Like every year, 2017 has been full of lessons and things to carry on our shoulders for the upcoming years ahead. Here are 7 things that can be reflected on from 2017.

1. Life changes.

Tomorrow will never be the same as yesterday. Don’t be so afraid of what your life is going to look like or who you are going to be, that you miss what’s right in front of you.  Look back to who you were a year ago and think about how different you are. So much can change in just a year.

2. Change can be hard.

Sometimes the weight of the world is just too heavy for us to handle. It’s okay to step back from reality just to breathe. It’s okay to switch up your daily routine. It’s  necessary to have change in your life to be able to grow. Don’t get stuck in your same old habits everyday. There is so much to see and do and you have to step outside your comfort zone for a while.

3. You are allowed to cry.

You should probably do this a little more often because it can be really good for you to release stress and ease tension.

4. Always tell people how you feel, even if you know it will hurt their feelings.

The term “honesty is the best policy” is an excellent motto. Hiding your feelings from people will only make you feel worse, and it can provide false hope for the person on the receiving end. If you’re the person on the other end, don’t go to the ends of the earth for something or someone won’t do it for you. Express your thoughts and feelings to the best of your ability for the sake of everyone around you.

5. Don’t waste your breath.

Spending your energy and time on something you have no control over won’t do anything other than stress you out. Associate yourself with people who want to hear everything you have to say and care about things that are important to you. Having healthy and stable relationships in your life are so important to your well being.

6. Have a private life.

Not everything you do and say has to be published for the whole world to see. Keep a side of yourself private for the people that are closest to you. Not everyone deserves to know every little thing about you and your life.

7. Girls who criticize other girls will only cause a mess.

I understand that you can’t please everyone and not everyone you meet will like you. What I will never be able to wrap my head around is the constant tearing down of girls around us. In 2018, we should all strive to just be kinder to everyone around us, boys included.

If 2017 let you down, have high hopes for 2018. This is your year, go in standing tall and ready for anything this year has to throw at you.