When I was at school my friendship group was quite big. A big friendship group at such a young age leads to endless dramas, arguments and bitchiness. I just remember it being so draining and you're constantly wondering who likes you and whose bitching about you to someone else in the group.

Seven years on, I only speak to one person from that friendship group. At the time, I thought I could never be without them and that they were the be all and end all of life. Now, I couldn't be happier. Moving away from my hometown to university was the best decision I ever made.

Living two and a half hours away from home taught me so much. I overcame challenges I never expected to be faced with and learnt my own independence. I made true, lifelong friends that I know are friends with me because they want to be, and there's no drama!

One thing I have learnt that is so important is that I need to do things for me. I've learnt to do things that make me happy, and not do things to please other people. Since graduating, my boyfriend and I have moved to London. It was either that or move back to my hometown and back into the baggage that comes with it. London is the place we need to be for our career aspirations, and I'm so glad we just went for it. We have so many more opportunities from living here and I just love the city life. I couldn't imagine moving back home after three years of not living there.

Alex is so supportive of the decisions I make, I couldn't be happier that I met him. We met at uni, and coincidentally his dad only lives half an hour away from my parents! On Thursday we're off to Paris too! The Eurostar was so cheap we couldn't justify not going. We have so many places we want to visit so may as well make a start. What better way to start 2018 and celebrate our two year anniversary than in Paris?!

What I'm trying to say really is seize every opportunity that comes your way. Don't worry about what other people think, it's nothing to do with them. Life is short and you shouldn't spend your time unhappy. Anything can happen at anytime so we may as well make the most of it. If you're unhappy with something in your life, take the steps to make a change. It may take time and require patience, but if you get there, you'll be so thankful for it. Empower others, make them feel good about themselves and don't pass judgement on those you don't know. Putting others down won't make you feel any better about yourself.

One of my New Year's resolutions is to stop comparing my life to others. I'm trying to keep in mind that people's lives are not all that you see on social media: you only see what others want you to see. Nobody has the perfect life and everyone has struggles. I need to remember that when endlessly scrolling through Instagram making myself feel like shit.

What are your New Year's resolutions?