although it may appear that everything is completely together doesn't mean that that it is. Perfection is not universal. What is perfect to you may not be to someone else, and while you are striving to be perfect there may be someone looking at you thinking that you already are. Instead of focusing on this idea of being perfect, focus on doing what makes you happy and being who you truly are -- because this will make you the perfect version of yourself and that's all that matters.

Let go of excuses.

You want to start working out every day but can't seem to find the time? Wake up early and go before class. You want to get better grades but can't seem to find ample time to study? Set an alarm, find a friend, and go study in the library. Excuses are a way for us to make ourselves feel better about not doing something. I know it sounds harsh, but it's true. In the time that it took you to come up with an excuse for not doing something, you could have been putting on your tennis shoes and heading out the door to the gym or putting books in your backpack and heading to the library. The bottom line is if there's something in your life you want to do, then do it and stop making excuses. Once you start doing something, it is a lot easier for it to become a habit.

Let go of the need to make everyone happy.

For me personally, this is the thing I am most guilty of. It has always been incredibly hard for me to say no to people for fear of upsetting them or making them unhappy. There have been many times where I have not wanted to do something but done it anyway with the desire to please the other person and usually, it results in both of us having a miserable time because I don't really want to be there and the other person can usually tell.

I understand that there are many things in life that we have to do and don't want to for the purpose of our careers, school and otherwsie, and unfortunately with these things we've just gotta suck it up and get it done. However, with other things in life, we need to let go of the desire to make everyone happy because it's not possible. Although it is great to make compromises in life, if our entire life is based around pleasing others we will eventually lose ourselves and forget what it is that truly makes us happy. Every time we pretend to be someone we're not in order to please someone else, we lose a part of ourselves, and that's no way to live.

I hope y'all's 2016 is filled with happiness, positivity, and letting it go. Happy New Year!