As we close out another year, ’tis the season for resolutions. This is when we pledge to make a drastic change in our life for the year to come in hopes that it will fill some type of void. You know the most popular resolutions, we’ve all had them before, we are going to start working out and lose weight and be in our hot girl era… then three weeks later we are back on our bullshit eating mac and cheese on the couch in our jams (I personally see zero issue with this, just saying). If this doesn’t sound like you, I am so proud of you, if it does sound like you… I’m still proud of you because being alive is hard and we all deserve a break in judgement.

Today I am here to tell you 5 things you should get rid of not just in the new year, but in general, and no, sugar is not one of them (Praise). Having tested this list myself, I feel confident in telling you that it is life changing.

First and foremost, you should get rid of other peoples opinions. They can have them, but you don’t have to receive them. How other people perceive you is quite literally none of your business. And that’s it.

Second on the list is your shitty friends. If they don’t make you feel like the best version of yourself and encourage you to grow in all aspects of your life… gotta go! Adios Bitchachos.

Third, your people pleasing tendencies. OUCH, did that one sting a little? It’s okay, it got me too. If we want to get down and dirty we can say these tendencies are rooted in childhood experiences, in which you should explore with your therapist. If you don’t have a therapist, you should get one and if you think you don’t need a therapist… well my friend, you most definitely do. People pleasing doesn’t really do much for you. It may give you that short hit of validation and feel good for a little while, but ultimately it’s eating up your insides without you even realizing it. Make it stop! Tell them NO! Set that boundary! You are better than they could ever make you feel. As a recovering people pleaser I can attest to you… this shit is hard. You will feel terrified, mean, anxious, and then it will feel so empowering and become second nature. I’m here standing behind you like a lioness and her cubs, ready to pounce on anyone that tries to break you.

Fourth, the coulda, shoulda, woulda’s. You don’t need them, let them go. We all get caught up in what we would have done differently in our lives. I mean, have you ever NOT won the imaginary argument in the shower? It’s so easy to focus on things in the past and the different outcomes there could have been that would have possibly changed the directory of life all together. Guess what… it’s done and gone and time to move on and use those experiences to propel your actual future (not the fake one you came up with in your head).

Last but not least, rolling in at number five…. PLASTIC. Sheesh. Why are we still having this conversation? Bags, bottles, containers, etc. We are trashing the environment and we only get one of those, ya know? I’m not saying throw it all away- because that would be wasteful. I’m saying pay attention to how much you’re buying and using. There is no reason our fruit and veggies, which has their own container literally built in to its rind and skins to keep it safe and fresh (yes you should definitely wash them but that’s a topic for another conversation). Save some money on plastic water bottles and just get a filter. I am POSITIVE every household has some type of travel cup in it that can be refilled at work/school/the gym/wherever you frequent. If you don’t, come to my house and I will hook you up. Use glass containers for your leftovers. Reuse your current plastic containers to hold other things in your house that don’t enter your body. There are so many other options out there for us all to make better, more sustainable choices-it’s just a matter of being mindful and intentional with what we are consuming.

I hope this has brought some sort of insight or inspiration as we enter the new year. If nothing else, may it be comedic relief. Letting go of these things (even the plastic) won’t be easy and you will really have to do some work, but you will feel so much better in the end. Happy New Year, beautiful people.