We’ve established the fact that I’m a quote hoarder, and I’m forever saving motivating quotes. In one of my Pinterest binges (Pinges?) I saw a print that simply said, “You can do hard things.”

I like that. I love that. Because it’s So. Dang. True. I can do hard things, and you can do hard things, and 2017 should be the year of doing hard things.

I’m not saying we should all run ourselves ragged, trying to do anything and everything. I think that a lot of people have the mistaken idea that being busy is the same thing as being important, or productive. Instead, let this be the year that you do that thing that you keep ignoring or putting aside.

That one thing that you see others doing but pretend you don’t want to join, or say you can’t join. That one thing that you read about or research in your spare time, but assume it’s meant for others, and not you. The one thing that you’ve half-heartedly attempted but retreated back to your comfort zone when it doesn’t come easy. That one thought that keeps weaseling its way into your mind, only to be silenced because listening to it would be uncomfortable.

Quit complaining about the job you hate and find one that makes you happy. Call me a naïve millennial all you want, but I am 100% confident that the world would run smoothly if everyone pursued a career that would make them happy. It might be a hard (and probably financially strained) transition. But you can do hard things.

Leave the partner (or the friend) that makes you second-guess your worth. There’s someone out there that will think you hung the moon. The people who were with you in 2016 don’t need to be in your 2017. Your time on this earth is limited, so stop giving your precious time to the people who don’t make you truly, genuinely, authentically happy. Romantic and platonic break-ups are hard, but you can do hard things.

Stop hating your body and start doing something that will make you love it. Stop bitching about your extra pounds or your chicken legs. Go do something about it. Stop idolizing the fitness models and the marathon runners and the yogis that flood your timeline. You can be one, if you want. You can do hard things.

Kick the bad habits. Deep down, you know if you drink too much. You know that constant cough is from smoking. You know going to that place doesn’t make you feel good afterwards. You know that every time you do (insert bad habit here), you end up feeling bad. Getting rid of a shitty habit is hard. You can do hard things.

Trust your intuition. People will give you their opinions whether you ask for them or not. A LOT of times, people will question you if you make bold choices or start changing your life for the better. Trust your gut, and in the wise words of Jimi Hendrix, “I’m the one that’s got to die when it’s time for me to die, so let me live my life the way I want to.” Listen to your inner voice when you question yourself, and DO THE HARD THINGS.

This is my New Year’s Resolution: When I find myself complaining about something, I am going to ask myself if I have the power to fix it. When I find myself being jealous of someone, I’m going to ask myself what I want that’s making me feel that envy. I’m not going to shy away from those obvious but “oh so hard” solutions. I can do hard things, and you can do hard things. Cheers to 2017!

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