Cheers to the New Year!

Happy 2016 everyone! Recently, I've been seeing a lot of friends making fun of the saying "new year, new me." Although it is such a cliche and EVERYONE makes resolutions (I went to the gym today and I have never seen that place so packed!), I do completely support efforts to better yourself. This year I will not be making a resolution, but more of a "dedication" meaning that I strive to dedicate this year to being the absolute best version of myself that I can be.

This October, I went on a fall retreat with my Mary Kay unit. The one thing that I really took away from it was that the only difference between myself and the successful women standing in front of me was hard work and dedication. That was it! I was just as nice, smart, and good at doing makeup as any of some of the most successful women there, so why were they successful when I was not? It's all about dedication and persistance. You've got to put yourself out there and be willing to fail, we all do at some point. Hard work pays off. You can't reap the benefits without doing the work!

Another (as DJ Khaled would say) "major key to success" is confidence. People can really  see and feel confidence. In my opinion, there is nothing more inspiring than a woman who is sure of herself and completely secure in who she is. I have come to find that you have to love yourself before you can expect anyone else to love you. When you love yourself, you realize what you deserve in relationships (both platonic and romantic). You don't take crap from anybody because you know damn well that you deserve the best.

I have realized that it is time to take control of my body and diet. I have always been addicted to sugar, and I have allowed it to control my life for far too long. Sweets and chocolate are what I have always turned to whether I was stressed, happy, or sad. The ironic part is that I love working out (I'm addicted to spin classes), but I've always struggled when it came to my diet. Recently, I read a quote that said "your life, like a car, is driven from the inside" meaning that you have to take the wheel and get control over your own life because NOBODY will do it for you. It's time to make a change, even if it's one small step at a time.

So although I didn't really make a list of resolutions, I did make a list of 20 things that I would like to do before I turn 20 in June, and I am still holding myself accountable! I still have 5 months left, and I will update on what else I've checked off recently.

As for you, I hope that 2016 brings you all that you hope for and more. Although there is absolutely nothing wrong with making resolutions for the new year, don't just save your resolutions for January! We should always be striving to be better than we were yesterday. There are 364 other days in the year, so let's make all of them count.