1. Stop saying ‘yes’ when you want to say ‘no’.

Seriously. Stop letting people walk all over you. I know it can be hard to tell the truth, and it can be hard to speak up for yourself, but this is your life. Do what you want to do, not what everyone else wants you to do.

2. Stop focusing on everyone else, and neglecting yourself.

We spend way too much time worrying about others, worrying about what they think of us, and worrying about what other people are doing or accomplishing. Let 2017 be the year you stop neglecting your needs and your dreams. Focus on yourself.

3. Stop dating just ‘to date’. 

You don’t have to date anyone if you don’t want to. You don’t have to get a boyfriend or a girlfriend just because everyone else has one. Don’t date someone just for the hell of it. It’s a waste of your time.

4. Stop feeling sorry for yourself when something doesn’t go as planned. 

Instead of spending time feeling sorry for yourself and wallowing on something that went south, work harder. Be better and do better. Let your mistakes shape you instead of tear you down. Learn from them, and don’t stop until you make your goals happen.

5. Stop worrying so much about the future. 

The future is going to happen whether you like it or not. Try to focus on what is happening in the now, and what your goals are for today instead of what they are five years from now.

6. Stop comparing yourself to your peers. 

Everyone is comparing and contrasting so much, it is becoming unhealthy for our mental health. Instead of looking at life as a race, think of it as your own individual pathway and realize that everyone is going to be going in different directions. Other people’s successes does not make your success any smaller.

7. Stop ignoring your gut feelings. 

If you feel like someone isn’t right for you, or a job isn’t right for you, don’t ignore how you are feeling. Please trust what your body is telling you, instead of bottling it up inside of you.

8. Stop letting negativity get to you. 

There will always be negativity in this world no matter what you do. Please stop giving into that mindset and giving into the dark thoughts that your mind is capable of having.

9. Stop caring about what other people think. 

No, really. Your life is too short for you to care so much about what other people are thinking or saying about you. Is this their life that you are living? No. It is yours, and you are the star of your own world.

10. Stop neglecting wonderful friendships. 

Make more of an effort to catch up with great friends and grow those connections even stronger. It is rare to have such beautiful friendships in our day and age, so please don’t mess those up.

11. Stop spending so much money during nights out. 

Do you really need that extra drink? Do you really need to take an Uber ride home? Choose to start saving your money instead of spending so much of it on nights that you probably won’t even remember.

12. Stop complaining about every little thing. 

Everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Everyone has their own struggles and their own insecurities. You are not the only who is struggling, and you are not the only one who is alone in how you are feeling. Think of the positive things that are happening in you life, instead of every tiny negative thing.

13. Stop fretting about your imperfections. 

We all have them. We all have bumps and scars that we wish we were never born with, but it’s just a fact of life. Embrace them. Love those marks and those flaws. Learn to love yourself this year. Imperfections and all.

14. Stop ignoring your mental health. 

If you are feeling like something isn’t right, and not like yourself, please don’t ignore it. Don’t put it off for later. Go talk to someone. Ask for help.

15. Stop worrying about things you can’t ever change. 

There is no use worrying so much about things you will never be able to take back or change. Instead, focus on today and do your best. That is all anyone can ask of you.

16. Stop giving up so easily. 

Please stop giving up so quickly on your dreams, on your goals, and on yourself. You are worth so much more than half assed attempts, and you are worth so much more than only giving  your 50%. Give it your all. And keep on trying.

17. Stop treating yourself like crap. 

We all have our bad moments. We all have things we wish we never said. But, honestly, your life is too precious to beat yourself up so much. Treat yourself better in 2017. Give yourself time to focus on what you love and adore about yourself. Be proud of who you are and who you have become.