Make This Year Different

New Years Eve started a conversation. I found myself have engaging conversations with the people around me about the past year and the coming year. What in 2016 made you grow the most? In 2017, what are going to make happen? All night I was engrossed in these amazing conversations with people who all had different views on the past year and new ideas as to how they were going to attack 2017. I was inspired by what I was learning, the topics discovered and the real change people were going to make happen in 2017. After the parties subsided I was inspired and I reached out to some very close friends to ask them what they were most looking forward to in 2017. Their responses are below.

“I love making resolutions as much as I love reflecting. As we step forward into a new year, new chapter I think it's important to recognize what you did in 2016 that felt right; the things you did that aligned with your passions or the things that put you in the direction you want to be heading.

“In 2016 I stepped out of my comfort zone to chase my dream. I'm proud of that move. In 2017, I'm continuing to work towards a career in music that is creative and true to myself as an artist. In this pursuit I'm also making it a goal to lift up those around me. Friends, family, coworkers, cowriters. More than ever, I think it's important for us to be kind and be bright this year.

“I'm excited for your 2017,

This is the year you make your move.

Adventure and travel are at your fingertips! And 2016 helped you realize that exact goal and you made great moves to get there.”

“Ooh that's fun! Well we are looking forward to lots of weddings (2 of his cousins have weddings then I'm in my cousin's and my sisters)so lots of traveling and making time for family. We'd love to adopt a dog this year but we'll see if that's the right thing for us. My boyfired wants to work out 3 times a week and have more meals together because we work different hours and I'm working on loosing up my restrictive diet. We have cool vegetarian cookbooks we're reading together and hope to have a date night (whether it's at a restaurant or at home) once a week. I would love to get more sleep in 2017 and at the very least, were keeping cell phones out of the bedroom. Happy New Year, chica!”

“I'm looking forward to finishing my house up! We'll be homeowners for one year in Feb and we're nearing the end of renovations. It's been a lot of hard work and long nights- but I'm proud of our commitment to getting it done one project at a time and really being patient with the process so we do everything well instead of right away.”

“Traveling. Getting as much hiking again as I can this summer.”

Ooooh fun! I'm most looking forward to becoming a full-blown paramedic in 2017 terrified, but excited. I've been working really hard to make it happen the past year so I'll be ecstatic once it comes to fruition!

There's a lot I'm looking forward to!!

First I'm looking to have my student loans paid off

And also get into great shape and just feel so much more confident in myself

Potentially moving from Chicago, making my first promotion at work, the trump presidency (jk), and hopefully traveling to either Tanzania, Iceland, vietnam, or somewhere else amazing. To make it happen? I can make it happen, it just takes some planning ahead of time. Can't let things catch up to you, and be proactive

What a cool idea! And good question. Honestly, I think graduation and finally being able to just worry about one job instead of two jobs + school + volunteering etc. I am working to graduate, find a job, and take that big step (finally) towards being independent. Also really excited to finally buy my own car haha

Australian singer/songwriter RJ Ferry's debut EP release

Most looking forward to new adventures, travel, and staying healthy.

I am so proud and humbled to surround myself with people like this. Everyday I am more inspired by the opportunity that lies within each and every single day. What most everyone said above does not end with 2017, it starts. They all have bigger goals and larger life plans. I know 2017 will bring great things.

This year I plan to....practice mindfulness everyday, continue to develop my website and write about things that bring out emotion, not be afraid of what is unknown and embrace challenges, act opposite (say yes to things I would usually say no to) and do not make excuses, spend a few months in Australia, travel and teach in Thailand, go on an extended hiking trip, stay connected to my family and not feel guilt for "missing out"

What will you do in 2017 that will lead you to a more intentional life plan?