Don't just call when you need something or can't remember where a particular item is at the grocery store and are afraid to ask an employee. Call your parents every

other day, or at least weekly just to see how they are doing. Don't always assume they should be the ones checking in on you. As we get older, so

do they. They deserve to be checked on too.

For those of us who live away from our siblings, it can be hard to really be actual friends with them as we get older. They transform into people you

share DNA with rather than someone you'd want to hang out with. If that's you and your siblings, make a promise to yourself to get to know them as who

they are as adults instead of who they are as just your weird little brother and sister.

While reading blogs are totally awesome (thank you for stopping by), reading an actual book is great too. We're not saying it has to be something super educational. Whether it's

a celebrity memoir (Shonda Rhimes' Year of Yes will change your life) or a romance novel, read it and be proud you did.

Yes, it's hard as hell to learn a new language as we get older. Nevertheless, we're in a time and age where you can hop online and learn just about

anything if you try hard enough. Learning even the basics to be conversational in a new language opens you up to meeting new people.

If you're the type of person who loves to shop but then forgets about what they bought, this is for you. Don't keep things around you literally have worn ONCE

since you bought it five months ago. Don't toss clothes either. Donate them to people who don't just want them, but need them.

If you're too busy to give back, you're not living right. Take one of your days off and volunteer at a charity that really speaks to who you are.

You can help to save someone’s life in a huge way by doing very little. From donating blood to signing up for Be The Match, all of it

goes a long way in helping someone get a second chance on earth.

Parents need a break, so help give your friends with kids that gift. Offer to take their kids off their hands for a bit so they can have a day

or night off.

We like to think we're invincible. We only see the doctor when we feel like we're on death's doorstep. Instead, resolve to go every year for a checkup just to

make sure things are all in order.

To be perfectly honest, I didn't know what broccoli tasted like until I was well out of college. Don't be like me. Eat your veggies. I swear they aren't as

gross as you once thought at 9-years-old.

Isn't it weird how you can live somewhere for x-amount of time and still feel like you haven't seen this place or that? Time to stop that. Getting to know

where you live can be as adventurous as traveling to a new country. Plus, it gives you the chance to meet those around you.

It seems like at a certain point in our lives we find a look that works and run with it. Perhaps changing every decade or so. Don't fall into a

routine this year when it comes to your wardrobe. Try rocking something you've never worn before and do it with confidence. You may discover a new side of yourself.

I'm the type of person that is TOO shy to say, "I like your bag. Where'd you get it?" Not this year! Those of us who are too timid to

give compliments need to break out of our shell and spread the love we have inside of us.

Let's be honest, how many of us remember the names of everyone  we see on a day-to-day basis? That barista you literally see every day, Monday through Friday? Yeah, learn

his name. No peeking at his name tag. That friend you made in class? Don’t just call them “dude.” Learn everyone's name! It's the first step to more meaningful connections.

We still live in a time where waiters don't get paid what they deserve. They bring us the wonderful gift that is food and they do so while serving a

restaurant full of everything from drunk frat dudes to crying babies. Tip them what they deserve and leave them a note saying what a great job they did. After a

long shift, that'll go a long way.

Decluttering will help with your creativity and productivity. You can also donate any extra paper, pens, pencils and other office supplies to your local schools. We all know they don't

always get the proper funding.

This seems to be the commonality more in big cities rather than small towns, but we aren't neighborly. In LA, we say "hey" but don't care to know our neighbors

in the same manner that my small town mom knows hers. Big city folks, let's be friendlier towards those who share our apartment complexes. It will transform the metropolitan space

into a nice quaint town.

Why go through the hassle of stamps and a card when you can just wish someone a happy birthday on Facebook the day of? Well, because it shows you care.

Sending mail has become this outdated form of communication when in reality it's a beautiful, personal way to connect to someone you care for far away. Take a second to

note when your friends' birthdays are, get their addresses and send them a card this year. They'll be touched you made an effort to say hello.

Cleaning isn’t something that should only happen when you are about to have company. You should clean on a weekly basis to ensure that you’re not living in reckless, unorganized

life.

Some people (like me) have watched way too many When Animals Attack clips and aren't about that nature life. Unbeknownst to us, not all of nature is terrifying. With that,

go for a walk, see actual dirt, don't be afraid.

This goes without saying but, we are too attached to our phones. If anything, put that rectangle down when you are sitting down to eat with someone or with your

family. The thing about the internet is that it's going to be there when you get back, but the people your with and those real-life experiences may not be.

We are all guilty of leaving things behind in our parent’s house. It’s time to be grown and get rid of those old toys you know do not need. Donate

them to a local women’s shelter, orphanage or day care. Either could put them to good use.

The end of Mean Girls when Lindsay Lohan realizes that making fun of that girl on the other team will not make her smarter or able to win anymore rings

so true. Putting others down, even with gossip, won't make your life any better. So stop hating.

Clear skin y'all. Clear skin. Also, it's the healthiest and most natural thing you can put in your body.

You don't want to get to the end of your time on earth without having seen at least 30% of it. You also don't want to wait until you're so

old that you don't have the energy to do it anymore. The time is now people!

Being that I don't have a typical 9-5, I've learned that saving is key in order to stay out of debt. Set an amount to save every time you have

any income and stick with it. Only spend available funds in your checking account. That leaves your savings account safe and sound in case of an emergency or if you

want to take a trip.

With the internet being right there all the time, we can get distracted within a nanosecond. Hell, I literally have used Facebook three times while typing this sentence out. We

can be more productive and get closer to being a boss if we just log off and focus.

You learned how amazing it is to recycle when you were in kindergarten. Why in the world did you stop between then and now? We're just saying, it's time to

start it back up and help the world out.

People think having a bedtime is for kids. Oh no, as you get older your body starts to notice that 19 feels a hell of a lot different than 30.

Treat your body well so it doesn't revolt. That starts with a good night's sleep.

My upbringing wasn't perfect. We lived check to check and had our issues, but my mom always taught us to laugh it off. We learned to see the humor instead

of focusing on the negatives. Try and do the same. You'll smile more!

This goes along with finding the laughter. You can't always look at things in a negative light. Focusing on what you don't have rather than what you do will cause

you to really miss out on the positives in life. It's not always the easiest thing to do, but you have to be grateful for the bright side instead of

turning to the dark side.

Other than this being great for the environment, taking the bus can also be entertaining. There's never a dull moment on the city bus. Also, you get to enjoy your

city more when you're not in the driver's seat. You can focus on things without being stressed about stop lights and traffic.

If you're single and looking, drop the dream mate you have in your head. Aziz Ansari noted in Modern Romance that he thought he knew what he wanted

out of a partner. Who he wound up with was the complete opposite. Physically she had little in common with what he thought he'd fall for. So step away from

the dream in your head and this year, seek out who's really good for you.

Don't lie, when a stranger smiles at you and tells you to have a good day you feel better...right? Now it's your turn to do the same.

Reach out to those you admire in your career, your line of work. If you're still starting out or not quite where you want to be, then reaching out to

them could help you get there. See if you can grab a cup of coffee with them and get to know more about the business.

I'm guilty of just popping a Benadryl and going to bed. You too? Ugh, we need to take care of ourselves before retiring for the day. Clean our face, make

a to-do list for tomorrow, things that grown people do.

The worst thing someone can do is sit on their phone while you're having a conversation. Don't be that person. Listen when people talk. Don't just listen, be an active

listener. Ask them questions. Show them you're into what they're saying.

My fiancé listens to what I call "Brocasts." Podcasts by white dudes talking about things from one shared perspective. His mission this year is to broaden his horizons to get

away from that one outlook. If you're the same and only listen to a particular type of podcasts—try something different this year, too. It's amazing how much your mind can

expand when you let in different world views.

Facebook is great in that it keeps us from having actual high school reunions. We see what our old friends are up to daily on our timelines. It can be

sad, though. Once upon a time this person or that was our life and now they are just a name on a screen. Reach out and see them next time

you're in your hometown. Grab lunch. Catch up in person!

Just because you didn’t accomplish something before, doesn’t mean it’s time to throw in the towel and never try again. There is always time to achieve.